Short technical training

• Introduction

Short technical trainings are more specialized than those traditionally offered at the universities. The two-year programmes target immediate applicability in working life, and are designed to meet the practical requirements of the business community. Candidates must have a Baccalauréat or equivalent diploma, and are usually selected on the basis of their prior academic record. They may be also required to pass written and oral examinations.This kind of two-year technology programme is available at two different types of higher education establishment: University Institutes of Technology (Institut Universitaire de Technologie, or IUT), and high standard technicians’ departments (Section de Techniciens Supérieurs, or STS).

• University Institutes of Technology (IUT)

What is it? These technical institutes are state-establishments, all depending from a university. They offer a two-year curriculum leading to a DUT , University Technical Diploma. Their training is directed toward industry and services and proposes a choice of 24 specialised degree course with or without options: 15 of them oriented toward production sectors, 9 for services. DUT exist also in social and paramedical training. They always include a minimum of 10-week internships in-situ. Highly prized, this training is also highly selective. How to get in? The applicants must have passed the Baccalauréat or an equivalent diploma. They must provide their school reports and a letter of motivation. Then a jury examines each file and makes its selection. For the most demanded courses, there may be an exam or an interview. However, the institutes are aware of the difficulties that travelling to France would imply for foreign students and can make their selection only according to school reports and the quality and content of the motivation letter. For students with a Licence or a Master’s degree, there exists a special one-year training to get a DUT. Admission is based on school report and an interview. Registration deadlines are mid-June but we strongly recommend you to withdraw your application files as early in the year as possible as the most demanded courses reach their number of students very quickly. To boost your chances of admission, you can apply to several institutes at the same time.

• High standard technicians’ departments (STS)

What is it?    These departments are post-Baccalaureate classes to be found in upper secondary schools (lycée), either private or public. The training last two years, exceptionally three for extremely specialised options and lead to a BTS (High Standard technician Brevet) in one of the 92 specialised options (62 of them for the productive sector and 30 for services).  The BTS is a national diploma, which means that all schools, private or public, prepare the students for the same exam but do not deliver it themselves. How to get in? You  must have the Baccalauréat or an equivalent diploma, and provide your school records and a letter of motivation. Ask for an admission file as early as January, from the secondary schools of your choice. You can apply for several BTS in the same school. Of course, you can also apply to several schools offering the same training. Sources: CIDJ and Studyrama Photo: © F. de la Mure / Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs