Schools and Colleges  >  European harmonization of Higher Education

Within the framework of the harmonization process of higher education in Europe, university higher education will be organised at three levels, leading to the following degrees: L (Licence or ‘Bachelors’), M (Masters) and D (Doctorat or ‘PhD’) recognised in all European countries. The new system should be operational in France and Europe by 2010.

The “L-M-D”(B M PhD) European system will use the ECTS system (European Credit Transfer System).
ECTS credits are acquired permanently and recognised if the student goes to another university, in France or elsewhere in Europe.

- 60 credits represent the workload for one academic year
- 30 credits represent the workload for one academic semester

Licence (Bachelors): 180 credits (usually obtained in 6 semesters),
Master: there are 2 different types of Masters degree :

- Research Masters : 120 credits including a research project will be required (4 semesters postgraduate study).
- Professional Masters: 120 credits plus work experience, from 3 to 5 months according to the subject, plus an internship report will be required (4 semesters postgraduate study).

Doctorate (PhD): 180 credits, plus a doctoral thesis, plus a certain number of seminars will be required (at least 6 semesters of postgraduate study).