Does a degree still protect against unemployment in France, and how much does the chosen field of study matter compared with the level of education? Recent Insee data on the employment outcomes of young people who have left education make it possible to measure the real differences between fields, types of contract and European comparisons. This article reviews the key indicators to help students make informed choices about qualifications and employment.
Employment rates by field of study: differences that education level alone does not reveal
Comparing qualification levels (baccalaureate, bachelor’s degree, master’s degree) remains the usual approach. Insee offers a more detailed perspective: at the same level of education, employment rates vary significantly between fields of study. Among holders of a bachelor’s degree or a professional bachelor’s degree, graduates in business and management have significantly better outcomes than those in arts and humanities.
This finding changes the usual way of assessing the value of a degree. A bachelor’s degree in management does not lead to the same opportunities as one in the arts, and this difference does not diminish over time. The table below summarises the main employment indicators by profile.
| Indicator | Recent graduates (1–4 years) | Those who left education earlier | EU average (ages 15–29) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure to unemployment | Higher | Lower | Lower than in France |
| Share of temporary contracts (fixed-term, temporary agency work) | Higher, but declining since 2015 | Lower | Lower than in France |
| Share of NEETs (not in employment, education or training) | Higher in France | – | Lower in the EU |
| Differences by field of study (bachelor’s degree) | Better outcomes in management, worse in arts and humanities | – | – |
To follow EtudiEmploi news on qualifications and fields with strong hiring prospects, combining these figures with first-hand feedback can help refine your career plans.
Employment outcomes for young people in France compared with the European Union
Insee reports that in 2024, unemployment among 15- to 29-year-olds was higher in France than in the European Union. The share of young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs) followed the same pattern. Young people in employment in France were also more likely to be on fixed-term contracts than their European counterparts.
This situation is not new, but it persists despite gradual improvement since 2015. Unemployment has fallen among young people who left education one to four years ago. The share of temporary contracts in this age group has also declined.
The gap with the European average raises questions about structural barriers specific to the French labour market:
- More frequent use of fixed-term contracts and temporary agency work for first jobs, delaying access to permanent employment and making it harder to secure housing or credit
- A NEET rate above the European average, particularly affecting young people without qualifications or from fields with limited job prospects
- A rigid labour market that makes the transition from education to work longer than elsewhere in Europe
Work-study programmes and apprenticeships in higher education: what changes in 2025–2026
Apprenticeship funding has changed. Since July 2025, employers have been required to make a financial contribution towards training at bachelor’s degree level and above. This changes the equation for companies hiring work-study students for master’s programmes or engineering schools.
On the public funding side, discussions about apprenticeship funding point to possible cuts. For students, this could mean fewer apprenticeship contracts in some higher education fields.
The conditions for receiving financial support to hire an apprentice can change from year to year. Students considering a work-study programme should check which schemes are in force when looking for a contract, as the rules sometimes change between signing the contract and the start of the academic year.
Rights of working students during exams
One legal point deserves attention: working students have specific rights when sitting exams. Part-time contracts may include adjustments, and employers cannot refuse time off for a university exam. If the university blocks access to these arrangements, there are ways to assert your rights.
The impact of artificial intelligence on jobs for recent graduates
Graduates in mathematics and computer science are already adapting their job-search strategies in response to AI. Some are focusing on skills that automation cannot replace, such as project management, customer relations and auditing automated systems. Others are specialising in AI model supervision or training.
A degree alone is no longer enough to guarantee a stable job in the digital sector. Employers increasingly value transferable skills, longer internships and the ability to work with AI tools rather than compete against them.
For students currently in education, three practical priorities stand out:
- Choose a field with strong measured job prospects (management, engineering, healthcare) rather than relying solely on the prestige of the qualification level
- Prioritise work-study programmes or longer internships to gain experience before leaving education, while taking funding changes into account
- Develop skills that complement AI (critical analysis, team coordination, communication) and will remain in demand regardless of the degree of automation
A degree’s field of study matters just as much as its level when it comes to employment prospects. Insee data confirms that France continues to lag behind the European average on several youth employment indicators, although the trend is improving. Changes to higher education apprenticeship funding add another factor for students preparing to enter the labour market.
