A designated “degree ” is a private school “ degree ” whose quality is monitored by the government for a limited period; it does not, on its own, confer a bachelor’s or master’s degree. An RNCP designation certifies a professional qualification at a specific level—for example, level 6 (bac+3) or level 7 (bac+5)—registered by France Compétences until an expiration date. An institution-degree e is not recognized by the government.
ESRA Editorial Team; rules verified on October 23, 2026, with the Ministry of Higher Education, France Compétences, Onisep, and Parcoursup.
degree referred to
A school- degree , the quality of which is monitored by the government, offering a specific course of study of limited duration.
Rank
The classification into academic degree levels—bachelor's or master's—granted in addition to the visa.
RNCP Title
A professional certification registered with France Compétences, including a level and an expiration date.
degree of establishment
A " degree " issued solely by the school, without a government guarantee.
Table of Contents
- What is a state-approved “ degree ”?
- Does the visa grant a bachelor's or master's degree?
- What is an RNCP certification?
- What is an establishment- degree ?
- “State-recognized school”: What does that guarantee?
- How can you tell the difference between a visa, a grade, an RNCP, and a “ degree ” for an institution?
- How can you determine the value of a training program?
- How does this affect continuing education, studying abroad, and work-study programs?
- What about ESRA's degrees?
- Frequently Asked Questions
What is a state-approved “ degree ”?
A designated " degree " is a private school " degree " whose quality is monitored by the Ministry of Higher Education for a specific program of study of limited duration.
According to Onisep, the visa applies to programs ranging from bac+3 to bac+5 Programs , “for a maximum duration of 6 years,” and is “issued for a specific program of study and not for a particular institution.” It is granted by a decree published in the Official Bulletin, following a recommendation from the Cneser, and must subsequently be renewed.
A targeted “ degree ” is not a “degree d’État”: this term refers to national degrees, which Parcoursup classifies alongside the licence, the BUT, and the BTS.
Does the visa grant a bachelor's or master's degree?
No: The rank is a separate designation that the government grants in addition to the visa, with its own dates.
The lists of accredited degrees in the Official Bulletin, such as the one dated July 9, 2026, include columns labeled “Start of Accreditation,” “End of Accreditation,” “Start of Grade,” and “End of Grade.” A “ degree ” may be accredited without a grade.
The academic degree links a degree to university degrees: bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate (Onisep). Only national degrees may be called “bachelor’s” or “master’s” (Article D. 613-3 of the Education Code, cited by France Compétences). A private school whose “ degree ” has been awarded the academic rank issues a “ degree ” that “confer the master’s degree,” not a master’s degree.
The test is simple. If the decree does not contain the word “rank,” then there is no rank.
What is an RNCP certification?
An RNCP certification is a professional certification registered by France Compétences in the National Directory of Professional Certifications, with a qualification level and an expiration date.
It certifies proficiency in the skills required for a particular profession (service-public.fr), though it is not an academic degree.
Its level follows the national framework for professional certifications, established by Decree No. 2019-14 of January 8, 2019, which comprises eight levels. The decree classifies degrees conferring a bachelor’s degree at level 6, those conferring a master’s degree at level 7, and a doctorate at level 8. Ministry orders specify “bac + 3 (RNCP Level 6).” However, a Level 6 degree does not necessarily confer a bachelor’s degree.
A registration is valid for a maximum of five years (France Compétences, January 2026 handbook). The recognized credentials are listed in the name of the government: their entry begins with “DIPLOVIS” and lists the ministry among the certifying bodies. Other certifications are reviewed upon request.
What is an establishment- degree ?
An institutional " degree " is issued by the school in its own name, without a visa, without a grade, and without registration in the RNCP: the government does not guarantee either its level or its content.
Its value depends on the school’s reputation. Onisep points out that the degrees awarded by specialized schools are “varied and of unequal value.” The terms “bachelor’s” or “master’s” prove nothing.
