Career change: I am a working professional, how can I resume my studies and get them funded?

Going back to school as a working professional is a strategic decision for boosting your career or retraining. Whether you want to study for a 3rd year Bachelor’s degree at or a 1st or 2nd year MSc at INSEEC, there are a number of funding schemes to help you make the transition. We take a closer look at solutions such as Validation des Acquis Professionnels (VAP), Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience (VAE), the Projet de Transition Professionnelle (PTP) and the Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF).

Contents

Which scheme(s) are right for you if you want to study again?

It all depends on your situation and your objectives:

VAP: For access to training without the required diploma.
VAE: Obtain a diploma based on your experience.

Financing :

PTP : The professional transition project (PTP), or transitional CPF, enables employees to take time off work to follow a training course leading to a qualification that will enable them to change profession or occupation.
CPF: Direct funding for training.

Takeover

Why go back to school as a professional?

Going back to school can meet a variety of professional and personal objectives:

Boosting your career

Acquire new skills: In a constantly changing world of work, it’s essential to keep abreast of the latest trends and tools.
Moving into positions of responsibility: qualifications such as a Bachelor’s degree (BAC+3) or MSc (BAC+5) are often prerequisites for managerial positions.

Professional retraining

Change sector: If you want to work in a different field from your initial career.
Following a passion: Going back to school can also help you to move into a field that motivates you more.

Gaining confidence and recognition

Add value to your career path: the qualifications you have gained reinforce your credibility and professional recognition.
Challenge yourself: going back to school is a great opportunity to prove to yourself that you’re capable of taking on new challenges.

Benefits

What are the options for changing direction?

VAE and VAP are the main means of reorientation.

What is the VAP and how can it help you?

The Validation des Acquis Professionnels (VAP) is a system that allows professionals to access training leading to a qualification, even if they do not have the qualifications normally required for entry. This mechanism is based on the recognition of professional experience as equivalent to an academic career.

Direct access to a Bachelor’s or MSc: You can go straight into a 3rd year Bachelor’s or MSc course without going through the previous stages.
Recognition of your experience: Your professional experience is taken into account as equivalent to academic studies.
Adapted to professionals: The VAP is particularly well-suited to working people who want to move on quickly without having to go back to long-term study.

Putting together a dossier: You need to gather together documentary evidence of your skills and professional experience (work certificates, job descriptions, etc.).
Approval by a committee: An educational committee examines your application to decide on your eligibility.
Personalised support: Some schools, such as INSEEC, offer support in putting together your application.

Definition

What is VAE?

VAE (Validation des Acquis de l’Expérience) is a legal system that allows anyone with at least one year’s professional experience, related to the diploma in question, to obtain all or part of the diploma. This mechanism adds value to the skills you have acquired on the job.

Why opt for VAE?

Time saving : You’ll get a diploma without taking any courses. All you have to do is write a dissertation.
Enhancing your career: VAE is official recognition of the skills you have acquired throughout your career. Enhancing your career path.
Career development: This may open doors to positions requiring a specific diploma.

The steps involved in VAE

How do you finance your VAE?

By the employer: via own funds, a skills development plan, an OPCO or the FNE. (For more information, click here)
Via the Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF): VAE support is eligible for the CPF. However, the information and guidance stage, which is free of charge, is not eligible for the CPF. (For more information, click here)
By France Travail: contact France Travail directly for more information.
By the Region: through the VAE Passport (or VAE Chequebook)

Finance

How can I finance my career change project?

There are several funding schemes for retraining, including the PTP and the CPF.

The Professional Transition Project (PTP): training to change careers

The Professional Transition Project (PTP), also known as the CPF de transition, enables employees to take time off work to follow a training course leading to a qualification, with a view to changing profession or occupation.

Continued remuneration: During the training period, employees continue to receive remuneration, the amount of which depends on their average reference salary.
Payment of costs: Teaching costs and ancillary costs (transport, accommodation, meals) may be covered.
Secure career path: The PTP offers an opportunity for professional transition within a secure framework.

Seniority required: Proof of at least 24 months’ paid employment, consecutive or otherwise, including 12 months with the same company, whatever the nature of the successive contracts.
Type of contract: Must be a permanent contract (CDI). Employees on fixed-term contracts (CDD) may also qualify under certain specific conditions.

For more information, visit the dedicated page on Service-Public.fr

Note: The information given is based on data available on 1 November 2024. We recommend that you consult official sources for the most up-to-date information.

The CPF: it’s easy to finance your training

The Personal Training Account (CPF) is a scheme open to all working people, enabling you to finance all or part of your return to education.

Credit in euros: Every year you work allows you to accumulate rights in euros (up to €500/year, capped at €5,000).
Accessibility: The CPF is open to all working people, including employees, jobseekers and the self-employed.
Autonomy of choice: You can choose your course directly on the MonCompteFormation platform without going through your employer.
Possibility of top-up: If your CPF entitlements do not cover the full cost of the training, additional funding may be available (from your employer, Pôle emploi, the regions, etc.).

Diplomas and qualifications: Only courses registered with the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP) are eligible.
INSEEC programmes: INSEEC’s 3rd year Bachelor and MSc programmes are eligible for the CPF, which means you can considerably reduce your tuition fees.

Opportunities

Choose INSEEC for your career change!

With its programmes tailored to professionals, INSEEC is the ideal partner for your return to study for a Bachelor’s or MSc. Get in touch with our advisers to benefit from personalised support and give your career a new boost!