France Education System & Credential Evaluation

A guide to the France education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.

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Overview of the France Education System

France operates a highly centralized national education system overseen by the Ministry of National Education. French is the official language of instruction. The academic year runs from September to June. France's education system is known for its rigorous academic standards and its grandes écoles system of elite higher education institutions. France has adopted the Bologna Process, with degrees organized into Licence (Bachelor's), Master's, and Doctorat levels.

Structure of the Education System

Primary School — École Primaire (5 Years, Ages 6–11, CP–CM2)

Compulsory. Covers French, Mathematics, History-Geography, Sciences, Arts, and Physical Education. Structured into CP (Cours Préparatoire) through CM2 (Cours Moyen 2ème année).

Lower Secondary — Collège (4 Years, Ages 11–15, 6ème–3ème)

Compulsory. All students follow a common curriculum. Culminates in the Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) at 3ème — a national examination in French, Mathematics, History-Geography/Civics, and Sciences.

Upper Secondary — Lycée (3 Years, Ages 15–18, 2nde–Terminale)

Students choose a general, technological, or vocational track. General Lycée students specialize in chosen subjects in Première and Terminale. Culminates in the Baccalauréat (Bac) — one of the world's most recognized secondary qualifications. The Bac is required for university admission and is highly competitive for grandes écoles.

University Education

France has universities (open admission with Bac) and Grandes Écoles (selective, entrance by competitive examination — concours). Licence (Bachelor's) takes 3 years. Master's is 2 years. Doctorat is 3 years. Prestigious grandes écoles include École Polytechnique, Sciences Po, HEC Paris, and ENS.

Grade Conversion Scale for France

Grade Scale	Description	US Equivalent
16–20	Très Bien (Very Good)	A
14–15.9	Bien (Good)	B
12–13.9	Assez Bien (Fairly Good)	C
10–11.9	Passable (Pass)	D
0–9.9	Insuffisant (Fail)	F

Key Credentials

Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) — Collège completion (Grade 9)
Baccalauréat Général / Technologique / Professionnel — Lycée completion; equivalent to a US high school diploma
Licence (L3) — 3-year Bachelor's degree
Master (M2) — 2-year Master's degree
Diplôme de Grande École — elite engineering/business degree (5 years post-Bac); generally equivalent to a US Master's degree

US Equivalency of France Credentials

The Baccalauréat is equivalent to a US high school diploma; strong Bac results may be evaluated for college credit
A French 3-year Licence is equivalent to a US Bachelor's degree
A French Master's degree is equivalent to a US Master's degree
A French Grande École diploma (5 years) is generally equivalent to a US Master's degree

Why You Need a Credential Evaluation

A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW, O-1, L-1), and professional licensing.

If your documents are in French

All France academic documents must be accompanied by certified English translations. Evaluation World offers French-to-English translation services combined with your evaluation order.