Students or academic advisors, while reading this paper, will first expect some information and clarification. We thus emphasize the diversity of the engineering training which has been developed in France over the last few years, within universities as well as new practically-oriented engineering schools (NFI) and shorter training cycles (IUP). This widened scope of interests fosters the training of more engineers and high-level technicians, and shapes new graduates to their potential employers needs. Such diversity can have a role in downplaying the traditional picture of French engineering education, often viewed by foreign partners as a conglomerate of very demanding institutions sometimes perceived as restraining exchanges.
However, our leading aim here is to answer the students' or foreign faculty members' practical questions if they want to study in France or enter into cooperative or exchange programs. We are thus trying to provide the following kind of information:
The Baccalauréat is a national examination that permits entry into the higher education colleges. There are three kinds of Baccalauréat :
There are two large categories of short, two-or-three-year, technical programs :
These curricula last two years after the Baccalauréat. As they are short and technology-oriented, they directly lead way to employment. The delivered degrees are valid at the national level. The students may pursue another year of studies in some particular area and get the National Specialized Technology Degree (DNTS).
Students may also pursue longer studies, for instance in Professional University Institutes (IUP) or engineering schools.
Universities deliver other more technically-oriented degrees :
All these curricula take place within universities and aim at providing specialists to industry.
The classical model of the specifically French engineering education system includes two stages :
The better known engineering schools, some of which are 200 or more years old, follow this model.
However, in the last forty years, new engineering programs were developed :
Most engineering schools take a few university graduates (bac+4) who then follow the last two years of engineering school with the other students.
The exercise of an engineering profession is neither controlled nor regulated by French laws. There is no professional organization of engineers like the "Order of Physicians" for medical doctors. Only the title of "graduate engineer" is controlled and protected by law. The usual naming of "engineer" is not.
A higher education college may only deliver an engineering degree if it has been allowed to do so by a special committee controlled by the Minister of Education : the Engineering Title Committee (CTI), created by the law of July 10, 1934.
The Engineering Title Committee :
The high consideration and notoriety which are bound to the French engineering degree, especially when delivered by the best known schools, allows graduates to access high positions. Such fast-paced careers are not available to engineers in many other countries. The CTI appears to be the main basis of the French engineering education system.
Unlike any other degree, the same engineering degree covers a large variety of programs. Each engineering school may exercise a rather large variety of admission modes, programs and methods. But it still has to maintain a high level of quality and a certain educational profile.
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Access to engineering schools is only open to good or very good high school students with sufficient scientific background. However, opening engineering schools to graduates of DUT, BTS or DEUG, and developing new engineering schools (NFI) has allowed high school students with a technological background to enter engineering schools.
Internships were first established because companies claimed that studies were too abstract, and to prepare future engineers for the workplace. Internships are now offered in all schools and at least one internship is mandatory in 90 % of the schools.
Three kinds of internships are organized by schools :
The average total duration of all internships is 28 weeks, but there are big differences between engineering schools. The last internship (engineering internship) is usually the longest, lasting about 18 weeks. The total duration of internships is between 15 and 30 % of total study time, and sometimes more than that.
The quality of the internships is important to get a degree : most schools give it a weight of 10 to 30 % in the final grade, and some of them only give the degree after completing the internships.
Within these five years, the first two years aim at giving the students basic scientific training, and a work methodology (first years of five-year engineering schools, or DEUG, DUT, BTS, or preparatory classes).
The proper engineering training lasts three years (about 3000 hours) and includes :
Both small and large schools are trying to adapt to their environment through changing stress on options which are often revised according to companies' needs.
These are the most numerous : 110 among 202 in january 1995.
Competitive examinations for entering engineering schools are prepared within preparatory classes of lycées («classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles scientifiques»). Preparation lasts two years after the Baccalauréat or three years if the student decides to repeat the second year (the year called «mathématiques spéciales»).
Engineering training then follows for three years.
Some competitive exams permit access to several schools, and such unions create groups of schools. For instance, the «Mines/Ponts» exam groups 8 schools, while the «Centrale/SupElec» exam groups 7 schools and the «Polytechnique» exam groups 37 schools (23 in physics and 14 in chemistry).
Studies in preparatory classes are particularly tough, because of the intense effort required and give character reference to those students who were able to sustain such efforts.
