Third cycle studies

In French higher education, advanced programs take place at a study level defined as the third cyle ( so-called troisième cycle), which starts after four years of higher studies. Third cycle may be presented as "Graduate Studies" (US) ot Post-graduate studies(UK), although there is nothing similar in France to the north-american College.

Third cycle covers

• research-oriented programs (DEA, DRT, Doctorate)
• advanced programs in a specific technical domain
  • engineering specialized programs
  • Mastères
  • DESS (Diplôme d'études supérieures spécialisées)

research-oriented programs

• Le DEA (Diplôme d'études approfondies)

  The DEA is a one-year program aimed at testing candidates ability to further their research work leading to a doctorate thesis. The DEA is also preparation of techniques and methods in research.

  Lectures are limited to 200 hours; most of the time is devoted to a research work lasting six months in a lab (like a Masters thesis ).

  Engineering students may have the possibility to follow a DEA program during the last year of their studies in their engineering school ( they will have to nevertheless spend some more time working during the summer for their lab thesis).

  In principle DEA graduates should go on with the preparation of a doctorate thesis, but many of them - especially in computer science - choose to look for a position in industry.

• Le DRT (Diplôme de recherche technologique)

Le DRT is a two-year program with some courses and mainly a research work on a subject proposed by the economic world. DRT may be prepared by IUP graduates and by engineering students ( with an overlap with the final year of engineering studies). Acontract has to be signed with the corporate firm, which gives the subject.

• The doctorate

DEA degrees holders may apply for the preparation of a doctorate, which correspond now to a 3 years original research work leading to the presentationof a thesis.

Specialized programs

• Spezialized Mastères

Spezialized Mastères are one-year programs which receive an accreditation by Conférence des Grandes Ecoles. Spezialized Mastères are organized by engineering schools and management Grandes Ecoles. They receive engineering or management graduates. These prpograms are organized around a professionnal thesis, which is prepared in close connexion with the economic world.

• DESS (Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées)

The preparation of a DESS is based on a one-year programme

• 400 -600 hours of lectures
• a practical project

The basic aim of a DESS is to provide a quite specialized training in an area which is supposed to interest industry ( or the economic world).

• Magistères

Le Magistère is a university degree which attests of a special selection and of a specific follow-up, starting after the first cycle, and lasting sitaire professionnel de haut niveau, préparé en trois ans après un premier cycle (2 ans) . Most of Magistère are linked to the Ecoles Normales Supérieures (Ulm, Cachan,Lyon, Fontenay).

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