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Higher education without the Baccalauréat
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is it possible ?
There are some access roads to the higher education - they are not
the easiest but not impossible - for the non-holders of high school
diploma, such as the Baccalauréat. The chances are bigger
for persons already living in France.
When the possibilities exist, it is always preferable to arrive
in France with a secondary education diploma.
The DAEU (Diploma giving access to university
studies) : It is a national diploma approved at the level
IV (baccalauréat) which allows the later access to the higher
education especially to the university. It does not target the students
who failed their baccalauréat, but the candidates having
interrupted their studies for at least two years and filling one
of the following conditions :
be at least 24 years old on October 1st of the year of delivery
of the diploma ;
be at least 20 years old on October 1st of the year of delivery
of the diploma and justify on this same date, of two years of wage-earning
professional activity (with contribution to the Social Security)
or similar (national service, education of a child, registration
to the national Employment Agency as the job-seeker, high-level
sports activity, vocational training).
An extensive preparation for the exam, proposed in numerous universities,
is necessary to succeed. It lasts on one year and the candidate
will have to obtain his or her diploma within four years.
There are two DAEUs : the DAEU A allows to pursue studies in literature,
languages, human and social sciences, law, economics, arts…
and the DAEU B in sciences, technology, medicine, pharmacy, ancillary
medical training, sports sciences and techniques… The tests
(DAEU A and/or DAEU B) are organized by all the universities.
To be registered in a DAEU program, apply to in the registrar's
office in the universities. The candidates will be directed to the
adequate courses training after an interview with a professor, before
the admittance.
The DAEU can also be prepared with correspondence courses with the
Cned (The National Centre for Distance Learning), BP 200, 86980
Futuroscope Poitiers cedex
Tel. : 05 49 49 94 94. Minitel 3615 CNED. Internet :
The basic legal qualification
: The only condition of access is to be 17 years old on November
1st of the year of registration. But the two-year studies, with
an exam at the end of each year, are difficult : less than one student
registered out of five manages to get over the hurdle of the first
year.
This is a practical legal training to be followed at the university
(in the evening for the wage-earners, the job-seekers…) who
allows either an immediate access to the job market (legal secretarial,
banking, insurance…), or the continuation of some legal courses,
especially Deug Droit (law) at the university (in first year if
you got 10/20, in IUT if you got 12/20, in second year of Deug if
you got 15/20).
Basic management qualification
: On the same model as the basic legal qualification and with the
same conditions of access (the Baccalauréat level is however
advised), the basic management qualification is a university diploma
DU) entitled on the bac + 1 level, recognized by the professionals.
The two-year training is practical and can be used immediately on
the job market and permits too to continue to study in higher education,
in economy and management (in particular in the IUP).
This training program can be followed at the university of Le Havre,
in the IAE (Institutes of management of Companies) in Caen, Lille,
Rennes, Rouen, or can be prepared by correspondence with the CNED
(National centre for distance learning) : BP 200, 86980 Futuroscope
Poitiers cedex (postal code for corporate users).
Tel. : 05 49 49 94 94. Minitel 3615 CNED. Internet :
Specialized schools : Some specialized
schools recruit pupils with Baccalauréat level, mostly on
file and sometimes after an exam and an interview. They propose
training programs in very diversified sectors (trade, secretarial
work, audiovisual, tourism, styling…).
Most do not deliver a State diploma, but a certificate the value
of which depends on the notoriety of the school. Certain private
establishments prepare the students for the BTS, notably in the
service sector.
Be careful when choosing a school because they do not all have the
same rigor. With fees which sometimes amount to several dozens of
thousands of francs, some are only interested in your money. Before
registering, try to make an idea of the value of the school (age,
content of the programs, the cost of the studies…).
The degree of selectivity is general a guarantee of quality and
seriousness.
Schools depending on Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CCI label),
well adapted to the professional world, can turn out to be a good
choice.
Saint-Denis University (Paris VIII)
: The previous University Vincennes, faithful to its May 68 tradition
(the famous student and worker protests) registers about 30 % of
foreign students and 30 % of students without high school diploma.
To join it, it is necessary to prove a certain number of years of
professional activity or personal experiences. The candidates are
subjected to a test of general culture which takes place in June.
Ask for information as early as December to respect the registration
time limits (from March to May).
The refresher exam : This test
is opened to 24-year-old persons (or 20 years with two years of
professional experience). It is organized by the Drass (Medical
and Social Business Head Office). The success in this exam allows
to apply, in the same way as the holders of high school diploma,
for the entrance examination of the schools of the social sector
(specialized educators, social workers, assistants of social services…).
Distance learning
The principle of the distance learning is simple
: the student receives his correspondence courses and sends
regularly his homework to a teacher who corrects them. Practically
speaking, it is not always easy to stand the isolation inherent
to this type of training and
this is a major factor of failure or giving up. There are two
ways to follow correspondence courses with State organizations
:
Cned (National centre for distance learning) is a public
organization under the supervision of the Ministery of Education,
divided into seven centres of education.
It proposes to holders of high school diploma and to non-holders
a very wide range of the courses : language, preparation for
the entrance examinations in specialized schools, the preparation
for numerous national diplomas (BTS, Deug, Degree, Master's
Degree, professional diplomas, accounting expertise…) and
diplomas of universities DU)… If no initial title is required,
it is better to have the minimal level recommended by Cned.
Especially since the diploma will be checked by the organizing
centres (universities, ministries…) for the registration
in competitions or exams. To break the isolation of his (her)
students, the Cned proposes original formulae : phone tutorials,
interactive videos - transmissions, grouping of registered students
with a teacher.
For most courses, the registrations are made all year round.
But it is advised to ask for information because certain courses
follow the academic year and have a limit date if registration.
Contact : Cned. BP 200,
86980 Futuroscope Poitiers cedex. Tel. : 05 49 49 94 94. Minitel
3615 CNED. Internet :
CTEU (Centers of distance learning)
: there are about twenty centers scattered on the French territory.
Integrated into universities, they enable you to prepare for
the diplomas of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd cycle. For more information,
give a call to the university of your choice.
About sixty private organizations also propose distance courses.
In this sector, be watchful : the costs of the courses are excessively
high, the courses are not always recognized as weel as diplomas
very often !
The distance courses does not give you any student's
status (nor the access to the student Social Security) except
for the courses followed in the CTEU or for certain preparations
at the Cned. On principle, it does not require the presence
of the student in France : no visa nor of resident permit to
ask ! Nevertheless to participate in certain tests or seminars,
it will be necessary to apply to the consulate or to the French
embassy to obtain a temporary resident permit.
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The short vocational training
