📝 Admissions — France

Updated June 2026

France is one of the most important study destinations in Europe for international students. It has public universities, grandes ecoles, engineering schools, business schools, art and architecture schools, short professional programmes, research institutions and many English-taught master’s degrees. However, applying to France can be confusing because there is not one single admissions system for everyone.

Your application route depends on five things: your nationality, where you live, the country where you completed your previous education, the level you want to enter, and the type of institution you choose. A student applying to the first year of a public university licence may need the DAP procedure. A student applying to a BTS, BUT or CPGE may need Parcoursup. A student applying to a national master’s may need Mon Master or Etudes en France. A student applying to a private business school, engineering school or art school may need the school’s own portal, and sometimes Etudes en France for the visa step.

This guide explains the main admissions routes in France, the documents normally required, deadlines, fees, language requirements, recognition issues, and the strategy international applicants should use to avoid mistakes.

Important: France changes calendars and procedures often. Always confirm the exact route and deadline on the official page of the programme, the local Campus France office, Parcoursup, Mon Master, or the French embassy/consulate in your country.

Quick answer: which application route do you need?

Study goal	Most common route	What to check
First year of a public university licence, for example Licence 1 in economics, biology, law or literature	DAP, usually through Etudes en France if your country is covered by the EEF procedure, or through the French embassy if it is not	Whether you need a dossier blanc, dossier vert, or Etudes en France DAP
First year of architecture at an ENSA	DAP architecture, often called dossier jaune	Architecture-specific deadlines, French test, portfolio or interview rules
BTS, BUT, CPGE, some bachelor programmes, nursing and other selective first-cycle programmes	Parcoursup	Whether the programme is selective and whether international applicants are allowed through Parcoursup
Second or third year of bachelor’s, professional licence, or many master’s applications from an EEF country	Etudes en France	Local Campus France calendar and whether the programme is available on the platform
National Master 1 for many applicants not using EEF	Mon Master	Whether you must use Mon Master, Etudes en France, or the university’s own portal
Grandes ecoles, business schools, engineering schools, art schools and many private institutions	Often direct school application, sometimes with Etudes en France after admission	Recognition of the degree, tuition fees, admissions tests and visa eligibility
Doctorate or PhD	Doctoral school, supervisor, research laboratory or funded PhD call	Funding, supervisor agreement, doctoral school admission and researcher visa route

Understanding the French higher education system

France follows the European LMD system: Licence, Master, Doctorat. A standard licence takes three years and is usually worth 180 ECTS credits. A master’s degree normally takes two additional years and is worth 120 ECTS credits after the licence. A doctorate usually takes around three years after the master, although duration can vary by discipline, funding and research progress.

France also has important professional and selective pathways that do not always look like the standard university route. These include:

BTS: a two-year short professional diploma, often taught in high schools or specialised institutions.
BUT: a three-year university technology diploma offered by IUTs, usually more practical and selective than a general licence.
CPGE: two-year preparatory classes for competitive entrance exams to grandes ecoles.
Grandes ecoles: selective schools in engineering, management, political science, administration, arts or other fields.
Diplome d’ingenieur: the French engineering degree, normally completed after five years of higher education and equivalent to master’s level when accredited.
Diplome universitaire, also called DU: a university diploma created by a specific university. It can be useful, but it is not always a national degree.
Private bachelor, MSc and MBA programmes: common in business, management, hospitality, design, fashion and technology. Recognition must be checked carefully.

Public universities, grandes ecoles and private schools: what is the difference?

Public universities

Public universities are the largest part of the French higher education system. They offer national degrees such as Licence, Master and Doctorat. Tuition is usually much lower than in many other countries because the French state subsidises public higher education.

Grandes ecoles

Grandes ecoles are selective institutions. They may specialise in engineering, management, political science, public administration, statistics, design, arts or other fields. Admission may be through competitive exams after CPGE, direct international admission, a school-specific application, interviews, portfolios, GMAT, GRE, language tests or academic file review.

