licence
/li.sɑ̃s/
The French term for undergraduate degree is licence.
In the French higher education system, licence refers specifically to the three-year undergraduate degree.
Which one should you use?
A licence represents the first level of university study, whereas a master refers to the level of study that follows it. While you can use licence alone, you may also use diplôme de licence to refer more specifically to the actual degree certificate.
How do you pronounce it?
/li.sɑ̃s/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the academic licence with the French word for a permit or authorization, such as a driving license, even though they are spelled the same.
Did you know?
- A student who has completed a licence is called a licencié. However, in a completely different context, the verb licencier means to fire someone from their job.
- The word licence shares its roots with the English word 'license'. Both come from the Latin licentia, meaning freedom or liberty to do something.
- The licence is part of a European standardization called the LMD reform, which allows students to transfer their university credits between different countries.
Examples in context
- Après cinq ans d'études, j'ai obtenu un diplôme de premier cycle en mathématiques.After five years of study, I obtained an undergraduate degree in mathematics.
- Après trois ans à l'université, j'ai obtenu un diplôme de licence en histoire.After three years at the university, I obtained an undergraduate degree in history.
- J'ai reçu mon diplôme de bachelor en économie après quatre ans d'études.I received my undergraduate degree in economics after four years of study.
- J'ai enfin obtenu mon diplôme de fac en sciences politiques !I finally got my undergraduate degree in political science!
- Elle prépare une licence en économie.She is studying for an undergraduate degree in economics.
- Il a obtenu sa licence l'année dernière.He obtained his undergraduate degree last year.
- Ma licence est en biologie.My undergraduate degree is in biology.
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are talking about their studies at a cafe.
- ManonTu as terminé ta licence, Hugo ?Have you finished your undergraduate degree, Hugo?
- HugoOui, je l'ai eue en juin.Yes, I got it in June.
- ManonFélicitations ! Quel est ton domaine ?Congratulations! What is your field?
- HugoC'était en histoire.It was in history.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry licence, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries licence, CC BY-SA 4.0.
