Agreement between Chile and France will allow mutual recognition of diplomas for continuity of higher studies

The executive vice president of the Council of Rectors, Aldo Valle, signed the agreement on behalf of CRUCH, along with representatives of the Conference of Presidents of Universities (CPU) and the Conference of Directors of French Schools of Engineering (CDEFI).

The executive vice president of the Council of Rectors, Aldo Valle; the president of the international relations commission of the Conference of Presidents of Universities (CPU), Jacques Comby; and the vice president of the Conference of Directors of French Schools of Engineering (CDEFI), Elisabeth Crépon, signed an agreement to promote cooperation in higher education between Chile and France, on June 9 in Paris, France.

The objective of the “Agreement on the Mutual Recognition of Studies and Diplomas for the Continuation of Higher Education,” signed during President Michelle Bachelet’s tour of Europe, is to promote student mobility and exchange between the two countries, facilitating their ability to continue their studies in the other. It aims to “define a framework to promote the validation of university-level higher education studies completed in the country of origin, facilitating their continuation at an institution in the partner country, while respecting the principle of autonomy of French and Chilean higher education institutions.”.

The agreement, which lasts for four years, is valid for the twenty-five universities of the Council of Rectors and all institutions belonging to the CPU and CDEFI in France. It is available to those who hold a diploma or have graduated from one of the higher education institutions recognized by the agreement, as well as to students from both countries who have undertaken periods of study in their country of origin, even if they have not completed them. In the latter case, the receiving institution will determine the programs and levels of study to which the student is eligible.

The agreement recognizes the previous links of cooperation and exchange between Chile and France (agreements of 1962, 1999 and 2009), so that it “contributes to complementing and deepening the bilateral relations between both countries,” explained the executive director of CRUCH, María Teresa Marshall.

Scope of the agreement

Under the agreement, Chilean students at various educational levels can study at French institutions. For example, a student with a high school diploma can enter the first year of higher education, and a student with a Bachelor's, Advanced Technician, or University-Level Technician degree can be admitted to degree programs leading to a Bachelor's degree. Meanwhile, a student with a Bachelor's degree can access Master's level university studies, and if they already hold a Master's degree, they can apply for a Doctoral program.

On the other hand, for entry into the 'engineer' cycle of French institutions to grant the title of 'Ingénieur diplomé', Chilean students must certify at least three years of studies in a career whose duration is at least 10 semesters leading to a 'Bachelor' or a 'Professional Title'.

In the case of French students who wish to study at one of the universities of the Council of Rectors, the conditions will be similar.

In both cases, higher education institutions reserve the right to define the degrees, levels of training, and exam results required for a student to be authorized to enroll and pursue university studies at their institution.