NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

II.3.1. Final degrees in non-university
higher education
These qualifications are issued by both public and private institutions which may or may not be State-approved and are
supervised by a number of different ministries. Some diplomas are examined by the State and given official approval by the
ministère de l’éducation nationale, de l’enseignement supérieur et de la recherche; others are issued by a given institution and
are the responsibility of that institution alone.
Principal diplomas issued according to national standards
The brevet de technicien supérieur (BTS)
This certificate is a national diploma for specialised fields in most industrial and services sectors. The programmes leading to
this diploma, the STS (advanced technical training programmes), last two years and take place in lycées. The programmes
offer a high level of specialisation according to the exact demands of the field.
Participation in the programme requires 32 to 35 hours a week. During the first year, half of the training is devoted to general
subjects, while the other half is devoted to practical exercises and directed projects. The first year also includes training in
industry or business. Two thirds of the training during the second year are devoted to professional courses. The second year
ends with the presentation of a project. The final examination leading to the certificate contains at least six separate tests,
including one practical test which must cover all the major aspects of the subject.
There are more than 100 areas of speciality for this certificate, which is under the direction of the ministère de l’éducation
nationale, and a further 19 subjects for the BTSA (agricultural certificate), which is under the supervision of the ministère de
l’agriculture et de la pêche.
The diplômes nationaux d’arts (national arts diplomas)
National arts diploma programmes are offered at municipal, regional and national art schools which are under the supervision
of the ministère de la culture et de la francophonie:
the diplôme national d’arts et techniques (DNAT) and the diplôme national d’arts plastiques (DNAP) are awarded upon
successful completion of a three-year course of study (short cycle);
the diplôme national supérieur d’expression plastique (DNSEP) is awarded upon successful completion of a five-year
course of study (long cycle).
A student who has a BTS in the arts can continue his or her study and obtain a diplôme supérieur d’arts appliqués upon
successful completion of a two-year programme offered in applied arts schools (BAC plus four years).
Other courses offered by these institutions lead to:
the diplôme des métiers des arts graphiques (graphic arts);
the diplôme des métiers des arts de l’habitat (interior decorating);
the diplôme des métiers du décor architectural (architectural design).
II.3.2. Final university degrees
Universities offer students a choice of many varied programmes, both short and extended. These culminate in national
diplomas or university degrees or diplomas granted under their own responsibility, which is part of their administrative
autonomy.