Rennes 2 University

Understanding the French System

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University-level studies in France have recently been re-organized to reflect the LMD system, a three-tier system that most European countries have adopted in an effort to promote coherence in higher education across borders.

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ECTS and the LMD System

In France and within the European Union, university-level studies are separated into three basic levels, each corresponding to a certain number of ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. The credit system, created in 1989 within the ERASMUS program, allows students to transfer the credits earned for courses completed and objectives attained during the course of a study program. International students may then receive credit at their home university for the work completed while studying in another country.

Under this system, one academic-year of full-time study corresponds to the equivalent of 60 ECTS.

 

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The three types of university degrees in France are:
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  • Licence: Similar to a Bachelor's Degree, a License requires 180 ECTS (or three years of study).
  • Master: Can be obtained after an additional 2 years of study (or 120 ECTS)
  • Doctorate: Requires a total of 8 years of study and research (an additional 3 years after completing one's Master's)

 

LMD system
Légende

Campus France illustration of the LMD system

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Level by years of study

1 – 2 years (after high school diploma)

  • BTS, DUT, BTSA (4 semesters) – 120 ECTS
    (Higher Technical Diploma, University Diploma of Technology, Agricultural Technical Diploma, etc.)

3 years

  • Licence (Bachelor’s degree) (+ 2 semesters) – 180 ECTS total
  • Professional Licence (Professional Bachelor’s degree)
  • National Art Diploma - DNA
  • Diploma of Architectural Studies- DEEA

4 years

  • Year 4 – (This corresponds to the first year of Master's studies)

5 years

  • Master’s degree (+ 4 semesters) – 120 additional ECTS
  • Specialized Master (MS), Executive MBA (Business Schools / Grandes Écoles)
  • Specialized Master (Art and Architecture as well as health, social work and tourism)

6 years

  • Specialized degrees - 60 additional ECTS
  • State Diploma of Doctor of Dentistry
  • State Diploma of Doctor of Pharmacy

7 years

  • Doctorate – (+ 6 semesters / 3 years), delivered by accredited universities
    – 180 additional ECTS (from Master's)
    – Doctoral degrees are awarded by doctoral departments affiliated with a university, subject to an agreement with research units.

8 – 9 years

  • Mainly related to specific regulated programs such as Medicine, Dentistry, or Pharmacy,
    where total study length may reach up to 9 years depending on specialization.

General overview of the LMD system (Bachelor – Master – Doctorate)

  • Universities:
    • Bachelor’s degree (3 years, 180 ECTS)
    • Master’s degree (+ 2 years / 120 additional ECTS)
    • Doctorate (+ 3 years / 180 additional ECTS)
  • Grandes Écoles / Business Schools:
    • Specialized Master (MS)
    • Executive MBA
  • Regulated professions (Health sector):
    • State Doctorates in Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry (between 6–9 years total)
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Information about our Grading System

Coming Soon.

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