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

📄 Source:MENESR-DGESIP/DGRI-SIES.

 Coverage:Metropolitan France + overseas departments (DOM).

The tables and graphs are based on a sample group of students who were monitored individually, 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 baccalauréat in 2008 and studied at a state or private education institution in metropolitan France, excluding the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry (Ministère de l’agriculture, de l’agroalimentaire et de la forêt – MAAF), in the 2007-2008 academic year. The sample was based on the following criteria: type of baccalauréat, age, grade awarded and sex. 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 final survey concerned their circumstances at the end of October 2012. At this stage of the students’ trajectories, it was only possible to record Bac + 3-level certificates and not postgraduate qualifications.

The 1995 panel was made up of 17,830 students who went into the first year of lower secondary level education at a state or private secondary school in metropolitan France in 1995. These students obtained their baccalauréats between 2002 and 2006, depending on whether they repeated a year of secondary education and whether they took the vocational option. The trajectories of these students were monitored for as long as they continued their higher education, up until they were awarded a Bac + 5-level qualification. The last survey conducted was in the 2010-2011 academic year.

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16 student trajectories and pass rates for higher technical sections, university technology institutes and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles

This page has been updated. Read 18. 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 10th edition - June 2017

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.

At the end of October 2012, in the fifth year after obtaining their baccalauréat, 72% of students who were awarded a baccalauréat in 2008 and went on to enrol in higher technical sections (Sections de techniciens supérieurs – STS) had obtained a higher education diploma (chart 16.01a and chart 16.01b). Half of the students stopped studying after obtaining a higher technical certificate (Brevet de technicien supérieur – BTS), while nearly a quarter (22%) continued their studies and went on to obtain a Bac + 3-level qualification (demonstrating the successful conclusion of three years of higher education following the baccalauréat). 1 However, a quarter of the students who enrolled in STSs left higher education without obtaining a qualification. Since the previous sample group, the total proportion of students graduating has remained stable, while that of those graduating with Bac + 3-level qualifications has increased by 5 percentage points. Students with technological baccalauréats are the main contributing factor to this increase. Graduation rates for STSs varied significantly depending on the type of baccalauréat students had obtained previously: 89% of those with general baccalauréats and 76% of those with technological baccalauréats obtained a higher education qualification, as compared with only half of those with vocational baccalauréats. Similarly, students with general baccalauréats were more likely to continue their studies, with 32% of these students still studying in the fifth year, than students with other types of baccalauréats (23% and 10% respectively of those with technological and vocational baccalauréats).

In the fifth year after obtaining their baccalauréat, 89% of the students who had started at university technology institutes (Instituts universitaires de technologie – IUT) in 2008 stated that they had obtained at least one higher education qualification (52% achieving Bac + 3 and 37% Bac + 2-level qualifications, demonstrating the successful conclusion of two or three years of higher education following the baccalauréat respectively). The proportion of students graduating with Bac + 3-level qualifications fell slightly for those from IUTs in comparison with the previous sample group. Students with general baccalauréats were slightly more likely to graduate than those with technological baccalauréats, were more likely to obtain a Bac + 3-level qualification and were the only group where the majority of students went on to continue their studies (63% as compared with 41%). In total, 56% of students who started at an IUT in 2008 were still continuing their studies five years later (21% were at Grandes Écoles preparing for a Bac + 5-level qualification, 21% were on Master’s degree programmes, 6% were on Bachelor’s degree (Licence) programmes and 8% were on other courses), while 38% stopped studying after obtaining a Bac + 2 or Bac + 3-level qualification. Only 6% left education without obtaining any kind of higher education qualification (chart 16.02a and chart 16.02b).

