Curricula and degrees

. Architecture studies in 3 cycles;

As part of the European harmonisation of higher education curricula, architecture studies in the ENSA are organized into three cycles on the basis of the LMD (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) scheme. All NSAs are co-accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education and the Ministry of Culture to provide training in accordance with this scheme.

- The first cycle (3 years). It leads to the Bachelor’s degree in architecture (AEDE). These three years are devoted to the acquisition of the foundations of an architectural culture, the design processes, the understanding and the practice of the project. The holders of the DEEA are intended to be employed by architecture, urban planning, interior architecture or design agencies, design and engineering offices, building and public works companies, development companies, in preparatory or design support missions;

- The second cycle (2 years). It leads to the Master’s degree in architecture (DEA). These two years allow to acquire mastery of the issues specific to architecture and to prepare for the different modes of exercises and professional areas of architecture. The DEA provides access to design and all functions of consulting, project management assistance, technical studies, urban planning and development as an employee. State-qualified architects (ADE) can also become public agents of the State or local authorities, practice interior architecture, or carry out consultancy tasks on behalf of the State, individuals or local authorities.

The High Council for Evaluation of Research and Higher Education (HCERES) is conducting a periodic evaluation of schools, condition of their accreditation to issue the degrees of license and master.

First and second cycle courses organised by schools in conjunction with universities national higher education diplomas : professional licenses (Marne-La Vallée, Strasbourg) and masters preparing for either working life or research.

Beyond the introduction to research in the second cycle, a specific path to deepen the research readiness is developed. This pathway allows the issuance of the AED with a “search” endorsement;

- The third cycle (3 years). It leads to the doctorate in architecture. The doctoral degree is awarded jointly with universities. ENSA hosts doctoral students in their research units affiliated to doctoral schools of universities.

. Empowerment to exercise project management on its own behalf (HMONP - 1 year);

At the end of the second cycle, a one-year vocational training course, which can be taken at any time during the architect’s working life, leads to empowerment to exercise project management in its own name (HMONP). It includes a theoretical training of 150 hours minimum and a professional situation of six months minimum. It is open to holders of the State diploma of architect or equivalent. It allows the inscription on the board of the Order of Architects in order to endorse the project management responsibilities.

. Other post-graduate training (1-2 years);

After the second cycle, training can lead to:

- to diplomas in architecture specialization and deepening (DSA) To date, there are 4 mentions: urban project, project management (formulation of the order and project management), major risks, heritage. These courses allow students to acquire a specialization in one of these four mentions and, for some, to start a research work;

- to diplomas specific to architecture schools (AEPM) These diplomas are awarded in specialized fields: design, scenography, earthquake-resistant construction, naval architecture, architecture and philosophy. These courses can also be stepping stones before embarking on a doctoral course.

. Dual curricula;

Thirteen schools have set up double course architect-engineer established in partnership with major engineering schools, which lead to the completion of the two diplomas of architect and engineer 7 years of study minimum (Paris-Belleville, Marne-La Vallée, Paris-La Villette, Bretagne, Clermont-Ferrand, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse, INSA de Strasbourg and Ecole spéciale d'architecture). In order to follow this dual training, students must demonstrate particular scientific skills and follow additional upgrading courses in their respective schools.

TheENSA de Versailles offers a dual curriculum architect-manager which allows you to obtain in 5 years the state diploma of architect and that of ESSEC. TheENSA Nantes has set up two double courses: architect-manager with Audencia and architect-planner with the University of Nantes.

. ENSA’s Versailles, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Strasbourg, and theESA of Paris also offer a continuing vocational training (CVT) employees engaged in working life in the field of architecture, construction or spatial planning wishing to obtain the diplomas of the architectural curriculum according to an arranged schedule. The first and second cycles each comprise 4 semesters and lead to the diploma of studies in architecture and the diploma of State of architect.

In both initial and continuing vocational training, each cycle has its own objectives, pedagogical methods and requirements for level. The courses are taught in European credits transfer system (ECTS) teaching units, each consisting of several courses with scientific and pedagogical coherence.

. Landscaping training (3 years);

Training leading to the state diploma in landscaping is taught by two national architecture and landscape colleges: the ENSAP in Bordeaux and Lille. Recruited on competition - at bac+2 level - students enter the training to follow a 3-year course.

. National graduate schools of architecture and landscape open to international audiences;

The opening of national architecture colleges internationally is now very diverse. Throughout their courses students are invited to take study trips or to participate in intensive workshops organized abroad. Over time, schools have developed many partnerships with foreign universities around the world and encourage their students to one semester or one year of study abroad This offers them a wide variety of opportunities to open up to other modes of teaching, to confront other cultures and to learn other languages.

Today, under the influence of globalization, Africa, Asia and Latin America, true laboratories of urban invention, are forming new experimental territories for students of architecture schools.

In addition, the research laboratories established in the schools also contribute, through their participation in international projects, to the influence of national architecture institutions in the world.