The academic path to becoming an ENT specialist is long and demanding. It combines the acquisition of medical knowledge with the exercise of clinical skills. This specialization includes practical internships, research and - often - further training. This article explores the different stages of this adventure, which we outlined in our ENT career sheet. From your first steps in medical school to your residency years, let's take a look at the challenges of ENT studies.
General medical studies
After high school
Before entering higher education, aspiring ENT specialists must obtain a scientific baccalaureate. Once this has been completed, they can choose between two options:
- The Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique (PASS)
- Introduced in 2020 to replace the former Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé (PACES), the PASS is a year of study combining a health major with a minor from another discipline. This structure makes it possible to diversify skills and offer avenues for reorientation.
- Students are assessed on the basis of continuous assessment and final exams.
- Those who pass can go on to study in the health sector.
- Those who fail can reorient themselves towards their minor before, if they so wish, trying their luck again.
- The PASS approach reduces the pressure of the former PACES exam, while diversifying students' skills.
- The Licence with Health Access (L.AS)
- Introduced in 2020 to diversify the range of training courses available in health studies, the L.AS is a course combining any major (law, humanities, economics, etc.) with a specific health minor (biology, physiology, etc.).
- At the end of the first, second or third year, and if they have passed the minimum requirements, students can apply for health studies. They then sit specific exams. Depending on their performance, they will either be rejected or integrated into the second year of general medical studies.
- The L.AS allows students to follow a diversified pathway, favoring skills and reorientation.
General medical studies
After the PASS or L.AS (see above), general medical studies are divided into two parts:
- The Diplôme de Formation Générale en Sciences Médicales (DFGSM) : a three-year course (the PASS and L.AS count as the first) comprising theoretical courses in medical sciences and clinical placements in hospitals.
- The Diplôme de Formation Approfondie en Sciences Médicales (DFASM): a direct continuation of the DFGSM, this is a three-year course of study incorporating specialist courses and advanced internships in various hospital departments.
Externship examinations
During the final year of the second cycle, students must pass a series of exams which, depending on their results and rankings, will enable them to choose their specialty as well as their city. Here's the list:
- Épreuves dématérialisées nationales (EDN): these take place in October and account for 60% of the final grade. To pass, students must obtain a mark of at least 14/20 in theoretical knowledge useful to all doctors, regardless of their specialty.
- Objective and Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE): These are held in May and account for 30% of the final grade. They test students' ability to develop clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills. The minimum grade is 10/20.
- Academic progress grade: this continuous assessment takes into account the student's commitment, curriculum, mobility and level of English, and accounts for 10% of the final grade.
ENT specialization
Once they have completed their general medical studies, students specializing in ENT enter a five-year residency program. This course is divided into theoretical and practical training:
- Theoretical training: interns follow theoretical courses covering the various aspects of otolaryngology. They attend seminars and conferences to keep abreast of the latest advances and research in the field.
- Practical training: ENT interns take part in the work of various health departments. They carry out consultations, surgery and patient follow-up under the supervision of experienced specialists.
Finally, ENT interns must write and defend a thesis in order to obtain their doctorate. On completion of this specialization, he or she is awarded the Diplôme d'Études Spécialisées en Oto-Rhino-Laryngologie (DES). In all, it took him 11 years of study to become an ENT specialist.
Further training
After obtaining the DES and registering with the Ordre des Médecins, specialists wishing to apply for ENT jobs can continue their training to specialize in specific fields such as otology, rhinology, laryngology, ENT surgery or ENT oncology.
Skills and qualities required of an ENT specialist
Whatever their specialty, ENT specialists must possess the technical, medical and human skills and qualities needed to succeed in their field. These are imparted and passed on throughout their academic training. In particular, they must possess medical, diagnostic and surgical skills, while demonstrating curiosity, adaptability, leadership, rigor, patience and empathy. This set of skills will enable them to exercise their profession with complete peace of mind, and to deal with every case they encounter.
From the rigor of initial studies to the acquisition of specific clinical and surgical skills, each stage of the training to become an ENT specialist is crucial. They train qualified professionals capable of diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions. Ongoing training is essential in this evolving field, ensuring that specialists remain at the cutting edge of advances. This combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience and dedication to learning is the key to success in this exciting field.
Enjoyed this article and want to know more? Discover our ENT salary sheet!
