Last updated: March 31, 2026.
If you’re thinking about studying in France or just want to learn how the system works, this article gives you a clear introduction to the structure, stages, and main features of education in France.
On this page, you’ll find:
- An overview of the education system in France
- A closer look at each stage, from primary through secondary and higher education
- Details about further education options
- How much education costs in France
- A list of French diplomas and how they are recognized internationally
Note: This guide focuses on the main path from primary to secondary and higher education in France. It does not cover every possible route, such as art or vocational studies.
Overview of the French education system
Primary and secondary education together last 12 years in France.
Breakdown of the French education system
Primary education in France
Primary education in France takes place in primary schools and lasts for 5 years, usually for children aged 6 to 11. After finishing primary school, students move on to secondary education.
General breakdown:
- 1st Grade: CP (Cours Préparatoire)
- 2nd Grade: CE1 (Cours Élémentaire 1)
- 3rd Grade: CE2 (Cours Élémentaire 2)
- 4th Grade: CM1 (Cours Moyen 1)
- 5th Grade: CM2 (Cours Moyen 2)
Secondary education in France
Secondary education in France takes place in collèges and lycées. It lasts 7 years in total: 4 years in collège (middle school) and 3 years in lycée (high school).
Collège
All students in France must attend collège, which usually covers ages 11 to 15 and lasts 4 years. At the end, students receive the Diplôme national du brevet (DNB).
General breakdown:
- 6th Grade: 6ème (Sixième)
- 7th Grade: 5ème (Cinquième)
- 8th Grade: 4ème (Quatrième)
- 9th Grade: 3ème (Troisième)
Lycée
The second part of secondary education takes place in lycées for students aged 15 to 18. This stage lasts 3 years. At the end, students receive the Diplôme national du baccalauréat (BAC), which is needed to enter higher education in France.
General breakdown:
- 10th Grade: 2nde (Seconde)
- 11th Grade: 1ère (Première)
- 12th Grade: Terminale
Higher education in France
After finishing high school, students in France have several options for higher education:
Universities
French universities use the LMD structure (Licence–Master–Doctorat), which is a standard framework across Europe:
- A Licence (bachelor’s degree) takes 3 years to complete.
- A Master (master’s degree) takes 2 more years.
- A Doctorat (PhD) usually requires at least 3 years of research after the master’s.
Most universities in France are open access at the Licence level, except for some competitive programs.
Preparatory classes (CPGE)
Classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles (CPGE) are very selective programs based on academic performance. They are known for their heavy workload and frequent exams, called colles.
They last 2 or 3 years after completing high school, and prepare students for entrance exams to top schools called Grandes Écoles.
There are different tracks, such as humanities (Hypokhâgne / Khâgne), maths and physics (MPSI / MP), or physics and chemistry (PCSI / PC).
Grandes Écoles
Grandes Écoles are elite French higher-education institutions. They are known for highly selective admissions, small class sizes, and strong connections to industry and government.
Students usually enter Grandes Écoles by passing competitive entrance exams, which they prepare for during 2 or 3 years in a CPGE.
These schools focus on fields such as engineering, business, finance, and public administration. They offer intensive, career-focused training and have strong alumni networks. Graduates often move into important roles in business, finance, engineering, or the French administration.
Within the Grandes Écoles are the Écoles normales supérieures (ENS), which are elite schools for training top researchers, professors, and public intellectuals. Each ENS specializes in fields like humanities, sciences, engineering, or social sciences, and admission usually requires passing very competitive exams.
Specialized, private schools
Admission to these specialized schools is based on a competitive exam or the applicant’s file. Programs usually last 3 to 5 years and lead to a professional certification in fields like audio-visual, communication, journalism, fashion and design, agronomy, or political science.
These certifications are registered under the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP). It is the official national registry that lists all recognized professional qualifications and diplomas.
If a program is “RNCP-certified”, it means the qualification is officially recognized by the French government and valued by employers. These qualifications are divided into 8 levels:
- Level 1-4: Equal to or below high school
- Level 5: Associate degree level
- Level 6: Bachelor’s degree level
- Level 7: Master’s degree level
- Level 8: PhD level
Technical schools
In France, some schools offer more practical, technical, and career-focused programs than universities or Grandes Écoles. These programs often include internships or apprenticeships and help students enter the workforce sooner.
Main options include BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur) and BUT (Bachelor Universitaire de Technologie), which usually take 2 to 3 years to complete. These programs focus on areas like hospitality, IT, design, or engineering. Another choice is the Licence professionnelle, which is similar to Licence of the LMD structure followed by universities, but more professionally oriented.
Cost of education in France
France is known for offering low tuition fees because the French government subsidizes a large part of higher education. This is true for programs offered by most French universities.
| For European students, the average tuition fees are: | Non-EU students typically pay higher tuition fees, which are on average: |
| – €178 per year for a Bachelor – €254 per year for a Master – €397 per year for a PhD | – €2,895 per year for a Bachelor – €3,941 per year for a Master |
However, for programs offered by Grandes Écoles and private specialized, private schools, tuition fees typically range from €6,000 to €18,000 per year.
French diplomas and international recognition
The LMD structure (Licence–Master–Doctorat) is used throughout Europe. This makes it easier to study or transfer between countries. With this system, a Licence, Master, or Doctorat from France matches the bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD levels in other European countries.
A key part of this system is the ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System), which assigns credits to courses. Students usually earn 60 ECTS per academic year, totaling 180 credits for a Licence and 300 for a Master. These credits can be transferred between universities and countries, making it easier for students to study abroad and have their courses recognized.
Outside Europe, French qualifications are also widely recognized. French bachelor’s and master’s degrees are highly valued abroad. For example, in the United States and Canada, French bachelor’s and master’s degrees are generally considered equivalent to local undergraduate and graduate degrees, which allows graduates to continue their studies or seek employment.
| Diploma | Equivalent | Duration | Recognition |
| Diplôme National du Brevet (DNB) | Middle school diploma | End of middle school | 🇫🇷 Little value🌍 Little value |
| Diplôme National du Baccalauréat (BAC) | High school diploma | End of high school | 🇫🇷 Required for higher education 🌍 Recognized as high school diploma |
| Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) | Associate degree | 2 years | 🇫🇷 Strong 🌍 May not be recognized in some countries |
| Bachelor Universitaire de Technologie (BUT) | Bachelor’s degree | 3 years | 🇫🇷 Strong 🌍 Strong |
| Licence | Bachelor’s degree | 3 years | 🇫🇷 Strong🌍 Strong |
| Licence Professionnelle | Bachelor’s degree | 3 years | 🇫🇷 Strong🌍 Strong |
| Master | Master’s degree | 2+ years after Licence | 🇫🇷 Strong🌍 Strong |
| Doctorat | PhD / Doctorate | 3+ years after Master | 🇫🇷 Strong🌍 Strong |
Live and study in France with Go! Go! France
Go! Go! France is a study abroad service helping international students move to France for school and daily life support. We help you choose the best school, find the right accommodation, manage visa requirements, and take care of all the small, but important, steps to ensure a smooth transition to life in France.
Contact us with any questions or concerns you have. We’re here to answer your questions and guide you through the process of studying in France.
