Upcoming Changes, Dates, and Career Opportunities for Vocational Students

The countdown has begun for vocational high school students! Starting Monday, May 11, 2026, the exams will run until Monday, June 1, 2026. This diploma serves as a springboard into professional life, training students directly for various careers. During their training, students alternate between classroom learning and 18 to 22 weeks of company internships. Discover the detailed schedule of the 2026 professional high school diploma exams, the results date, and the diversity of specialties offered today.

What are the dates for the 2026 professional diploma exams?

High school students will begin the professional diploma exams on May 11, 2026, starting with computer-based practical and written exams.

When are the results of the professional diploma released?

The results of the professional high school diploma will be announced starting Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Candidates can check their results directly at their schools on the display boards or online through their personal space on the Cyclades website.

How do the exams work?

In the professional diploma track, students study various subjects (French, mathematics, sciences, economics, business management, history-geography, civic education, foreign languages, physical education, and physics-chemistry) throughout their education. This is in addition to their specialty and internship periods in companies, which are also counted and even mandatory for the success of their exams. To pass their exam, students must achieve an overall average of 10/20 or higher.

At what age and where can one prepare for a professional diploma?

The professional diploma can be prepared from the age of 16 in a specific institution, such as a vocational training center (CFA), a rural family house (MFR), or a professional high school (private or public).

List of different professional diplomas

There are over a hundred specialties in the professional diploma, covering various professional sectors such as administration, management, tourism, electronics, commerce, art, construction, aeronautics, personal services, communication, catering and hospitality, or cuisine. Below is a detailed list:

What careers are possible with a professional diploma?

A professional diploma is equivalent to a level 4 qualification (similar to a general or technological diploma), meaning it either allows one to start a career or to continue higher education such as a two-year BTS program, leading to a level 5 qualification.

Upon earning a professional diploma, your child has several options:

• Directly enter the job market in a field related to their training.
• Continue their studies through a BTS or a BUT, thus reaching a Level 2 qualification while gaining additional skills or specializing further in a trade.

How do internships work during a professional diploma?

During their professional diploma, students may undertake several internships in the professional setting, which are paid according to the level of study, and sometimes even include a work-study program, depending on the chosen field. The duration of internships is up to six months per year of training and per hosting organization. This first professional experience allows the student to explore the intricacies of a profession and to face real-life professional situations.

Changes planned for the 2027 professional diploma

Some minor changes are expected for candidates taking their professional diploma in the summer of 2027. Édouard Geffray, the Minister of National Education, has announced adjustments for the next session to “enhance student success”. First, a return to the old model: the written exams will be held in mid-June rather than mid-May, as was the case until 2024. Thus, vocational track students will align with the general and technological pathways schedule. The second change: the “differentiated path,” also called the “Y-path,” is renamed “personalized path”. It will be reduced by half and moved earlier in the year. After changing from six to four weeks, it will now be offered in March for two weeks, before the closing of Parcoursup applications. Students will have to choose between two options: either two weeks of training in a professional environment or two weeks of preparation for further studies.