Master’s degree: definition, differences with a baccalaureate, job opportunities

Home » FAQ: all the answers to your questions » Master’s degree: definition, differences with a baccalaureate, job opportunities

Contact us to learn more about our programs

Would you like to join us?

The Master’s degree is awarded at the end of a 5-year training program at a public university, a college or any other institute specialized in the field. However, there are conditions and nuances that students may not be aware of when choosing their course.

It is essential to know the exact definition of a Master’s degree, its difference, in particular, with a Bac +5 training, the terms of delivery, the fees to pay to access the training and the possible outlets in the field of trade. To learn more about the most essential points concerning the Master degree , we invite you to read this detailed article.

Master’s degree: what is it?

The Master’s degree is acquired after the Bachelor’s degree and before the doctorate. It corresponds to a graduate degree. It usually lasts 2 years, knowing that it takes 3 years to get a Bachelor’s degree. This is the reason why it tends to be assimilated to all Bac +5 training courses whose learning time is equivalent.

It can be awarded by a business school, an institute or a private or public university. The imperative is that the training they offer be properly studied and recommended by the Commission for theEvaluation of Management Training and Degrees.

This Commission will decide if the training meets all the prerequisites to be awarded a Master’s degree in order to ensure and homogenize the level of study at the national level. The main items that will be evaluated are:

  • the content and quality of teaching;
  • admission procedures;
  • the teaching methods used;
  • the skills of the faculty.

In addition to these different points, we analyze the professional insertion after obtaining the Master’s degree, in order to maintain a high level of new graduates and ensure the respect of professional ethics.

Master’s degree and Bac +5 training: what are the differences?

The Master’s degree is often confused with the Bac +5 degree for the simple reason that it takes 5 years to obtain. However, there is a big difference between these two concepts.

The Master’s degree

The Master’s degree is part of one of the four degrees recognized by higher education, which are: the baccalaureate, the Licence degree at the end of the first cycle, the Master’s degree at the end of the second cycle and the Doctorate which corresponds to a bac +8. This is the “LMD system”.

Having completed 5 years of study after the baccalauréat and obtaining a Master’s degree are two different paths. The latter is issued by the State only for eligible higher education courses, at a level equivalent to that of a baccalaureate +5, having fulfilled the required conditions. Any holder of a Master’s degree has normally collected a total of 300 ECTS of credits during his or her higher education studies . This allows him/her to access the doctoral training equivalent to a bachelor’s degree if he/she so chooses.

The Bac +5 training

The certificate of completion of a Bac +5 course is not systematically accompanied by a Master’s degree . It is important to distinguish between the ” national Master’s degree” which is the one awarded by all French universities after 5 years of highereducation . The latter, under the supervision of the State, deliver the Master’s degree at the same time as the Master’s diploma, which is not necessarily the case with other institutions and private business schools. However, and only if they ensure that they meet all the required conditions, they will also be able to grant it to graduates of their training.

Who can award a Master’s degree?

The Master’s degree is awarded by the State, and more specifically by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research. For this reason, graduates of French public universities who have completed 5 years of study acquire it by right.

For those who have completed their 5-year training in other business schools and institutions, they will be eligible only if the training offered by the institution of their choice is evaluated and recommended by the Evaluation Commission.

How much does a Master’s degree course cost?

Since the Master’s degree is available in French universities, the tuition fees are the least expensive. That said, if the learner chooses to enter large business schools that grant the same degree, the cost can be significantly higher depending on the expertise of the professors, the quality of the training and the materials provided until the end of the training.

What are the opportunities after a Master degree?

Having a Master’s degree in business can open many doors in the professional field. It should be determined whether the holder wants to continue his or her studies in a related field, complete his or her knowledge in Commerce, become a professional or open his or her own business. Indeed, a Master’s degree allows students to enroll in a doctoral school and obtain a Doctorate degree at the end of the program. Other business-related majors may also receive applications from a degree holder wishing to pursue another degree. Of course, the professional field is largely accessible with this degree, and becoming an entrepreneur is still quite feasible.

Read more

Updated 17 April 2023