What is VAE?
Validation of acquired experience (VAE) is a system for obtaining a diploma by recognizing skills acquired in a professional or personal context.
Any person who can prove that their professional, salaried, self-employed, voluntary or volunteer activity is directly related to the requirements of a diploma issued by a higher education establishment can apply to validate all or part of this diploma.
All RNCP-registered diplomas offered by the University of Rouen Normandie are accessible via individual or collective VAE.
VAE is a means of gaining access to a diploma in the same way as training. The average length of a VAE course is 9 to 12 months.
Applications for VAE can be submitted to the University’s CFCA throughout the year. On receipt of your complete application, the Pôle VAE team will get back to you to examine the admissibility of your request.
Individual VAE
Depending on your status, financing is available:
- If you are a registered jobseeker in Normandy: you can apply to the Normandy Region and/or France Travail.
- If you are an employee: you can apply to your employer (skills development plan), mobilize your personal training account or apply to Transition Pro
How does it work?
To start the VAE process, follow these steps:
- Step 1: I find out more about VAE. I send a detailed CV and cover letter to the following address vae@univ-rouen.fr
- Step 2: If my application is validated, I submit my request for admissibility according to the instructions and recommendations given by the VAE Center.
96%* of VAE candidates satisfied
96%* of VAE candidates surveyed are satisfied with the Université de Rouen Normandie’s VAE system.
*Participation rate: 88%. Candidates who supported their VAE project during the 2024-2025 academic year
For the 2024-2025 academic year: 24 juries were held, with 22 candidates obtaining full validation of their diploma and 2 partial validation.
For the 2023-2024 academic year: 16 juries were held, 14 candidates obtained full validation of the diploma concerned and 2 partial validation.
For the 2022-2023 academic year: 17 juries were held, 15 candidates obtained full validation of the diploma concerned and 2 partial validation.
For the 2021-2022 academic year: 17 juries were held, with 100% total validation.
For more information, download the Individual VAE Candidate Guide
VAE for doctoral students
VAE for doctoral studies is only available to people who have published research papers. The doctorate, like any national diploma, must, by law, be obtainable through initial or continuing training, or by validation of acquired experience (VAE).
The process is as follows: send your detailed CV, cover letter and list of publications to vae@univ-rouen.fr.
Group VAE
Collective VAE is an approach initiated by a company to recognize and enhance the professional or extra-professional experience of several employees. The company’s involvement means that the process can be organized and supported in a way that optimizes candidates’ chances of success.
Benefits for the company
- be part of a forward-looking approach to jobs and skills management (GPEC)
- reduce training time and costs
- motivating and retaining employees
- increase qualification levels
- promote internal and external mobility
- create a calm social climate
Benefits for the employee
- gain recognition for your skills
- qualify and develop your employability
- obtain recognized certification
- facilitate professional development
Rates and financing
Prices vary according to the organization and support provided.
Financing is available through :
- the mobilization of employees’ CPF hours
- the company’s skills development plan