IUP
Instituts Universitaires Professionalisés
The IUPs (Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés, or professionalized univerisity institutes) were established in 1991 to serve two main purposes: to develop a system of professional training within the universities and to increase the number of graduates prepared to hold administrative positions. Their establishment was also a step toward improving the comprehensibility of the French education system, especially for foreign observers, as other professional university degrees at the bac+4 level (four years of study after the baccalauréat) were destined to be absorbed into the cadre of the IUPs.

click here for a table explaining some of the French degree paths

There are now slightly over 120 IUPs, approximately 60 of which focus on topics in the industrial sector. These 60 programs are predicted to produce around 4000 graduates with the title ingénieur-maître in 1996.

The IUPs are three year programs that begin with one year of standard higher education (the first year of the DEUG or DUT/BTS). The students then go on to obtain the university diplomas of the DEUP (diploma of professionalized university studies), license, and finally maîtrise (level bac+4). Upon completion of the entire course of study, the students receive the title of "ingénieur-maître" contingent upon the approval of an ad-hoc degree committee. Confusion often results from this label: the title "ingénieur-maître" is not in fact an engineering degree, as the IUPs have not been recognized by the CTI (titles commission) as accredited bodies. This does not, however, detract from the quality of education provided by the IUPs.
The IUPs are currently the topic of new reflection: it has been proposed that the ingénieurs-maîtres be eligible for the status of engineer after two years of professional experience.
A small number of graduates of the IUP program continue their education with a DRT (technical research diploma), equivalent to 6 years of study after the baccalauréat.
(see also DRTs)

The IUPs are programs leading directly to employment in the industrial and service sectors. They require between 1600 and 2000 class hours, the study of two foreign languages, and the completion of an internship lasting at least five months. In addition, half of the classes in the IUP programs are taught by professionals in the field of study.
The IUPs aim thus to conform to the European standard established by the German Fachhochschulen and the English ex-polytechnics.

The IUPs are currently regulated by a National Evaluation Commission. This commission is composed equally of professionals and academics, and is aided by national pedagogical commissions. Its main task is to advise the Ministry on the programs proposed by the universities and to follow the progress of the IUPs by a continued evaluation process. The commission also oversees the national distribution of IUPs in the 16 specialties currently recognized and the possibility of creating new specialties.
There are nine specialties currently offered in the industrial sector.

Chemical engineering
Civil and structural engineering
Electrical and computer engineering
Environmental engineering
Industrial engineering
Material science and engineering
Applied math and computer science
Mechanical engineering
Health engineering