Master's Degree Programs

The higher education in France is structured in cycles just like primary and secondary levels. The first cycle lasts for two years and leads to a DEUG certification, which is comparable to a Diploma in Higher Education in the UK or an Associate's Degree in the USA. The second cycle, which is also of two years duration, leads first to a bachelor's degree and then after a further year to the equivalent of a higher or master's or a postgraduate degree. The third, open only to selected postgraduate students, leads to highest educational qualifications and can pave the way to obtain a PhD degree. University studies in Frence basically consist of three programs:

• First program leading to a bachelor's degree after three years of advanced studies,
• Second program leading first to an advanced diploma after one year, then to one of two postgraduate diplomas, the DEA or DESS, which are awarded two years after the bachelor's degree. These two postgraduate diplomas in turn confer a master's or a postgraduate degree.
• Third program leads to the doctorate degree three years after the DEA postgraduate degree.

Admission to the postgraduate programs in the Universities and 'Grandes Écoles' (competitive institutes of France) in France is a highly competitive procedure where the students will have to clear the entrance examination conducted in the respective higher educational Institutes or Universities. However, as the different higher Institutes follow different guidelines, international students are advised to clearly check for the exact details. However, 'Grandes Écoles' also admit both foreign and French students on the basis of their qualifications and experience, as well as on the basis of any previous courses and the exceptional potential of the students who seek admission in the respective educational systems.