How to apply to study in France?
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 (L1)
2. Applying for a Bachelor (undergrad) degree from the 2nd or 3rd year (L2 or L3)
3. Applying for a Masters degree (M1 or M2)
4. 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!
1. APPLY FOR A BACHELOR (undergrad) DEGREE FROM THE 1ST YEAR
The first year of university studies after Matric in France is referred to as the Bac +1 or the L1. This is the first year of a Bachelor's degree (which is known as Licence in French, hence L1 for the first year).
Completing a Licence gives you access to the first year of a Master's degree in France or anywhere else in the world.
Important: French language exam (DELF) is mandatory for DAP
As part of the L1 registration, you must show proof of French proficiency with a DELF B2 certificate.
More information on exams and language tests: https://alliance.org.za/
University Application Procedure
There are different application procedures, depending on what you're applying for and your nationality. You will either follow the DAP or Parcoursup procedure.
Click here to find out which procedure is for you:
Application procedures for the first year of university studies after matric.
Accepted to study in France?
Once you're accepted in a programme through DAP or Parcoursup, you must complete your pre-visa procedure through Campus France (as a student already accepted to study in France) and then visit the France-Visas platform.
Remember, by completing this procedure you will get a 50% reduction on your student visa fee.
2. APPLY FOR 2ND/3RD YEAR OF A BACHELOR (LICENCE) DEGREE
Also applicable for 2nd or 3rd year of a B.U.T, a Business School or an Engineering School (from the 3rd year)
These are applications outside of the DAP procedure (Hors DAP or HDAP) and are completed on the Etudes en France platform or on the website of the university you are applying to.
Applications on EEF for the next academic year are from 01 October to 15 December.
IMPORTANT: You must first verify the application procedure with the university/ies that you are interested in!
Most universities only accept applications on the Etudes en France (EEF) platform. However, some universities insist on direct applications via their own online platform and others insist on both - a parallel application on EEF and directly on the university website.
Click here for a guide to the Etudes en France application procedure.
How to find a study programme?
Use the catalogues listed here to help you find the programme that suits you!
Make sure to also read the webpage of the programmes you're interested in by navigating to the university's website.
Accepted?
Once you're accepted in a programme (through EEF or through a direct application to the university), you must complete your pre-visa procedure through Campus France (under the tab for students already accepted) and then visit the France-Visas platform.
Remember, by completing the pre-visa procedure on EEF, you will receive a 50% discount on your student visa.
3. APPLY FOR FOR A MASTER DEGREE (M1 or M2)
You want to apply to a public university for a Master's degree?
The French system does not have an Honours degree. After finishing your Bachelors (NQF7), you can apply directly for the first year of a Masters (M1).
If you have an Honour's (NQF8), you can apply for the 2nd year of a Masters (M2).
These are applications outside of the DAP procedure (Hors DAP or HDAP) and are completed on the Etudes en France (EEF) platform or on the website of the university you are applying to.
Applications on EEF for the next academic year are from 01 October to 15 December.
IMPORTANT: You must first verify the application procedure with the university/ies that you are interested in!
Most universities only accept applications on the Etudes en France (EEF) platform. However, some universities insist on direct applications via their own online platform and others insist on both - a parallel application on EEF and directly on the university website.
Click here for a guide to the Etudes en France application procedure.
How to find a study programme?
Use these two catalogues to help you find the programme that suits you!
Make sure to also read the webpage of the programmes you're interested in by navigating to the university's website.
Accepted?
Once you're accepted to study in France (through EEF or through a direct application to the university), you must complete your pre-visa procedure through Campus France (under the tab for students already accepted) and then visit the France-Visas platform.
Remember, by completing the pre-visa procedure on EEF, you will receive a 50% discount on your student visa.
4. APPLY FOR A PHD
Contact the doctoral school or potential supervisor directly.
If you would like to do a PhD, we advise that you read our article dedicated to PhD studies in France.
For the PhD, you must apply directly to a Doctoral school (attached to a university) by contacting them directly.
Important: Each university centre holds its own calendar with specific application and registration deadlines for PhDs. Doctoral offers are generally published in January, and state an application deadline between April and May for the start of the academic year in September of the same year.
Nevertheless, you can contact potential supervisors throughout the year to inquire about potential topics or to propose your own research topic.
You can also use the PhD catalogue to find doctoral schools or research topics: PhD in France - Doctoral Schools directory
Enrolling in arts or architecture
The CampusArt platform is the entry-point for enrolling in an arts programme in France. It offers approximately one hundred institutes that offer programmes in fine art, design, fashion, music and architecture, from preparatory classes to the Doctorate.
*Architecture students MUST also complete a DAP application (DAP yellow) together with their CampusArt application!
WARNING: The deadline for DAP applications is 15 December!!!
The CampusArt application area is accessible from anywhere around the world. A single file is used for applying to several institutes or programmes at the same time. The filing fees are only invoiced if you are accepted. For more information, you can also consult the last section of the DAP vs Parcoursup article.
Once you're accepted in a program through CampusArt, you must visit the Etudes en France platform to complete your Pre-consular visa procedure.
Important: You need to be fluent in French (B2 level at minimum)!
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!
