Individual VAE

Are you eligible for the VAE scheme?

• You work in the video game sector
• You have become a expert in your speciality (Game Design, Sound Design; Game Art, UX/UR, Project Management, Game Programming...)
• You are able to work independently as well as in a team
• You don't have time to complete a full-time course
• You don't have a diploma at this level and in this field of speciality
• You wish to be recognised by your employer
• The diploma will allow you to advance in your professional career (for example, teaching your field of speciality)

Did you answer yes to at least the first sentence?

If so, the VAE scheme may interest you. Contact us to find out more information.

How do I start an individual VAE scheme?

Below are the different steps of the VAE process for Cnam diplomas.

Get in contact with a Cnam centre

The VAE process is electronic at Cnam. Log onto our platform DIV@ (link opposite). Fill out the contact details required on the platform and a VAE advisor in your nearest Cnam centre will contact you.

You are invited to look at the courses on offer at Cnam. On the DIV@ platform, you can then select the diploma you believe best aligns with your experience, upload an updated CV and briefly explain your professional project in the text box provided.

An individual appointment or a group session (with multiple individual candidates attending) is then arranged to provide you with more information about the VAE process at Cnam, including important dates, pedagogical stipulations, content, different stages of the advisor's support and cost (and other possible financing options).

Write your admissibility application

Your VAE admissibility application will be studied by both a VAE advisor and by the head of the diploma you are applying for. There is a fee for this step.

All VAE advisors are specialists in the different courses Cnam has to offer (bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, other diplomas, engineering degree) in order to best support you and identify which diploma best aligns with your experience and situation.

This step is completely electronic on the DIV@ platform and requires documents proving the nature and duration of the activities you carried out that are linked to the diploma you are applying for. You also need to provide a detailed CV and a table which matches your activities with the skills required for the diploma.

You will receive a reasonable and informed opinion about the feasibility of the project: analyse the gaps between your experience and the reference framework of the targeted diploma, advice, important dates and financing the VAE application in the case of a reserved judgement.

The aim of this stage is to secure the feasibility of the VAE project and to initiate the VAE certification process. If it is a positive judgement, Cnam gives a date for an assessment session within 12 months (3 VAE jury sessions are organised per year and are displayed on the home page). 

Prepare your application and interview with the VAE jury

Support in preparing the application is provided by the VAE advisers, who have real expertise in the range of Cnam courses on offer. You are free to choose to enrol in the VAE scheme with or without support from the Cnam centre. Each Cnam centre has a dedicated fee for this service that is displayed on their website.

Whether or not you choose to receive support, the Cnam VAE advisor checks your VAE application file to prove that it conforms to the specifications before registering you for a VAE jury session.

The VAE advisor is your point of contact for helping you: better understand the reference framework documents which describe the diploma; highlight your skills acquired through experience; prepare for the oral interview with the jury; and provide post-jury follow-up.

The DIV@ platform is where you can download the VAE dossier and access a dialogue area. This means you can track your application throughout the process. Once the application has been completed and finalised, the VAE advisor registers you for one of the annual jury sessions, the calendar for which is posted on the home page of the Cnam national website.

Appear before the VAE jury

VAE juries are organised 3 times a year. The dates are published on the home page of the national Cnam website. The VAE jury is chaired by a Cnam lecturer who ensures compliance with the VAE regulatory framework. Also present are the teachers responsible for the qualification and external representatives qualified in the specific professional field of the qualification. The oral interviews are conducted remotely online.

Note: DIV@ = Dispositif interactif de validation des acquis de l'expérience au Cnam