In the fifth year after obtaining their baccalauréat, 70% of the students who had started classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles (Classe préparatoire aux Grandes Écoles – CPGE) in scientific subjects in 2008 were enrolled on a Bac + 5-level programme at a Grande École. 23% were enrolled on other types of courses, primarily at universities (17%). Only 7% had left education. Less than a third of students on CPGEs for arts and humanities subjects were enrolled on a Bac + 5-level programme at a Grande École, although this was still higher than the previous sample group, doubtless due to the increased opportunities offered by the humanities test bank (Banque d’épreuves littéraires – BEL). Nearly half were enrolled at university (21% in the second year and 18% in the first year of a Master’s degree) and two thirds obtained a higher education qualification. The vast majority of students who started CPGEs in scientific subjects and in economics and business were enrolled on a Bac + 5-level programme at a Grande École (80% and 75% respectively). Students who had done CPGEs in economics or social sciences were slightly more likely to go on to university (13% as compared with 9%) and were more likely to leave education (10% as opposed to 5%) (diagram 16.03a, diagram 16.03b, diagram 16.03c).

 Coverage:Metropolitan France + overseas departments (DOM).

1 Some STS graduates will have continued beyond Bac + 3 level. In the 1995 sample group, 7% of BTS graduates obtained a Bac + 5-level qualification.

How to cite this paper :

JAGGERS Christophe. Student trajectories and pass rates for higher technical sections, university technology institutes and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles. 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, 2015. 8th ed. Chapter 16, 42-43 [Accessed 03/28/2024]. ISBN 978-2-11-139433-9. https://publication.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/eesr/8EN/EESR8EN_ES_16-student_trajectories_and_pass_rates_for_higher_technical_sections_university_technology_institutes_and_classes_preparing_for_admission_to_grandes_ecoles-ILL_02a.php

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The tables and graphs are based on a sample group of students who were monitored individually, 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 baccalauréat in 2008 and studied at a state or private education institution in metropolitan France, excluding the Ministry of Agriculture, Agrifood, and Forestry (Ministère de l’agriculture, de l’agroalimentaire et de la forêt – MAAF), in the 2007-2008 academic year. The sample was based on the following criteria: type of baccalauréat, age, grade awarded and sex. 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 final survey concerned their circumstances at the end of October 2012. At this stage of the students’ trajectories, it was only possible to record Bac + 3-level certificates and not postgraduate qualifications.

The 1995 panel was made up of 17,830 students who went into the first year of lower secondary level education at a state or private secondary school in metropolitan France in 1995. These students obtained their baccalauréats between 2002 and 2006, depending on whether they repeated a year of secondary education and whether they took the vocational option. The trajectories of these students were monitored for as long as they continued their higher education, up until they were awarded a Bac + 5-level qualification. The last survey conducted was in the 2010-2011 academic year.

 

Key figures


Share of students entering 5 years previously via the Advanced technician's section (STS) study track now with a higher education diploma
72%
 
2012-13
Metropolitan France
 
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Share of students entering 5 years previously via the Technological university institute (IUT) study track now with a higher education diploma
89%
 
2012-13
Metropolitan France
 
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Share of students entering scientific classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles (CPGE) 5 years previously, now enrolled in a school to prepare a diploma of baccalauréat level + 5 years study
80%
 
2012-13
Metropolitan France
 
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Share of students entering economic and commercial classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles (CPGE) 5 years previously, now enrolled in a school to prepare a diploma of baccalauréat level + 5 years study
75%
 
2012-13
Metropolitan France
 
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Share of students entering art and humanities classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles (CPGE) 5 years previously, now enrolled in a school to prepare a diploma of baccalauréat level + 5 years study
31%
 
2012-13
Metropolitan France
 
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Share of students entering art and humanities classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles (CPGE) 5 years previously, now enrolled in a school to prepare a diploma of baccalauréat level + 5 years study
31%
 
2012-13
Metropolitan France
 
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16.01a Highest qualification achieved at the end of 4 years by students who obtained a baccalauréat in 2008 and subsequently enrolled in an STS (%)

Students with general baccalauréats
Students with technological baccalauréats
Students with vocational baccalauréats
All
  
Bac + 2 graduates
Bac + 3 graduates
Enrolled but not graduated
Left without qualification
 
 

54% of students with a general baccalauréat obtained a Bac + 2 and 35% at least a Bac + 3-level qualification. In total, 72% were awarded a higher education qualification, 71% of whom obtained at least a BTS.

