How to apply to study in France?

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Étudiants
Pays concerné(s)
Afrique du Sud

Depending on the personal situation, 3 procedures are offered to students or future students in France:

1. Applying for a Bachelor (undergrad) degree from the 1st year

2. Applying for a Bachelor (undergrad) degree from the 2nd or 3rd year or a Master degree

3. Applying for a PhD

Also in this article: applying in the arts field; confirming your enrollment

Take note:

Etudes en France (Study in France) is an international student application platform for applying to universities AND for the pre-visa procedure. International students from around the world complete this application in order to study in France.
It is each student’s responsibility to complete their Etudes en France application accurately!

The EEF platform is used to apply for all levels of study (L1, L2, L3, Master’s and PhD) for the next academic year.

All students accepted at an institution of higher education in France (via the EEF platform or directly by the institution), and who will study for a period of more than 3 months in France, need to follow the pre-visa procedure on the Etudes en France platform before they can complete their visa application on France-Visas.

The French academic year starts in September each year!

Generally, all university applications start in October the year before.

Refer to the institution's website for the exact application dates and procedures to follow if the institution is not connected to the EEF platform, or if you do not have a Campus France office in your country (Lesotho & Malawi).

University applications on EEF are from 01 October to 15 December every year!

Take note! Only students residing in South Africa may use the EEF platform to apply to universities in France!

How do you confirm your enrollment?

After your application is accepted by a university, you must confirm your enrollment in your university before classes start.
For universities, final enrollment includes an administrative component and a pedagogical component. The first consists of completing your administrative file; the second involves you choosing a programme and elective classes (optional classes, sport, etc.).

Your university will then give you a certificate of registration and a student card that prove your legal status as a student. The documents are given to you in person after payment of enrollment fees has been received.

Note: for international students, you need to "accept" an acceptance offer from the institution in France, via the EEF platform (if you applied through EEF) or as instructed by your chosen institution. Then, you will need to complete your registration (administrative and pedagogical) which is often only done when you have arrived in France (unless otherwise stated by your university).

The last step: registering for classes

On arriving in France, you—and every other student—will have to take the last step before classes begin. That last step to register in person at your new institution. As part of the registration process, you will choose your courses for the upcoming term and pay any balance due for tuition and fees. 

When you register, you will receive a certificate of enrollment and a student ID card. These are important—they confirm your legal status as a student. These documents are delivered in person, and generally only after you have settled any outstanding balances.

For more information about preparing your stay in France and settling in upon arrival, click here!

Follow the main steps to come study in France

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