Most postsecondary degrees awarded in France are diplômes nationaux, or national diplomas. They are regulated and recognized by the French government, which ensures the soundness of the curriculum and the quality of the instruction offered. Public institutions-universities and grandes écoles-offer the full range of national diplomas. The universities and some schools also offer degrees of their own, not regulated by the government.

The degrees and certificates awarded by schools of business and engineering are further subjected to extremely strict accreditation procedures.

Don't let the wide variety of postsecondary degrees put you off. That variety is one of the great strengths of the French system.

Each degree corresponds to a course of study that is strictly defined-something that you can't take for granted in some other countries. Your French degree provides a very clear indication of what you have studied and what you are capable of doing

Equivalency

France has no universally applicable system for determining the equivalence of French and foreign diplomas. Each institution sets its own admission requirements. Students are admitted if their prior academic work is likely to have prepared them sufficiently for the demands of the program to which they seek admission. This system ensures a uniform level of instruction and graduating classes of roughly equal ability and experience.

Credit transfer

In Europe, recognition of degrees and diplomas is assured through a common credit system known as the European Credit Transfer System, or ECTS.

  Information sheet "French degrees(PDF)

  ECTS (Commission Européenne)