The French Loi de Modernisation Sociale (Law of Social Modernization) of 17 January 2002 (and decree number 2002-590 dated 24 April, 2002) specifically authorized the granting of degrees based entirely on an assessment of the candidate’s prior education and/or work experience, through the process of VAE (validation des acquis de l’expérience).
>>French government decree establishing VAE
The VAE was subsequently incorporated into the French Code of Education (Legislative Part, Third Part, Book VI, Title I, Chapter III, Section 2, Art. L613-3 to L613-6.) It is important to note that Art L613-4 provided that: “The validation produces the same effects as the knowledge or aptitude testing process that it replaces.” Moreover, the academic titles that can be granted through VAE are identical to those gained by conventional study and any mention of VAE in those titles is considered discriminatory and is prohibited by law. All universities and other higher education institutions in France have been legally required to apply the VAE if requested and it is now regarded as a public right that everyone can access.
VAE has proved extremely popular in France. The candidate, who must have a minimum of three years of work experience, submits a portfolio of achievement which is then considered by a jury which assesses whether the candidate has achieved the relevant standard.
International education has also embraced VAE. Those countries that are members of the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie typically include educational institutions that operate according to the French education system. European-American University was initially established in a member state of the Francophonie, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and first implemented its VAE procedure during this period. Today, it is registered in France and offers programmes based on the VAE law to an internationally-based audience in the English language.
VAE is also promoted by UNESCO through the “Guidelines for the Recognition, Validation and Accreditation of the Outcomes of Non-formal and Informal Learning” of 2012. It is supported by the Council of the European Union through the “Recommendation on the validation of non-formal and informal learning” (20 December 2012 – 2012/C 398/01) and implemented by the “European Guidelines for validating non-formal and informal learning” of 2016 developed by CEDEFOP (European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training).
Our VAE process is presently offered at all academic levels and is undertaken entirely via distance assessment. Our awards are legally classified as certificats d’enseignement supérieur privés which are degree-level awards made by private French higher education institutions. They are not grades ou titres universitaires, which are reserved to French public universities and they do not conform to the French national curriculum. There is no system whereby certificats d’enseignement supérieur privés consisting of VAE assessment delivered at a distance to an international, primarily English-speaking, student body can receive endorsement, accreditation or validation from the French Ministry of Education. Consequently they stand on their own merits as legally-issued private degrees comparable to similar private degrees issued in some other European countries.
The system of academic awards is adapted in each case to reflect the needs of the candidate. Our candidates prefer degree titles that are recognisable in the English-speaking world, giving them a greater international comprehension. Consequently, our awards generally follow the principles of the American academic system.
Our degrees by VAE, like all EAU degrees, are covered by the UNESCO Conventions on the international recognition of credentials and may be designated as representing any postsecondary level of achievement and any degree title (including those above) that is permitted by law.
Degrees in most academic and professional fields are available by VAE. However, the following fields are not permitted by the University: medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, midwifery, nursing, healthcare and paramedical studies. Degrees in licensed professions such as engineering are only available to candidates who are already professionally licensed in their country.
The degree certificate is accompanied by an explanatory Supplement in English according to guidelines developed by the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO/CEPES.
Methodology
A Jury of professors is convened to examine each VAE assessment, which is composed of members of our Fellowship and other academic experts as applicable.
Application and process
Initially the applicant will submit the Application Form and proceed to the process of free precognition. This process is carried out by email and consists of a review of the applicant’s educational documents and detailed resumé or curriculum vitæ, plus a sample of published or creative work if applicable. Based on this, the University will express an opinion as to whether the applicant is likely to meet the standard required.
If the result of precognition is positive, the applicant can then choose to proceed to submit their documentation for formal assessment by the jury, paying the Credential Assessment Fee.
If the jury recommends the award of the degree, the applicant pays the Credit Conversion and Graduation Fee and will graduate and receive their degree documentation by postal mail.
>>Fees
Applications for precognition may be sent via the Application Form.
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