The Graduate School of Computer Science (ESI) now known as "SUPINFO" has today become a leader in France in the training of computer engineers not only in terms of the number of enrolled students but also because of its presence in France and its growth potential both in France and worldwide. In 2006 over 200 diplomas were given out; in 2008 over 450 young SUPINFO engineers will be recruited and this figure will rise to over 700 in 2009 and over 1000 in 2010.
Reliable methodology adapted to the information technology sector
Encouraged by testimonials and the opinion of those involved in the worldwide IT market, in June 2007 SUPINFO decided, in this very particular context, to order from an independent organisation an impartial study concerning the reputation and success of the engineering schools and other “Grandes Ecoles” of Bac+5 level specialising in information technology in France (universities, public and private schools delivering degrees approved or not by the CTI). SUPINFO undertook to publish this study in its entirety regardless of what the results might show. The results speak for themselves.
All the results appear below in their entirety as established by the independent survey agency and have not been altered by SUPINFO.
SUPINFO chose TNS Sofres, a French leader in market studies and opinion polls. The body questioned decision makers in the recruitment of IT staff from a representative selection of 251 companies and over 50 personnel (chosen by TNS Sofres and not by SUPINFO). In addition, SUPINFO provided a separate database of 1405 companies from which TNS Sofres selected 50 (named BOOST Client), in order to carry out a more detailed study of trainers or employers of SUPINFO students and graduates and evaluate their professional competence. The results of the study undertaken independently by TNS Sofres and the “BOOST Client” ones provided by SUPINFO were not combined.
Total unprompted recognition recognition: SUPINFO comes first
If most information technology schools are only a weak presence in corporate minds, SUPINFO heads the list of the schools spontaneously mentioned.
TOTAL UNPROMPTED RECOGNITION
Which Higher Education schools and Grandes Ecoles specialising in information technology are you aware of, even if only by name ? (all given answers)
Top of mind: SUPINFO comes first
TOP OF MIND
Which schools specialising in information technology are you aware of, even if only by name ? (first mentioned: top of mind)
Recruitment: SUPINFO comes first
Have you ever recruited a student or young graduate from the following IT schools, even as an intern ? Include recruitment undertaken personally or by others in your organisation.
Image: SUPINFO among the schools with the highest marks
On a basis of 1-10, what is your general opinion of the following…
Context and objectives of the study
SUPINFO directors have noticed that the methodology or object of the previous studies on graduate training published in the press or by third parties do not always objectively reflect the realities of the information and communication technology market.
In fact, some graduate schools of information technology, even those suggested by companies, are missing from the study questionnaire which deliberately chose to include only schools approved by the Commission of Engineers (CTI). Thus, the answers given by businesses regarding other Bac+5 Master trainings, even for those issuing diplomas accredited by the French State, are deleted from the results. This deeply modifies the true picture of the job market and the expressed views of businesses when it comes to their collaborators employed in engineering positions.
This is a very conservative stance, which can certainly be justified for many branches of industry, but it does not seem to apply to the information technology sector.
As proof of this, the careers chosen by the 4,700 SUPINFO alumni since 1965 and the 100% graduate placement rate over the last 5 years have shown a very different reality. Furthermore young SUPINFO graduates are commanding an average first salary in excess of 35,000 euros, which is either similar to or even higher than that earned by graduates of the public or private “Grandes Ecoles” approved by the CTI.
To this surprising statement is added the fact that unfortunately certain studies, whose results are taken out of context, hide a sometimes partial methodology, in particular in the choice of the panel questioned for example.
Consequently, preconceived and generally accepted ideas about schools of engineers and graduate training, in the particular case of information technology, led to shortcuts being taken. Ignoring the one true opinion which counts, that of companies and the market, gave rise to and maintained the false ideas on the true position of the information technology schools in France. What has not been said on the subject? What has one not read on Internet fora?
Which are the most widely known schools? From which schools are most people recruited? How do recruiters view the training offered? Does the IT market distinguish between a school recognised by the CTI and one that is not? What are the strengths of schools offering IT training in France? How have they progressed?
Beyond the generally accepted ideas and convictions,
it was necessary to restore some truth by incontestable means.
This is the aim of this TNS Sofres study.
Many other criteria are analysed in this study.
For many of them, SUPINFO is in the Top 5.
The object of this study is also to reveal the weaknesses of the school
in order to allow SUPINFO’s management
to take the appropriate actions necessary to improve the school’s performance.
Download the unaltered and unabridged version to the 2007 TNS Sofres study in PDF
as compiled by the survey agency (in French).