10 337 engineers graduated in 1992 within these programs (60,7% of the degrees delivered by schools mainly entered after initial studies).
42 engineering programs recruited mainly bac+2 students in Jan. 1995. Those are almost exclusively programs internal to universities.
Recruitment in these programs occurs mainly through analysis of the students's c urriculum vitae (resume) and interviews. Most of the candidates have got a DEUG A (earth and life structure sciences) or B (life or natural sciences) or a DUT/B. Percentages of course vary from one program to another. Selection is most severe : DEUG in no more than 2 years, excellent DUT/BTS with a relevant major.
These schools also recruit a few students of preparatory classes, provided they have at least successfully passed the written part of the competitive examinations for the better schools ("admissibilité"). These programs produced 1,622 graduates in 1992, that is more than 9.5 % of the total number of engineering graduates.
Fifty among the 202 schools recruit directly at the Baccalauréat level. These programs are close to their foreign counterparts, like German Technical Universities.
These schools often join together for selection (INSA, ENI, schools of FESIC) ; recruitment may use the students curriculum vitae (INSA), or examinations (FESIC, ENI), with a complementary discussion with the jury.
Priority is given to scientific high schools graduates, whose percentage varies according to the schools. ENI recruit also technological high school graduates.
Training occurs in 5 years, usually with two cycles (INSA, FESIC) :
Other schools do not distinguish these two cycles (ENI, ESIEE).
5 067 students graduated from these programs in 1992.
Compared to other engineering programs, NFIs have shorter and lighter courses, and much greater periods within companies under the leadership of advisers (alternating education ).
They also innovated by introducing apprenticeships at the engineering level.
Other NFIs may be entered at the bac+2 level, after DUT or BTS graduation ; in this case, studies last 3 years, including 2 years in companies.
Training may occur through apprenticeship.
Training curricula in NFIs differ from traditional curricula essentially on three points :
Academical teaching approximately represents 3.200 hours of training after Baccalauréat, or 1.600 hours after bac+2. In a 5-year program, the first two years are usually based upon an existing training cycle (first university cycle, IUT or STS) and aim at consolidating fundamental knowledge (mathematics, physics) and introducing the specialty. In the second cycle (the 3 last school years), courses are mainly focused on the specialization domains, methods, engineering methodology and management training. NFI graduates get an engineering degree recognized by CTI ("Commission des Titres d'Ingenieur").
NFI graduates get an engineering degree recognized by CTI (Commission des Titres d'Ingénieur).
IUPs offer three-year programs beginning at the bac+1 level.
These programs include :
Basic training includes at least 1600 hours and at most 2000 hours of courses.
The title of "ingenieur-maître" may be delivered by the dean to students, when proposed by a special jury that looks at the exam results.
MS is not a degree; it is a label given by the "Conference des Grandes Ecoles" (CGE) to specific graduate programs organized by engineering or management "Grandes Ecoles". The use of this label is protected by law. The authorization to use the label is given by a special committee, composed of professional and academic representatives.
214 "Mastères" recruit in the year 1994-95, among which 136 in engineering schools (1385 students).
The curriculum includes :
Information about how to apply may be obtained through the relevant schools.
470 foreign students are studying in engineering MSs in 1994-95, i.e. 34% of the global students population.
Countries' origin of foreign students :
Almost all French educational institutions offer their students opportunities to stay abroad (mainly in Europe, Canada, USA) for internships lasting several months, or courses lasting one or more years leading sometimes to double degrees when partnerships with European or American universities allow them. Student population interested in such programs ranges between 10 % and 50 %, up to 60 % in some schools (ESIEE, UTC).
What about foreign student registration in French engineering schools ?
Generally speaking, most engineering schools wish to strengthen their international relationships. Thus new, more appropriate structures develop : first European cycle EURINSA, programs reorganization with the introduction of credit hours in institutions such as UTC, ESIEE, INSA (under E.C.T.S. standards), increased flexibility in students' curricula, agreements for double degrees or reciprocal validation of courses, international courses in English and introductory French classes for foreigners.
We give hereafter a few non-exhaustive indications to foreign students who are interested in a French engineering education.
