Getting Your Degree Recognised in France: A Practical Guide

France doesn't have a single centralised degree recognition body — how your foreign qualification is assessed depends on what you want to use it for. This guide cuts through the confusion and tells you exactly which route to take.

Academic recognition vs professional recognition

These are two completely different processes in France. Academic recognition is for continuing studies at a French university. Professional recognition is for practising a regulated profession (doctor, lawyer, engineer in certain sectors). Most people need one but assume they need both.

For continuing your studies

French universities assess foreign qualifications individually. There is no national equivalence certificate for academic purposes — each university decides whether to admit you based on your transcripts, diploma, and the programme you're applying to. Apply through Campus France if you're coming from outside the EU, or directly to the university if you're already in France.

For working in a regulated profession

France Éducation International (formerly CIEP) handles recognition for regulated professions. The process varies significantly by sector — healthcare professions go through dedicated ministries, while engineering and architecture have their own bodies. Start by identifying whether your profession is regulated in France at all.

The ENIC-NARIC statement

If you need to demonstrate the general level of your foreign degree — for a non-regulated job, for example — you can request a statement from France's ENIC-NARIC centre. This document confirms the level of your qualification in the French system (licence, master, doctorat) but is not a formal equivalence. Many employers accept it as sufficient.

Documents you'll typically need

• Official diploma (original or certified copy)
• Full academic transcripts
• Certified French translation of all documents
• Description of your programme/curriculum
• Proof of the awarding institution's accreditation

Timelines

University-level assessment is usually done as part of the admissions process and takes 4–8 weeks. ENIC-NARIC statements typically take 2–3 months. Professional recognition processes can take 6–12 months depending on the profession and ministry involved.