Home›University Recognition›How to Verify a French University and Degree
To verify a French university or school, do not stop after finding the institution name, a ranking or an RNCP number. You must establish the legal institution, the exact degree-awarding authority, whether the award is a national degree or another recognised qualification, the programme’s current accreditation, the campus and delivery mode, and whether the qualification supports your next academic or professional step.
Use this process before paying an application fee or deposit. Then return to the France guide for Indian students to connect recognition with Campus France, visa, tuition and post-study planning.
Core France verification rule: Institution recognition, degree recognition, RNCP registration, grade de licence/master, CTI engineering authorisation and international accreditation answer different questions. One badge does not replace the others.
On this page
The Six Checks Every Applicant Should Complete
| Check | Question | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Legal institution | What is the exact registered institution and campus? | Official institution and ministry records |
| Awarding authority | Who legally issues the final diploma or certification? | Programme regulations, diploma sample and official register |
| Degree status | Is it a diplôme national, diplôme d’ingénieur, grade-recognised business award, RNCP certification or school diploma? | Relevant French official system |
| Current validity | Is recognition valid for your intake and graduation period? | Accreditation decision and validity dates |
| Campus and mode | Is the verified award delivered at the campus and in the mode advertised? | Official programme page, contract and offer letter |
| Outcome | Does it permit further study, professional recognition or the intended employment route? | University, employer and regulator checks |
Complete all six. A legitimate private school can still sell a programme whose school-issued certificate is unsuitable for doctoral admission, professional licensing or recognition in India.
National Degrees and the LMD Framework
Campus France states that a degree is considered national when it is recognised and accredited by the French state. National degrees include licences, professional licences, masters and doctorates awarded by authorised French universities, along with specified national technical qualifications.
| Claim | What to verify |
|---|---|
| “This is a French master’s.” | Whether it is the national Diplôme National de Master or another award at level 7. |
| “This programme is Bac+5.” | Whether the award carries the grade de master, not merely five years of study. |
| “This is equivalent to a bachelor’s.” | Whether it confers the grade de licence or is a different level-6 certification. |
| “The university is public.” | Whether the exact programme is accredited and the named campus is correct. |
Important distinction: Academic level and legal degree status are not the same. An RNCP level can describe professional qualification level without turning the award into a national university degree.
School Diplomas, Certificates and Programme Branding
When a degree is not recognised by the state, Campus France explains that it may bear only the name of the awarding institution. It may still have labour-market value, but it may not provide the academic equivalence required for continued study.
Terms that require careful checking
- MSc, Master of Science or MBA.
- European master or international master.
- Bachelor, BBA or Bachelor of Science.
- Postgraduate diploma or advanced certificate.
- Executive programme.
These labels can be used for very different awards. Record the French legal title, awarding body, state recognition, grade, RNCP code and validity dates.
RNCP: Professional Certification, Not a Universal Degree Test
The Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles is managed through France Compétences. It records professional certifications and their level, competency blocks, certifying body, registration period and occupational outcomes.
Record from the live RNCP entry
- Exact certification title.
- RNCP number.
- Level: commonly level 6 or level 7 for programmes marketed around bachelor’s or master’s level.
- Certifying body, which may differ from the teaching school.
- Start and expiry dates of registration.
- Whether the campus or partner is authorised to prepare candidates.
- Competency blocks and employment codes.
What RNCP does not automatically prove
- That the award is a Diplôme National de Master.
- That it carries the grade de master.
- That every teaching partner can issue the certification.
- That the registration remains valid for your cohort.
- That an Indian regulator or university will treat it as equivalent for every purpose.
RNCP red flag: If the school advertises an expired RNCP code, a different certification title or another organisation’s certification without proving authorisation, stop before paying.
CTI for Engineering Degrees
The Commission des Titres d’Ingénieur authorises French institutions to award the title of ingénieur diplômé. Campus France states that this title confers the rank of master.
Verify these fields in the CTI record
- Exact institution and school.
- Speciality.
- Campus or site.
- Initial, apprenticeship or continuing-education route.
- Authorisation period.
- Whether the award carries EUR-ACE where claimed.
