A six-year program after the baccalaureate does not lead to a diploma called “bac +6”. The national framework for professional certifications, restructured by decree n°2019-14 of January 8, 2019, classifies this type of training at level 7, identical to the master’s degree. Understanding this equivalence changes the interpretation of a CV, salary negotiations, and access to category A public competitions.
National framework for certifications: where does bac +6 really stand
The confusion comes from a legacy. The old French nomenclature grouped all diplomas from bac +5 under the label “level I”, without distinguishing between a master’s degree obtained in five years and a specialized master’s degree obtained in six. Since January 1, 2020, this categorization has been replaced by eight levels aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).
Further reading : What are the alternatives to Doctolib for booking medical appointments online?
A diploma certifying six years of higher education, whether it is a specialized master’s, an MBA, or a school title, falls under level 7 of the RNCP as long as it does not lead to a doctorate. Only the doctorate and the habilitation to supervise research reach level 8.
To learn everything about the bac +6 level, it is important to remember that the official designation never mentions “bac +6”: it indicates a level of certification and, where applicable, a university degree.
Read also : Discover the latest lifestyle trends and news to absolutely follow this season
| Diploma or title | Duration after the bac | RNCP / EQF Level | University Degree |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s, professional bachelor’s, BUT | 3 years | Level 6 | Bachelor’s degree |
| Master’s, engineering degree | 5 years | Level 7 | Master’s degree |
| Specialized master’s (MS), MBA, RNCP post-master title | 6 years | Level 7 | No automatic degree |
| Doctorate | 8 years (variable) | Level 8 | Doctor’s degree |
National diploma, RNCP title, and degree: three statuses for the same level
Not all diplomas classified at level 7 are equal in legal terms. A master’s degree awarded by a university is a national diploma conferring the master’s degree. An engineering degree accredited by the CTI also confers this degree. In contrast, a specialized master’s labeled by the Conference of Grandes Écoles or an MBA from a business school do not automatically confer a university degree.
The distinction has direct consequences on international mobility and access to public service competitions. Category A competitions generally require a level 7 diploma, but some bodies specify “master’s degree”, which excludes RNCP titles lacking this degree.
- The national master’s diploma (university) confers the master’s degree and level 7 by right.
- The engineering diploma accredited by CTI confers the master’s degree, recognized in the Bologna process.
- The specialized master’s (MS) and MBA can be registered at RNCP level 7, but without a university degree unless a specific ministerial decision is made.
- An RNCP level 7 title issued by a private organization certifies professional skills, not an academic path in the sense of the education code.
Before committing to a sixth year of study, checking whether the training provides a degree or just a simple registration at the RNCP is a crucial precaution for the future of the path.
Professional prospects after obtaining a level 7 diploma in six years
The sixth year post-bac corresponds to a logic of specialization or dual competence. An engineer who adds a specialized master’s in financial markets or a lawyer who complements their master’s with an LLM aims for a sectoral positioning that five years alone may not always suffice to build.
Access to category A public service competitions
Category A competitions (territorial attaché, public finance inspector, administrator) require a level 7 diploma. An RNCP level 7 title meets this condition, unless the competition text expressly requires a master’s degree. Checking the decree organizing each competition remains the only reliable method.
Pursuit towards a doctorate (level 8)
Only a diploma conferring the master’s degree grants access by right to a doctoral school. A specialized master’s or an MBA, even classified at RNCP level 7, does not automatically provide this access. An equivalence commission may review the application on a case-by-case basis, but the outcome is never guaranteed.
Job market and diploma visibility
For a recruiter, the mention “level 7” on a CV is not enough. What matters is the nature of the certification. A national master’s diploma remains the most recognizable benchmark in France and within the European higher education area. RNCP titles are gaining recognition in certain sectors (IT, management, human resources), but visibility varies greatly depending on the sector and the size of the company.
Check the registration of a bac +6 diploma at the RNCP
France Compétences manages the National Directory of Professional Certifications. Each registered certification appears there with its level, validity duration, and certifying body. A diploma whose registration has expired or that has never been registered at the RNCP has no official value within the national framework.
- Search for the certification by its exact title on the France Compétences website.
- Check that the displayed level is indeed 7 and that the registration end date has not passed.
- Verify whether the diploma confers a university degree (mention present in the descriptive sheet).
This verification takes a few minutes and prevents discovering, after a year of training, that the title obtained does not correspond to the level announced by the institution.
Bac +6 does not exist as an official designation. What exists is a level 7 of the national framework for certifications, shared with the master’s and engineering diploma. The real differentiating variable is not the duration of the program, but the legal status of the certification obtained: master’s degree, national diploma, or RNCP title. It is this distinction that determines access to the doctorate, public competitions, and recognition by employers.