MSc / FAQ - Students' profiles and education systems
- What is a Telecom Bretagne's Master of Science degree in the French education system? How is it recognized internationally?
- What is the difference between a Master of Science degree and a Master of Engineering degree?
- Are MSc programmes at Telecom Bretagne research or vocational oriented?
- What type of Bachelor Degree must I hold in order to be eligible to apply for an MSc programme at Telecom Bretagne?
- How many years must I have studied before applying?
- I am still an undergraduate student and graduation is expected after the application deadline. Can I apply?
- I do not understand the comparison between my country and France in your French education system section. Why should I study one year more (red arrow that goes backwards) in order to get a Master degree?
- What does a very good level in mathematics really mean?
- I am a prospective exchange student and I would like to study at Telecom Bretagne for the 1st semester only, is it possible? Who should I contact?
- Can I apply to both Master of Science and Master of Engineering programmes?
P1. What is a Telecom Bretagne's Master of Science degree in the French education system? How is it recognized internationally?
First of all, it is important to understand how the French system fits into the European Higher Education Area (EHEA). Admissions to Telecom Bretagne's MSc programme are also shown on our general diagram, see our French education system section.
As an example, the MSc degree in Telecommunication Systems Engineering is accredited by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research and is entitled in French "Master Sciences et Technologies, mention Technologies de l'Information, spécialité Ingénierie des Systèmes de Télécommunications". It has been accredited in June 2010 as a "Master Professionnel" and complies with the EHEA system.
P2. What is the difference between a Master of Science degree and a Master of Engineering degree?
At Telecom Bretagne, Master of Science programmes focus on one or two main scientific subjects whereas the Master of Engineering ("Diplôme d'ingénieur") is less specialized and also includes social sciences and management. For the latter programme speaking French fluently is required from the beginning. Students also interested in this programme will find information about specific application procedures below.
P3. Are MSc programmes at Telecom Bretagne research or vocational oriented?
TSE (Telecoms/Networks), DECN (Communication Networks) and CSDS (Computer Science) MSc programmes mainly focus on vocational (professional) aspects but also include insights into research activities. For those students who are strongly motivated, research-oriented master's programmes are also on offer. Admission to those programmes are organized on request during the 1st semester. It is then possible to apply for specializations leading to MSc in Microelectronics, MSc in Photonics or MSc in Signal Processing. Please contact us for more information.
All Telecom Bretagne's MSc degrees are accredited and allow students to apply for PhD studies afterwards if they wish (after a specific admission procedure). Of course, research-oriented MSc programmes make it easier to be well prepared for PhD. Moreover, students can either be involved in current projects on cutting-edge technologies carried out by the school research teams or suggest their own subject.
P4. What type of Bachelor Degree must I hold in order to be eligible to apply for an MSc programme at Telecom Bretagne?
The subjects studied during the Bachelor course must be related to the MSc specialization (year 2, M2) in order to have a sound background. For example, if you apply for the CSM (Computer Science and Mathematics) programme, your previous studies must obviously include some courses in computing.
On the other hand, students are not required to have knowledge in all subjects taught during the common core which corresponds to the 1st semester of year 1 (M1). Nevertheless, strong basics in mathematics are always required.
P5. How many years must I have studied before applying?
Generally a 4-year Bachelor degree is required but some students hold a 5-year degree which is a standard in their home country. The admission board always considers each case thoroughly.
P6. I am still an undergraduate student and graduation is expected after the application deadline. Can I apply?
Yes. For final-year undergraduate students, the admission board considers applications based on the available transcripts of records. Once you are awarded your Bachelor degree you must contact the admissions office and send your official documents.
P7. I do not understand the comparison between my country and France in your French education system section. Why should I study one year more (red arrow that goes backwards) in order to get a Master degree?
Comparisons between different systems in different countries are always difficult. For studies at Telecom Bretagne, 3 main aspects have to be taken into account:
- In France, secondary education lasts 12 years whereas in some other countries the duration is 11 years. In this latter case, a 4-year university programme would be equivalent to only 3-year higher education in France.
- The level in mathematics required in Engineering colleges is much higher in France than it is in the UK or the US (some people do not believe it but this is definitely true!).
- Spending one year (M1) adapting to France and its higher-education methods, strengthening mathematical background and getting the scientific fundamentals right is definitely useful and necessary for final success in M2.
P8. What does a very good level in mathematics really mean?
International students are generally surprised by the type of courses on offer in French higher-education institutions such as Telecom Bretagne. Although projects and practical activities are part of all curricula, theoretical aspects are always studied in depth in order to train true IT experts. Actually good fundamentals in mathematics are required in many subjects such as computer science, networking and telecommunications. Therefore it can be said that Telecom Bretagne's MSc programmes are suitable for students who are good at mathematics and who wish to become real designers in Information Technologies.
P9. I am a prospective exchange student and I would like to study at Telecom Bretagne for the 1st semester only, is it possible? Who should I contact?
Telecom Bretagne signed agreements with partner universities worldwide which makes it possible to participate in our Master of Engineering and Master of Science programmes. Depending on the agreement, students can be enrolled for one semester of our MSc programme without paying fees.
Please first contact your International Office at your home university for more information.
P10. Can I apply to both Master of Science and Master of Engineering programmes?
Yes, it it possible to apply to both programmes but, as mentioned above, the range of MEng courses is wider and speaking French is necessary from the beginning.
Students interested in our MEng programme must follow a specific procedure which depends on their home institution:
- Students from a partner university should first contact their own International Office which will provide all the relevant information about the agreement with Telecom Bretagne (dual-degree if specified, possible fee waivers etc.) and how to apply. In some universities, Telecom Bretagne organizes exams and/or interviews on an annual basis. The list of Telecom Bretagne's partner intitutions is given in our International section: Erasmus Framework and Worldwide exchanges.
- Individual students (no agreement between their home university and Telecom Bretagne) must apply through a cluster of French Graduate Engineering Schools. Online application is open between mid-January and mid-March. Exams and interviews are organized respectively in May and June. For more information, please visit astgrandesecoles.fr and first download the procedure guidelines ("Notice de la procédure", in French).
