http://www.unesco.org/iau/onlinedatabases/systems_data/tg.rt...

University level third stage: Troisième Cycle:
The Diplôme d'Etudes supérieures spécialisées (DESS) and the Diplôme d'Etudes approfondies (DEA) represent completion of a further one or two years of academic studies beyond the Maîtrise. The Doctorat de Spécialité de Troisième Cycle requires one or two years' further study beyond the DESS or DEA. It is now replaced by the Doctorat unique, awarded two or three years after the DEA and the presentation of a major thesis. In Medicine, the professional qualification of Docteur en Médecine is awarded to candidates who have undertaken seven years' study. The Doctorat d'Ingénieur requires three years' study beyond the Diplôme d'Ingénieur.


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Note added at 1 hr (2010-02-13 20:32:46 GMT)
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http://www.freetocharities.org.uk/yaounde/prospectus.html

ii. Postgraduate Specialisations
iii. Degrees
- Maîtrise (MA)
- DEA (Diploma for further research)
- Doctorat Unique/PhD

Habari Baba Paul :-)
This seems to be a degree found in Afrique francophone.