Important French University Abbreviations and Vocabulary You Need to Know
February 16, 2022
International student life is tough. Adjusting to a foreign culture and taking on rigorous coursework far away from your support system is quite the challenge! When you’re a newbie in French university, learning the extensive lingo can be overwhelming, and you don’t want to waste your time looking up every acronym you come across. As American master’s degree students in France, we’ve encountered more than a few eyebrow-raising abbreviations. To make your life as a foreign student easier, we’ve compiled a list of key French university abbreviations and vocabulary you need to know for your studies.
Campus Vocabulary
Abbreviation
French Meaning
English Equivalent
BU
Bibliothèque universitaire
University library
BV
Bureau virtuel
Virtual office
La fac
La faculté
College
RU
Restaurant universitaire
Dining hall
UFR
Unités de formation et de recherche
University department
Educational Stages Vocabulary
Abbreviation
French Meaning
English Equivalent
Bac
Baccalauréat
High school diploma
Bac+3
La licence
Bachelor’s degree
Bac+5
Le master
Master’s degree
Bac+8
Le doctorat
Doctorate
LMD
Licence, Master, Doctorat
Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, Doctorate
L1
Première année de licence
First year of college
L2
Deuxième année de licence
Second year of college
L3
Troisième année de licence
Third year of college
M1
Première année de master
First year of graduate school
M2
Deuxième année de master
Second year of graduate school
Coursework Vocabulary
Abbreviation
French Meaning
English Equivalent
CM
Cours magistraux
Lecture classes
TD
Travaux dirigés
Seminar classes
TP
Travaux pratiques
Practical work classes
MCF
Maître de conférences
Associate professor
Prof
Professeur
Professor
Assessment Vocabulary
Abbreviation
French Meaning
English Equivalent
CC
Contrôle continu
Continuous assessment
CF
Contrôle final
Final assessment
CT
Contrôle terminal
Final assessment
DO
Dossier
Final project
ET
Écrit terminal
Final written assessment
OT
Oral terminal
Final oral assessment
ST
Soutenance
Oral defense
Coef
Coefficient
Multiplying factor
QCM
Questionnaire à choix multiples
Multiple choice assessment
Degree Requirements Vocabulary
Abbreviation
French Meaning
English Equivalent
UE
Unités d’enseignement
Teaching units
EC
Éléments constitutifs
Courses
ECTS
Système européen de transfert et d’accumulation de crédits
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System
Student Services Vocabulary
Abbreviation
French Meaning
English Equivalent
CAF
Caisse d’allocations familiales
Benefits office
CPAM
Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie
Public health insurance body
CROUS
Centre régional des oeuvres universitaires et scolaires
Regional student assistance office
CVEC
Contribution à la vie étudiante et de campus
Student and campus life contribution fee
La sécu
La sécurité sociale
Social security
Did you learn something new? Got an abbreviation to add to the list? Let us know in a comment!
Check out our review of the first year of French graduate school!