“State-recognized school”: What does that guarantee?
State recognition pertains to the institution, not to a specific degree : it does not indicate the value of the program you are pursuing.
For private technical schools, it is governed by Article L. 443-2 of the Education Code. It certifies that the school “makes a valuable contribution to the public higher education system,” with no time limit, and allows it to admit students receiving scholarships (Senate, 2026).
The designation “EESPIG” (private higher education institution serving the public interest) applies to nonprofit institutions bound to the government by contract. It does not apply to a “ degree ” either.
The “state-regulated” designation, overseen by the ministry, is reserved for Programs whose academic quality is “specifically regulated by the state,” and the school must have been “expressly authorized” to bear this designation. It applies to a program, not to a school.
Qualiopi is the certification required to access public or pooled funding for vocational training (France Compétences). It applies to the organization, not to the web degree.
How can you tell the difference between a visa, a grade, an RNCP, and a “ degree ” for an institution?
Each form of recognition has its own governing body: the ministry for visas and ranks, France Compétences for the RNCP, and none for the “ degree ” (establishment code).
| Who issues or grants it | What It Guarantees | How to check | |
|---|---|---|---|
| degree referred to | School; the visa is issued by the ministry | Government oversight of a specific training program, for a maximum of 6 years | Decree published in the Official Gazette; RNCP entry “DIPLOVIS” |
| Bachelor's or Master's degree | School; the degree is awarded by the government, in addition to the visa | Alignment with academic degrees; with a bachelor’s degree, eligibility for a master’s program | The word “grade” and its dates in the decree |
| RNCP Title | A certifying body (school, ministry, organization); France Compétences registers | A level within the National Qualifications Framework, up to a specific end date | France Compétences Profile: Level, Status, Expiration Date |
| degree of establishment | School Alone | No government guarantee | No arrest record, no RNCP filing |
How can you determine the value of a training program?
Three checks are all it takes: the RNCP listing on France Compétences, the ministerial decree in the Official Bulletin, and the program description on Parcoursup.
France Compétences
Search for the certification by name or number. Review the level, status (“Active” or “Inactive”), expiration date, certifying bodies, and pathways.
Official Bulletin
Search for the school’s name: recognition, accreditation, and degree-granting orders. Check the exact name of the program ( degree), the campuses, the level, the duration, and the word “degree.”
Parcoursup
Private, non-contract-based “ Programs ” listed on the platform “must be recognized by the government.” The “identity card” at the top of each profile indicates the institution’s status and accreditation.
For certain post-baccalaureate programs ( Programs ) offered by private institutions without government contracts and sold outside of Parcoursup, the platform warns: “The quality of these programs ( Programs ) has not been validated by the government.”
Note: A bill to regulate private higher education, passed on first reading by the Senate on June 1, 2026, calls for extending an “identity card” for each program to “communication materials, particularly advertising.” Forwarded to the National Assembly on June 2, 2026, it had not been voted on there as of October 23, 2026.
How does this affect continuing education, studying abroad, and work-study programs?
The degree provides the most direct path to further study; the RNCP determines eligibility for apprenticeships; and abroad, the host institution makes the decision.
Continuing Education. According to Mon Master, “degrees conferring a bachelor’s degree qualify students to apply for a master’s program.” For degrees that do not have this recognition, “this determination is left to the discretion of the institution.”
Studying Abroad. Within the European Economic Area, it is the host institution “that will recognize your French degree ” (service-public.fr). ENIC-NARIC centers provide information on the necessary procedures. The RNCP level is based on the French framework, which is aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (France Compétences). An institution- degree e has neither an official level nor a grade that can be used for recognition purposes.
Work-Study Programs. The apprenticeship contract “is intended to lead to the award of a credential or a ‘ degree ’ listed in the National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP)” (Ministry of Labor, Dreets). Without registration, there is no apprenticeship. The RNCP entry indicates whether the certification is available through an apprenticeship or a professional training contract.
