Current developments in the French engineering education system

Think first job! Preferences and expectations of engineering students in a French ‘Grande Ecole’

“…Engineering in France, according to Lemaître (2017), is quite different from other European countries. Engineering schools have smaller student numbers, focus on the practical, and are quite unlike typical universities (Lemaître 2017), therefore seen as unique. These students typically have a good command of the basic sciences, but are also expected to be industrial managers, and able to grasp social and humanistic issues in engineering (Lemaître 2017;Béraud 2000).…”

“…There is thus a difference between technicians and engineers (Didier 1999). Engineering in France, according to Lemaître (2017), is quite different from other European countries. Engineering schools have smaller student numbers, focus on the practical, and are quite unlike typical universities (Lemaître 2017), therefore seen as unique.…”

“…Engineering schools have smaller student numbers, focus on the practical, and are quite unlike typical universities (Lemaître 2017), therefore seen as unique. These students typically have a good command of the basic sciences, but are also expected to be industrial managers, and able to grasp social and humanistic issues in engineering (Lemaître 2017;Béraud 2000). Graduates are generally categorised as those who will work as technical engineers and those who are perceived to be global engineers.…”

“…Graduates are generally categorised as those who will work as technical engineers and those who are perceived to be global engineers. The latter have had international exposure, can work in intercultural contexts, have a fairly good command of English, and usually enter large corporate companies, often at managerial level (Lemaître 2017). This relates to the strict hierarchy as found in France, which is detected in the distinction between the cadre and non-cadres, and consequently, technician and engineer (Béraud 2000).…”

“…This relates to the strict hierarchy as found in France, which is detected in the distinction between the cadre and non-cadres, and consequently, technician and engineer (Béraud 2000). It has thus been highlighted that French graduate engineers from 'Grandes Ecoles' often proceed to managerial jobs (Lemaître 2017;Béraud 2000;Wang and Verzat 2011). French engineering education is recognised for its humanistic approach, with a wide education base, including a focus on social dimensions and personal development (Lemaître 2003;Béraud 2000).…”