Continuing Education Department

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

The Validation of Prior Learning (VAE) process allows you to earn all or part of a certification by demonstrating the skills you have acquired through your experience before a panel of evaluators.

You are not taking any classes: you are preparing a portfolio that outlines the skills you have acquired through your professional experience. These skills allow you to earn the certification you are seeking—either in full or in part.

You can receive guidance on writing this paper and preparing for your oral defense.

Certification may take the form of a diploma, a professional title, or a certificate of professional qualification.
It must be registered with the RNCP to be validated through VAE.
Thus, universities, high schools, AFPA, GRETA, and other institutions may award their diplomas, titles, and certificates registered with the RNCP through the VAE process.

The University of Montpellier can only award its own degrees.

Public

The program is now open to anyone who can demonstrate that their work is related to the content of the certification they are seeking

Certifications Obtainable Through Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

All of our DUTs, bachelor’s degrees, professional bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, engineering degrees, and doctorates are available through the VAE.

Choosing a certification:

  • You haven’t yet identified a training programthat aligns with your professional experience.

    Before you get started, you can receive free guidance from a VAE advisor at anadvisory center.
    The advisor can help you assess the feasibility of your project and secure funding for it.

  • You haven't yet decided on a specific degree program, but you know the fieldrelated to your project and would like to learn about the programs offered by the University of Montpellier.

    For guidance with this initial search, please contact us at: sfc-vae@umontpellier.fr

  • You have identified the certification you wish to obtain through the VAE.

    Review ourtraining offeringsand familiarize yourself with the training objectives and the targeted competencies.

Rate

  • Application fee for Booklet 1: €150
  • Guided tour: 2,000 €
  • Self-guided tour: 800 €
  • Fee for oral exam coaching (2-hour optional session ): 200 €

Support services may be eligible for funding:visit the official websiteto find the right funding option for you. Request a quote at sfc-vae@umontpellier.fr.

The Steps in the VAE Process

  1. Placement Questionnaire
  2. Information Session on the VAE Process and Pickup of Booklet 1
  3. Creation of VAE Workbook 1
    Administrative review by the VAE administrator
    Feasibility assessment by the academic advisor
  4. Funding (CPF or other sources)
  5. Guidance (12 hours) for completing your Book 2
    Guidance for your presentation before the jury
  6. Presentation to the jury

After appearing before the jury, there are three possibilities:

  • Full validation
  • Partial validation (training or additional documentation)
  • Validation Denied

Assessment Questionnaire – Preliminary Step

We invite you to complete an assessment questionnaire.

Our teams review the questionnaires every Monday, and there are several possible courses of action:

  1. If the project is feasible, you are invited to register for a group information session prior to submitting Booklet 1.
  2. If the project needs to be clarified or reoriented, we will provide you with guidance.

Contents of Booklet 1

You may submit your VAE Booklet 1 only from September 1 through May 15.

Upon receipt of your Book 1, we will:

  •  An administrative review(alignment of experience with the degree sought, years of service, etc.)
  • An academic review,conducted by the program director, that provides a positive or negative academic assessment

Within two monthsof submitting your Book 1, we will send you a letter of administrative acceptance and a notice of educational feasibility.

The certificate of admissibility is valid for 18 months from the date of issuance.
After that, you will need to start the process over.

Contents of Booklet 2

Your application for the VAE is admissible.
Now you must prepare a Book 2, which you will present during an oral exam before a panel.

This booklet must demonstrate that you have acquired the following through experience:

  • Skills
  • Knowledge
  • Skills Covered by the Degree

You should illustrate these skills by describing three or four real-life work situations.

You can receive 12 hours of(optional) support, either in person, remotely, or through a combination of both.

The program lasts 6 to 12 months and provides you with assistance in documenting your skills as they relate to the degree and in preparing for your oral presentation before the panel.

This support can be funded:visit the reference websiteto find your funding solution.

Interview with the VAE Jury

The jury is composed of teachers and professionals.
Its final decision is final.

Two sessions per year:

  • October – November – December(deadline for submitting Workbook 2: September 15)
  • May – June – July(deadline for submitting Workbook 2: April 15)

How the hearing will proceed:

  • A 20-minute presentation based on your Book II
  • 20-minute Q&A session
  • Deliberation
  • Immediate verbal notification of the decision reached by all members of the jury: full or partial award of the diploma, or denial of the diploma

In the event of partial validation, you may be required to take a training course to acquire the missing skills.

Specific Degrees

The VAE at the University of Montpellier: By the Numbers

In 2025:

  • 179 applicantssubmitted a Livret I
  • 101 applicants received approval for their Livret I
  • 51 candidates received assistance in preparing Book II
  • 56jury hearings were held
  • 84% of applications were fully approved following the review panels, demonstrating the quality and effectiveness of the support provided throughout the VAE process.

Learn more about the VAE

Regulatory Text on the Recognition of Prior Learning (VAE)