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| Master's degree (France) | |
|---|---|
| Name | Master's degree (France) |
| Native name | Master |
| Type | Second cycle higher education degree |
| Awarded by | French universities, Grandes Écoles, CNAM, Institut d'études politiques |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Level | ISCED Level 7 |
| Credits | 120 ECTS |
| Predecessors | Diplôme d'études approfondies, Maîtrise |
Master's degree (France) The French master's degree is a national higher education qualification awarded after postgraduate study at universities, grandes écoles, and specialized institutions such as ENS, École Polytechnique and Sciences Po. It serves as a gateway to doctoral programmes at institutions like Collège de France and professional bodies including Conseil d'État-related schools and sectoral regulators. The degree aligns with the Bologna Process, European Higher Education Area frameworks and Lisbon Recognition Convention principles.
The French master is structured as a two-year cycle (Master 1 and Master 2) following the licence and conforms to the ECTS credit system used across European Union higher education. It is offered by entities such as Université PSL, Université Paris-Saclay, Université de Strasbourg, Université de Lyon and by grandes écoles like HEC Paris, ESSEC Business School and École des Ponts ParisTech. Program pathways include research-oriented MSc and professional mastères, with graduation often leading toward programmes at CNRS laboratories or professional certification by bodies like the Ordre des Avocats and Conseil National de l'Ordre des Médecins.
The modern master's evolved from the Maîtrise and the historical Diplôme d'études approfondies (DEA) after reforms influenced by the LMD reform initiated by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and the Bologna Declaration signed in Prague and implemented across the European Union. Key milestones include the creation of the Licence-Master-Doctorat structure and harmonization processes guided by the Agence nationale de la recherche and the AERES. Influential debates occurred in venues like the Assemblée nationale and among stakeholders including Conférence des Présidents d'Université and Conférence des Grandes Écoles.
Admission commonly requires a licence or equivalent recognized under the Lisbon Recognition Convention and documentation verified by services like Campus France. Competitive grandes écoles may require success in concours overseen by institutions such as École Normale Supérieure de Lyon or interview panels including representatives from Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de l'Innovation. International applicants present diplomas evaluated against ENAEE or national ENIC-NARIC centres; professional masters may consider work experience certified by employers like Airbus, EDF or BNP Paribas.
Programs comprise coursework, seminars, internships and a research dissertation or professional project overseen by faculty from institutions such as Université Grenoble Alpes, Université de Bordeaux, Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier or professors affiliated with Institut Pasteur and CNAM. Curricula are organized into semester modules with electives and specialization tracks linked to laboratories like INRIA, INRAE or centres such as CERN collaborations. Professional masters incorporate placements with partners like TotalEnergies or LVMH, and pedagogy may include case methods from business schools such as INSEAD.
Assessment follows a 0–20 grading scale administered by university juries and defended before committees often including external examiners from institutions like Université de Montpellier or industry representatives from Saint-Gobain. Degrees are quantified as 120 ECTS credits with accreditation processes overseen by the Haut Conseil de l'évaluation de la recherche et de l'enseignement supérieur and quality labels such as EUR-ACE for engineering programmes. National registers like the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles list professional master's certifications aligned with French labour market levels.
Holders may pursue doctoral study at establishments like Université Grenoble Alpes or seek regulated professions requiring registration with bodies such as Ordre des Architectes, Ordre des Pharmaciens or Ordre des Experts-Comptables. Recognition by international organisations is facilitated through frameworks like the Bologna Process and bilateral agreements with universities including University of Oxford, Harvard University, Technische Universität München and University of Toronto. Employers from sectors represented by Syndicat des Entreprises de Génie Électrique or multinationals such as Renault and Schneider Electric recruit master holders for research and management roles.
The French master's is compared with the Master of Science, Master of Arts, MPhil and professional degrees in systems of United Kingdom, United States, Germany, Spain and Italy; mutual recognition is guided by the Bologna Process and credential evaluation by ENIC-NARIC networks. Student mobility programs like Erasmus+, bilateral exchange agreements with institutions such as Universität Heidelberg and joint degrees with schools like IE Business School enhance cross-border training. Alumni networks include associations tied to École Polytechnique Alumni and university alumni offices collaborating with career services at Campus France.