50 years of success for IUTs
They train talented future professionals who are highly sought after by recruiters. IUTs are 50 years old: an opportunity to shine a spotlight on these university institutes that offer young people a real passport to employment.
Training tailored to the needs of markets and sectors of activity, degrees that meet the expectations of future employers: the great idea is called IUT. It was born on January 7, 1966. At the time, it was a response to a specific economic need: France was lacking middle managers, those who bridge the gap between the design and execution of professional tasks."A new path," said the decree that led to the creation of the IUTs, which called for "appropriate teaching methods that draw on the collaboration of professionals, and practical scientific and technical training that is well suited to contemporary realities."
A safe bet for professional circles
The new program was immediately characterized by innovation, with a focus on new disciplines such as computer science, industrial engineering, and civil engineering. It was an instant success, and 50 years later, it's still going strong. Since 1966, nearly 2 million students in France have earned a DUT (university technology degree) and built a professional career. These students benefit from a high rate of professional integration: 75% of young graduates wishing to enter the workforce directly find a job within six months.
The reasons for this success? A dual academic and professional culture. Anchored in the university and linked to research, the IUT successfully bridges the gap between theoretical training and the professional world, which now recognizes it as a sure bet. The IUT is evolving to respond to changes in society. Created with the aim of training middle managers with two years of higher education, it also allows students to pursue longer courses of study: this is now the choice of many students who continue their studies after obtaining their DUT (university technical diploma).
The three University Institutes of Technology (IUT) of the University of Montpellier
Among its 17 components, the University of Montpellier includes three university technology institutes (IUTs): the Montpellier-Sète IUT, the Nîmes IUT, and the Béziers IUT.
- The Montpellier-Sète University Institute of Technology has nine departments: Chemistry (Montpellier campus), Chemistry (Sète campus), Biological Engineering, Physical Measurements, Electrical Engineering and Industrial Computing, Computer Science, Social Careers (Paul Valéry University campus), Business and Administration Management, and Marketing Techniques. It welcomed 2,300 students at the start of the 2015 academic year.
- The Nîmes University Institute of Technology has five departments: Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Industrial IT, Mechanical Engineering and Production Engineering, Business and Administration Management, and Materials Science and Engineering. It welcomed 1,162 students at the start of the 2015 academic year.
- The Béziers University Institute of Technology has three departments: Networks and Telecommunications, Marketing Techniques, and Multimedia and Internet Professions. It welcomed nearly 500 students at the start of the 2015 academic year.