Engineering schools

For engineering, the most important recognition point is CTI accreditation. A French school that is authorised by the Commission des titres d’ingenieur can award the protected title of ingenieur diplome. This is very important for academic recognition, professional credibility and future doctoral access.

Business schools

Business schools may be public, consular, associative or private. Some have strong international accreditations, but students must still check the French recognition of the degree. Useful terms include visa, grade de licence, grade de master, RNCP, CGE, EFMD, AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA. These labels are not all the same. A programme can be professionally registered but not equivalent to a national academic degree.

Private schools

Private schools can be good, but they require extra caution. Before paying any deposit, check whether the institution is recognised by the French state, whether the programme gives a national degree or a recognised grade, whether it is listed clearly on official platforms, and whether graduates can continue to higher degrees or apply for the visa/residence status they need.

The Etudes en France procedure

Etudes en France, often shortened to EEF, is the main online application and pre-consular platform used by many international students. It is managed with Campus France and connects the admissions process with the visa process.

If you live in a country or territory covered by the EEF procedure, you normally have to use Etudes en France for many applications and for the visa step. The official list includes 73 countries and territories. For North Africa and the Middle East, the official France-Visas list includes Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates. Applicants from countries not listed, or applicants living in a different country from their nationality, should check the local Campus France and French embassy instructions.

EEF can be used for DAP applications, applications to the second or third year of a licence, many professional licence and master’s applications, and the pre-consular procedure after receiving admission. It also allows Campus France to review documents, communicate with applicants and organise the interview when required.

DAP: Demande d’Admission Prealable

DAP means preliminary admission request. It is one of the most important procedures for non-European students who want to enter the first year of a French public university licence or the first year of a national architecture school.

Dossier blanc

The dossier blanc is generally used by non-European applicants living outside France who want to apply to the first year of a public university licence and who do not use Parcoursup for that programme. In EEF countries, this is usually completed online through Etudes en France.

Dossier vert

The dossier vert is generally used by non-European applicants already living in France who hold a foreign secondary school diploma and want to apply to the first year of a public university licence.

Dossier jaune

The dossier jaune is used for applications to the first year of architecture studies in French national architecture schools. Architecture can require a specific file, French test, portfolio or interview depending on the school.

For the 2026/2027 intake, the official Campus France DAP calendar opened on 1 October 2025 and closed on 15 December 2025. Universities were expected to respond before 30 April 2026, and students had to answer before 31 May 2026. Future intakes usually follow a similar early calendar, so applicants should not wait until spring.

Parcoursup

Parcoursup is the French national pre-enrolment platform for many first-year higher education programmes. It is used by French and European students, but also by some international applicants, especially for selective first-cycle programmes.

Parcoursup is commonly used for:

BTS programmes.
BUT programmes in IUTs.
CPGE preparatory classes.
Some bachelor-level selective programmes.
Some health, social, paramedical and specialised programmes.
First-year applications by European applicants and some non-European applicants with a French or European baccalaureate.

For the 2026/2027 intake, the Parcoursup platform opened on 17 December 2025. Registration and choice submission ran from 19 January to 12 March 2026. Applicants had to complete their list before 1 April 2026. The main admission phase began on 2 June 2026 and ended on 11 July 2026.

Mon Master

Mon Master is the national platform for applications to the first year of many national master’s degrees in France. It lists thousands of national master’s programmes and pathways offered by accredited French higher education institutions.

International students may use Mon Master in several situations, including when they reside in France, when they are citizens of or reside in the European Economic Area, or when they live in a country that is not covered by Etudes en France. If you live in an EEF country, you may need to use Etudes en France instead, even for master’s applications.

For the 2026/2027 intake, the Mon Master platform opened on 2 February 2026. Applications were submitted from 17 February to 16 March 2026. The main admission phase ran from 3 to 16 June 2026, and the complementary phase from 19 June to 19 July 2026.

Not every master’s-level programme uses Mon Master. Some grandes ecoles, business schools, engineering schools, private schools, specialised master’s, MSc, MBA and international programmes use their own application portals.

