Obtain a recognised degree from an innovative business school in the French & international top rankings
Validation of Acquired Experience
Validation of Acquired Experience for Recognised VAE Degree
VAE validates your professional experience and enhances your career prospects by awarding you a recognised qualification.
What is VAE?
Law 2002-73 from 17 January 2002 pertaining to the social modernisation established the validation of acquired knowledge (VAE) in articles 133 to 145, enabling any person who has performed a professional activity (salaried, non-salaried, voluntary, etc.) to, under certain conditions, obtain validation of acquired knowledge (VAE). The person’s experience can be presented as justification for obtaining a qualification for further professional development. This professional certification must be registered with the French National Directory of Professional Certifications (RNCP).
Skill fields acquired by way of VAE have life-long validity (article R335-10 of the French education code).
The Validation of Acquired Experience at NEOMA allows professionals to obtain a VAE degree by recognising their work experience. This programme evaluates your skills and knowledge gained through professional activities and translates them into an official qualification. It is designed for individuals seeking career advancement, professional recognition, or a new direction. By validating your experience, you can strengthen your profile and access new opportunities in a competitive job market.
Who is eligible for VAE?
VAE is open to anyone, regardless of age or professional status. The system is open to any experience enabling the acquisition of skills directly linked to the targeted certification (title registered in the RNCP: French National Directory of Professional Certifications). However, a minimum of one year’s experience is strongly recommended.
Benefits of VAE
Choose your VAE from a wide range of programmes
Benefit from a powerful Alumni network of 80,000+ graduates in France & worldwide
Benefit from personalised support
Are you a company? Consider a collective VAE!
Aurélien Fraisse
As a management consultant, the certification of my 20 years‘ experience at PSA by NEOMA’s VAE has boosted my confidence and professional credibility. I chose VAE to certify my skills without taking an academic course. NEOMA matched my expectations perfectly, becoming the only certifier for the diploma in question.
Results indicators
Examination attendance rate1 : 100%
Success rate1 : 89%
Number of VAE participants 2 : 34
Satisfaction rate3 : 95%
For more information by programme, please contact Christelle Riccobene
Data collected regarding participants across all types of VAE. Sources: 1 Jury minutes from September 2025 to May 2026 | 2 from September 2025 to May 2026 | 3 Post-jury satisfaction survey from September 2025 to May 2026
NEOMA Business School is Qualiopi certified under the following action categories:
- Training actions
- Apprenticeship training actions
- Actions allowing the validation of acquired experience
A VAE degree allows you to obtain a recognised qualification by validating your professional experience. It involves submitting a portfolio and demonstrating that your skills match the requirements of the targeted degree.
Anyone with relevant professional experience can apply, regardless of age or educational background, as long as their experience aligns with the competencies of the desired qualification.
Yes, a VAE degree delivers the same official certification as a traditional programme, making it fully recognised by employers and valuable for career advancement.
The Validation of Acquired Experience at NEOMA enables professionals to obtain a VAE degree by transforming their work experience into a recognised qualification. This process allows candidates to demonstrate their skills through a structured evaluation aligned with academic standards. It is particularly valuable for those seeking career advancement, professional recognition, or a transition without returning to full-time study. By validating prior experience, this programme helps individuals enhance their employability and access new opportunities in a competitive job market.
Which degrees and diplomas are eligible for VAE?
All our level 6 and 7 qualifications listed on the RNCP are accessible via VAE. Identify and validate your skills acquired through experience and obtain a recognised qualification. Choose the course that suits you from our 26 courses:
MANAGEMENT & STRATEGIES
MANAGEMENT
Master In Management (7)
Global Executive MBA (7)
Global BBA (6)
General Management Programme (6)
MSc Strategy, Organisation & Consulting (7)
PROGRAMMES SPECIALISES
MSc Global Management (7)
MSc Management de Projet (7)
MSc Supply Chain & Transformation Digitale (7)
MSc Business Analytics (7)
MSc Sustainability Transformations (7)
MSc Supply Chain Management
FINANCE
MS/MSc Analyse Financière Internationale (7)
MSc Finance & Big Data (7)
MSc International Finance (7)
MARKETING & COMMUNICATION
MSc Communication d’entreprise (7)
MS/MSc Marketing & Data Analytics (7)
MS/MSc Études et Décision Marketing (7)
MSc Marketing (7)
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
MSc Business Development & Clients Grands Comptes (7)
MSc International Business Development (7)
MSc International Project Development (7)
EXPERTISE SECTORIELLE
MSc Cultural & Creative Industries (7)
International Master in Luxury Management (7)
MSc Wine & Gastronomy (7)
Bachelor en Management des Services (6)
Specialised Master in Innovation Management in Innovation Management in Agribusiness and Bio-industries (Masternova) (7)
INNOVATION
TEMA (Tech & Management) (7)
MSc ArtificiaI Intelligence for Business
(7) > Titre RNCP niveau 7
(6) > Titre RNCP niveau 6
For each of the programmes offered as part of the VAE, you may choose to complete them by individual “skills block”, each of which is RNCP-certified.
