The Validation of Acquired Experience (VAE) allows individuals to obtain a professional certification by recognizing skills acquired through experience, whether professional or personal. It is open to anyone, regardless of age, nationality, status, or level of education.
At Mines Saint-Étienne, VAE allows access to certain engineering diplomas and certain Advance Master® programs registered with the RNCP.
For the regulatory framework, rights, and national reference information, it is recommended to consult the official VAE portal:
Understanding VAE
An identical diploma, an identical level of rigor
The degree awarded through VAE is identical to that awarded through initial or continuing education. The competency evaluation criteria are held to the same standard of rigor as for other pathways to the degree.
Skills Framework
The expected skills are described in the skills framework associated with the RNCP record of the targeted certification. The application and interview before the jury aim to assess the correspondence between the candidate’s experience and these skills.
The VAE Process Steps
The VAE process follows structured steps. Depending on the candidate’s situation and the targeted certification, certain procedures may vary; reference information is available on the official France VAE portal.
- Submit your application: formalize the project and the targeted certification.
- Diagnosis / Feasibility (if accompanied): clarify the objective, verify the diploma’s suitability with experience, define a pathway plan.
- Funding Search: identify the solution adapted to the status (individual, employer, etc.).
- Admissibility: submission of a feasibility file to the certifier and notice of admissibility.
- Validation File: drafting and structuring of evidence with regard to the framework.
- Jury: interview (and/or practical assessment depending on the certification) leading to total or partial validation.
Following the jury’s decision, a “post-jury” discussion can help identify the next steps for the pathway.
Practical Advice
The more your application illustrates concrete evidence (projects, deliverables, results, role, context, decisions), the easier the jury’s analysis will be.
Official Information on the Steps
Fees
- Admissibility Study (application): €500
- Support (optional): €1,500
- Registration Fees: €4,000
Eligible Diplomas (registered with RNCP)
Engineering Diplomas
- Ingénieur Civil des Mines (ICM) – RNCP 39562
- ISMIN – Master’s Degree in Microelectronic Systems Engineering and Computer Science – RNCP 40205
- Industrial Engineering Engineer (IGI) – RNCP 40417
- Embedded Electronic Systems Engineer (ISEE) – RNCP 40419
- Energy Recovery Engineer (IVE) – RNCP 18936
- Nuclear Engineering Engineer (IGN) – RNCP 40418
- Specialization Engineer for Innovation Integrator in Industry (3I) – RNCP 40959
- Specialization Engineer for Ecological and Climatic Transition of Territories and Organizations (TECTO) – RNCP 40958
Advance Master
- MS Expert in Energy Efficiency in Building Renovation (MS-EERB) – RNCP 36710
- MS Designer of Secure IoT Systems (MS-IoT) – RNCP 40345
FAQ
It depends on your availability, the complexity of the application, and the jury schedule.
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No. It is optional, but it can help structure the application and clarify skills in relation to the framework.
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No. VAE aims to recognize already acquired skills. It does not replace training, but can be complemented by methodological support.
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Under the applicable rules, a validation can be total or partial, with guidance on possible next steps.
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Contact us
Do you wish to verify the suitability of your experience with a diploma, understand the admissibility, or be guided through the process?
Performance and Valorization Department
FTLV Hub