French higher education uses the LMD system — licence, master, doctorate — that isused throughout the European Union. The system is designed to facilitate student mobility within Europe and around the world.
STRUCTURE
Using this common framework, degrees are awarded on the basis of the number of semesters the student has completed since entering higher education and the corresponding number of ECTS credits earned.
Licence
= 6 semesters = 180 ECTS
Baccalauréat or equivalent (high school diploma) + 3 years
Master
= 4 semesters = 120 ECTS
Licence or equivalent + 2 years
Licence + master = 10 semesters = 300 ECTS
Doctorate
= 6 semesters = 180 ECTS
Master or equivalent + 3 years
Licence + master + doctorate = 16 semesters = 480 ECTS
ECTS: European Credit Transfer System
Within the European Union, the international validation of degrees rests on a common system of academic credits called ECTS credits (European Credit Transfer System).
ECTS credits are cumulative and transferable. So when a student transfers from one European institution to another, the courses taken will be credited and recognized by these institutions.
Public institutions
Public universities (universités publiques) offer programs in all disciplines and levels. They confer national diplomas, which have the same weight regardless of the institution that confers them.
Diplomas
The national diplomas (diplômes nationaux) awarded in most French higher education institutions are regulated by the government.
The national diplomas conferred by France's universities and other public educational institutions (such as national schools of art or architecture) demand adherence to national standards of quality that must be met by any institution that wishes to award the degree. National diplomas have the same value regardless of the institution that awards them.
Schools of art and specialized schools are also subject to national certifications.
Grandes Écoles
Unique to France, the system of Grandes Écoles was set up in parallel with the university system at the beginning of the 19th century.
The Grandes Écoles offer top-quality education oriented towards practical knowledge and application and usually focus on teaching specific subject areas.
The system includes both public and private higher education institutions, such as schools of engineering, business, the Écoles Normales, and institutes of political science.
Diplomas
For engineering sciences, the diplôme d’ingénieur is a national diploma. The schools that award it are accredited by CTI, the French national commission on engineering degrees.
An analogous system of accreditation exists for state-recognized schools of business and management. The degrees awarded by such schools are recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. Some schools of management have also obtained one or another form of international recognition (such as Equis, AMBA, or AACSB).
Useful information from the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation
*NB: The higher education institutions with Université in their name refer to public universities
List: French HEIS accredited to issue higher education degrees until the Doctorate level
➜ Établissements d'enseignement supérieur accrédités à délivrer le doctorat
List: French HEIS authorized to provide higher education degrees until the Master's level
List: Federation of public university systems
➜ Fédérations - Communautés d'universités et établissements`
more information
For a detailed explanation of the different types of French higher education institutions, click here
