French Degree Evaluation: Diplomas, Degrees and Transcripts for U.S. Use

A French degree evaluation tells a U.S. reader what your French diploma, degree or transcript is worth in the American education system. You may need one for a USCIS petition such as an H-1B, EB-2 or green card, for a job offer, for admission or credit transfer at a U.S. university, for a professional license, or for military enlistment. This guide is for anyone who studied in France, from the baccalauréat to the doctorat, and for the immigration lawyers who prepare their files. MotaWord evaluates French credentials for $65 with delivery in 72 hours.

The French Education System at a Glance

France has a centralized education system run by the national government. Secondary school ends with the baccalauréat (the "bac"), which comes in three main tracks: général, technologique and professionnel. Passing the bac gives access to higher education.

Higher education is split between several types of institutions:

• Public Universities: Offer the Licence, Master and Doctorat in most fields, from law and medicine to science and humanities.
• Grandes Écoles: Selective schools of engineering, business and public administration, often entered after two years of preparatory classes (classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles, or CPGE).
• Technological Programs: The BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) and the BUT (bachelor universitaire de technologie, which replaced the two-year DUT) train students for technical careers.
• Specialized Schools: Art, architecture, health and other professional schools.

The ministry responsible for higher education accredits programs and national degrees, and HCERES, the independent evaluation authority, reviews institutions and programs. Engineering degrees are accredited by the CTI (Commission des titres d'ingénieur). For a U.S. evaluator, a national diploma ("diplôme national") or a recognized degree carries more weight than a school's own certificate.

The LMD Structure and the Bologna Process

Since the Bologna reforms of the early 2000s, French degrees follow the LMD structure:

• Licence: 3 years, 180 ECTS credits. The Licence professionnelle is a one-year professional degree after two years of higher education.
• Master: 2 years after the Licence (M1 and M2), 120 ECTS credits. The Master MEEF, for example, trains teachers.
• Doctorat: Usually 3 years of research after the Master.

Before the reform, the main French degrees were the DEUG (2 years), Licence (3 years), Maîtrise (4 years), and the DEA or DESS (5 years). Many applicants still hold these older degrees. A diplôme d'ingénieur from a Grande École usually requires five years of study after the bac and is awarded at master's level.

The French Grading Scale

French schools and universities grade from 0 to 20, and 10 is usually the passing mark. High marks are rare, so a 14 or 15 is a strong result. Diplomas often carry a distinction, or mention: passable (10 to 11.99), assez bien (12 to 13.99), bien (14 to 15.99) and très bien (16 and above). A literal conversion of 14/20 to 70% would badly understate a good French record, which is why evaluators use established grade scales instead.

Required Documents for French Degree Assessment

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How French Credentials Are Evaluated in the U.S.

A U.S. evaluator looks at the level of each credential, how long it took, what it required for entry, whether it is an official degree, and your results. The guidance below shows how French credentials are often treated. Results depend on the program and the evaluator, and the evaluation report decides. Check how a diploma evaluation reads French degrees for U.S. immigration cases.

Baccalauréat and Secondary Credentials

The baccalauréat général and technologique are usually found comparable to a U.S. high school diploma. The bac professionnel is also a secondary school credential, with a stronger vocational focus. U.S. colleges and the military often ask for an evaluation of the bac.

BTS, DUT and BUT

Two-year technical diplomas such as the BTS and the former DUT are often compared to two years of undergraduate study or an associate degree in the same field. The three-year BUT is newer, and evaluators look at its credit total and content.

Licence (Bachelor's Degree in France)

The Licence is the French bachelor's degree, and it is the credential most people ask about. It takes three years and 180 ECTS credits, while a U.S. bachelor's degree usually takes four. Some evaluators find a Licence comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, others to three years of undergraduate study, depending on the program and the purpose. For USCIS cases, a three-year degree is often paired with further study, such as an M1 year, or with work experience. A good evaluation explains the reasoning so the officer can follow it.

Master, Maîtrise and Engineering Diplomas

A completed Master (M2) is often found comparable to a U.S. master's degree. An older Maîtrise, which took four years, is often compared to a U.S. bachelor's degree, while a DEA or DESS after a Maîtrise usually reaches master's level. A diplôme d'ingénieur accredited by the CTI is often evaluated as comparable to a U.S. master's degree in engineering. Diplomas from business Grandes Écoles depend on whether the program is state-recognized and awards the grade de master.

Doctorat and Professional Degrees

A French doctorat earned after a Master is usually found comparable to a U.S. doctoral degree. Medicine, pharmacy and dentistry are long programs that end with a state diploma (diplôme d'État), and law graduates who want to practice in France take an extra professional exam. In the U.S., these fields also have licensing steps of their own, set by each state board.

Transcripts, Grade Conversion and GPA

Your transcript (relevé de notes) shows each course unit, its ECTS credits and your mark out of 20. Evaluators convert those marks with a grading scale built for French institutions, not with a simple percentage, and they convert ECTS into U.S. semester credits.