A school may have several engineering specialities and sites with different authorisation terms. Verify the precise programme in your offer letter.
CEFDG for Business and Management Degrees
The Commission d’évaluation des formations et diplômes de gestion evaluates French business and management programmes. A school can offer programmes with different recognition outcomes.
| Possible status | Meaning to investigate |
|---|---|
| Visa from the state | Official recognition for a named diploma and validity period |
| Grade de licence | Academic grade associated with licence level |
| Grade de master | Academic grade associated with master level |
| RNCP registration only | Professional certification status; not necessarily a state-visa diploma or master grade |
| School-issued diploma | Value depends on institutional reputation and employer acceptance; academic progression must be checked |
AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS can be useful international quality indicators, but they do not replace French state recognition of the exact degree.
CGE Labels: Useful but Different
The Conférence des grandes écoles awards labels such as Mastère Spécialisé and MSc. These labels can signal a programme that meets CGE criteria, but applicants should not confuse them with the national master’s degree.
Questions for a CGE-labelled programme
- What exact CGE label applies?
- Who awards the diploma?
- Does it carry a French academic grade?
- Is there a separate RNCP registration?
- What prior qualification is required?
- Will the target Indian university or employer accept the award?
Bienvenue en France Is a Welcome-Quality Label
The Bienvenue en France label assesses services offered to international students, including information, reception, campus life and support. It is useful when comparing the student experience. It is not proof that every degree at the institution is nationally recognised.
Recognition Between France and India
The India–France mutual recognition agreement came into force in 2019. It covers recognised qualifications from eligible institutions, including:
- Indian senior-school certificates and the French baccalauréat.
- Indian bachelor’s degrees and the French licence.
- Indian master’s degrees and recognised French master or master-level degrees.
- Indian PhD and French doctorate.
The agreement excludes professional qualifications that confer a right to practise, including fields such as law and medicine. Licensing and professional practice require separate regulator checks.
For a French private-school award, do not cite the bilateral agreement until you have proved that the exact degree is recognised by the French authorities and falls within the agreement.
Private-School Due Diligence
Worked Verification Examples
Example 1: Engineering school
The school is known internationally, but the applicant must still find the exact engineering speciality, site and authorisation period in CTI. A different campus or apprenticeship route cannot be assumed covered.
Example 2: Private business MSc
The brochure says “master level.” The applicant finds an RNCP level-7 certification but no grade de master. The programme may be professionally valid, but the applicant must not describe it as the national master’s degree.
Example 3: University master
The programme is listed as a Diplôme National de Master on the university’s official page. The applicant then verifies campus, language, admission route, tuition and current accreditation rather than stopping at the university name.
Final Verification Checklist
Next action: After verification, calculate the full cost using the France study-cost guide and place the result in the GradVix application checklist.
Official Sources Used
| Official source | Used to verify |
|---|---|
| Campus France quality and recognition guide | National degrees, CTI, CEFDG, RNCP and CGE distinctions |
| France Compétences RNCP search | Professional certification title, level, validity and certifying body |
| CTI accreditation database | Authorised engineering degrees, sites and validity |
| CEFDG recognised programmes | Business-school visa and licence/master grades |
| Conférence des grandes écoles labels | Mastère Spécialisé and MSc labels |
| India–France mutual recognition | Comparable academic qualifications and regulated-profession exclusion |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an RNCP level 7 equal a French national master’s degree?
No. RNCP level 7 indicates a professional certification level. A national master’s degree or grade de master is a separate academic recognition.
How do I verify a French engineering degree?
Search the exact institution, speciality, campus and study route in the CTI accreditation records and confirm validity for your cohort.
How do I verify a French business school?
Check the exact programme in CEFDG for state visa and grade de licence or master, then review any RNCP entry and international accreditations separately.
Is a CGE MSc the same as a national master?
No. A CGE MSc is a labelled programme. Its academic grade, RNCP status and degree-awarding authority must still be checked.
Does the Bienvenue en France label prove degree recognition?
No. It evaluates international-student welcome and support services, not the recognition of every degree.
Are French degrees recognised in India?
Recognised qualifications covered by the India–France agreement can be comparable, but professional degrees and practice rights require separate regulator checks.