Degree level 7: complete guide to understand, choose and value your certification

Getting into a vocational conversion often asks to clarify the value of diplomas and to have the audacity to move towards new horizons: it is precisely at this time that the level 7, recognized Bac+5, becomes a true passport to positions of responsibility, a significant salary evolution and a genuine recognition of your achievements, both in France and internationally; well identifying its equivalencies, its opportunities and its access modalities allows to move forward calmly and choose a training that highlights your unique journey.

Are you looking to identify exactly what a level 7 degree corresponds to? How does he differ from a university master's degree, and how can he be awarded or valued in his professional career? This is what we can quickly remember: a degree of level 7 RNCP is equivalent to Bac+5, covering Masters 2, MBA, engineering degrees, Master's Degrees – titles officially recognized by the State, which have become indispensable for gaining access to senior management functions and valid throughout Europe.

This level, introduced by the reform RNCP of 2019 (Decree No. 2019-14), gives access to strategic trades, and offers, according to the Figaro Student, a median wage of about 70,000 € Gross per year. There are a number of courses available: initial training, continuing training, alternance training, or VAE (validation of experience). In concrete terms, aiming at a level 7 is to build on the foundation of a career with high responsibilities and to lay the foundations for robust employability, both within and outside the country.

Let's take a closer look at the subtleties surrounding this designation, how to situate Level 7 in front of other degrees and all the keys that are useful to secure your professional career or make your atypical experience recognized.

Level 7 diploma: essential benchmarks, equivalences and concrete opportunities

In France, the expression « Level 7 » regularly returns without always knowing exactly which titles it covers. To go to the essentials: a diploma Level 7 NPCR is a certification Bac+5, recognised at least at national level and aligned with European standards.

Benchmarks on the diplomas concerned and their recognition

On the side of the securities classified in level 7 are mainly:

• University degree (Master 2, former DESS/DEA)
• Diploma in engineering
• MBA and Specialized Masters (MS, from selected accredited schools)
• Professional titles cadastral to the NCP, officially stamped « level 7 »
• Some State diplomas (architecture, health, targeted specialties...)

Level 7 recognition requires registration in the National Register of Professional Certifications (CNR), validated by France Competencies. Prior to registration, it is recommended to check that the diploma is included in this register: only these titles are authentic in the event of an employer or government check (an EAW advisor told a colleague that this step remains the first audit in the hiring interview).

Some time ago, a trainee in the process of retraining came to see me, worried that her « Master » The private sector is not recognized in the labour market. By controlling the NCP together, it was found that the title did not appear. This anecdote illustrates how the NCP audit can avoid many disillusionments when preparing for a career transition.

European equivalencies and regulatory framework

Since the 2019 reform, the French diploma system has been aligned with the European Qualifications Framework (CEC). Level 7EQF 7 European; this equivalence provides a solid basis for considering European mobility (in particular via the procedure ENIC-NARIC for the comparability of diplomas).

There are currently Eight NPC levelsFrom CAP to PhD. Level 7 takes place just before the PhD (level 8), i.e. the interface between advanced expertise and openness to research.

Why target a level 7?

Behind the acronym RNCP are real opportunities for your career and privileged professional stability. If you aspire to change, consider a conversion, or want a formal validation of your skills, Level 7 can really strengthen your positioning.

Quick access to responsibilities and salary growth

This diploma allows almost direct access to Senior executive, manager or technical expert, but also opens doors to consulting or project manager roles in a variety of sectors. It provides access to category A public service competitions (between Bac+3 and Bac+8 responsibilities for team management and, in general, the salary ranges of the executive market (70,000 € Gross per year of median according to Figaro Student).

To better illustrate, I observed several adults taking a level 7 course to complete this « glass ceiling » frequently spoken of by HR: their career path remained blocked due to lack of adequate diploma. Achieving Level 7 in addition to experience has allowed these people to unblock a promotion and sometimes quickly raise their wages.

International recognition, security and mobility

What distinguishes this level is its harmonised European recognition (EQF 7). Such concordance facilitates expatriation projects or international studies. A title listed on the CNR becomes an official guarantee to employers – a company contact recently explained that non-NCP degrees are rarely taken into account when recruiting for responsibility.

Many ask: « Will my RNCP level 7 title really serve me abroad? » It appears regularly that the recognition works if the title is well referenced and if you make an approach to theENIC-NARIC if needed – the process, sometimes long, can really speed up your international mobility.

How to get or have a level 7 recognized?

Student, current professional or self-taught, there are several ways to explore. Each has its advantages and peculiarities: take the time to compare them according to your situation to avoid classic traps.

Access arrangements – university, continuing or alternating training

There are three main paths to a level 7 degree:

• Take an initial course (university, engineering school, business school)
• Choosing continuing education for adults (offered by various accredited bodies, generally accessible via the CPF)
• Engage in alternation (pro contract or apprenticeship combining theory and work experience)

The cost varies greatly depending on the route used: for example, of 300 €/year for a public university master's degree at more than 10 000 € for a private MBA or Master's. This is not annoyance when it is planned to be converted.

