Frequently asked questions about VAE
Are all degrees accessible through VAE?
Yes, with the exception of the following certifications:
- General diplomas (e.g., general high school diploma)
- DAEU-B
- Certifications
- Certain degrees corresponding to regulated professions or meeting certain essential safety standards
- Any certification not registered withthe RNCP(art. L6411-1 ofthe Labor Code)
Montpellier University only validates its own degrees.
Who can apply for validation of prior learning and experience?
According to the law, anyonewith one year of experiencerelated to the degree sought.
It should be noted that for Bachelor's and Master's degrees, one year of experience may not be sufficient.
Do I have to attend classes?
No. Youwill present your Livret II to a panel: this reflects your experience and, above all, your skills in relation to the degree.
How does support work at the University of Montpellier?
Support at the University of Montpellier consists of five stages, defined by the national support charter:
- Individual interview and career analysis
- Link between the reference framework and the candidate's career path
- descriptive analysis of the candidate's activities
- Feedback and exchanges on Book II
- Preparing for the interview with the panel
Does professional experience gained abroad count?
Any experience gained abroad can be taken into account if you provide supporting documentation, translated into French by a certified translator.
However, differences in production or safety standards between countries may not correspond to the skills covered by the French diploma.
What does the year of activity correspond to when filing a Form I?
You musthave at least one year of experience (1,607 hours, full-time equivalent)related to the degree you are seeking.
Activities may have been carried out continuously or intermittently, full-time or part-time, paid or unpaid (volunteer work, union activities, etc.).
How can I finance my VAE?
If you are an employee:
your company can finance the costs through theCompany Development Plan, or you can use yourCPF(personal training account).
If you are changing careers:
, useTransition Pro.
If you are a job seeker:
Pôle Emploi(the French national employment agency) orcertain regional programsmay finance all or part of your VAE, and you can use yourCPF(personal training account).
If you are a UM employee:
specific funding is available; please contact your VAE manager.
Visit the reference siteto find your financing solution.
Where can I find VAE information centers?
Information about France:
http://www.vae.gouv.fr/?page=carte-prc
For Occitanie:
https://espace-conseil-vae.fr/
Do I need to inform my employer about my VAE application?
You are not required to inform your employer, unless you wish to involve them in your financing or request VAE leave.
How do I prepare for my VAE? Do I need to request time off from my employer?
When you wish to undertake a VAE process on your own initiative, you are entitled to24 hoursof VAE leave(CVAE), which may be taken consecutively or non-consecutively.
This leave allows you to take time off work either to participate in the validation tests or to receive support in preparing for your validation.
There are no seniority requirements, whether you are on a fixed-term or permanent contract.
You must submit arequest for leave of absenceto your employer (letter with acknowledgment of receipt) along with the document confirming the admissibility of your application. Your employer has 30 days to respond. If no response is received within this period, your request is deemed to have been approved.
Can an employer refuse to grant VAE leave?
No, but he can give reasons for postponing your leave for six months from the date of your request. He has 30 days to respond to your request for leave.
How long does a VAE take?
A VAE takes an average of 12 months:
- It depends on when you start your VAE in relation to the jury session date (April or November).
- It also depends on your ability to free up time.
- Finally, it depends on your support: the support provided by the UM will give you the momentum to move forward.
Can you submit multiple VAE applications?
You may submit up tothree applications per yearforthree different degrees.
What are the fees for VAE at the University of Montpellier?
The cost of VAE at the University of Montpellier:
Study fee for Booklet 1: €50
Guided tour: €2,000
Unaccompanied tour: €800
Oral exam preparation fee (2 hours, optional): €200
How does the jury process work at the University of Montpellier?
You will be interviewed duringone of the two annual sessions(April or November). Interviews are generally conducted in person, although remote options are available to accommodate all candidates.
After introducing the participants and reviewing the rules of the VAE, the hearing begins:
- You will present your Book II in 20 minutes using computer equipment.
- Followed by a 20-minute Q&A session
- The deliberation concludes the hearing.
The jury's response is immediate.
The jury has the final say and will inform you whether your degree has been validated in full, in part (see the question on this subject), or whether it has been rejected.
What happens if I don't validate the entire degree?
The jury has the final say in its decision:it may award you theentirediploma or onlypartof it.
In this case, there are two possibilities:
1.Either the jury considers that you must complete part of the training to supplement your skills. You will register as a continuing education trainee to take the courses indicated by the jury.
At the end of these courses and depending on your grades, you will either pass or fail the diploma.
2.Alternatively, the jury may consider that your presentation is not sufficiently comprehensive on certain points and may ask you to write a supplementary thesis on a specific topic. After reading your thesis, the jury will decide whether your supplementary work is sufficient to validate the diploma in its entirety.