ONLINE applications open today for France's half a million final-year lycée students looking to go on to higher education.

Candidates need to register on the education ministry's Admission Post Bac website, where they can browse 9,000 different courses and compile their list of preferences.

The site includes university degree courses, vocational qualifications (BTS) and courses offered by other specialist schools.

Everything is done online, with the exception of some medical courses, which require a separate application procedure.