Study systems in Europe

Studies are organised in the LMD system (licence – master – doctorat), in line with the Bologna Process:

• licence – the bachelor's degree, 3–4 years according to Study in Europe,
• master – 1–2 years after the licence,
• doctorat – 3–4 years; France has 267 doctoral schools (écoles doctorales).

Alongside the university path there are shorter professional diplomas, e.g. the BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur), and preparatory classes (classes préparatoires, CPGE), after which students sit the entrance exams for the grandes écoles.

The academic year starts in September or October, and the summer break lasts at least two months. Teaching combines lectures in large halls (amphithéâtre) with compulsory tutorials in small groups that link theory and practice.

France – bachelor's programmes
France – integrated (single-cycle) programmes
France – master's programmes