Which report you need depends on who will read it:

• General Evaluation: States the U.S. equivalent of each diploma. It is usually enough for USCIS petitions and most employers.
• Course-by-Course Evaluation: Lists every course with U.S. credits and grades and calculates a U.S. GPA. U.S. universities, credit transfer offices and many licensing boards ask for it.

To understand the different report types and how they are prepared, read our comprehensive guide to diploma evaluation.

Documents You Need for a French Degree Evaluation

Prepare clear scans or photos of:

• Your diploma (diplôme) or, if it has not been issued yet, the attestation de réussite from your university
• Your full transcripts (relevés de notes) for every year of study
• Your Diploma Supplement (supplément au diplôme), if your university issued one
• Your baccalauréat diploma, if you need a secondary or college admission evaluation
• Certified English translations of every document in French

Include both the diploma and the transcripts for each degree. In a system with several degree paths, the transcripts show the actual program you completed. Small gaps, such as a missing year of grades or a translated name that does not match your passport, are a common cause of delays. Learn the top 10 mistakes to avoid in academic evaluations.

Certified Translation of French Diplomas and Transcripts

USCIS and most U.S. evaluators need a complete English translation of every French document, with a signed certification of accuracy. Your translation should keep every course title, mark, stamp and signature in the same order as the original. See how we translate diplomas for academic evaluations.

Transcripts take the most care, because every course unit and mark has to match the original. For more on transcripts in particular, see our essential guide to transcript translation services. You do not need to find a translator separately: certified translation can be added to your evaluation order at the quote stage, where our system detects non-English documents. Certified translations cost $24.50 per page, with delivery in as little as 12 hours and free digital notarization, and 26,000+ professional translators work on the MotaWord platform.

How MotaWord Evaluates Your French Credentials

Our evaluators write each report to the standard the USCIS Policy Manual describes for credential evaluations: credible, logical and well documented. The USCIS officer, the university or the employer makes the final decision, and a clear report helps them make it.

1. Upload: Upload your diplomas and relevés de notes and get an instant quote with price and delivery time.
2. Document Check: We confirm that your file is complete and add certified translation if your documents are in French.
3. Evaluation: Our evaluators review the degree level, ECTS totals, program length, institution status and grades, and state the U.S. equivalent.
4. Download: Your report appears in your MotaWord client dashboard, where you can follow your order and download your invoices.

A general evaluation costs $65 with delivery in 72 hours, or $115 for same-day delivery when you order before 3 PM ET on a weekday. A course-by-course evaluation costs $120, or $200 same day. MotaWord is SOC 2 Type II certified, and live chat is available 24/7 for support.

For Immigration Lawyers

If you are preparing an H-1B, EB-2 or other petition for a client with French degrees, send the diploma, the full transcripts and, for a three-year Licence, any documents of further study or relevant work experience. Pre-Bologna degrees and Grande École diplomas benefit from a report that explains the program in detail, so the officer can see how the conclusion was reached.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a French Licence equal to a U.S. bachelor's degree?

It depends on the program and the evaluator. The Licence is a three-year, 180 ECTS bachelor's degree. Some evaluations find it comparable to a U.S. bachelor's degree, others to three years of undergraduate study, and further study or work experience can make a difference for USCIS.

What is a French Master equal to in the U.S.?

A completed two-year French Master that follows a Licence is often found comparable to a U.S. master's degree.

Is a diplôme d'ingénieur a master's degree?

An engineering diploma accredited by the CTI is awarded at master's level in France and is often evaluated as comparable to a U.S. master's degree in engineering.

How is the French 0 to 20 grading scale converted to a U.S. GPA?

Evaluators use a grade scale designed for French institutions, because high marks are rare in France. A course-by-course evaluation lists each converted grade and calculates your GPA.

Do I need a USCIS education evaluation for my French degree?

If your petition requires a U.S. degree or its equivalent, such as an H-1B or EB-2, USCIS usually expects an evaluation of your foreign degree. See how our education evaluation supports H-1B petitions.

Do my French documents need to be translated?

Yes. Documents in French need a certified English translation for USCIS and for most U.S. evaluators and universities. You can add it to your evaluation order at the quote stage.

Get Your French Degree Evaluated

Whether you hold a bac, a Licence, a Master or a diplôme d'ingénieur, a clear evaluation helps U.S. schools, employers and officers understand your education. Get your foreign degree evaluated with MotaWord academic evaluation services, and talk to us on live chat 24/7 if you have a question.

Mark Rogers - Evaluation Specialist at MotaWord

Written and reviewed by Mark Rogers, Evaluation Specialist at MotaWord, drawing on the team's experience with French diplomas, transcripts and academic evaluations for U.S. use. MotaWord is SOC 2 Type II certified and a corporate member of the ATA and ITI, providing academic evaluations and certified translations in 120+ languages. See our certified French translation services →