THE FRENCH ACADEMIC SYSTEM
The French education model is based on the LMD system: Licence (Bachelor/Undergraduate), Master (Master/Postgraduate), and Doctorat (Doctorate). The academic structure at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi follows this system and offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
The Bachelor’s programme is three years
long (L1, L2, L3). Non-French speaking students must complete an additional
year of intensive French classes to obtain a University Diploma (DU), which is
required before enrolling on a Bachelor’s programme.
The Master's programme is two years long,
made up of Master 1 (M1) and Master 2 (M2).
All courses and optional materials are
referred to as UE or Unités d’Enseignement (or Modules – Teaching
Units). These divisions apply to postgraduate studies as well. UEs carry a set
number of European credits (ECTS). The total amount of UE for a year is 60
ECTS. To obtain a Bachelor’s degree, a student needs 180 ECTS and 120 ECTS to
obtain a Master’s degree.
In all undergraduate programmes, the various UEs correspond in each semester to minor or major courses, as well as elective courses.