Master's degree apprenticeships: thousands of students face a shortage of contracts

Thousands of French students are currently in a race against time. Accepted into Master's programs but without a host company, they are submitting numerous applications before June 12th, the deadline for receiving the first offers of work-study placements on the Mon Master platform. Some have already contacted nearly a hundred companies, with a negligible response rate. This situation reflects a paradox: while work-study programs at the Master's level are attracting a growing number of candidates, the number of available contracts is not keeping pace with demand. The most sought-after sectors are experiencing alarming saturation, exacerbated by budget constraints that limit employers' recruitment capacity.

Recovery: an essential but risky strategy

Following up with recruiters systematically becomes essential for these soon-to-be graduates. Yet, a lack of response remains the norm in a context where companies are inundated with applications. This silence can reflect internal disorganization, but also a genuine lack of interest in certain profiles. To maximize their chances, students must personalize each approach, carefully craft their follow-ups without appearing pushy, and target less sought-after organizations. The stakes go beyond simply securing an internship: without a work-study contract, access to a master's program itself is jeopardized for hundreds of candidates.

An unbalanced market with lasting consequences

This tension in the apprenticeship market reveals a structural imbalance between supply and demand. Companies, facing their own economic difficulties, often prioritize temporary recruitment or reduce their commitments to apprentices. On the higher education side, the proliferation of apprenticeship programs is not always accompanied by a sufficient network of partner companies. Students thus find themselves caught in a bind, forced to continue their applications beyond June, sometimes until the start of the academic year, with the risk of losing an academic year due to a lack of a signed contract.