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

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 sixth year of the survey was the first in which it was possible to find out the results of Bac +5 level qualifications, for students who had been enrolled since 2008 and had not had their studies delayed in any way.

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

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

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.

In the sixth year after obtaining their Baccalaureat, 74% of students who enrolled in higher technical sections (STS) in 2008 had obtained a higher education qualification (table 17.01). After obtaining a higher technical diploma (BTS) in two or three years, slightly over half of students continued their studies. The highest level qualification obtained was mostly Bac +2 level (47%), but 22% obtained Bac +3 and 5% Bac +5 level. A quarter of Baccalaureat holders who enrolled in STS in 2008 left their course without obtaining any higher education qualifications, including around half of vocational Bac holders. The success varied considerably according to the Baccalaureat series: 90% of general Bac holders and 78% of technological Bac holders obtained a higher education qualification, compared to just over half of vocational Bac holders.

Furthermore, general Bac holders obtained higher level qualifications than the others: 42% gained Bac +3 or Bac +5 level, compared to 28% of technological Bac holders and only 12% of vocational Bac holders.

After five years, a very large majority of Bac holders who enrolled in IUTs in 2008 had obtained a higher education qualification (92%) (table 17.02). Most students continued studying after obtaining a DUT in two or three years (85%). Only 29% of 2008 entrants obtained only a DUT (or other Bac +2 level qualification). The highest level qualification obtained at the end of the fifth year was therefore mostly of a higher level: four out of ten Bac holders who enrolled in IUTs obtained a Bac +3 level qualification and two out of ten obtained a Bac +5 level qualification. Only 6% of Bac holders enrolled in IUTs in 2008 left without a higher education qualification. Technological Bac holders were almost as likely as general Bac holders to achieve a higher education qualification (90% compared to 94%), but on average their level was lower: half obtained a Bac +3 or Bac +5 level qualification, compared to over two-thirds of general Bac holders. One-third of Bac holders enrolled in IUTs in 2008 were still studying in the sixth year after the Baccalaureat: the qualification level of this cohort is therefore even more likely to be higher.

In the sixth year after obtaining their Baccalaureat, nearly three-quarters of Bac holders enrolled in CPGE in 2008 were still studying (table 17.03). Out of the 27% who had already left higher education, a very large majority (85%) had obtained a degree, most often at Bac +5 level. Half of Bac holders were still enrolled in an institution, preparing for a Bac +5 level qualification, most in the fifth year (i.e. a one-year delay compared to a trajectory without retakes, interruptions or change of courses). Moreover, 15% were studying for a Master's degree and 4% were enrolled on a post-Masters course. Bac holders enrolled at scientific CPGE were more likely to have already left education (32%). Of those originally enrolled in economic or literary CPGE, around 8 in 10 were still in education. Students originally in literary CPGE were more likely to be studying for a Master's degree: 21% in Master 2 (one-year delay) and 10% in Master 1 (two-year delay). A large majority of those coming from economic and business CPGE were enrolled in Bac +5 level institutions (70%).

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 - 50 indicators [online]. KABLA-LANGLOIS Isabelle (dir.). Paris: Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, 2016. 9th ed. Chapter 17 [Accessed 03/29/2024]. ISBN 978-2-11-151572-7. https://publication.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/eesr/9EN/EESR9EN_ES_17-trajectories_and_pass_rates_in_higher_technical_sections_sts_university_technology_institutes_iut_and_classes_preparing_for_admission_to_grandes_ecoles_cpge-ILL_02.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 sixth year of the survey was the first in which it was possible to find out the results of Bac +5 level qualifications, for students who had been enrolled since 2008 and had not had their studies delayed in any way.

 

17.01 Highest qualification achieved at the end of 5 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
Highest qualification achieved
Bac + 2 graduates 48 50 40 47
Bac + 3 graduates 34 23 11 22
Bac + 5 graduates 8 5 1 5
Total graduates 90 78 52 74
continuing studies in the sixth year 18 10 6 11
Did not graduate 10 22 48 26
not continuing studies in the sixth year 8 21 46 25
All 100 100 100 100
 

48% of students with a general Baccalaureate obtained a Bac + 2 qualification, 34% a Bac + 3 level qualification and 8% a Bac +5-level qualification.

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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17.02 Highest qualification achieved at the end of 5 years by students who obtained a baccalauréat in 2008 and subsequently enrolled in an IUT (%)

 
General Bac holders Technological Bac holders All 1
Highest qualification achieved
Bac + 2 graduates 26 37 29
Bac + 3 graduates 44 37 42
Bac + 5 graduates 24 15 21
Total graduates 94 89 92
continuing studies in the sixth year 36 21 31
Did not graduate 6 11 8
not continuing studies in the sixth year 3 11 6
All 100 100 100
 

1 including vocational Bac holders. This category of students is not shown as the number at IUTs is not significant in this survey.
For 26% of general Bac holders, the highest qualification achieved is Bac +2, with 44% achieving Bac +3 and 24% achieving Bac +5.

 Coverage: Metropolitan France.

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17.03 Situation of 2008 Bac graduates enrolled in classes preparing for admission to Grandes Ecoles (CPGE) in 2008, six years after the Bac (in %)

 
Scientific CPGE Economic and business CPGE arts and humanities CPGE All
Continuing studies 68 81 77 73
Schools preparing for a Bac + 5 level qualification 46 70 30 49
in the 5th year 40 64 27 44
Bac + 6 courses 1 5 0 4 4
Master's 2 6 6 21 9
Master's 1 4 1 10 4
Other courses 7 4 12 7
Not continuing studies 32 19 23 27
Bac + 5 graduates 25 8 11 19
Bac + 2 and/or Bac + 3 graduates 3 4 9 4
Total 100 100 100 100
 

1 All types of courses (in particular PhD, engineering school specialisation).

 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 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 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]


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