What is a Master’s degree ?
It is the new name used in Europe for all diplomas taken after 5 years of higher education, inspired by the Anglo-saxon nomenclature. In France, the name corresponds to engineering degrees, to the DESS (a one-year professionally-oriented postgraduate certificate taken after a Master’s degree) and DEA. (a one-year research-oriented postgraduate certificate taken after a Master’s degree). Master’s degrees are normally prepared in 2 years after a French licence or a Bachelor’s degree (corresponding to 3 years of higher education).

What is an MSc degree ?
It is a "Master of Science degree”, a highly specialized scientific diploma similar to the French DEA.

What is an MBA ?
It is a Master of Business Administration, a highly specialized and professionally –oriented diploma in management.

What is a DNM ?
It is a " National Master Diploma", awarded by the French Ministry of Education. Only a few Master’s degrees are considered DNM, the others being diplomas awarded by schools and accredited by the state.

What is an MSc-Mastère ?
It is a Master’s degree accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles (5 years of higher education).

What is a MS or specialized Master’s degree ?
it is a post-Master diploma, taken one year after a Master’s degree (hence corresponding to 6 years of higher education). Such highly specialized diplomas are accredited by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles.

What is the n + i diploma ?
N + i means "national" and "international". It is a special course intended for foreign students enabling them to be awarded a French engineering degree in 2 years.

What is an engineering degree ?
Contrary to the situation prevailing in other countries, the French engineering diplomas enjoy an excellent reputation and are considered the best Master’s degrees in the scientific and technical fields.

What is Master’s degree by sandwich course ?
It is a course including teaching periods but also time spent working in a company over a total period of 2 years. Each future graduate is both a student but also a wage-earner.

What is an international joint diploma ?
It refers to the award of two Master’s degrees at the same time, one in France, the other one in a foreign country : ESA engineering diploma + MSc of a foreign university.

What is the Conférence des Grandes Écoles ?
The Conférence des Grandes Écoles is a consortium of engineering schools, and a 1/3 of the French business schools. They are accredited by the state and award diplomas after 5 years of higher education.