The Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) is a national diploma recognised by the State at level III (BAC + 2).
In effect it is the same level as a Foundation degree, Diploma of Higher Education and a Higher National Diploma in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In France has the same value, regardless of where it is obtained and can be completed in:
- Public, private and non-contracted public high schools in the Sections of Superior Technicians (STS)
- Apprentice training centers (CFA)
- Special schools in a sector ( computer school , business school , business school , school of communication , business school , design school , etc.)
- Continuing vocational training centers
- Institutions of distance education
Those pursuing a BTS can do so in a number of different ways. These include:
- In initial training, full-time and face-to-face over a period of two years
- A work-study program
- In continuing vocational training (for workers wishing to retrain, for example)
The BTS covers more than 200 specialties in agricultural, tertiary and industrial sectors.
What are the advantages of the BTS?
Firstly it’s a short two-year course that helps with the rapid integration of graduates into the world of work.
Due to being part work-experience it allows students to transition between school and the world of work.
The BTS also allows students to progress towards a Bachelor degree, which can itself lead to a Bac + 5 training.
This means that even if this training is intended initially as a route to working it can quickly be transitioned into longer studies.
