What is M1 Certificate for Campus France?

Thinking of studying a master’s in France but don’t know how to start? Campus France has launched two pathways for students seeking admission to a master’s degree in France. The M1 entry gets you a 2-year complete master’s program. However, an M2 master’s is a 1-year course in France and can only be attained upon receiving an M1 certificate. 

Owing to the possibility of getting into either the M1 or M2 in France, choosing between the right master’s programme for yourself may seem difficult. While a master’s degree in France typically lasts for a duration of 2 years, it is categorised into two main categories, i.e. M1 and M2. 

M1 stands for “first year in master’s” and M2 stands for the “second year in master’s” degree in France. This categorisation has been done to bring in a more uniform educational system. Before heading to learn about the M1 certificate, let us understand the basics of the M1 and M2 master’s below.  

Check: Study in France for International Students 

Master’s in France

A master’s degree in France lasts for 2 years and the first and second years of the master’s degree in France are commonly referred to as M1 and M2 respectively. The M1 consists of deep theoretical lectures, consisting of general topics under the broad degree which lay the foundation for the study of specialisation course to be taught in M2. 

So, according to the French education system, to get admitted to an M2 (second year of master’s), i.e. the specialisation year of your chosen master’s degree, you must have completed the M1 level of master’s or its equivalent. 

After the completion of M1, you will be required to re-apply for an M2 at your university and go through the selection procedure all over again. The university will approve your application based on several parameters after which you will be promoted to an M2. 

Difference Between M1 and M2

The differences between an M1 and M2 master’s in France are given in brief below.

M1 vs M2 in France
Parameters	M1	M2
Duration	2 Years	1 Year
Type	Pathway Program	Specialisation Program
Eligibility	3 years of bachelor’s and/or less than 3 years of relevant work experience	3+ years of bachelor’s and/or 3+ years of relevant work experience
Degree	Degree is not awarded without combining with an M2, which means that you get a master’s degree after completing an M2 only	Master’s degree is awarded after the completion of M2

What is the M1 Certificate and Why is it Required?

Some colleges and universities in France may admit you directly to M2 in specific cases (which means you can skip M1) such as - if you possess relevant work experience or educational qualification that qualifies you for having the basic knowledge taught as part of M1 of your chosen master’s degree. In such cases, the university/college will issue an M1 certificate to students mentioning the reasons (and qualifications) why the student has been given direct entry to M2. 

M1 certificate is required for the following reasons:

• It can be helpful to students to represent them at Campus France and the visa office, for eligibility verification for both the chosen master’s program and the French student visa. 
• It acts as proof that the applicant possesses an M1 or equivalent level of education required for getting admitted to the M2 master’s (second year of master’s) or the specialisation master’s program.

Who Needs a M1 Certificate?

Students who have completed rather longer graduation (more than 3 years) and wish to head start the learning of the specialisation course to be taught in the second year of their master’s degree need to have acquired an M1 certificate from their chosen university. 

The following may be considered as the suggested French degree equivalents if you have completed more than 3 years of undergraduate education in an international higher education institution:

• 4 Years Bachelor’s in a relevant subject (and/or 2-3 years of relevant experience) = (3 Yr Bach. + M1) in France
• 5 Years Bachelor’s in a relevant subject (and/or 3+ years of relevant experience) = (3 Yr Bach. + M2) in France

So, students who have already pursued 4 years of undergraduate education may be qualified to apply for an M2 in a French higher education institute/university. Students with 5 years of undergraduate degrees may directly apply for a PhD at a French university/college. However, the decision entirely depends on your chosen university/college in France. 

How to Get an M1 Certificate for Campus France?

To get an M1 certificate, you will be required to submit an application at your college/university along with a copy of documents that clearly define your academic accomplishments and any experience that you may have.

Your application letter (motivation letter) should specifically address your reasons for enrolling in an M2 program and how it aligns with your academic and professional goals. 

M1 Certificate Requirements 

Before you send your application to the university asking for an M1 certificate, make sure you meet the eligibility requirements for the same. Some specific eligibility criteria for getting an M1 certificate to study in France for an M2 master’s are given below.

• Relevant Bachelor’s Degree: A Graduation equivalent to an M1 in a French institution/university is required by the student. For example, if a student is applying for an M2 in MBA then, they must have acquired a 3+ years of graduation in a relevant business discipline. 
• Relevant Work Experience: if the student does not meet the first eligibility condition then, they should have at least 2-3 years of relevant work experience. However, it can be as well both (condition 1 and 2). 
• Strong Application: A well-drafted application always goes a long way in getting you an edge before the admission committee. A duly filled application form with all required documents attached in the desired format stands a stronger chance of getting selected than the others. 
• Language Proficiency Tests: Make sure to check the language requirement of your chosen course. If it is a French-taught program then, you will have to present qualifying scores to the university in one of the accepted French language exams such as Delf and Dalf. for English, you may choose from IELTS, TOEFL or PTE, whichever is accepted by your university. 
• Availability of Seats: It is important that you apply on time before exhausting the deadlines. For a direct entry to the M2, some universities may have only limited seats, which is why, applying early may increase your chances of making it to your desired course’s second year. 
• Selection Process: The selection for an M2 depends entirely upon your application form. Your application will be evaluated based on your academic and professional background and how well it matches the program's requirements.

M1 Certificate Sample

Here is the sample M1 certificate that one receives from the university of their choice upon successfully getting selected for an M2. 

This was all about the M1 certificate, its uses, eligibility and application process. For more details on the application process and the eligibility criteria of the M1 certificate for Campus France, get in touch with Shiksha Counselling Services.