What about ESRA's degrees?
ESRA offers four degrees accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education, all of which are registered with the RNCP.
The decree of February 17, 2025 (Official Bulletin No. 10 of March 6, 2025) renews their accreditation for four years, effective September 1, 2025: in Paris, Nice, and Rennes for the DESRA (audiovisual production), the DESFA (animated film), and the DESTS (sound engineering), at the bac+3 level (level 6); in Paris for the DHEC (advanced film studies), at the bac+5 level (level 7). This decree does not assign them an academic rank.
On Parcoursup (2026 session), the DESRA, DESTS, and DESFA programs are listed in Paris, Nice, and Rennes with the designation “degree , subject to state oversight.”
All four profiles are active and accessible through the VAE. Only the DHEC profile indicates eligibility for an apprenticeship or professional training contract.
Programs s that lead there
DESRA, a 3-year program after high school graduation
DESTS, 3 years after high school graduation
DESFA, 3 years after high school graduation
DHEC Screenwriting and Directing🇫🇷
DHEC, 2-year program (M1/M2)
DHEC Production and Distribution 🇫🇷
DHEC, 2-year program (M1/M2)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a targeted " degree " a state- degree ?
No. An accredited degree is a school degree whose quality is monitored by the state. A state- degree is a national degree .
What is the difference between an RNCP certification and a state- degree ?
A state- degree e is issued by the government. An RNCP credential is a professional certification registered with France Compétences, sometimes issued by a private organization. Many national diplomas, such as the BTS, are also listed in the RNCP.
How can you tell if a school is state-accredited?
Look up the school’s accreditation order in the ministry’s Official Bulletin, then verify each program degree : The school’s accreditation does not guarantee the accreditation of every individual program.
Is a Level 6 RNCP credential equivalent to a bachelor's degree?
Same level, but not the same status: it does not confer a bachelor’s degree, and admission to a master’s program is decided on a case-by-case basis.
What should I do if my RNCP registration expires while I'm in school?
A registration is valid for up to five years. Check the status of the registration form and any replacement form, and ask the school about the status of the renewal.
Sources
- Ministry of Higher Education, Order of February 17, 2025 (DESRA, DESFA, DESTS, DHEC), Official Bulletin No. 10 of March 6, 2025
- Ministry of Higher Education, Order of June 25, 2026, List of Private and Consular Technical Schools Authorized to Issue a Certified “ degree ,” Official Bulletin No. 28 of July 9, 2026
- Ministry of Higher Education, Order of December 19, 2024 (Master’s degree certification and classification), Official Bulletin No. 6 of February 6, 2025
- Ministry of Higher Education, “Accreditation of State-Regulated “ Programs ,” July 11, 2026”
- France Compétences, RNCP entry 41242 (DESRA)
- France Compétences, RNCP entry 41243 (DESTS)
- France Compétences, RNCP entry 41244 (DESFA)
- France Compétences, RNCP entry 41241 (DHEC)
- France Compétences, Handbook on Professional Certification, January 2026
- Decree No. 2019-14 of January 8, 2019, on the National Framework for Professional Certifications
- France Compétences, “Qualiopi: The Quality Requirement in Effect Since January 1, 2022”
- Service-public.fr, “Which degrees and diplomas are recognized as leading to a professional career?”
- Service-public.fr, “How do I get a French ‘ degree ’ recognized abroad?”
- Dreets Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, “Vocational Certifications Open to Apprenticeships”
- Parcoursup, “Programs on Parcoursup”
- Parcoursup, DESRA application form in Paris, 2026 admissions cycle
- My Master's, "Who Can Apply to My Master's?"
- Onisep, “Targeted Degrees”
- Onisep, “Degrees (Bachelor’s, Master’s, Doctorate)”
- Onisep, “Degrees from Vocational Schools”
- Senate, report on the bill regarding the regulation of private higher education
- National Assembly, legislative dossier “Regulation of Private Higher Education”
