Unlike the higher education systems in China and the United States, the French higher education system is parallelly divided into general universities and "Grandes Ecoles" at the higher education stage, with the Grandes Ecoles representing a distinctive French educational model. The Grandes Ecoles include elite educational institutions such as higher engineering schools, higher medical schools, higher normal schools, and higher business schools.After three years of high school, French students will first face the Baccalaureate exam (BAC). Students who pass the exam will receive their high school diploma and are eligible for direct admission to general universities. Students can apply directly to general universities based on their high school grades, or enter the preparatory education phase for engineering schools. After two years, they will participate in the selective entrance exams organized by various engineering schools (consortiums). Those who pass can enter the engineering education phase. Students who obtain an engineering degree at an engineering school are equivalent to having a master's degree in our country and can choose to continue their studies at the doctoral level.
Relatively speaking, the threshold for entering engineering schools in France is much higher than that of general universities, and the difficulty of admission is very high. Students who wish to study at an engineering school must first participate in at least two years of preparatory basic courses. There are specialized preparatory schools for engineering in France for students to attend. According to statistics, about 10% of French high school graduates participate in the preparatory phase for engineering studies, and less than half of them can obtain the qualification to study at engineering schools.
