Cover of higher education & research in France, facts and figures

📄 Source:MENESR-DGESIP/DGRI-SIES.

 Coverage:Metropolitan France.

The tables and graphs are based on a sample group of students who were individually monitored, making it possible to assess their trajectories no matter which course they had taken.

The 2008 sample group was created by selecting a sample of 12,000 students who were awarded a Baccalaureat in 2008 and had studied at a state or private education institution in mainland France, excluding the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry (MAAF), in the 2007-2008 academic year. The sample was based on the following criteria: type of Baccalaureat, age, grade awarded and gender. These students were asked to provide information about their circumstances at 31 October every year, regardless of what course they were enrolled on, and their academic progress, until they stated that they were no longer studying for two consecutive years.

The seventh survey year questions only those sample students still studying in the sixth year after the baccalauréat on the qualifications they have achieved at the end of the sixth year after the baccalauréat. Information on continued studies in the seventh year is also compiled, but not the precise course.

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18 trajectories and pass rates in higher technical sections (STS), University technology institutes (IUT) and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE)

In the short higher education programmes, most baccalauréat holders starting in 2008 no longer pursued their studies at the beginning of the seventh year after sitting the bac (96% in BTS and 88% in DUT). There is a high proportion of higher qualifications at Bac + 2: 28% in STS programmes and 70% in DUT. Conversely, four out of ten students entered in CPGE continued with their studies and two thirds had achieved a qualification at level Bac + 5.

In the STS programme, 73% of 2008 baccalauréat holders hold a higher education qualification (chart 18.01). Although 45% only achieved a level Bac + 2 qualification, many students continued with their studies after the BTS and obtained another qualification: 19% of baccalauréat holders hold a Bac + 3 qualification (including 11% with a vocational Bachelor degree) and 9% a Bac + 5 qualification. Obtaining a qualification and the breakdown per level depend hugely on the type of baccalauréat: 92% of general baccalauréat holders hold a higher education qualification compared with 77% of technological and 52% of vocational baccalauréat holders. The highest qualification obtained is mainly level Bac +2 regardless of the type of baccalauréat (between 40 and 49%). However, general baccalauréat holders are more often BTS graduates and have continued with their studies: 31% therefore hold a Bac + 3 qualification and 16% Bac + 5. These proportions are only 8% and 4% for vocational baccalauréat holders, with the technological baccalauréat holders falling somewhere in between. A mere 4% of baccalauréat holders continue with their studies in the seventh year after starting the STS programme: the share of level Bac + 5 qualifications is likely to grow only very slightly.

Among baccalauréat holders preparing for University technology diplomas (DUT) in 2008, the proportion of higher education diplomas after six years is very high: 92% (chart 18.02). As it is very common for DUT students to continue with their studies (about 85%), the proportion of graduates at level Bac +5 is also high: 39%. Technological baccalauréat holders are almost as likely as general baccalauréat holders to achieve a higher education qualification (88% compared with 95%), but the breakdown based on the highest qualification achieved is very different. The proportion of level Bac + 5 graduates is 46% for general baccalauréat holders, but a mere 18% only obtained a level Bac + 2 qualification. These proportions are 24% and 31% respectively for the technological baccalauréat holders. The proportion of level Bac + 5 graduates can rise again significantly, with 13% of baccalauréat holders still pursuing their studies in the seventh year after the baccalauréat.

At the start of the seventh year following the baccalauréat, 81% of baccalauréat holders entered in CPGE in 2008 achieved a higher education qualification (table 18.03). Two thirds have obtained a level Bac + 5 qualification: in decreasing order, these are engineering degrees (31%), business school qualifications (17%) and Master's (12%). This breakdown reflects that of entrants into the various types of CPGE after the baccalauréat, in the knowledge that students in literary courses are more likely to attend university given the lack of sufficient opportunities in schools matching their trajectory. However, in 15% of cases, the highest qualification achieved is at a level lower than Bac + 5, with mainly level Bac + 3 graduates (12%). Nearly two in ten baccalauréat holders have still not achieved a higher education qualification at the start of the seventh year. However, only 8% of baccalauréat holders in total have left without a qualification. Nearly four of ten baccalauréat holders (38%) are still studying. 75% of these students are enrolled in a course covering four or five post-baccalauréat studies: the proportion of Bac + 5 graduates is therefore likely to rise.

 Coverage:Metropolitan France.

How to cite this paper :

JAGGERS Christophe. Trajectories and pass rates in higher technical sections (STS), University technology institutes (IUT) and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE). In: Higher education & research in France, facts and figures - 49 indicators [online]. KABLA-LANGLOIS Isabelle (dir.). Paris: Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, 2017. 10th ed. Chapter 18 [Accessed 03/28/2024]. ISBN 978-2-11-152033-2. https://publication.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/eesr/10EN/EESR10EN_ES_18-trajectories_and_pass_rates_in_higher_technical_sections_sts_university_technology_institutes_iut_and_classes_preparing_for_admission_to_grandes_ecoles_cpge-ILL_01.php

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The tables and graphs are based on a sample group of students who were individually monitored, making it possible to assess their trajectories no matter which course they had taken.

The 2008 sample group was created by selecting a sample of 12,000 students who were awarded a Baccalaureat in 2008 and had studied at a state or private education institution in mainland France, excluding the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry (MAAF), in the 2007-2008 academic year. The sample was based on the following criteria: type of Baccalaureat, age, grade awarded and gender. These students were asked to provide information about their circumstances at 31 October every year, regardless of what course they were enrolled on, and their academic progress, until they stated that they were no longer studying for two consecutive years.