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ENT M/F - Villeneuve la Garenne 92
Liberal
4000 - 8000 per month
Villeneuve-la-Garenne
A multidisciplinary medical practice in Villeneuve-la-Garenne, in the Hauts-de-Seine department, is seeking a new ENT specialist (M/F) for a private practice position. The terms - Private practice arrangement - Flexible schedule based on availability - Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to midnight on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends The Facility This is a new-generation multidisciplinary medical center offering comprehensive care, including specialized medicine, walk-in care, sleep medicine, and women’s health. The 400 m² center features dedicated spaces for consultations, medical procedures, and recovery, in addition to an on-site administrative office. Furthermore, accessibility is enhanced by its proximity to major thoroughfares and the availability of parking. Compensation - Up to 70% of gross revenue Responsibilities - Provide specialized consultations in otolaryngology - Perform medical procedures compatible with the center’s technical facilities - Participate in the management of walk-in patients - Collaborate with medical assistants for pre-consultation and assistance with examinations - Coordinate patient care with the multidisciplinary team and hospital partners - Develop a specific initiative within the facility based on a project Benefits - A modern, spacious 400 m² facility - On-site administrative office and full administrative support - Dedicated medical assistants for pre-consultation and assistance with exams - High-performance software for a seamless practice - High patient volume and a wide range of services - Easy access via major thoroughfares and parking - Coverage of professional liability insurance and membership dues to the Medical Board That little extra something The center is located on the banks of the Seine, right next to Paris and the business district, offering quick access to public transportation and opportunities for riverside walks to help you unwind. Qualifications An ENT specialist with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered with or eligible for registration with the Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job Posting ID: 12541 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the French Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
ENT Physician (M/F) - Aix-en-Provence 13
Liberal
150 000 - 250 000 per year
Aix-en-Provence
We are looking for an ENT specialist (male or female) to rent a medical office in a multidisciplinary practice located in Aix-en-Provence, in the Bouches-du-Rhône department. Terms and Conditions - Office space for rent - Private practice - Available September 2026 - Office space ranging from 15 to 19 m² The Facility You’ll join a new-generation multidisciplinary facility located between Aix and Marseille, easily accessible from the highway. It is organized around four complementary areas of focus: respiratory health, sleep, physical activity, and nutrition. In addition, there will be spaces dedicated to general medicine and primary care, as well as physical therapists specializing in respiratory and cardiac rehabilitation. The site covers 5,000 m² of land, offers 750 m² of office space—much of which is already reserved—and has 60 parking spaces. Construction is underway, with an opening scheduled for September 2026. Compensation - Rent of €900 to €1,200 (including tax) per month Benefits - Fully equipped and furnished turnkey offices - Utilities included: cleaning, water, electricity, internet, and property tax - 60 parking spaces and quick access to the highway - Quick move-in with no logistical hassles - Option to provide a medical assistant or secretary - Flexible access to the sleep testing facility and spirometry services - Work in a multidisciplinary team Facilities - Fully equipped and furnished offices ranging from 15 to 19 m² - Sleep testing facility: polygraphy, ambulatory polysomnography, and specialized pre-interpretation - Spirometer for COPD screening - Flexible equipment available depending on the activity That Extra Special Touch Aix-en-Provence offers an attractive lifestyle with its Cours Mirabeau, Provençal markets, and proximity to Sainte-Victoire Mountain—ideal for weekend activities and personal well-being. Qualifications ENT specialist licensed in France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected]. Job Posting ID: 12817 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
ENT Physician (M/F) - Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94
Employee
900 - 900 per day
le Kremlin-Bicêtre
Terms and Conditions - Permanent contract - Full-time or part-time - Open 7 days a week, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Facility You will join a medical facility that was recently taken over and renovated within a shopping mall near Porte d’Italie. The premises cover an area of 250 m² and include eight consultation rooms, furnished break areas, and air conditioning. In addition, the mall generates a significant flow of patients, ensuring a steady volume of business. Compensation - Compensation of €900 gross per day Responsibilities - Conduct ENT consultations and provide patient follow-up care - Collaborate with secretaries on administrative tasks and billing - Adapt your schedule to the time slots offered by the facility - Participate in setting up and organizing the technical facilities in coordination with management Benefits - New, air-conditioned facilities - Technical facility equipped with Topcon equipment and a streamlined leasing solution - Reception services provided by two experienced secretaries - Doctolib set up for appointment management - Private parking for practitioners and direct access to the subway - High patient traffic thanks to the shopping mall - Great flexibility in scheduling Qualifications ENT specialist with a degree from France or the European Union, currently registered or eligible for registration with the French Medical Board. Contact us at: 07 44 71 65 08 or by email at [email protected] Job posting reference: 12884 Candidates from the European Union: Jober Group, the leader in the integration of healthcare professionals in France, provides you with free support until you begin your practice: - Connecting you with our partner professors - Assistance with registration with the Medical Board - A dedicated consultant to support you Find over 4,000 healthcare job openings on our Jober Group website and mobile app. Take advantage of a network of 1,000 partners throughout France, a team of recruitment experts ready to assist you, and a completely free service that 99% of our candidates are satisfied with.
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