Editing Associate degree (section)

===France===
For many decades, a diploma comparable to an associate degree was considered a very adequate degree for those willing to work as qualified technicians. Yet as the general population spends an increasing amount of time studying, they are no longer as attractive to students who wish to distinguish themselves.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4238409?sommaire=4238781|title = Niveau d'éducation de la population − France, portrait social &#124; Insee}}</ref> In 2021, the ''Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie'' (DUT) was reframed as an intermediate degree part of a three-year curriculum now referred to as BUT.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.onisep.fr/Choisir-mes-etudes/Apres-le-bac/Organisation-des-etudes-superieures/Les-BUT-bachelors-universitaires-de-technologie|title = Les BUT (Bachelors universitaires de technologie)| newspaper=www.onisep.fr }}</ref> Prior to the reform of 2006, universities awarded a two-year diploma called DEUG, the purpose of which was also to help the student pursue studies in a field that differed from what was initially intended. The degree was considered a 'stepping stone' ahead of the completion of a bachelor's degree. Aside from the ''Brevet de Technicien Supérieur'' (BTS) which remains relevant in many fields for which long academic studies are not deemed crucial<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.onisep.fr/Choisir-mes-etudes/Apres-le-bac/Organisation-des-etudes-superieures/Les-BTS/Que-faire-apres-un-BTS|title=Que faire après un BTS ?|newspaper=www.onisep.fr }}</ref> and for which young professionals are in demand, degrees comparable to an associate degree are gradually being phased out, although their legitimacy remains in theory (but not always in practice<ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://publication.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/eesr/7/EESR7_ES_22-le_debut_de_carriere_des_jeunes_sortant_de_l_enseignement_superieur.php|title=Le début de carrière des jeunes sortant de l'enseignement supérieur|journal=L'État de l'Enseignement Supérieur et de la Recherche en France |date=April 2014|issue=7|pages=54–55|last1=Calmand|first1=Julien}}</ref>) unchanged for those who were awarded one in the past.