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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16.01b Proportion of students who obtained a baccalauréat in 2008, subsequently enrolled on an STS and obtained a BTS in 3 or 4 years (%)

Students with general baccalauréats
Students with technological baccalauréats
Students with vocational baccalauréats
All
 
 
 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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16.02a Highest qualification achieved at the end of 4 years by students who obtained a baccalauréat in 2008 and subsequently enrolled at an IUT (%)

Students with general baccalauréats
Students with technological baccalauréats
All
  
Bac + 2 graduates
Bac + 3 graduates
Enrolled but not graduated
Left without qualification
 
 

35% of students with a general baccalauréat obtained a Bac + 2 and 57% at least a Bac + 3-level qualification. In total, 89% were awarded a higher education qualification, 85% of whom obtained at least a university technology diploma (Diplôme universitaire de technologie - DUT).

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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16.02b Proportion of students who obtained a baccalauréat in 2008, subsequently enrolled on an IUT and obtained a DUT in 3 or 4 years (%)

Students with general baccalauréats
Students with technological baccalauréats
All
 
 
 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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16.03a Trajectories of students with baccalauréats in the 2008 sample group who enrolled in CPGEs in scientific subjects after obtaining their baccalauréat in 2008 (%)

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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16.03b Trajectories of students with baccalauréats in the 2008 sample group who enrolled in CPGEs in economics and business after obtaining their baccalauréat in 2008 (%)

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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16.03c Trajectories of students with baccalauréats in the 2008 sample group who enrolled in CPGEs in arts and humanities subjects after obtaining their baccalauréat in 2008 (%)

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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Related statistical publication

 Note d'information SIES 14.03 - Baccalauréat holders from the class of 2008 who went on to higher education: where are they four years later? - Christophe Jaggers - April 2014
Of those students who passed their baccalauréat in 2008 and who went on to study in metropolitan France, 68% were still in higher education four years later, and 30% of these already had a higher education diploma. 32% were no longer in higher education and 14% had left without a diploma. In all, almost half of the class of 2008 who went on to higher education already had a diploma at the end of three years. 35% of those who enrolled in the first year of a Bachelor's degree course in 2008 obtained their degree after three years and 28% were in a Master's programme. In the short courses, 7 out of 10 students in University technology institutes (Institut universitaire de technologie - IUT) obtained their diploma after two years, and the same for 6 out of 10 students in the Advanced technician’s sections (Section de technicien supérieur - STS). In their fourth year, more than 7 out of 10 students from classes preparing for admission to Grandes Écoles (Classe préparatoire aux grandes écoles - CPGE) were enrolled in a further education school doing a course at baccalauréat + 5 years study level, with students from the arts and humanities classes preferring universities. The proportion of students going on to post-baccalauréat schools and paramedical courses increased significantly over the last ten years.

Other editions

Etat de l'enseignement supérieur et de la rechercheHigher education & research in France, facts and figures 10th edition - June 2017
18 - trajectories and pass rates in higher technical sections (STS), University technology institutes (IUT) and classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) - Christophe Jaggers
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 [Consult the following page]
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]

Translation

 Etat de l'enseignement supérieur et de la rechercheL'état de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche en France n°8 - juin 2015
16 - parcours et réussite en STS, IUT et CPGE - Christophe Jaggers
La 5ème année suivant leur baccalauréat, 72 % des étudiants entrés par la filière STS et 89 % des étudiants entrés par la filière IUT sont diplômés de l’enseignement supérieur, dont respectivement 22 % et 52 % détiennent un diplôme de niveau bac + 3. Huit bacheliers sur dix entrés en classe préparatoire scientifique ou commerciale sont inscrits au terme de deux ou trois ans dans une école menant à un diplôme de niveau bac + 5. En revanche, près de la moitié des étudiants initialement inscrits en classe littéraire ont rejoint l’université, même si leurs débouchés vers les écoles augmentent [Consult the following page in french]


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