In 2011-2012, 1,406,000 students were enrolled in French universities (including universities in the overseas departments). This compares with 1,455,000 in 2010-2011. This decrease is the result of the creation of a major public institution, the "University of Lorraine" which is no longer, strictly speaking, counted in the category of "universities". All other things being equal, student numbers increased by 0.8%. The number of new baccalauréat holders enrolling in universities increased in the general study tracks (+2.8%). These students tended to take courses such as Physical education and sports science and techniques (¦Sciences et techniques des activités physiques et sportives - ¦STAPS) and economics and economic and social administration. In the healthcare subjects, the number of new baccalauréat holders fell 2.7%. There were fewer doctoral students in 2011 than in 2010 and the number of students in the Master's programme remained stable. In Technological university institutes (¦Institut universitaire de technologie - ¦IUT), numbers fell slightly. The number of foreign students in universities remained stable: they still represent 15.2% of the student population, and 41.3% of students on doctoral programmes.
Higher Education and Research, Facts and Figures provides an annual overview, backed up by figures, of the French higher education and research system, in order to show where the country stands internationally and to monitor changes, especially over the long term.
Funding, human resources, access to higher education, study paths, pass rates, qualifications, integration of graduates into working life, student life, research in biotechnology or nanotechnology, participation in FP7, publications, patents, etc. - all these topics are covered in the 42 fact sheets that make up the 5th edition (2011) of this work.
In 2010-2011, 1,440,000 students were enrolled in French universities (including universities in the overseas departments). The number of new baccalauréat holders enrolling in universities increased in the general study tracks (+0.9%). They tended to take courses in subjects such as Physical education and sports science and techniques (¦Sciences et techniques des activités physiques et sportives - ¦STAPS), sciences and humanities. However, there were fewer students enrolling for law and economics. In the healthcare courses, where a common first year for all healthcare studies had just been introduced for 2010-11, the number of newly qualified baccalauréat holders dropped by 4.1%. There were fewer doctoral students in 2010 than in 2009 and the number of students on Master's programmes stagnated. In Technological university institutes (¦Institut universitaire de technologie - ¦IUT), numbers fell by 1.4%. They had stabilised the previous year after three years of growth. There were more foreign students in universities than in previous years and they represented 15.2% of all students. Those in the PhD programme represented 41.3% of the student population.
In January 2010, 49,050 students were enrolled in the first cycle of medical studies (¦Premier cycle des études médicales - ¦PCEM1), a total which included 29,240 baccalauréat holders from the 2009 exam session. Almost all of them had a scientific baccalauréat and almost two thirds were women. Most of these students were the 'right age' for their year or ahead of their peers in their studies, and the majority were from privileged or very privileged social backgrounds. If their pass rate is similar to that of students enrolling in 2007, 26.4% of baccalauréat holders from 2009 who began PCEM1 will go on to the second year of medicine (11.2% after one year and 15.2% after two years), 3.6% will study dentistry and 3.1% midwifery. Finally, a third of students (33.1%) enrolled in PCEM1 will continue into the second year of their medical studies (PCEM2, dentistry or midwifery).
Higher Education and Research, Facts and Figures 2010 provides an annual overview, backed up by figures, of the French higher education and research system, in order to show where the country stands internationally and to monitor changes, especially over the long term. Funding, human resources, access to higher education, pass rates, qualifications, integration of graduates into working life, student life, research in biotechnology or nanotechnology, participation in FP7, publications, patents, etc. - all these topics are covered in the 35 fact sheets that make up the 4th edition (2010) of this work.
As in previous editions, this 4th edition of The State of Higher Education and Research presents a detailed overview, backed up by figures, of current developments within the French system, the resources it deploys and its outcomes, situating it, wherever data permit, in relation to its international counterparts.
In 2008-2009, there were 1,410,000 students enrolled in French public universities. Teacher training colleges (¦Instituts Universitaires de formation des maîtres - ¦IUFM) are integrated into a home university, with the exception of those in the Antilles and Guyana. The new intake of baccalauréat holders showed a declining interest in the sciences and humanities study tracks at university; more tended to enrol in Law and in Economic and social administration. The proportion of foreign students increased by 1.5%; the proportion of young women was 57% (excluding IUFM). A table shows university student numbers by education authority and institution, differentiating between IUFM and non-IUFM students. Box: source and definitions.
In 2008, the number of foreign students in higher education increased by 2.3%; they represented 11.9% of all students. Over a third were studying in an education authority in the Ile-de-France region. Table 1 gives numbers and proportions of foreign students by type of institution in 1998-99, 2003-2004 and 2008-2009; Table 2 gives a breakdown by nationality and course type. The largest number of international students are from Morocco; the fastest-growing group is the Chinese. Maps: proportion of students by country of origin; proportion of foreign students by education authority. Box: source and definitions. Note on major institutions (Grands établissements).