The DEA is an advanced university degree for students seeking a specialization in a particular field. The particularity of DEA (compared to other advanced degrees) is that it initiates students to scientific research. The French university system requires all students who wish to enroll in a Ph.D. program to earn a DEA.
A DEA program consists of several courses (modules), delivered in the fall term (before December 31) and in the spring term (after December 31) providing both background and specific advanced topics on several subjects with a common denominator specific of the DEA, plus an internship. Each DEA has its own rules and requirements, for instance, the DEA SiCom offers some courses in English (see below).
The DEA is aimed at forming students either for academic research (Ph.D. program) and for industrial research (private research labs, industrial R&D). It is also possible to enroll in a Ph.D. program while working for a private company in the framework of the CIFRE contract.
In the domain of Telecommunications Engineering, the Ecole Doctorale STIC of the University of Nice Sophia-Antipolis offers several DEA programs.
Eurecom students may want to look at specific information on their teaching program.