09 changes in higher education over the last 50 years: growth and diversification

Like the previous editions, the 9th edition of Higher Education and Research in France, Facts and Figures presents an annual overview, backed up by figures, of developments within the French system, its resources and outcomes.

09 changes in higher education over the last 50 years: growth and diversification
During the 1960s, long university courses led the developments in higher education (table 09.01): their proportion increased from 69% in 1960 to 75% in 1970 (excluding DUT preparations). They then decreased continuously for around 40 years, reaching 57% in 2010, before increasing again very recently (chapter 12). During the 1970s and 1980s, preparations for DUT (university technology diploma) and especially STS (Advanced technician's section) led most of the growth in higher education, related to the significant increase in the number of Bac holders. Between 1970 and 2014, the proportion of students in "other institutions and courses" (see definition) increased from 15% to 24%, demonstrating a diversification in courses giving access to higher education.
Since 2000, numbers in private higher education have increased by 58%, while total numbers increased by 14% over the same period. The private sector had 438,000 students in 2014, which represents one student in six (chart 09.04). It accounts for around a third of STS and engineering school numbers, and all the business and management schools. More...