French diplôme d'ingénieur finally recognized in the US

Good news for the French diplôme d'ingénieur, the highly valued degree mostly delivered by Grandes Ecoles is now recognized as a Master of Science in the United States by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO), one major organization in the higher education since 15th July 2013.

Since the Bologna process was implemented in 1999, the recognition of the diplôme d'ingénieur in Europe has been carried out smoothly but in the United States it has been taking longer. Earlier, the diplôme d'ingénieur was only recognized as a Bachelor's degree there, although students in French universities are awarded their diplôme d'ingénieur as equivalent to a Master’s degree (five years of studies required). To enter one of the Grandes Ecoles, students are required to study 2 years in classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles or also called preparatory classes before completing their degree in 3 years of studies commonly at one of the Grandes Ecoles. Specific to France, these preparatory classes can be easily confusing for other higher education systems.

Several key advantages could be of benefit for such degree holders such as the direct admission to PhDs in American universities; it will be easier for schools to develop joint-degree agreements with American universities and obtaining specific working visas will be easier for graduates with a Master’s degree.