Is the VAE Law (Validation des Acquis de l'Expéience) procedure legal in France?
 
Absolutely, it is a Law been signed by the French "Premier Ministre"  on January 17, 2002. and it regulates the VAE procedure. The VAE allows to grant full degrees on experience, exactly similar to the "classic ones". They bear the same name and could not be discriminated. We follow the same procedure than the ones generally used by the public universities.  It is our experience that many US and foreign universities universities recognized VAE based degrees. All French universities should have a VAE procedure. It could be applied to all university degrees, see the page of  colleagues from the Université de Paris Dauphine

Are you accredited? 
 
The Ecole Supérieure Robert de Sorbon is a legal French Private Institution of Higher Education following the "Code de l'Education de la République Francaise". ESRDS is not a US or Canadian accredited university, but a  French registered private institution of higher education authorized to grant degrees. In the USA, your French degree  should be, like all foreign ones, evaluated by a credentialing agency for university admissions, jobs or immigration. We will  provide you with names of many (9+) US Credential Evaluation Services that generally recognizes our French degrees as equivalent to US regionally accredited ones. 

Why "Ecole Supérieure "?

In French Higher Education "Ecole" is superior to "université". It means competitive entrance contrary to the "universités", which by law must accept every student with the "Baccalauréat" (H.S. degree). The Ecole Polytechnique (#1 in Science), Ecole Nationale d'Administration,  Ecole des Mines, the Ecole Normale Supérieure,  HEC (#1 in Business), top engineering schools are "écoles" not "universités". The same apply to the INSEAD (#1 European graduate school in Business), Sciences Pô, ESSEC, etc., which are not "universités".  As as we we have a competitive admission procedure, we are an "Ecole Supérieure".

Could I get two degrees from you at the same time?

Forget for a moment your own system of education and think "French". The VAE recognizes work experience associated or not with previous studies as equivalent to a certain educational level. Therefore it forbids  us to give two degrees at the same time. As we are a not for profit organization (loi de 1901)  we recommend that you apply, according to the rules mentioned in our pages, to the highest degree possible. If you insist for two consecutive degrees, will will have to charge you twice.

Should I take additional courses to receive a French Diplôme?

It depends, but the French VAE Law authorizes to grant "Certificats" entirely based on experience.
From the "equivalence formula" located at www.sorbon.fr/diplomeengl.html you can foresee your possible educational level.

Could I request a specific GPA or impose a specific name or level?

Certainly not ! Our "Jurys de VAE"  are  independent and sovereign. You may earn a recognized French degree from a Private Institution of Higher Education, you are not buying a piece of paper with no value. Please understand that we are in the French system of Higher Education with strict rules, different from your system. However, through our detailed Diploma Supplement following the UNESCO model,in English, your French degree may be evaluated as equivalent to a US accredited one by recognized credential evaluators and by the countries of the Lisbon Treaty. 

If I am accepted and if I pay the Jury and diploma fees, am I sure to get the requested Diploma?

No. Like in all Universities, you are never assured of the result of an examination. However the admission committee will verify that you qualify for the VAE specially in determining that you have the sufficient  number of years of work experience for the applied degree. Then, our  VAE jury will only appreciate the quality of the work experience. A negative decision at this stage rarely happened.
 
Could I have a backdated diploma ?

No!  it is fraudulent to backdate a French degree!

Can I get my degree tomorrow? 

No (non!)  We are not a "Diploma Mill" and we follow a regulated evaluation procedure, which takes 2 months.  

Could I have a copy of my de Sorbon Diploma?

Unfortunately because of the French regulations and of the French University tradition, NO COPY WILL BE ISSUED for any reason. However our registrar office may deliver an "attestation de succès" i.e. a letter confirming the degree, if needed.

When are you closed?

France is known to have a high productivity despite numerous holidays (35 hours/week, 5 week holidays)... Our institution follows also the traditional French University breaks. However contrary to many, we do not close our institution during the summer. Our main closing periods are: Christmas New Year, February Holidays, Easter-Pâques Recess, End of the Academic Year exams (May), Bastille Day 14 Th. of July, August 15, French Armistice day (November 11). 

What is your refund policy ?

The application fee is refundable, if you are not admitted into Robert de Sorbon you will be  refunded less the credit card fees.  After admission, the tuition is due and, like all university tuition, is not refundable.

Have you an Alumni Association?

Our Alumni come from 89 countries. We are proud of their accomplishments. Some firms contribute financially to scholarships for students coming from the less developed countries. We have a dedicated Alumni page  at www.sorbon.fr/alumniengl.html

Have you a Boutique selling de Sorbon memorabilia (Cap, Stickers T-Shirts)?

Yes click here

 

If you have more question please send us an E-mail