THE REFORM OF THE SECOND-CYCLE OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN FRANCE
Title:
THE REFORM OF THE SECOND-CYCLE OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN FRANCE
Author:
Appeared in:
Higher education in Europe
Paging:
Volume 1 (1976) nr. 3 pages 10-12
Year:
1976-05
Contents:
Since the new “Loi d'Orientation” on higher education came into force on 12 November 1968, French universities have been divided into teaching and research units (“unite's d'enseignement et de recherche” -U.E.R.) comprising the following subjects: arts and humanities, law and economics (and political sciences), natural sciences, medical and pharmaceutical studies. Under the terms of this law there are three different stages of study. The first stage, which lasts two years, corresponds to a “first cycle” in which the student acquires basic knowledge, mainly of a pluridisciplinary nature, or fundamental scientific instruction. The second stage corresponds to a second cycle of study which involves a more detailed knowledge of the subject and the third stage (third-cycle studies) corresponds to a specialization at an advanced level. Third-cycle and doctoral studies were reorganized by a series of texts published in the French “Journal Officiel” of 2 May 1974; this reform came into force at the beginning of the 1975/76 academic year. The new system aims at making a clearer distinction between studies with a professional bias and studies which prepare the student for research activities with a view to an academic career. The second-cycle of studies was also reorganized at the beginning of this year. A description of this reform, which has been sent to us by the French Secretary of State for Universities, is published below.
Journal description