NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

To receive the DUT, a student must complete from 1 600 to 2 000 hours of instruction spread over two years, or about 34
hours per week. Half of the courses are applied or practical in nature and take place in a laboratory or workplace, with small
groups. The first year is primarily made up of basic courses, while the second year allows for specialised
choices. All students must undergo a mandatory six to eight weeks of training during their two years of study.
Diplôme d’études universitaires scientifiques et techniques (DEUST)
This short study course (two years) corresponds to technical needs on the regional level. The total number of instruction hours
is between 1 200 and 1 400, and consists of practical work, project studies and training periods.
Short-term paramedical and medical courses
These courses lead to State-regulated diplomas. The courses include
theoretical and tutorial work as well as periods of practical training.
Long-term programmes
The second cycle increases the student’s knowledge to a high scientific level and prepares him or her for subsequent
employment. These
programmes culminate in:
the licence: DEUG plus one year = BAC plus three years;
the maîtrise: licence plus one year = BAC plus four years.
The first and second cycle university programmes underwent a vast reform which was completed during the 1992/93
academic year. A series of ministerial orders determined, for each national diploma (DEUG, licence, maîtrise), a minimum
number of hours of theoretical courses and, for certain disciplines, of practical courses.
In the case of the licence and maîtrise, the total number of course hours ranges from a minimum of 350 hours to a maximum
of 550 hours, according to the field of study. The teaching of at least one foreign
language was made obligatory in all programmes.
The following three professionally oriented courses consist of a single two-year block after the DEUG, and have a more
demanding hourly requirement:
maîtrise de sciences et techniques (MST)
maîtrise de méthodes informatiques appliquées à la gestion (MIAGE)
The third cycle is devoted to specialisation and training in research. There are two possible branches of study:
the professional branch leading to the diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées (DESS) which is one-year long and
includes one training course in industry or business:
DESS: maîtrise plus one year = BAC plus five years;
the branch leading to the doctorat (doctoral degree), the first year of which culminates in the diplôme d’études
approfondies (DEA):
DEA: maîtrise plus one year = BAC plus five years;
doctorat: DEA plus three to four years = BAC plus eight to nine years.
Medical programmes
Medical programmes — medicine, dentistry and pharmacy — are not only organised per year but also in cycles.