Some schools have made particular efforts for admitting foreign students; here are some significant examples :
Some schools (ex.: Centrale, SupElec) organize a special competition for foreign students having a high school degree and having followed preparatory studies for French or foreign engineering schools. This competition leads to entering the first year as a foreign intern student and later passing into the second year if satisfying the conditions. It is however easier to get admitted "sur titres" (without examination) directly in the second study year. This usually concerns students who already graduated from another school or from a foreign university.
The most important of these programs is the TIME network (Top Industrial Managers for Europe) developed by Ecole Centrale de Paris and extended to 23 European institutions ; it produced since 1989 about 100 double degreed European graduates. Contact : Prof. Elinor Sigler, Ecole Centrale de Paris, Bureau des Formations Internationales, Grande Voie des Vignes, 92295 Châtenay-Malabry Cedex, France
Tél : +33-1-41 13 14 19 - Fax : +33-1- 41 13 15 04 or 41 13 14 36.
The EPF Foundation introduced studies with double degrees in partnership with Fachhochschule of Muenchen and Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal. Based on perfectly integrated curricula which are no longer than normal studies (1rst, 3rd and 5th year in France, 2nd and 4th year in Canada or in Germany); they enroll every year classes of around 30 students (15 from each country).
Also with double degrees, ENSAM intends to initiate a French-German Center in Metz (opening in September 1996) with Technical University of Karlsruhe : students from both countries will study together, alternating between France and Germany. In the same spirit, ENSAM opens a French-Iberian Center in Bordeaux in September 1995, with 5 engineering schools of Northern Spain and the Engineering College of Porto University. Contacts : ENSAM Paris, Odile Jacquemin, Tél : + 33-1-44 24 62 04 - Universität Karlsruhe, Isabelle Hornick, Tél + 49-0721-608 28 94 - Centre ENSAM Bordeaux : Tél : +33- 56 84 53 33, Fax : +33-56 84 53 53
Another original idea led to the Diplome Tripartite of ESIEE (so called because of the program tricultural profile ), created in agreement with the universities of Karlsruhe (Germany) and Southampton (U.K.) and ICAI of Madrid (Spain). Students spend their 4th and 5th years abroad, each year in another partner country, and get at the same time the ESIEE degree and the Diplome Tripartite. About 200 European students have followed this course.
Prerequisites :
This program leads to the Diplome d'Agronomie Tropicale (DAT) at the end of the first year, and to the CNEARC engineering degree, Diplôme d'Ingénieur d'Agronomie Tropicale (DIAT) at the end of the 2nd year . Almost half of the graduates are foreigners.
French or foreign candidates should hold an engineering or university degree of bac+5 level. Bac +4 level candidates with professional experience may also apply in some MSs.
Some of these programs were organized within international partnerships : French-polish Mastères in industrial engineering and paraseismic engineering (ECL, ECP, ENSMSE with the polytechnical schools of Wroclaw and Scezin) or in Telecommunication Network Management (ENSTBr and Ecole Franco-polonaise of Poznan).
Get more information in the chapter dealing with "Mastères Spécialisés».
An engineering degree or a university degree at the bac+4 level is required. Selection is organized using the student's resume and interviews (usually in June/July and again in September). Candidates should enquire about admission formalities in May.
The list of these programs is available :
Candidate selection and admission are under the responsibility of a committee which usually meets twice, in June and September.
Admission may occur at two levels :
There is no automatic equivalence system for recognizing foreign degrees. The admission committees, when deciding the admission of students in DEA or thesis studies, take into account all previous studies of the candidates, their grades, personal projects ... and their ability to follow the French doctoral studies. Therefore, a good foreign engineering degree does not guarantee exemption from the DEA.
Before worrying about administrative procedures for registering in doctoral studies, the candidate should get in touch with the faculty member in charge of the program, in order to tell him about his ideas and motivation.
These thesis are being alternatively prepared within both institutions under the supervision of both advisers. The thesis has to be written in one of the national languages of both countries, and a summary has to be written in the other language. The thesis is submitted only once to a jury including the same number of scientific representatives of both countries.
The list of the DEA programs is available :
These partnerships tend to get priority because the schools know the involved colleges of foreign students and their professors, and because they can get some reciprocal priority for foreign trips of French students and financial advantages (for instance, internships for students and mutual remittance of candidates fees within European ERASMUS networks).
