What should I do if I am unable to take part in lessons and other learning activities (Jury d’enseignement universitaire)?
If for various material reasons (e.g. work commitments, disabling illnesses, etc.) you are unable to attend classes regularly, the jury offers you an opportunity to obtain an academic degree.
Jury are created at the head office of each university and university college, for each first and second cycle programmes (bachelor’s and master’s degree) they offer.
Please note that this does not apply to specialisation degrees, upper secondary education certification (AESS) and postgraduate degrees (doctorate). However, certain curricula do not allow for registration with the board, as the practical aspect is essential (laboratory, internships, etc.). Others are only available during certain years.
Material inability to attend learning activities must be documented with objective reasons and assessed on a case-by-case basis by the authorities of the educational establishment.
Good to know: diplomas obtained through this pathway have the same value as those awarded to other students.
If you register for the jury, you are self-taught. Enrolment for the jury does not provide access to classes, seminars or hands-on work. You will, however, have access to online course materials.
The general conditions of access to the board examination are identical to those that apply to students enrolled in higher education through the usual channels.
However, the rules regarding boards implemented in the universities provides for a specific restriction on registration with the board: students who, during two academic years, have been enrolled in a university institution or with a board of the French Community in the same year of studies for the same curriculum (e.g.3rd bachelor in philosophy), can only enrol or re-enrol with the above board after a period of three academic years1.
The conditions, procedures, dates and fees for the jury are available in the study rules of higher-education institutions.
Good to know: if you are refused enrolment for a jury, you can appeal in the same way as for your usual course of study.
Legal basis
The French Community's jury d’enseignement universitaire are provided for in article 136 of the decree of 7 November 2013 defining the higher education landscape and the academic organisation of studies, the so-called "landscape" decree.
The juries are organised by :
- the decree of the Government of the French Community of 8 July 2005 regulating the organisation and operation of university teaching juries in the French Community (university jury)
- the decree of the Government of the French Community of 14 May 2009 regulating the organisation and operation of the higher education juries of the French Community responsible for awarding the degrees referred to in articles 15 and 18 of the decree of 5 August 1995 laying down the general organisation of higher education in the Hautes écoles (university college jury).
1. Article 136 of the decree of 07 November 2013 defining the higher education landscape and the academic organisation of studies.