Legal capacity

Created on March 13, 1804 (22 Ventôse, Year XIII) and now governed by the decree of September 25, 202, the Capacité en Droit is a national Level 4 diploma (equivalent to a high school diploma).

A real second chance for those without a high school diploma who wish to pursue university studies in law, the certificate of aptitude in law allows students to acquire knowledge and skills in the main legal subjects.

Attached to the Faculty of Law and Political Science and managed by the Continuing Education Department ofthe University of Montpellier, the Capacité en Droit program is open to all, regardless of academic qualifications. The only requirement for enrollment is that applicants must be at least 17 years old.

Program

The main objective of this law degree is to acquire the legal knowledge necessary to practice various legal and paralegal professions.

To this end, candidates will mainly study private law and criminal sciences, public law, civil law, commercial law, administrative law, constitutional law, and criminal law. 

Classes are held over two years from September to April, three days a week (Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday) from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The weekly workload is nine hours, for a total of 180 hours of theory per year.

Only candidates who have obtained the average mark in the written exams are allowed to take the oral exams. Progression to the second year is conditional on passing the first year exams.

Regional funding

Job seekers may be eligible for funding from the Occitanie Region (subject to official notification from the Region).

To be eligible for this financing scheme, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Must be registered with Pôle Emploi (the French national employment agency)
• Having completed initial training more than 2 years ago
• Being in the process of acquiring a diploma/qualification with a view to entering the job market

Job seekers who meet these criteria must then obtain a referral from one of the following advisors: Pôle Emploi, Missions Locales, Cap Emploi, CIDFF, APEC, Conseils Départementaux, Fongécif.

Once the prerequisites have been verified, the prescriber approves the project and draws up the prescription form to be submitted to our Continuing Education Department teams.

Continuing education

Holders of the Capacité en Droit who have obtained an average of at least 10 out of 20 can enroll in the first year of a Bachelor's degree in Law.

Holders who have obtained an average of at least 15 out of 20 can enroll in the second year of a Bachelor's degree in Law.

The Capacité diploma also gives access to certain civil service competitive examinations for category B jobs.

In terms of career opportunities, obtaining the Certificate of Capacité in Law gives access to jobs such as legal assistant to a lawyer, bailiff's clerk, notary's assistant, judicial administrator, or legal consultant.

Are you interested in this training course?

To apply, send a cover letter, your latest academic results, and proof of identity to the Admissions Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Science:dsp-inscriptions-licences@umontpellier.fr

For any administrative and/or financial information, please contact us.