Difference Between a "Bachelor" and a "Licence"
The difference between a Bachelor and a Licence lies mainly in their academic recognition, educational focus, and career orientation.
A Licence is an academic degree awarded by French universities. It is a state-recognized national degree completed in three years after the baccalaureate (Bac+3) and aligned with the European LMD system (Licence–Master–Doctorate). The Licence focuses on theoretical and academic knowledge and is primarily designed to prepare students for further university studies, especially a Master’s degree.
A Bachelor degree, on the other hand, is generally awarded by business schools, management schools, or engineering institutions. While it is also a three-year academic degree (Bac+3), the Bachelor is typically more vocational and professionally oriented. It emphasizes practical skills, internships, project-based learning, and international exposure, making it well suited for rapid entry into the job market, while still allowing progression to a Master’s program.
Origin and Educational System
Both the Bachelor and the Licence are university-level undergraduate degrees following the Baccalauréat (high school diploma), which is why the two terms are often confused. However, it is important to know that the Licence primarily exists in French-speaking countries. Students typically obtain their Licence after three years of study at a French university. The Bachelor, on the other hand, is an English-language term in origin and can be delivered by business schools. This degree is very popular in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and other Anglophone countries. Depending on the country where the Bachelor is awarded, students typically receive their degree after three or four years of study.
Difference in Length of Study
One of the differences between the Bachelor and the Licence is the duration of study. This is variable for the Bachelor, but always fixed for the Licence. French universities all offer a Licence over three years: L1, L2, and L3. A year includes 2 semesters that must be validated before moving on to the next year. Depending on the country and the institution, the Bachelor can be delivered over three or four years. For example, the BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) typically lasts four years. This is a very common degree worldwide, even in France. In France, institutions like emlyon business school offer the Global BBA over four years. This program prepares students for operational management in an international environment, enabling them to take on roles such as product manager, export manager, or business developer.
Difference in Program Structure
Another specific feature that differentiates the Bachelor from the Licence is the program structure. Although this evolves depending on the universities and Grandes Écoles (elite schools), there are still some differences to note. In the Licence, students first follow a general program for the first two years. They then specialize during the third and final year. All Licence programs in France are structured based on the LMD system (Licence-Master-Doctorate). For the Bachelor, the program is generally more flexible. Students can choose from several optional modules depending on their desired specialization. Furthermore, depending on the school and the program, the Bachelor may be more focused on practical application or professional experience.
International Recognition for the BBA Compared to the Licence
A major difference between the Licence and the BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) lies in the international recognition of these two degrees. While the Licence, a national degree primarily awarded by French universities, enjoys strong recognition in Francophone and European countries, its equivalence internationally can sometimes pose a problem. Holders of a Licence may face difficulties when wishing to pursue further studies or enter the job market in non-Francophone countries, as its academic value is often less understood outside the European framework. Conversely, the BBA, offered by internationally-focused business schools, enjoys global recognition, particularly in Anglophone countries. This undergraduate degree, focused on a vocational pedagogy and practical courses, allows students to acquire fundamental skills in management, finance, or accounting, while also fostering opportunities abroad. Thanks to its structure, often enriched by internships, semesters on international campuses, or work-study programs (alternance), the BBA opens the way for more competitive applications on the global market. Moreover, the admission requirements and the grade awarded by a BBA reinforce its value in the job market. Graduates can more easily enter prestigious universities for a Master's degree or secure a position abroad, particularly thanks to the strong reputation of the institutions offering these Bachelor programs. This qualification is therefore a real asset for those considering an international career.
Objectives and Approach
Generally speaking, a Licence aims to provide students with fundamental and theoretical knowledge in a specific field such as science, business, computer science, or law. This university-level undergraduate degree, accessible after the Baccalauréat, often constitutes an essential step before pursuing specialized studies towards a Master's or a Doctorate. The program revolves around lectures (cours magistraux), tutorials (travaux dirigés), and sometimes internships, allowing students to acquire solid skills and validate an officially recognized national degree. The Licence Professionnelle (Professional Bachelor's equivalent), however, offers a more practical dimension and a strong orientation towards the professional world.