The validation of experience acquired (VAE)

Do you already have a career path? The VAE address any person who has at least one year's experience directly related to the relevant diploma: your skills are then formally certified. Some professionals consider that this path, not always known, can transform an atypical course into a decisive asset on a CV.

An outstanding example: a former head nurse received a Master 2 in hospital management via the VAE, leading to a management position in three months. This kind of rapid transition remains uncommon, but proves that EVA can speed up access to high-level positions when experience is solid.

Foreign diplomas: ENIC-NARIC procedure

For anyone with a foreign diploma, it is often appropriate to apply ENIC-NARIC France in order to receive a certificate of comparability – a step considered essential by many HRDs to validate access to a recognized training or job.

For those who want to combine creativity and expertise, the Training artistic director Studi: your stepping stone to a recognized creative career offers a level 7 certification ideal to enhance your skills in the labour market.

With a level 7 degree you can access strategic positions and discover how to become financial director: diplomas, experience, key skills to value your expertise.

Think about anticipating – during international mobility, it may take up to 2-3 months to obtain this formal equivalence (CNED expertise indicated that this period is regularly incompressible during periods of high demand).

Comparison and level benchmarks (CAP to Doctorate)

Between acronyms and dark titles, it is not always obvious to find it! This synthetic table will help you to place Level 7 among the main French diplomas. A teaching expert recently mentioned that this type of visual marker saves valuable time in maintenance:

In practice, what separates level 7 from level 6? The focus is on expertise (project management, strategic management, advanced research). Sometimes a Bac+3 profile validates a level 7 art-therapy course and has relatively rapid access to coordination responsibilities, where a licence only opens up to junior positions.

What opportunities, what wages?

Investing time and money in level 7 training is to open the door to demanding occupations, which are regularly much better paid and offer excellent prospects for development.

Accessible professions and concrete openings

• Team or service managers in different sectors
• Project leaders (digital, industrial, social, cultural, with strong management expectations)
• Consultants, auditors, mission managers (e.g. management control, human resources...)
• Managers in technology, health, finance, social sector...
• Research teachers, subject to competition or continuation to level 8

Some sectors remain much more promising: technology, engineering, health, project management and finance have higher integration rates between 80 and 90 % in the year following graduation (source France Competencies). I heard of a graduate in biomedical engineering who got an international post on the way out, while he was afraid of having to wait several months.

Employment earnings and possible developments

In France, a level 7 graduate executive often starts around between 35,000 and 45,000 € Gross per year with, most of the time, rapid progress as long as he takes on responsibilities. Experienced profiles then reach the national median of 70,000 € Gross per year (figure Figaro Student). It can be assumed that this evolution is much more accessible for those with a recognized degree and solid experience.

I have known the case of a former commercial, a fresh graduate of an MBA level 7, who almost doubled his salary in less than two years thanks to this new sesame. This shows that even for individuals with confirmed business experience, certification can open impossible doors until then.

FAQ and useful resources

Here are, in a concrete and synthetic way, the questions that we most often find... The answers will allow you to navigate the usual steps:

Frequently Asked Questions

• What distinguishes a University Master from an RNCP Level 7 title?
  The University Master's degree is awarded by the university, while a level 7 RNCP title may be awarded by a school or authorized body, provided that it is registered in the French Competencies Register. Both provide access to similar positions, as long as their RNCP recognition is acquired (some training managers advise to always check this registration upstream).
• How can we ensure that training benefits from level 7?
  The safest remains to visit the site France: an absence in the register means that no official recognition exists at level 7.
• Does Level 7 access still require a Bac+3?
  In most cases, a Bac+3 must be justified. However, there are some exceptions via the VAE or some competitions: sometimes atypical profiles benefit from a derogation according to their receipt.
• Is an RNCP level 7 title internationally recognised?
  Yes, provided you are officially registered. For professional mobility, it is better to use ENIC-NARIC France in order to obtain proof of equivalence – this step reassures many employers abroad.
• What funding is available for level 7 training?
  There are different options: the CPF, employer funding, and sometimes regional or sectoral support. RNCP-stamped training courses are, for the most part, eligible for these schemes (a pedagogic adviser pointed out that the CPF remains the most mobilized source at this level of study).

Practical resources and tools

• Service-Public.fr – Degree levels
• Research France Skills (RNCP)
• CNED – Levels and titles
• ENIC-NARIC France – International equivalences

Need to go further? It is also recommended to consult the official FAQ on a regular basis. If the need arises, do not hesitate to ask a guidance counsellor or a centre. VAEA simple call can sometimes unlock an apparently frozen administrative situation. And to stay informed about recent developments, subscribe to a newsletter dedicated to vocational training – this reflex can really simplify your task!

Updated on 23 March 2026