As shown in the diagram below, France’s higher education system has two different routes to long-term study after the Baccalauréat (qualification at completion of secondary education):
The BMD (Bachelor – Master – Doctorate) system is based on the number of semesters completed since leaving secondary school and their equivalent in European credits under the ECTS system:
- Bachelor in 3 years = 6 semesters = 180 ECTS
- Master in 2 years = 10 semesters = 300 ECTS
- Doctorate in 3 years = 16 semesters
The BMD system is equivalent to the international model of education at three levels:
- bachelor’s degree
- master’s degree
- doctorate
A feature of the French education system, the Grandes Écoles are highly selective. They are accessed after two to three years of preparatory classes based on a competitive entrance examination. Studies at the Grandes Ecoles last three years, resulting in a Master’s level degree and giving access to the Doctorate. This type of course concerns only 10% of baccalaureate-holders.
Focus on engineering schools
Backed by internationally renowned research laboratories, and partnered with hundreds of universities on all continents, the 11 engineering schools of the University of Lorraine, including Mines Nancy, welcome 5,500 students and award degrees to over 1,500 engineers every year.
Closely involved with the major scientific, technological and economic challenges of tomorrow, our schools cover a wide range of disciplines: agri-food, new information and communication technologies, materials engineering, innovation, timber, energy, geoscience, mechanics, environment…
