The initial training, in higher education, is carried out through university study programs organized in 4 cycles: 

1. the short cycle, in which short-term university study programs are organized
2. cycle I — within which bachelor's degree programs are organized
3. cycle II — within which university master's degree programs are organized
4. cycle III — within which doctoral university study programs are organized.

Students who have graduated from an upper secondary institution are eligible to apply for admission to a first-degree programme according to the admission methodology of each university and study programme.

The admission conditions must be made public every year by the higher education institution, at least 6 months before the admission exam.

Admission generally depends on student performance at the national examination at the end of upper secondary education (called Bacalaureat), performance in upper secondary school and performance at the university entrance examination.

A person can benefit from funding from the state budget for a single short-term university study program, for a single bachelor's study program, for a single master's study program and for a single doctoral study program. 

By way of exception, graduates of a master's degree program who have benefited from funding from the state budget can follow a didactic master's degree program with funding from the state budget.