There are twenty-four acad mies , most of which cover several d partements . There is at least one university in each acad mie . Admission to a grande cole is usually by competitive examination, which students prepare for during a two-year preparatory course. Admission parall le is an alternative admission procedure set up by the grandes coles in order to attract a broader range of student profiles, including holders of DUT, licence or other diplomas. Preparatory courses for the agr gation are given at universities, rather than at the IUFM teacher training schools where the other teaching diplomas are prepared.
Students can sit the agr gation examination with a ma trise or grande cole diploma.
Students enrolled at an approved institution of higher education are entitled to special students' social security coverage. See Formation en alternance . It is usually taken at the age of 18. Technical variants are Bac STI, Bac STL, Bac SMS, and Bac STT . A student who has passed the baccalaur at is known as a bachelier .