EEF Guide: University Application
Applying to study in France?
You need to create an EEF account!
Applications are from 01 October to 15 December, every year.
One platform for multiple applications!
Etudes en France simplifies the application process for international students!
Etudes en France (EEF) is a comprehensive online platform that manages all of the application steps for enrollment in higher education institutions in France, up until your visa application. With one profile on the Etudes en France platform, international students can apply to multiple higher education programmes in France.
Before applying to programmes on the Etudes en France platform, candidates must verify all requirements and deadlines, including French proficiency requirements. This information is available on the webpage of the study programmes.
Students who do not have their French test result (where required) when submitting their Etudes en France application, can provide proof of registration for their French test while they wait for the results.
The programme availability and requirements are provided by French institutions. Candidates should contact the institution directly if they need more information about the requirements.
The DAP (Demande d'Admission Préalable) procedure concerns all international students applying to the first year of an undergraduate programme (Licence 1), PASS/LAS (first year of medical school), or architecture programmes (all levels) in France. DAP candidates must apply through the Etudes en France platform* and are allowed to apply to up to 3 programmes.
For more information, refer to the How to Apply guide and the DAP or Parcoursup guide.
The HDAP (Hors Demande d'admission préalable) procedure concerns all other programmes at second or third year of an undergraduate programme (Licence 2 and 3), or all other graduate programmes (Masters) in France. HDAP candidates must apply through the Etudes en France online platform* and are allowed to apply to up to 7 programmes.
*It is important to note that some French institutions are not connected to the Etudes en France platform. For these programmes, candidates must apply directly through the institutions’ website.
Art programs: For candidates applying to art programmes in France, the procedures and deadlines are different. Please contact Campus Art for more information about art programmes.
PhD students should contact universities/ doctoral schools directly.
It is highly recommended that you visit the website of the universities you’re interested in to confirm which application procedure they want you to follow (some institutions have parallel applications and others simply are not connected to the EEF platform).
How to create an account?
Click on each step below to expand the instructions, or watch the video below.
Step 1: Create your Etudes en France account
Step 1: Create your Etudes en France account
Connect to southafrica.campusfrance.org, then Etudes en France (top right-hand corner).
If you have used the platform to apply before, use your login details to connect.
Otherwise, select “sign-up” and create your account by selecting “Espace Campus France Afrique du Sud” from the drop-down menu, and completing your details using your email address and your passport.
In order to receive application updates, remember to select “I accept that the given information will be used as part of the application process to study in France.”
Remember! You are not allowed to create more than one account!
Step 2: On the EEF platform, complete your application file
Step 2: On the EEF platform, complete your application file
Once logged in, click on “students not yet accepted”.
Complete your personal information.
In the “education and professional experience” section, upload your CV and complete your course by uploading certificates for completed qualifications (matric, degrees...) and the academic marks for each of these qualifications.
If you are still completing your degree, you can simply enter each year of education for the corresponding level. Matrics should enter their grade 10, 11 and 12 details.
Under “language skills”, indicate your French language test results and scan your language test certificate or the language test registration certificate if you have not yet received your test results.
Remember!
DAP applicants, you are limited to 3 choices for a Licence 1!
Architecture applicants are limited to 2 choices!
All other applicants (HDAP), you are limited to 7 choices in your programme basket!
Documents required:
- Passport
- CV (in French, unless your programme is 100% taught in English)
- Academic qualifications (matric, etc) + certified French translations
- Academic marks for the last two years of study + certified French translations
- Proof of language proficiency
- If your programme has classes taught in French: DELF B2 or proof that you have completed high school in French
- If your programme is 100% taught in English, no French is required (in which case, proof that you have studied for at least 2 years in English is sufficient for proof of English proficiency).
*REMEMBER: translations are NOT needed for programmes that are taught 100% in English.
Application limits:
- DAP - 3 choices
- Architecture - 2 choices
- All other programmes HDAP (Licence 2 or 3, Masters) - 7 choices
DAP applicants MUST be fluent in French (DELF B2)!
Step 3: Validate your application file and proceed to payment
Step 3: Validate your application file and proceed to payment
Verify that all your information is correct and that all of the required documents have been uploaded. Then confirm the information and submit your file to Campus France South Africa on the EEF platform.
When this is done, you will receive a notice to pay your EEF processing fee by EFT. You MUST use your EEF file number as your payment reference!
When you have declared your payment on the Etudes en France platform, you will get an appointment for your interview.
Payment exemption ONLY applies to the following special cases:
- Scholarship holder of the French Government*
- Scholarship holder of the South African Government*
- Students who hold a French baccalauréat not older than 5 years.
*If you have applied for a scholarship, you are required to pay the EEF fee. Once your scholarship has been confirmed, you will be refunded the relevant fee.
Step 4: Attend your interview online (video).
Step 4: Attend your interview online (video).
On the day of your interview, connect online to the video interview using the link and connection details received when your appointment was created.
Make sure to have your ID document or passport with you, and the original versions of all your documents.
The purpose of the interview is quite informal - simply to gather more information about your plans to study in France and to clarify any questions we may have about your file before submitting your file to the universities in France.
Once your application has been finalised and your interview is complete, your file will be reviewed by the Admissions Officers of your chosen universities in France.
Step 5: Wait for answers from the institutions in France
Step 5: Wait for answers from the institutions in France
Regularly check on the status of your applications and on your mailbox on the Etudes en France platform.
You will be notified of their final decision on the EEF platform.
Step 6: Choose your final choice and obtain your EEF certificate
Step 6: Choose your final choice and obtain your EEF certificate
If you received multiple acceptances, confirm which one is your final choice and accept the admission offer from that university on the EEF platform.
Careful: once you have chosen your final choice, you will not be able to change it.
Then, download your EEF certificate! You will find your certificate under "Students already accepted > Finalise the procedure"
The Etudes en France procedure is now complete!
Step 7: Apply for your student visa!
Step 7: Apply for your student visa!
Complete your student visa application on France-Visas and attend your visa appointment at the Capago office.
