Which schools offer a delayed start?

The staggered start of the school year in February or March allows those who were unable to attend in September to avoid losing a year. It is also known to be the ideal start of the school year for transfer students. In both cases, the number of schools offering this possibility is still limited. Find them here.

How does a delayed start work?

As the name implies, the delayed start of the school year is later than the normal start of the school year. Instead of starting in September, classes for this new school year begin in January or February depending on the school. For INSEEC, for example, the staggered start of the school year is in February or March, depending on the program and the year.

The program content remains unchanged for this late start. Logically, students are catching up. From February to July, they have to finish what the regular students have started since September. The rhythm is thus sustained.

The number of people in the classroom is limited during these staggered start times, which makes it much easier to support each student.

Why go for a staggered start?

Saving time is one of the reasons why students opt for a staggered start. For those who have not been admitted in time for the start of the school year in September, the risks of doing a blank year are great. The delayed start of the school year is a last-minute solution to continue your studies as usual.

For students who are dissatisfied with their initial course of study, the staggered start is also a time-saver. Instead of waiting for the next school year to start a new program, the staggered start allows you to optimize your time. On the condition that you prepare your application early enough so as not to miss the application procedures.

In order to succeed in this new school year, it is very important to be prepared. Before you say you want a staggered start to the school year, clearly define your goals. With a well-defined course of study and a completed professional project, you will have a better chance of succeeding.

What is the difference between a reverse start and a delayed start?

In terms of higher education, the reversed start of the school year is different from the staggered start of the school year, so be careful not to confuse these two terms. As mentioned earlier, the staggered start of the school year is nothing new. Other than the fact that the start date is pushed back a few months from normal, nothing changes. Even the graduation date is maintained.

Reverse entry is another way to optimize time. It is called “inverted” because instead of taking classes and then going to work, students do the opposite. The students do their compulsory period in the company full-time and follow the courses (in alternating rhythm).

Does INSEEC offer a staggered start?

Inseec offers both a staggered start and a reversed start. No matter what your level of study (from post-baccalaureate to post-graduate), there will always be a place for you as long as you meet the skill requirements. Bachelor, MSc, the choice is yours. There are multiple tracks available for these levels.

Students in the first year of the bachelor’s program start their studies in a different time frame: they attend classes from February to the end of July in “fast track”, i.e. in intensive courses. After a compulsory one-month internship in a company, if they pass their year, they can move on to the second year of the Bachelor program in September.

The 3rd year Bachelors, on the other hand, have a reversed start: they start with a full-time period in a company in February, then in September they start classes with the students from the beginning of the school year in September for one year according to the schedule set up for their speciality. Their year lasts 18 months in total.

MSc 1st year students enter the school year on a staggered basis. This means that you will be in class from February to the beginning of July. The interns or alternating students then spend two months in a company and then start the second year of the MSc in September of the same year. This is called an “accelerated” year.

The MSc 2nd year students also have a staggered start : from March to September, they attend classes for one week a month and then spend three weeks in the company. In September, they resume their work-study program following the same schedule as the students at the start of the school year in September: three weeks/one week or three days/ two days, depending on the program. At the end of the training, the young graduates leave with professional experience. This will make it easier for them to enter the workforce.

Updated 25 January 2024