Through the ERASMUS European program, many higher institutions networks now increase student mobility ; each college validates studies accomplished in a foreign college. More than 2/3 of French engineering schools abide by this principle and offer to European students 6 to 12-month courses, in their 2nd or 3rd study year (often the students may choose between courses of different years). Most double-degree partnerships were built within these networks.
Some networks later tried to structure relationships in order to increase exchanges (the following list is of course not exhaustive) :
16 european institutions are part of the network : EPFL Lausanne., ESIEE Paris, ESIM Marseille, ICAI Madrid, Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, T.U. Delft. , TU Dresden, TU Karslruhe, Université Libre de Bruxelles, University of Essex, University of Heriot-Watt Edinburgh, Southampton University, National Technical University of Athens, Universidad de Valladolid.
Apart from these very structured European exchange programs, numerous partnerships have been developed with other countries' institutions, e.g. North-American universities.
Foreign students wishing to study or pursue research in a French engineering school should join partnership programs of the college of origin, which will certainly ease their stay in France.
Applications to be sent before September 15 to Institut Français du Pétrole/ENSPM, IRM Coordinator, BP 311, 92506 Rueil-Malmaison cedex France - Tél : +33-1- 47 52 60 96 - Fax : +33-1- 47 52 67 65.
Registration fees : 31,000 FF per student. Applications before April 15. Information : CESELEC, 8 Avenue des Minimes, 94300 Vincennes,France. Tel. : +33-1-43 98 38 44 - Fax : +33-1-43 98 12 06
Registration fees : 34,000 FF per student. Applications before September 1. Information : CESMECA, 8 Avenue des Minimes, 94300 Vincennes, France. Tel. : +33-1-43 98 29 92 - Fax : +33-1-43 98 12 06
Contact : ECATA Executive Office, 2 Avenue Edouard Belin, 31055 Toulouse Cedex, France, Tél :+33-61557183
Registration fees : 100.000 FF per student. Information : ENPC, Mrs ERERA, Tél : + 33-1.- 44 58 28 52.
Registration Fees : 62.800 FF per student. Information : UTC, Mrs Céline FERAMUS, Tél : +33-44 23 45 75
The different courses are the following :
Information : Fondation de l'Ecole Polytechnique, 29 Place des Corolles, La Défense 2, 92400 Courbevoie - Tél : + 33-1- 47 75 89 00 - Fax : + 33-1- 46 98 92 29
For any information : Mme LUCIUS, I.N.P.L. - S.R.I. - 2 Avenue de la Forêt de Haye - BP 3 - 54501 Vandoeuvre-les-Nancy Cedex - Tél : +33- 83 59 59 36 - Fax : +33- 83 59 59 55
COPERNIC was created in 1990 jointly by Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Paris, Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées, Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris and Collège des Ingénieurs. It offers an intensive 7 month training in the field of management and a 5 month internship in a partner or associated company. The internship prepares the students to future responsibility duties in a French company in Central and Eastern Europe..
The Copernicians follow about 500 compulsory training hours from october to april in the 4 partner institutions. The training intends to give high level undergraduates additional tools in the field of management. The program is centered on economics and political life, financing and accountancy, strategy and marketing, communication and administration of human resources. The internship (may to september) aims at breaking cultural barriers in order to allow a successful professional integration in the French firms present in Central and Eastern Europe.
For any information , contact the COPERNIC Office : 49 rue de l'Université - 75007 Paris - Tél : + 33-1- 49 54 72 81 - Fax : + 33-1- 49 54 72 68. - e-mail : Knut@cdi.cdi.Fr
Want to see a picture of the list ?
With such a diversity one may understand why a foreign candidate admission in a French engineering college does not follow automatic level equivalence rules, but results from various factors : number of study years, major and minor fields of studies, implemented projects, ...
A specific European directive about professional recognition of engineering training was planned, but never materialized. Therefore, there is only one European general directive in this area, dealing with recognizing degrees obtained after at least three higher education years for entrance in professions having regulated access.
Because of this definite lack of equivalence standards, Europeans have chosen to develop student and professional mobility by recognizing and validating studies made in colleges of other countries. The ERASMUS program was managed under this principle : student study periods in a European partner college are being validated by the initial college. This process has strongly developed :
Apart from this very structured system, mutual recognition of study periods among institutions from several countries more and more appears to be an essential component of an international opening policy, and is not limited to European exchanges. Partnership agreements exist also with American universities, like the partnership between the Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine and the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Kansas State University and University of Wisconsin at Madison. Developing this practice and enlarging student exchanges requires confident relationships between foreign partners. A new, unassuming attitude develops, where one takes notice of differences between systems, without emitting value judgements.
