Why take the DAES?

The DAES (Diplôme d’accès aux études supérieures) enables those who, for whatever reason, were unable to obtain the Certificate of Secondary Education to obtain its equivalent, which confers them the same rights as those attached to a successful School leaving exam. Like the Certificate of Secondary Education, the DAES is a national diploma, which allows students to enrol in higher education or university in Luxembourg and/or abroad. It also opens the way to professional integration or promotion and enables successful candidates to sit the examinations for admission to the civil service.

The DAES is also aimed at holders of a DAP (Vocational Aptitude diploma) or a DT (technician’s diploma), enabling them to access higher education and/or university studies.

Pedagogical coordinator

Contact persons

A modular system

For the DAES course, students choose 6 modules from the range of subjects on offer (2 languages, 1 module in mathematics, 1 module in the natural sciences, 1 module in the humanities and social sciences and a module of their preference).

Two different formulas: day classes and evening classes

Two training models are offered: either the DAES day class (course times: Monday to Friday between 8.00am and 6.00pm) or the DAES work-study course (a combination of evening classes from 6.00pm to 8.40pm and online). The day class is also available in German and French (DAES International).

Duration of studies

The training pathway has two components:

The preparatory class

Normally lasting 36 weeks over two semesters, giving access to the final year. The preparatory class is aimed at students who do not meet the conditions for entry to the final year of the course, and offers modules that enable them to review the fundamentals and reacquaint themselves with the necessary learning techniques and strategies.

The final class

Normally lasting 32 weeks over two semesters, and leading to admission to higher education. Please note: The language level (English, German and French) for the final year is at CEFR level B2/C1.

Areas of study

Subjects

The training pathway is organised on a modular basis. It comprises four areas of study subdivided into modules organised according to subject or theme:

LANGUAGES

  • German (DE)
  • English (ENG)
  • French (FR)

*Please note: The level of languages (English, German and French) for the final year of the course is B2/C1 of the CEFR.

MATHEMATICS

  • Applied mathematics (FR)
  • Mathematics – computing (FR/ENG)

NATURAL SCIENCES

  • Biology (FR)
  • Chemistry (FR)
  • Physics (DE)

Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts

  • Economic and Social Sciences (FR)
  • Geography (FR)
  • History (FR)
  • Philosophy (DE and FR)
  • Arts (DE)

Choice of modules

In the preparatory and final classes, students must choose six modules from the four areas of study, according to the following rules:

  • at least two modules in the field of language studies ;
  • at least one module in each of the other three areas of study ;
  • a final module in one of the four areas of study, with a view to the student’s plans for higher education.

In the final year, students also take the supervised personal project module, which assesses their ability to take reflective action based on information that they have had to gather, prioritise and use. The presentation of the research paper to a jury assesses the student’s aptitude for dialogue, communication skills and ability to respond appropriately to questions.

PLEASE NOTE: it is not possible to change modules during the year.

Day class; work-study class (evening and online) or English-language class

3 class types

Day class

In the DAES day class, teaching sessions are spread over the 5 days of the week. As students make an individual choice of the modules they wish to follow, each student will have a personalised timetable which does not exceed 30 lessons per week in the preparatory year, or 32 lessons in the final year. Students are expected to attend classes regularly, as absences of more than 10% can lead to termination of the contract signed with the school.

Each student is in regular contact with a teacher-tutor who supports them in their personal and professional development. In the event of learning problems, remedial measures can be offered. In addition, tutoring helps to highlight social and other problems that may have an impact on learning.

Evening class

In this class, the weekly face-to-face part is reduced to the amount strictly necessary so as not to hinder the students’ professional activity.

The time spent at school is reduced to 3 evenings a week. From 6.00 p.m. onwards, the teacher will work in the classroom with the students. The rest of the work is to be done by the students independently according to their availability. An e-learning platform will be set up to provide course materials and enable communication with teachers.

English-language class (international)

The DAES International English-language class is aimed at students who have difficulty with languages in Luxembourg education (mainly German and Luxembourgish) but still want to obtain their higher education entrance qualification. Applicants must have certified language skills in English and French. In the DAES International, teaching sessions are spread over 5 days of the week. Students are expected to attend classes regularly, as absences of more than 10% can lead to termination of the contract with the school.

Each student is in regular contact with a teacher-tutor who supports them in their personal and professional development. In the event of learning problems, specific remedial measures may be offered. What’s more, tutoring helps to highlight social and other problems that may have an impact on learning.

DAES information session

No information sessions are planned at the moment. If you have any questions, please contact us directly (contact details at the top of the page).

DAES evening class: Modules on offer in 2024/2025

For the preparatory year :

  • German, English, French,
  • applied mathematics,
  • biology,
  • history, philosophy and economic and social sciences

For the final year:

  • German, English, French,
  • applied mathematics,
  • biology,
  • history, philosophy and economic and social sciences

Registration

Do you want to acquire a national diploma so that you can pursue higher education in Luxembourg or abroad? Are you committed, ambitious and want to set a new career milestone? Then the DAES is the class for you.

Registrations for 2025/2026 will open on 15 April 2025 and close on 18 July 2025. Please note: registration for candidates who must sit the admission tests will close on 15 May 2025. The admission tests will be held on 20 and 21 May 2025.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by telephone or e-mail (contact details below).

A telephone hotline is available on

  • +352 26 650 350 – 42
  • Monday from 8.00 to 9.30 am
  • Wednesday from 13:00 to 15:00

DAES coordination

  • Tanja Seny – coordinator
  • Noémie Kayser – pedagogue
  • daes@enad.lu