To acquire the full certification, candidates must validate the elements indicated in the section of the RNCP sheet entitled “Description des modalités d’acquisition de la certification par capitalisation des blocs de compétences et/ou par correspondance » of the RNCP sheet.
New Opportunities After Your VAE
Obtaining a diploma or qualification through VAE may open up further opportunities for professional development, including a Global Executive MBA, Executive Certificates or a new VAE process, depending on your professional experience and career goals.
Access to these pathways remains subject to the specific admission or eligibility requirements of each programme and qualification.
How to obtain a VAE?
Stage 1: Understanding the process: 2 phases
1st phase: pre-analysis of the CV and information about the process for the applicant for the VAE
The VAE point of contact at NEOMA Business School provides the applicant with information about the VAE process. This is aimed at assessing the chances of success and identifying the frame of reference of the most appropriate certification concerning the applicant’s professional experience. Booklet 1 (feasibility file) is sent to the applicant who must return it completed and including all the necessary documentation.
2nd phase: study of the admissibility of the application
The head of certification carries out a feasibility study in terms of professional experience and skills based on booklet 1.
After this assessment, the applicant receives notification of the decision on admissibility within two months maximum. Along with this decision, educational recommendations are made to the applicant.
An estimate concerning fees for individual or collective support and assistant with the financial arrangements is sent.
Stage 2: Interview
An interview between the candidate and the VAE point of contact takes place in order to:
- Sign a contract binding the applicant to NEOMA Business School with obligations on either side
- Plan the various stages of the support
- Explain the various constituent parts of Booklet 2 (supporting evidence)
At the end of this stage, the applicant begins the VAE process for certification on one of the four proposed intakes.
Stage 3: Gathering supporting evidence
The applicant puts together booklet 2 and indicates for each skill field:
- The description of their activities related to the qualification
- The knowledge acquired
- The expertise implemented and the qualitative and quantitative results obtained
- How they feel their behaviour and skills have developed over the course of their professional lives
Throughout the preparation of the evidence file, the candidate can be supported by a VAE advisor appointed by NEOMA Business School or an independant professional.
💻 Equipment Required for NEOMA's VAE Support
To benefit from the remote VAE support provided by NEOMA Business School, candidates must have access to a computer or tablet equipped with a microphone and camera, as well as a stable internet connection.
Stage 4: Validation of the certification by a jury
- Evaluation of the supporting evidence (booklet 2) by the jury
- Support for the applicant at the meeting of the VAE jury (a NEOMA representative, a programme representative and two external employees in the skill field)
- The decision of the jury is sent to the applicant within two weeks of the date of the jury (total validation, partial validation, non validation).
Due to a very low rate of VAE requests at NEOMS BS, it is not yet possible for us to communicate on success and dropout rates.
Funding Your VAE
Your Validation of Prior Experience (VAE) process may be eligible for several funding options, depending on your professional circumstances.
These include:
- Your Personal Training Account (Compte Personnel de Formation : CPF), which can cover all or part of your VAE process, with or without support.
- Your company's professional development plan, which may allow your employer to cover the costs.
- Funding schemes for jobseekers, subject to eligibility.
Self-funding is also possible.
To find out more about the funding options available to you, please contact the team.
News & Testimonials
Every experience deserves to be recognised. Read the stories of those who have revitalised their careers through the VAE.
Contact
Our dedicated point of contact for personalised advice and support.
Christelle RICCOBENE
Business Manager | VAE referent
Alexie BALDOVI
Intra Programmes Coordinator & VAE Referent
Practical information
Programme format:
18 hours of support (2h collective workshops, 16h individual workshops) - classroom or distance learning
Programme duration:
10 to 12 months
Candidates have a period of 12 months to submit their portfolio and complete their oral presentation. The number of hours required depends on their own organisation and time management.
Tuition & fees:
Admissibility exam (booklet 1): €150 (net of tax)
Booklet 2 – Level 7 RNCP programmes: €7,400 with institutional support / €4,400* without support*
Booklet 2 – Level 6 RNCP programmes: €5,900 with institutional support / €2,900* without support*
*Net of tax
This pathway is eligible for CPF funding
Location:
Remote
Next intake date:
September - December - March - June
Registration possible throughout the year
Entry requirements:
Open to anyone with experience directly related to the qualification concerned
Degree awarded:
VAE can be applied to all of our RNCP certifications : levels 6 & 7.