A Comparison of engineering studies in various European countries
Comparative schemes leading to the engineering degree in various countries
Comparative schemes of practice-oriented engineering programs in various countries
Various educational paths for engineers in France
A diversified landscape with common characteristics
A competitive system where the scientific baccalauréat is prevalent
Competition and selection are strongly connected to any engineering education. Selection occurs:
Connection between engineering schools and companies
In the last 15 years, many relationships have developed between schools and companies, aiming at adapting the programs to needs of the job market. They may lead to true partnerships between schools and companies (sponsoring student activities, forums and seminars, lending equipment, teaching by company representatives). Companies appreciate getting students involved in internships scheduled within the school curriculum.
These various internships are part of the study program, and follow one another in a pedagogical progression. Some of them occur during summer vacations.
French Engineering Education Program Types
Traditional program types
Studies organization in traditional engineering schools
In traditional schools, the engineering degree can usually be obtained after five years of higher education.
Schools that recruit mainly through Competitive Exams after scientific or technical preparatory classes
Schools recruiting mainly at bac+2 level, 2 years after high school degree (DEUG, DUT, BTS level)
Schools recruiting mainly at the baccalauréat level
Their advantage lies in studies designed from the start for engineering training. They allow students to choose a major without risks of competitive examinations.
New Educational Paths for engineers in France
The «NFI's»
NFI (literally : «Nouvelles Formations d'Ingénieurs», New Engineering, Programs), also called «Decomps Programs», were created after 1990 through partnerships with companies in order to train more technologically oriented engineers. Creating these programs was a strong innovation : new programs were designed on the entirely new idea - at that level - of alternating academic periods and long internships within companies. .
Studies in (1), internship in (2)NFI studies organisation
Initial education leads to entering the NFIs at the Baccalauréat level: in this case, studies last 5 years and include 3 years of academic training and 2 years within companies.
Studies in (3), internship in (2)
Other higher technical programs
IUP : «Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés»
IUPs were created in 1991 within universities, according to a general policy aimed at increasing the amount of graduates able to hold leadership positions.
Complementary training includes teaching in foreign languages (at least one), communication techniques, management techniques (law, economic and financial aspects).
Courses are partly taught by company staff .
Internships last at least 19 weeks. They are either spread over the entire program or organized in the last year.
A degree of «ingénieur-maître» at the level bac + 4
The following degrees are being delivered by IUPs :
The title of "ingenieur-maître" may appear confusing. It is not an engineering degree (bac+4 instead of bac+5), even if the quality of education is good.
It may be decided in a near future to allow the "ingenieur-maître" to get a true engineer degree after two years of professional experience.
Specialized «Mastères» («MS»)
MSs first opened their doors in 1986, as complementary, business-oriented, specialized education for engineering school graduates whose initial training was not specialized enough.
These high level programs are being organized within engineering or management "Grandes Ecoles". They have close relationships to companies. Pedagogy is flexible and evolutionary, thanks to the use of small groups of students and quality in teaching.
Duration and program :
MSs last at least 12 months, but they may last 18 months or 2 years.
Admission requirements :
A french or a foreign engineering or management degree is required, of bac+5 level (in France, DEA or DESS are accepted). However, a few (up to 20 %) lower level (bac+4) positions may be accepted for applicants with several years of professional activity.
Foreign students admission :
The initial higher specialization of foreign students allow them to get through MS the kind of education that corresponds to their countries' standards..
Western Europe 64
Eastern Europe 122
North Africa 148
Central Africa 50
America 27
Middle East 30 (mostly South America)
Asie 29
Cost of the MS studies :
The registration fees for engineering MSs varied last year through a large range, with 30 % of them around 40,000 FF, but in many cases fees were reduced through scholarships from various public origins, counties,towns, state ... Fees for individuals or for company employees are sometimes different.