In comparison, the Bachelor adopts a less theoretical approach, focusing more on professionalization and international experience. This Bachelor program emphasizes skills applicable in the professional environment, with mandatory internships, gap years, and team projects to develop a wide range of interpersonal skills. For example, the Global BBA of emlyon business school integrates concrete projects, company experiences, and opportunities abroad, thereby reinforcing the value of the degree for the job market. With varied admission procedures, whether through the Parcoursup French national platform or selective admission, these two study paths are aimed at different profiles according to their academic and professional objectives. The choice between a Bachelor and a Licence therefore depends on the admission requirements, career goals, and the type of educational supervision desired.
Difference Between Bachelor and Licence: Summary
To summarize, the Bachelor and the Licence share common points, but also have important differences when choosing a university course. Both are three-year post-secondary degrees (Bac+3). However, they differ in terms of their duration, structure, and international recognition.
Definitions
National Bac+3 degree awarded by French universities. Recognized by the State and in the European LMD system. Theoretical and academic training.Bac+3 or Bac+4 (BBA) degree offered by business schools. Vocational and international focus. Focused on practical application and experience.
Main Differences
Duration
Fixed 3 years of study (L1, L2, L3)3 or 4 years depending on the program
Educational Structure
General program, then specialization in L3.Flexible modules, mandatory internships (up to 19 months), work-study possible.
International Recognition
Strong recognition in France and Europe, limited outside the Francophone zone.Worldwide recognition, particularly in Anglophone countries.
Objectives
Pursuit of studies in Master's/Doctorate programs.
Rapid professional integration or pursuit of international studies.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bachelor and the Licence
A State-recognized degree (diplôme d’État) is a qualification awarded by an authorized and recognized institution by the Ministry of National Education or other competent authorities. It guarantees that the program meets official standards and confers specific rights, such as access to certain professions or the pursuit of higher education. The Licence is a French university degree (Bac+3 level) recognized by the State, while the Bachelor is a degree often awarded by private schools, but it can also be recognized by the ministry when it benefits from official accreditation (homologation). In summary, any degree awarded by a public body or certified by the State is considered recognized by the ministry, offering an official value both in the job market and in the academic context. Students must check for the mention "State Degree" (diplôme d’État) or the degree's accreditation to ensure its legal recognition.
After the Baccalauréat, choosing your undergraduate degree depends on your goals and preferred learning method. The main post-secondary options include the Licence and the Bachelor. The Licence offers a general academic education, ideal for pursuing a Master's, while the Bachelor is more vocational and often international, suitable for specific sectors. For a student wishing to choose the work-study path (alternance), these programs allow for combining classes with company experience, facilitating professional integration and study financing. The choice of program must take into account skills, ambitions, and career prospects. Comparing the programs, the degree's recognition, and the flexibility of the work-study option helps in making an effective decision. Thus, choosing the right post-secondary degree ensures a balance between theoretical learning and practical experience, preparing the student for a successful career.
A Bachelor is an undergraduate degree offered by certain business schools and Grandes Écoles, such as emlyon business school. These institutions offer a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) enabling students to acquire skills in management, marketing, finance, or entrepreneurship. Applications are typically made after the Baccalauréat, via application file, competitive exam, or interview. BBA programs prioritize international exposure and practical experiences, with integrated internships. Candidates can choose programs taught in French or English depending on the institution, lasting three to four years.
The duration of studies varies depending on the degree. An undergraduate program, such as the Bachelor and the Licence, generally lasts 3 years of study, divided into three academic years. The first year is often common and allows students to acquire essential theoretical foundations. The second and third years focus on specialization and practical skills. This structure allows students to progress gradually and coherently, validating each year before moving on to the next. In summary, the standard duration for both a Bachelor and a Licence is 3 years of study, corresponding to a complete undergraduate education.