The seventh survey year questions only those sample students still studying in the sixth year after the baccalauréat on the qualifications they have achieved at the end of the sixth year after the baccalauréat. Information on continued studies in the seventh year is also compiled, but not the precise course.

 

18.01 Highest qualification achieved at the end of 6 years by students who obtained a baccalauréat in 2008 and subsequently enrolled in an STS by type of baccalaureat (%)

General Bac holders
Technological Bac holders
Vocational Bac holders
All Bac holders
  
Master's degree
Business school
Ingineering school
Other Bac + 5 degrees
Vocational Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
Other Bac + 3 degrees
Bac + 2 degrees
Not graduated
 
 
 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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18.02 Highest qualification obtained at the end of the sixth year after the baccalauréat by baccalauréat holders entering DUT in 2008, per type of bac (%)

General Bac holders
Technological Bac holders
All Bac holders 1
  
Master's degree
Business school
Ingineering school
Other Bac + 5 degrees
Vocational Bachelor's degree
Bachelor's degree
Other Bac + 3 degrees
Bac + 2 degrees
Not graduated
 
 

1 including vocational bac holders (non significative results).

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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18.03 Breakdown of baccalauréat holders entering CPGE in 2008 based on the highest qualification obtained and continuing studies (%)

 
Continue No longer enrolled in higher education All
Bac + 2 1.1 1.0 2.1
Bac + 3 8.8 4.0 12.8
Bac + 5 16.4 49.6 66.0
Not graduated 11.4 7.7 19.1
All 37.7 62.3 100.0

 
 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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Related statistical publications

 Note flash SIES 07 - Higher technical certificate (BTS) results - 2015 session - Mathias Denjean - June 2016
In the 2015 session, the number of candidates (179,600) and graduates (133,100) for the Higher technical certificate (Brevet de technicien supérieur - BTS) fell. The pass rate for those who took the examination was 74.1%, an increase of half a percentage point compared to the previous session. School-based candidates were in the majority, and recorded the highest pass rate.
 Note flash SIES 05 - Students in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles in 2015-2016 - Mathias Denjean - May 2016
At the start of the 2015-16 academic year, the number of students in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) increased again, reaching nearly 86,000 students. The scientific sector accounted for around two-thirds of these students, a sector in which women represented less than a third of those enrolled. Public institutions received 83% of these students, compared to 17% in private institutions.
 Note d'information SIES 15.04 - The baccalauréat cohort of 2008 who enrolled in higher education: where are they after five years? - Christophe Jaggers - July 2015
Interviewed about their situation at the start of the 2013-14 academic year, 59% of baccalauréat holders who enrolled in higher education in 2008 now have a degree. At the same time, 24% are continuing their studies but have not yet graduated, due to the course chosen or a delay in their studies. Finally, 17% have not graduated and have left higher education.

Half of the baccalauréat holders who enrolled on the first year of a Bachelor's degree obtained their qualification. Although only three in ten students who enrolled in the first cycle of medical studies (PCEM) or the first cycle of pharmaceutical studies (PCEP) then enrolled in the second cycle, there were many successful reorientations onto short courses, with over half of those enrolled in University technology institutes (IUT) and 22% of those enrolled in Advanced technician's sections (STS) obtaining a Bac +3 level qualification. 84% of students who enrolled in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) then enrolled on a Bac +5 level course or a Master's degree. Among the baccalauréat holders who enrolled on paramedic and social courses or preparations for these courses, 45% obtained a qualification. Only 10% of students who enrolled in higher education left without a qualification.

Other editions

Etat de l'enseignement supérieur et de la rechercheHigher education & research in France, facts and figures 9th edition - November 2016
17 - trajectories and pass rates in higher technical sections (STS), University technology institutes (IUT) and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) - Christophe Jaggers
At the beginning of the sixth year after obtaining their Baccalaureat, 74% of students who enrolled in higher technical sections (STS) in 2008 and 92% of those who enrolled in university institutes of technology (IUT) had obtained a higher education degree. A quarter of students from the STS study track and around two-thirds from IUTs even had a Bac +3 or Bac +5 level qualification. Three-quarters of Baccalaureat holders enrolled in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles were still studying, half of them in the final year of a Bac +5 level qualification [Consult the following page]
Etat de l'enseignement supérieur et de la rechercheHigher education & research in France, facts and figures 8th edition - November 2015
16 - student trajectories and pass rates for higher technical sections, university technology institutes and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles - Christophe Jaggers
In the 5th year after obtaining their baccalauréat, 72% of students who enrolled in higher technical sections and 89% of those who enrolled in university institutes of technology had obtained a higher education diploma, 22% and 52% (respectively) with a Bac + 3-level qualification. After two or three years, eight out of ten students with a baccalauréat who had enrolled in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles in scientific or business subjects were enrolled on a Bac + 5-level programme in a school. Conversely, nearly half of the students who had initially enrolled in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles in arts and humanities subjects went to university, even though the number going to a Grande École had increased [Consult the following page]

Translation

 Etat de l'enseignement supérieur et de la rechercheL'état de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche en France n°10 - Avril 2017
18 - parcours et réussite en STS, IUT et CPGE - Christophe Jaggers
Dans les filières courtes de l’enseignement supérieur, la plupart des bacheliers entrés en 2008 ne poursuivent plus d’études au début de la 7ème année après le bac (96 % en BTS et 88 % en DUT). La part de diplômes supérieurs à Bac + 2 est élevée : 28 % en filière STS et 70 % en DUT. En revanche, 4 étudiants sur 10 entrés en CPGE poursuivent encore leurs études, et les deux tiers détiennent un diplôme de niveau Bac + 5 [Consult the following page in french]


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