Higher education

Here are the different types of places where you can study

Universities

University studies are organized in three cycles. The first and second cycle correspond to the basic studies. The first cycle covers a minimum of three years and leads to a Bachelor's degree. It includes a broad general scientific education allowing the access to the second cycle.

The second cycle lasts at least 1 or 2 years depending on the discipline and leads to a Master's degree.  

A Complementary Master degree is possible after the initial degree obtained. This enables students to extend their studies in certain fields over a period of one year and to receive a specialized professional qualification in order to:

• Access certain professions in accordance with the legal dispositions in the health sector;       
• Meet the needs of specific training in the framework of programmes of co-operation towards development;
• Access registered professions.

Hautes Ecoles (non-university higher education)

This type of training can be "type long" (long-course education) or "type court" (short-course education).

The long-course education is equivalent to university level. The qualifications obtained are, usually, the same as university qualifications. This type of education is organized in two cycles. Both a scientific and an acute technological training are developed. The first cycle of transition can be acquired in at least three years and leads to a Bachelor's degree. The second vocational cycle can be acquired in at least one or two years and will lead to a Master's degree.     

A Complementary Master degree is possible after having obtained the initial degree. This enables students to extend their studies in certain fields. The short-course education is organized in just one vocational cycle, at the end of which the student will receive a Bachelor's degree. It can be acquired in at least 3 years (4 years for midwives). This type of education is both theoretical and practical. At the end of the cycle, students can follow a specialization in certain fields and can lead to a DS certificate (specialization certificate).

Hautes Ecoles of Art

Just like in other Hautes Ecoles, there are two types of education: short-course and long-course. The long-course is similar to university training. This type of education is organized in two cycles. It develops a precise artistic training. The first cycle of transition can be acquired in at least three years and leads to a Bachelor's degree. The second vocational cycle can be acquired in at least one or two years and leads to a Master's degree in the first case and to a Specialized Master's degree in the second. At the end of the initial training, the student can follow a second cycle in certain fields. This leads to a Specialized Master's degree in art. These courses are an in-depth training in a subject of the initial training and are given by teachers who are specialists in the field. The short-course education is organized in one vocational cycle that leads to a Bachelor's degree. It be acquired in at least three years.

Architecture schools

The teaching of architecture is organized in two cycles of at least three years and another two years. The first cycle leads to a Bachelor's degree in architecture, whilst the second cycle leads to a Master's in architecture.