How to check if a diploma confers the Grade de Master
Understanding whether a diploma confers the French Grade de Master is essential for students planning international careers. This guide explains what the Grade de Master means, how to verify official accreditation, and why it matters for academic recognition and mobility. Discover the key differences between a standard Master’s degree and a state-recognised French qualification.
What is the grade de master?
The Grade de Master is an official French state recognition certifying that a programme is equivalent to a Master’s-level qualification (bac+5 / 300 ECTS credits). It was introduced to facilitate student mobility across Europe and to enable easier comparison of qualifications between countries.
Degree checker — step by step
1. Look for the official wording
The diploma or programme page should explicitly mention one of the following:
- “Diplôme conférant le Grade de Master”
- “Grade de Master”
- “Master’s degree approved by the French Ministry of Higher Education”
If this wording is absent, the programme may still be recognised, but not necessarily awarded the Grade de Master.
2. Check the RNCP and CEFDG accreditation
For business schools in France, the Grade de Master is usually granted after evaluation by the CEFDG (Commission d’Évaluation des Formations et Diplômes de Gestion).
You can verify accreditation through:
- the school’s official website,
- the French Ministry of Higher Education,
- or the RNCP database.
Key indicators:
- RNCP Level 7 = Master’s level qualification,
- but RNCP Level 7 alone does not automatically mean Grade de Master.
3. Verify on official French government websites
Useful official sources:
- Ministry of Higher Education
- CEFDG accredited programmes list
- France Compétences / RNCP directory
International recognition: The importance of having a French degree that confers the "Grade de Master"
A programme carrying the Grade de Master generally means:
- 300 ECTS credits,
- eligibility for PhD studies in Europe,
- stronger international academic recognition.
You can also contact the admissions team directly and ask:
“Does this diploma officially confer the French Grade de Master accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education?”
What is the difference between "Master's Degree" and "Grade de Master"
| Term | What it is | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| Master's degree | Generic qualification title (bac+5 / Level 7) | Universities & Grandes Écoles worldwide |
| Grade de master | French state-recognised academic grade | French Ministry of Higher Education (via accreditation) |
For example:
- A Grande École Programme often carries the Grade de Master.
- Some MSc (Master of Science) programmes are internationally recognised but do not confer the Grade de Master.
Good to know: At EDHEC Business School all our Master's degree (MiM & MSc) confer the "Grade de Master".
FAQs
In the UK, a Master’s degree is classified as a Level 7 qualification within the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
Equivalent levels include:
- Bac+5 in France,
- EQF Level 7 in the European Qualifications Framework,
- and Master’s-level study internationally.
Level 7 qualifications demonstrate advanced specialist knowledge and are often required for senior professional roles or doctoral study.
To check whether your diploma officially confers the Grade de Master, you should:
- Verify that the programme explicitly states “confère le grade de master”.
- Check whether the diploma is recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education.
- Confirm the programme’s accreditation on the RNCP or CEFDG website.
- Contact the institution directly if the information is unclear.
Remember:
A diploma may be recognised at Level 7 without conferring the Grade de Master.
The official wording is essential.
Discover the difference between a grade de master vs RNCP 7.
An accredited degree is a qualification awarded by an institution or programme that has been officially recognised by a relevant education authority or accreditation body.
Accreditation confirms that the degree meets specific academic and quality standards. It can help students verify that their qualification is recognised for further study, employment, professional certification, or international mobility.
In France, this may involve checking whether the institution is recognised by the state, whether the programme is listed in official registers such as the RNCP, or whether it confers a recognised academic grade such as the Grade de Master.
You can verify whether a university is accredited in Europe by consulting:
- the country’s Ministry of Education,
- national accreditation agencies,
- or official European higher education directories.
Useful resources include:
- the European Quality Assurance Register for Higher Education (EQAR),
- ENIC-NARIC networks,
- and national qualification frameworks.
You should also verify:
- whether the institution is officially recognised by the state,
- and whether its degrees are eligible for international recognition or further study.
Yes, the Grade de Master is an official French state-recognised qualification awarded by institutions authorised by the French Ministry of Higher Education. It corresponds to a Master’s level degree and grants 120 ECTS credits after a Bachelor’s degree.
International recognition may vary depending on the country, employer, or university. However, the Grade de Master is generally recognised within the European Higher Education Area under the Bologna Process. Many graduates also use it to pursue careers or further studies abroad.
The awarding body is the institution or official organisation authorised to award a qualification. For a degree, this is usually a recognised university, Grande École, or higher education institution.
When checking whether a diploma confers the Grade de Master, the awarding body matters because it helps confirm who officially grants the qualification and whether the degree is recognised by the relevant education authorities.
A higher education degree is an academic qualification awarded after secondary education, usually by a university, business school, or recognised higher education institution.
Examples include bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees. In France, a degree that confers the Grade de Master corresponds to a Master’s-level qualification, usually Bac+5 and 300 ECTS credits.
Common degree abbreviations include:
- BA: Bachelor of Arts
- BSc: Bachelor of Science
- MA: Master of Arts
- MSc: Master of Science
- MBA: Master of Business Administration
The usual order of degrees in higher education is:
- Bachelor’s degree
- Master’s degree
- Doctoral degree or PhD
In France, a Master’s-level qualification usually corresponds to Bac+5. A diploma conferring the Grade de Master confirms that the qualification is officially recognised at Master’s level by the French state.
