The French education system

The Bac, Licence, Master and Doctorat structure

1. Overall structure (LMD)

The French university system rests on three main levels, known as the system: Bachelor's Master's PhD and

High school ends with the diploma. After the Bac, each university year is written as:

Bac+1 — first year of Licence (L1)

Bac+2 — second year of Licence (L2)

Bac+3 — third year of Licence, earning the Licence degree (L3)

Bac+4 — first year of Master (M1)

Bac+5 — second year of Master (M2)

Bac+8 — Doctorat (usually about three years after the Master's)

Every academic year carries 60 European credits; 30 per semester. If you earn all 60 credits, the year is "validated" (passed) and those credits transfer to other universities in France and Europe.

2. Semesters, UEs and how courses are passed

At French universities each year is split into two semesters, and each semester is made up of several larger teaching units called UE (Unité d’enseignement). Each UE may itself be made up of several smaller courses (for example theory + practical work + lab).

Grades are out of 20, and to pass each UE or semester you usually need an average of 10/20. Grades are calculated as a weighted average based on the coefficient and ECTS count of each part.

Important note: there is usually a compensation rule (compensation). This means that if two courses belong to the same UE and you score 4 on one and 18 on the other, the UE's overall grade is the weighted average of the two; if that average is above 10, the UE is passed even if one course is below 10. The same compensation can also happen at a higher level — the average of several UEs can pass an entire semester or year, even if one or two UEs are individually below 10. The exact compensation rules are written in each university's (exam regulations).

3. Session 1, Session 2, the resit and appeals

At most universities, two exam "sessions" are defined for each semester:

The main end-of-semester exams (e.g. January for the first semester, May/June for the second).

or resit exam If you don't reach the required average in Session 1, you have the right to retake the exam in Session 2. Under a 2018 regulation, Licence and Master students are given a kind of "second-chance right", and universities must provide for Session 2, except in specific cases explained in their regulations.

Each course's final grade after Session 2 is calculated based on a formula set out in the exam regulations (MCCC). Sometimes the higher of the Session 1 and Session 2 grades is kept, sometimes only the Session 2 grade counts.

If you think a grade was miscalculated or your rights were violated, you can file an recours (administrative appeal) first with the instructor or the university's exam committee, and at higher stages you can even bring a case before the.

4. Redoubler (repeating a year) and changing universities

If after Session 2 you still don't reach the required average or enough ECTS, a few outcomes are possible:

You repeat the year. However, ECTS you've already passed are not lost; the following year you only need to retake the units you failed.

At some universities there is an AJAC (ajourné mais autorisé à continuer) status: you still have a few units left from the previous year, but you're allowed to enroll in the next year at the same time and complete the outstanding units during the new year.

Or you can apply to move to a different program or university and have part of your credits recognized.

In general, changing university or program after any given year is possible; many students decide to change program or city after L1 or L2. In that case you apply to the new university for the following year (e.g. L2, L3 or M1); if your ECTS and course content are close enough, the new university can admit you directly into that year, otherwise you may have to repeat a year or retake some units. This is usually done through platforms like (for L1) or internal enrollment systems like and a transfer form.

5. Intakes and the academic year

At most public French universities, the academic year starts in September and runs until June / early summer. September is also the main intake. For most Licence programs and a large share of public Master's programs, there is no January/February intake, or it's very limited; so if you miss the deadlines you usually have to wait until the following year.

Some private schools (especially business schools and management or IT programs) may also have a January intake, but you should always check this case by case on that school's website.

6. Internships (Stage) in the Licence and Master

The "stage" has become a very important part of studying in France, especially for getting into a Master's program or the job market. In recent years, many universities have required at least one internship for students.

Internship in the Licence (L3)

In the third year of the Licence (L3), many programs include a short internship. At some universities this internship is mandatory (for example some professional Licence programs, or universities that set a short internship for every program), while at others it's optional and is only offered to gain experience and a few extra credits. This internship usually lasts 6 to 8 weeks, often over the summer after classes end.

Internship in the first year of Master (M1)

In 2 to 3 months an internship of about is usually planned (e.g. 8 to 12 weeks). In some programs this internship is mandatory and carries a grade and ECTS; in others, the university sets a research or coursework project instead of an internship and offers the internship only as an optional choice.

Internship in the second year of Master (M2)

In fully mandatory (especially professional Master's programs), there is almost always a long 4 to 6 months internship that usually lasts and covers a large part of the second semester; in some programs it even continues until the end of the calendar year. At the end you must write and defend an internship report or thesis.

General internship rules in France

Every internship requires a signed (a three-way agreement between the university, the student and the company).

By law, an internship at one company can last at most 6 months or 924 hours per academic year.

If an internship lasts more than two months, the company must pay at least the minimum internship allowance (gratuité); the exact amount is set by the government each year.

The internship should usually relate to your field of study, and the report you submit can earn you ECTS credits.

7. Practical summary

After each year (L1, L2, L3, M1) you can apply to another university for the same or a higher year; your admission depends on the ECTS and course content you've completed.

Make sure to read your university's to know exactly how the grading, compensation, Session 2 and minimum-pass rules are defined.

Think about the from your Licence onward; even if it's optional, it counts as a major advantage for getting into a Master's and the French job market.