Validation of competences

Validation of prior experience – what is it?

The validation of prior experience enables people with previous work experience (paid, unpaid or voluntary work) to have access to training or to request the award of a qualification.
There are three possibilities to get a higher education qualification:

1- State agronomist qualification (Ingénieur Diplomé par l’Etat: DPE): you may follow the agronomists training pathway, open to people who have been working as an agronomist for at least 5 years (30th March 2001 decree).

The application form can be downloaded directly from the French Ministry of Education site.
Download the application form

2- Access Validation : (23d August 1985 decree) means that qualifications are not required to gain access to higher education. In order to benefit from this scheme you must have stopped initial training 2 or 3 years previously.

3. Validation of Prior Experience (VAE) : the 17th Jan 2002 Social Modernisation Act and the 24th April decree set out the guidelines for gaining a diploma by validation of prior experience.

All the diplomas listed on the National Register of Professional Qualifications (Répertoire National des Certifications Professionelles : RNCP) are included.
There is the possibility of gaining validation of prior experience to match work carried out over a period (continuous or not) of a minimum of three years : this can be paid, unpaid or voluntary.

The skills and competences gained should match those required for the partial or complete award of a qualification. The skills and competences from experience are assessed by a VAE jury on the basis of a file submitted by the candidate and an interview with the jury.
Each candidate is offered help if they choose, to put the application together. Working applicants can use the special leave allowed for VAE implemented by the decree of 3 May 2002.

Down load the VAE leaflet

Qualifications accessible by validation of prior experience (VAE) at Agro.M

Level 1:
Agronomist
Professional Master’s

Level 2:
Vocational degrees

For information about qualifications at different establishments please consult the site:
http://www.educagri.fr/systeme/rentrea02/vae.htm