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| Bachelor's degree (France) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Bachelor's degree (France) |
| Native name | Licence |
| Type | Undergraduate degree |
| Duration | Typically three years |
| Credits | 180 ECTS |
| Level | First cycle (LMD) |
| Awarding body | French universities and accredited institutions |
Bachelor's degree (France)
The French Licence is the standard three-year undergraduate degree awarded by French Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Université PSL, Université Sorbonne Nouvelle, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, Université Grenoble Alpes and other public and private institutions. It forms the first cycle of the LMD reform alongside the Master's degree (France) and the Doctorate (France), and aligns with the European Higher Education Area to enable mobility across Bologna Process signatory states.
The Licence is delivered by institutions such as Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas, Université de Strasbourg, Université de Bordeaux, Aix-Marseille Université and specialised schools like École normale supérieure de Lyon, Sciences Po, Université de Nantes under national frameworks established by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (France). Programs span fields associated with institutions including Conservatoire de Paris, École des hautes études en sciences sociales, Institut national des langues et civilisations orientales and professional academies linked to state bodies such as Conseil national de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche.
The modern Licence emerged from reforms enacted after the May 1968 events and later codified in laws such as the Loi relative aux libertés et responsabilités des universités (LRU) and the statutes implementing the LMD reform following the Bologna Declaration. Legislative instruments from the Assemblée nationale and the Sénat shape accreditation, quality assurance and funding, interacting with agencies like the Agence nationale de la recherche and the Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur.
Entry commonly requires the Baccalauréat awarded by authorities including regional rectorats under the Ministère de l'Éducation nationale. Alternatives include the Validation des acquis de l'expérience route and admissions for holders of foreign credentials assessed by the Centre national d'enseignement à distance or by university admissions platforms such as Parcoursup. Some programmes impose competitive examinations linked to institutions like ENA (École nationale d'administration) (preparatory), or selection by institutions such as Institut d'études politiques de Paris.
Programmes are organised into semesters and modules at institutions like Université Toulouse 1 Capitole, Université Lille, Université de Montpellier and structured into three annual cycles: Licence 1, Licence 2 and Licence 3. Curricula often reference disciplinary standards from professional councils such as the Conseil national de l'Ordre des médecins for health-related tracks or sectoral agreements with organisations like Union professionnelle artisanale for applied pathways. Electives, internships and capstone projects may be supervised by laboratories associated with bodies such as Centre national de la recherche scientifique and museums like the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle.
Assessment follows scales used across universities including numerical grading systems and decisions by examination juries constituted per regulations from the Code de l'éducation (France). Credits are awarded under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System framework; the Licence totals 180 ECTS, consistent with institutions in the European Union and monitored through quality processes involving agencies like European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education and national auditors linked to the Cour des comptes for financial oversight.
Graduates find pathways into public services administered by entities such as the Service public de l'emploi, private firms including TotalEnergies, Airbus, Capgemini, cultural institutions like the Opéra national de Paris and international organisations such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Professional recognition for regulated professions depends on order bodies like the Ordre des architectes, Conseil national des barreaux or sectoral diplomas validated by ministries including the Ministère des Solidarités et de la Santé.
The Licence's three-year format aligns with comparable degrees from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, University of Bologna, Università di Padova, Universität Heidelberg and facilitates recognition via conventions of the Council of Europe and the European Commission. Credit transfer and degree recognition employ mechanisms involving the ENIC-NARIC network and bilateral agreements with countries such as Canada, United States, Japan and members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Category:Higher education in France Category:Academic degrees