(Source : Conférence des Grandes Ecoles)
International Dimension of French Engineering Schools
Some general data and trends
Receiving foreign students in France is part of a long tradition of hospitality: France is the European country with the highest percentage of foreign students in higher education. In the last twenty years, foreign students have also come not only from French speaking countries, but from Asia or Latin America under the influence of scientific cooperation agreements (initiated in 1976). More recently, the international overture policy of engineering schools has been strongly oriented towards Europe, under the influence of European Community educational programs.
Some indications for foreign students wishing to pursue engineering studies in France
Preparing an engineering degree
Because of the selective French engineering schools admission system, students need a very good high school level in mathematics and physics, which generally makes it difficult for foreign students to prepare French engineering degrees. However, there are some possible ways which could be interesting to explore.
See the list of double degrees of engineering schools.
Following specialized engineering studies leading to a degree
These are graduate studies, thus much easier to enter for foreign students than undergraduate studies.
Specialization Schools giving an Engineering Degree
These 21 schools (see list) offer one or two years of specialization studies for candidates who usually have already graduated from an engineering school. Foreign candidates may enter with an engineering degree with the same level as French degrees (bac+5 level). Foreign candidates having got up to the level of the French "maîtrise" (bac+4 level) may also enter, but they have to study two years in this case. Some schools take a high percentage of foreign students, and have even developed specialization studies in English :
Applications should be sent before May 15 to CNEARC, 1101 Avenue Agropolis, BP 5098, 34033 Montpellier Cedex 01, France - Tél + 33-1-67 61 70 00 - Fax : + 33-1- 67 41 03 23
«Mastères Spécialisés» (MS) organized by Engineering Schools
About 60 engineering schools (and also some management schools) organize these high-level business oriented specialization programs, usually 12 to 15 months long including personal work leading to the submission of a professional thesis. These are around 140 of these programs in science and engineering.
A list of Mastère programs is distributed by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles, 60 Bd Saint-Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06 - Tél : 33-1-43 26 25 57 - Fax : 33-1-46 34 56 70.
Diplômes d'Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées in Engineering Sciences (DESS)
organized in partnerships between Universities and Engineering Schools
More than 200 specialized graduate programs lead to a DESS. Those are organized by universities, often in partnership with one or many engineering colleges. These programs last one year.
Preparing a Doctoral Degree in Engineering Sciences
Obviously, doctoral studies are the most important scientific exchange programs of engineering schools or universities (percentage of foreign doctoral students in ENPC : more than 50 %, in ENST : 43 %, in INSA, the Institut National Polytechnique, UTC... : 40 % ).
Theses under joint sponsorship by French and foreign higher education institutions
In January, 1994, the French Minister for Higher Education and Research decided to authorize French higher education institutions to give doctor titles jointly with their foreign equivalent. This aims at developing scientific cooperation between French and foreign research teams by easing mobility of Ph.D. students.
Staying in an engineering school in the framework of an exchange network to study or pursue research
Engineering schools most often examine applications coming under the guidance of existing exchange programs with foreign partner institutions, though individual applications are also welcome.
International Courses and Programs
Some engineering schools have developed specific courses corresponding to priority needs of foreign candidates. Here are some examples :
Short continuing education courses
It is also important to know that a great number of engineering schools offer in the framework of continuous education a large series of short courses and seminars (a few days long) for professionals, centered on very specialized fields. Foreign students coming to France to follow a long study program may so have the possibility to complete their training in a specific subject through this type of short course. The catalogues and programs of theses courses are available in the continuing education departments of the different engineering schools.
Information : CESMAT, 60 boulevard Saint. Michel, 75272 Paris Cedex 06 - Tél : + 33-1-46347618, Fax : + 33-1- 43 25 17 99
Other types of training courses or programs designed for foreign students
«Jean Monnet Program» of «Fondation de l'Ecole Polytechnique»
Thanks to "Fondation de l'Ecole Polytechnique", this program could be offered to students of the best American or Japanese universities. Its aim is to give a European cultural, scientific and industrial vision. The program extends for one year with courses and seminars (4 months), internships in companies (5 months) and study travels. Selected students can get a scholarship of the Fondation.
