The dualism between universities and "Grandes Ecoles" goes back to the 18th century. At that time the Special Schools were founded opposite to the Universities, which were then completely in the hands of the clergy and widely despised. These Special Schools should educate the engineers needed for the country and the new society. As a consequence of this historical background engineers in France still to-date enjoy a unique prestige. This is obviously also justified because of the high admission requirement, which by the way also foster the awareness among the students of the Grandes Ecoles of being members of an elite. Student who graduated from Special Schools get usually a good job and a good salary immediately after graduation.
For preparing the entrance exams to the Grandes Ecoles the students usually must first get their high school degree. Depending on their point average and of other criteria, they get into one of several preparatory classes classified by category : M', M, P', P, T, and others. They study for two years in the preparatory classes and are allowed to study for third year if they don't get immediately admitted in a Grande Ecole. Later, they study three more years in the Grande Ecole.
In addition to Universities and Grandes Ecoles, in 1966 around 50 Universities founded technical subsidiaries (Instituts universitaires de technologie). Their candidates receive a diploma degree after two years. Mostly future technicians are trained in these schools.
The curriculum of the universities is subdivided into three cycles. In the first cycle - the first two years - the fundamentals of a discipline are taught. The students graduate with the degree Diplome d'etudes universitaires generales (DEUG) which is considered as a full degree. However, in constrast to the original idea, only few students begin then their professional life. The education is mostly not considered sufficient for a full qualification.
The second cycle then covers the actual study of engineering subjects and ends with the so-called maîtrise (bachelor degree). Full qualification as an engineer is only obtained after another year of studies. We can say therefore that the general formula in France says that high-school degree plus another 5 years or DEUG plus another three years of studies are necessary for the diploma degree in engineering.
In the years 1989-1990, the french public opinion and government felt that France was lacking of a new kind of engineers which would get a very practical training. The government encouraged the creation of the "Nouvelles Formations d'Ingénieurs" (NFI), where the curiculum alternates scientifical and technical courses in the school, and field practice through internship during at least one of the three years of the studies.
However, the traditional engineering schools ("Grandes Ecoles") which were created one or two centuries ago, like Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole des Ponts et Chaussees or Ecole des Mines de Paris, still attract the best students after two to three years of very intensive undergraduate studies majoring in mathematics and some very selective competitive examinations.
{ This text was adapted from a paper by Prof. Dr. Ing. K. STEPHAN - Universität Stuttgart and Dipl. Ing. D. JOHANNES - Bayer A.G. - Leverkusen }