DAES - Access to Higher Education Diploma (Diplôme d'accès aux études supérieures)

General information

Adults who do not hold a secondary school leaving diploma (classical or general studies) and adults who hold a qualification that does not allow them access to certain university courses because of the specific nature of the diploma have a second chance to obtain a diploma and gain access to higher education with the DAES.

The DAES is a new training route as part of the adult education offer. It prepares learners for the reality of teaching and learning at university by developing the subject-related knowledge and cross-disciplinary competencies needed for higher studies.

The DAES is recognised as being equivalent to the Luxembourgish secondary school leaving diploma; it provides access to higher education and university studies, to the regulated professions and employment in the public sector.

Several training formats are offered:

• DAES during daytime classes at the ENAD
• International DAES (in English) during daytime classes at the ENAD
• DAES as a sandwich course: 30% during evening classes at the ENAD, the rest as eLearning self-study
• eDAES, eLearning course, using eCampus

Preparatory class and final class

The training leading to the DAES lasts 1 or 2 years, depending on the level already reached by the applicant:

• a preparatory class (36 weeks), for learners who do not meet the conditions for access to the final class. The year is organised in modules which allow students to revise the basics and to re-appropriate the necessary learning techniques and strategies.
• a final class (32 weeks), leading to a final examination, and during which students must also carry out supervised personal work. Successful completion of this class opens the door to higher education and university studies.

For ease of access to universities and higher educational establishments, the course leading to the DAES covers the four areas of study defined in the organisation of the upper cycle in secondary education and in legislation with regard to the reciprocal recognition of secondary school leaving diplomas. Each area of study is organised in modules.

The learner selects six modules, which must include at least two languages and at least one module in each of the other areas of study.

1. Languages: German, English, French
2. Mathematics: mathematics, applied mathematics
3. Natural sciences: biology, chemistry, physics
4. Human and social sciences and arts: economic and social sciences, geography, history, philosophy, arts

Admission requirements

General requirements

To be able to apply for the course of study leading to the DAES, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

• be at least 20 years old on 1 September of the current year,
• be able to provide proof of having worked for a minimum of 12 months,
• have left initial training at least 2 years ago,
• or, for the international DAES, having resided in Luxembourg for less than 18 months and not having attended the Luxembourgish school system.

Additional requirements

To be admitted to the preparatory class, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

• have successfully completed the fifth year (3e) of classical secondary education,
• have successfully completed the fifth year (3e) of general secondary education (or 11e of the old school system),
• hold a DAP or a CATP,
• or, for the international DAES, have successfully completed the full CLIJA (integration class for young adults) cycle and have an official language certificate: in English minimum level B 1.2 and in French minimum level B 1.1,
• or, for the international DAES, have a Luxembourgish recognition of the foreign diploma.

Applicants wishing to enrol for this course without having successfully completed one of the classes referred to above must sit entrance examinations covering the syllabus in French, German, English and mathematics.

To be admitted to the final class, applicants must meet one of the following conditions:

• have successfully completed the preparatory class,
• have successfully completed the sixth year (2e) of classical secondary education,
• have successfully completed the sixth year (2e) of general secondary education (or 12e of the old school system),
• hold a master craftsmanship or a technician's diploma.

Application

Applications should be submitted no later than 25 August of the current year.