Summer Program of Institut National Polytechnique de Lorraine (INPL)
INPL entered a cooperation and student exchange agreement with the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Kansas State University, and University of Wisconsin at Madison. Thus, INPL has been admitting since 1991 French speaking engineering students from these universities in a Summer Program which starts mid-May and lasts for 10 weeks. Language training and cultural education by INPL's "Centre d'Accueil et de Formation Linguistique" last 6 weeks. 4 other weeks are oriented towards a scientific activity in a lab, in the student's major field, with factory visits. Students write reports about these activities, in French. These reports are validated by the initial American university and give credits to students. This "à la carte" program encounters an increasing popularity among students, and managers of INPL are looking for other American university partnerships.
or Miss Kimberley THOMPSON - College of Engineering - Study Abroad Office - 115 International Studies Bldg. - 910 S. Fifth Street - CHAMPAIGN, IL 61820 - Fax (217) 244-0249 - e-mail : kthompsn@uiuc.edu
COPERNIC - a management program for engineers and economists from Central and Eastern Europe
COPERNIC recruits young economists and engineers, all French-speaking,, graduated from the most important Central and Eastern European Universities. A minimum level of 4 to 5 years higher education is required, a first professional experience is recommended. The recruitment phase starts every year in February.
Institutions partnerships leading to double engineering degrees
(this list is not exhaustive)
French Institution(s) Foreign Institution(s)
TIME Network RWTH Aachen, TH Darmstadt, Fr.Alex U.
(Top Industrial Managers for Europe) : Erlangen-Nürnberg, TU München, Univ.
ECP + EC Lyon, ECLille, ECNantes, Stuttgart, TU Wien, FP Mons, U Cat.Louvain,
ENSAE, ENSTA, SUPELEC U.L. Bruxelles, DTH Copenhagen, ETSII
Barcelone, ETSII Madrid, ICAI Madrid,
EMPol. Athènes, TU Eindhoven, Politecnico
50 students graduated in 1993 Milan, Politecnico Torino, IST Lisboa, KTH
100 graduated since the beginning of the program Stockholm
EMN Nancy Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros de
Minas de Madrid (U.P.M.)
ENSMP Paris (acces through usual Escuela Tecnica Superior de Ingenieros de
procedure «sur titres»in the 2nd yr) Minas de Madrid (U.P.M.)
ENPC Paris ETSI de Caminos Madrid, TU Münich, TU
Berlin, Politecnico Torino
ENSAM Paris-French-German center in Metz T.U. Karlsruhe
(opening in september 1996)
ENSAM Paris - French-Iberian center in U. Bilbao, U. San Sebastian, U. Valencia, U.
Bordeaux (opening in september 1995) Valladolid, U. Zaragossa, FEUP Porto
ENST Paris U. Stuttgart, Politecnico of Torino, ETSIT
Madrid, ETSIT Barcelone
EMSE St. Etienne T.U. Berlin
o
ENSERG Grenoble Politecnico of Torino
ENSPG Grenoble TU Karlsruhe, Politecnico of Torino
EPF Sceaux (Production and Automation FH Münich, Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal
Engineering Degree)
ESIM Marseille ETSII Madrid, Cranfield Institute of Technology
ESITI - INP Lorraine FH Mannheim
INSA Rennes - «Two degrees program in Strathclyde University in Glasgow
Electrical Engineering» (MEng with European Studies)
ISTG Grenoble T.U. Karlsruhe
UTC Compiègne Cranfield Institute of Technology
Other partnership types
E.E.I.G.M. Ecole Européenne en Génie des U. Sarrebrück, U.P. Barcelone, U. Lulea
Matériaux de Nancy
ESIEE, Diplôme Tripartite (training T.U. Karlsruhe, U. Southampton, ICAI Madrid
divided among 3 european institutions),
exists since 1980,
around 200 former graduates).
An International Comparison
The degree equivalence dilemma
Engineering training fields and engineer status differ widely among countries. In Europe for instance, the apparently simple problem of correspondance among degrees, not to speak of equivalence, is far from being solved, and the idea of harmonizing the various systems does not seem realistic. Educational systems specificities are deeply rooted in each country's culture, industry and economy. Large disparities appear in Europe between :
These disparities appear in a few comparative tables, which show some characteristics of various engineering training systems as compared to the French system. In many countries, two engineer profiles coexist : a design engineer with a broad training, and a production and application engineer (trained for instance by Fachhochschulen in Germany or by NFI in France). For each profile, there are nevertheless important national peculiarities.
See also the French Ministry of Education's comments on higher education in France
