Can a Master's Degree in France Lead to a Work Permit?
A recognised Master’s degree in France can help international students stay and work after graduation. This guide explains how the grade de master can open access to post-study residence permits and long-term career opportunities in France.
Yes — international students who earn a recognised Master’s degree in France may be eligible for a post-study residence permit that allows them to stay in France, work temporarily, and later transition to a long-term work visa.
However, not all Master’s-level diplomas in France offer the same immigration benefits. The key distinction is whether the programme confers the grade de master — the official French state recognition granted to Bac+5 qualifications that meet national academic standards.
This is the case for all Master programmes at EDHEC Business School.
Graduating from a programme that confers the grade de master can give international students access to specific post-study residence permits that help them transition from student life to professional life in France.
Depending on nationality and immigration agreements, graduates may be eligible for either:
- the Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS), or
- the Carte de séjour “Recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise” (CSRCE / RECE).
These permits allow graduates to remain in France temporarily after graduation to search for employment, gain professional experience, or develop a business project. Once graduates secure qualifying employment, they may later transition to a long-term employee work permit.
Can a master’s degree in France help you get a work permit?
For many international students, a recognised French Master’s degree can be the first step toward working in France after graduation.
Students who earn a diploma conferring the grade de master may qualify for a post-study residence permit that allows them to:
- stay legally in France after graduation
- search for a job related to their studies
- work under certain conditions
- gain professional experience
- or launch a business project
These permits are not permanent work permits. They are temporary post-study residence permits designed to help graduates transition from higher education to employment in France.
After securing a qualifying job offer, graduates can typically change status and apply for an employee residence permit (salarié).
Why the “Grade de Master” matters
Holding a diploma that confers the grade de master is one of the main academic requirements for accessing France’s post-study residence pathways for non-European graduates.
Without this level of qualification, most non-EU graduates cannot legally remain in France after graduation to seek employment.
To access the APS (Autorisation provisoire de séjour) or the CSRCE (Recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise) residence permit, students generally need a qualification officially recognised by the French state as equivalent to a Master’s degree.
This distinction matters because the grade de master:
- certifies a recognised academic level within the French higher education system
- aligns with the European Bologna framework
- strengthens international employability
- and can open access to post-study residence rights in France
At EDHEC Business School, all Master programmes confer the grade de master, meaning students graduate with a qualification officially recognised by the French state at Master’s level. This recognition can help international graduates access France’s post-study residence pathways after graduation.
For international students planning to build a career in France after graduation, choosing a programme that confers the grade de master can therefore be a strategic advantage.
APS vs CSRCE: key differences between France’s post-study permits
| APS | CSRCE | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Temporary slip/receipt | Physical residence card |
| Who can apply? | Nationals of countries with bilateral agreements with France | Most other non-EU graduates |
| Duration | 12 months | 12 months |
| Renewable? | Only in limited cases | No |
| Work limit without qualifying job | 964 hours/year | No hourly limit |
| Condition for full-time work | Job related to studies + minimum salary threshold* - check current amount | Job related to studies + minimum salary threshold* — check current amount |
*Salary thresholds may change over time. Students should check current official requirements before applying.
What are the advantages of obtaining a diploma that confers the “grade de master”?
For international graduates, earning a recognised Master’s degree in France can offer several professional advantages:
- Time to search for a job in France
- Access to the French and European job market
- A pathway toward long-term employment
- Opportunity to launch a business
- International recognition of the qualification
Important points to keep in mind
These permits are temporary
The APS and CSRCE are transition permits intended for the period immediately after graduation. They do not provide permanent residence status.
Graduates who secure employment later need to change status and apply for an employee residence permit or another long-term professional status.
Conditions may depend on nationality
Some bilateral agreements between France and specific countries may create different conditions regarding:
- eligibility
- permit duration
- or renewal possibilities
French language skills can help
Many Master’s programmes are taught entirely in English. However, French language skills can still play an important role in:
- accessing a wider range of jobs
- integrating into the workplace
- and building a long-term career in France
How to convert a student visa into a work permit in France?
International graduates usually transition from a student visa to a work permit in two stages.
Step 1: Apply for a post-study residence permit
After graduation, eligible students can apply for:
- the APS, or
- the CSRCE / RECE permit.
These permits allow graduates to remain legally in France for up to 12 months while searching for employment or developing a business project.
Step 2: Change status after receiving a job offer
Once graduates obtain a qualifying job offer, their employer can apply for work authorisation and the graduate can change status to an employee residence permit (salarié).
In many cases, the job must:
- relate to the graduate’s field of study,
- and meet a minimum salary threshold (often around 1.5× SMIC).
If graduates secure employment before their student permit expires, they may sometimes skip the post-study permit stage and apply directly for a status change (changement de statut).
Timing is important: applications must generally be submitted before the current residence permit expires.
FAQs
The Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) is a temporary residence authorisation available to certain international graduates from countries that have bilateral agreements with France.
The APS allows graduates to:
- stay legally in France after graduation,
- search for a job related to their studies,
- gain initial professional experience,
- or prepare a business creation project.
According to Campus France, the APS is mainly available to graduates from countries that have signed specific agreements with France regarding professional migration.
The duration and renewal conditions may vary depending on nationality and applicable agreements.
The Carte de séjour “Recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise” (often abbreviated RECE or CSRCE) is now the main post-study residence pathway for many non-European graduates in France.
This permit allows eligible graduates to:
- stay in France after completing their studies,
- search for employment,
- work under certain conditions,
- or develop an entrepreneurial project linked to their field of study.
The permit is generally valid for 12 months and is intended to facilitate the transition from student status to professional status.
Yes — international graduates who earn a recognised Master’s degree in France, including degrees conferring the grade de master, may be eligible to stay in France after graduation.
Depending on their nationality and situation, graduates can apply for:
- an Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS), or
- a Carte de séjour recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise.
These permits allow graduates to stay in France while searching for employment or preparing a business project.
Yes — foreign Master’s students in France are generally allowed to work during their studies.
Students with a valid student residence permit are generally allowed to work up to 964 hours per year, or around 20 hours per week during the academic year.
Working during studies can help students:
- gain professional experience,
- improve language skills,
- and build professional connections in France.
Once students transition to an APS or CSRCE permit, specific work conditions may continue to apply until they secure a qualifying full-time position.
Yes — many international graduates later transition from student status to an employee work permit in France.
In most cases, the process involves:
- obtaining a post-study residence permit (APS or CSRCE),
- securing a qualifying job offer,
- and applying for a change of status to an employee residence permit.
To qualify, the position generally needs to:
- relate to the graduate’s field of study,
- and meet the required salary threshold.
For many international students, a recognised French Master’s degree can therefore become a pathway toward long-term employment and professional integration in France.
