THE EFFECT OF DEMOGRAPHIC-CHANGE ON HIGHE R-EDUCATION 1985-1995 - AN ATTEMPT AT AN EXPLANATION

The sustained growth in student numbers during the last ten years stim ulates an examination of the ways in which different forms of higher e ducation have developed. This paper is focused on two aspects: univers ities and schools which prepare candidates for the entrance examinatio n to the Glandes Ecoles. The author defines the socio-demographic chan ges which have affected these institutions in terms of four indicators : sex ratio, geographical distribution, increased numbers, and the so cial aspects of recruitment. These data are used to study the ways in which different paths have evolved: should the identified changes be a ttributed to the fact that the preparatory classes were 'slower to cat ch up' with the universities, or did these two different institutions develop in different ways? The figures are interpreted in terms of the development of the educational system and other types of training at university level.