NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

Glossary
Baccalauréat
Secondary school leaving certificate. This is the first national higher education certificate and permits its bearer to enter an
institution of higher education.
Concours
Examinations set up by a State- or university-appointed committee. The examinations use a ranking scale to select applicants
for admission
to courses which have a limited capacity in certain programmes
(engineering, management, public administration, etc.).
Conseils
Universities are organised by councils, which are groups of people
chosen from the university community. These councils include the administrative council, the scientific council and the
student and university welfare council. Together these three councils form an assembly which elects the president of the
university for a term of five years. The scientific council and the student university welfare council make proposals and have a
consulting role. The administrative council determines university policy.
Cycle
An organised period of study, on different levels, generally lasting two years.
Diplôme national de l’enseignement supérieur
Final diploma for which the same regulations apply at all higher education institutions.
Diplôme d’études universitaires générales (DEUG)
This diploma represents successful completion of the two-year course of the first university cycle.
Diplôme d’études universitaires scientifiques et techniques (DEUST)
This diploma represents successful completion of the two-year cycle of scientific and technical studies.
Diplôme universitaire de technologie (DUT)
This diploma represents successful completion of two years of study at university institutes of technology (IUT).
This is a third cycle, national diploma and represents successful completion of the first year of doctoral studies.
Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées (DESS)
Professionally oriented third cycle, national diploma awarded upon successful completion of a one-year applied and highly
specialised course of study.
Diplôme de recherche technologique (DRT)
This diploma represents successful completion of the two years of study in the third cycle.
Doctorat
This degree is awarded to someone who has defended a thesis or completed a series of original scientific studies. The doctoral
degree bears the name of the particular university granting the degree. The doctoral degree allows its holder to pursue
research.
Habilitation