Direct applications to universities and schools

Many programmes in France use direct applications. This is common for private schools, grandes ecoles, some international bachelor’s programmes, MSc programmes, MBA programmes, summer schools, exchange programmes, doctoral programmes, and some programmes that are outside national platforms.

A direct application may include an online form, academic documents, CV, motivation letter, recommendation letters, language test, portfolio, entrance exam, interview, application fee or deposit. If you are from a country covered by Etudes en France, getting direct admission from a school may not be the end of the process. You may still need to complete the “I am accepted” or pre-consular procedure on Etudes en France before applying for a visa.

Admissions by study level

First year of licence

If you are a non-European applicant with a foreign secondary school diploma and you want to enter the first year of a public university licence, DAP is usually the key procedure. If you are European, or if you are applying to selective first-cycle programmes, Parcoursup may be the correct route.

Second or third year of licence

For admission into L2 or L3, universities usually evaluate your previous higher education credits and subject match. Applicants from EEF countries often use Etudes en France. Other applicants may use the university’s eCandidat portal or another direct application platform.

Professional licence

A professional licence is usually a one-year programme after two years of higher education. It is more job-oriented and often selective. Universities may check your previous field, grades, internship experience and French level.

Master’s degree

Master’s admissions are selective. The university checks whether your bachelor’s degree matches the master’s field. For example, a data science master may require mathematics, statistics and programming credits. A public policy master may require social science, economics, law or international relations background. A management master may require business, economics, quantitative methods or professional experience.

Doctorate

For a doctorate, the process is usually based on the doctoral school, research laboratory and supervisor. Some PhD positions are funded and advertised as calls. Other candidates first identify a supervisor and research topic. A master’s degree or equivalent is normally required. Doctoral applicants should also check whether funding is required by the doctoral school and which visa route applies.

Special cases: medicine, health, architecture, art and engineering

Medicine and health studies

Medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, midwifery and many health fields are highly regulated and competitive. Most routes require strong French, and first-year access often goes through specific French systems such as PASS or LAS. International applicants should be very cautious and verify each university’s rules, because recognition of previous medical studies and transfers can be difficult.

Architecture

For first-year admission to national architecture schools, non-European applicants often use the DAP architecture procedure, also called dossier jaune. Other architecture, urban planning and design programmes may use CampusArt, the school’s own platform or Etudes en France depending on the institution and applicant profile.

Art, design, fashion, cinema and music

Art and design applications often require a portfolio, interview and proof of creative fit. CampusArt is an important application network for international students applying to art, design, fashion, music, cinema, architecture and related fields. It allows one online application to reach many member schools, but students from EEF countries may still need Etudes en France for the mandatory procedure and visa step.

Engineering

Engineering schools can admit students after secondary school, after CPGE, after two or three years of higher education, or directly into master-level cycles depending on the school. Always check CTI accreditation if the goal is a recognised French engineering degree.

Documents usually required

Requirements vary by programme, but international applicants commonly need:

Valid passport.
School-leaving certificate for bachelor’s applications.
Bachelor’s degree certificate for master’s applications.
Master’s degree certificate for PhD applications.
Official transcripts for all years of study.
Grading scale or explanation of the grading system.
Certified translation if documents are not accepted in the original language.
French or English language certificate.
CV.
Motivation letter or statement of purpose.
Recommendation letters if required.
Course descriptions or syllabus, especially for master’s applications.
Portfolio for art, design, architecture or creative programmes.
Proof of work experience for professional programmes, MBA or executive programmes.
Application fee payment, if required.

Translation, legalisation and apostille

If your documents are not in French or English, universities and Campus France offices often ask for certified translations. Some institutions require French translations specifically, while others accept English. Diplomas and transcripts usually need official translation more often than CVs or recommendation letters.

Legalisation and apostille are different from translation. Translation changes the language of the document. Legalisation or apostille confirms the authenticity of the signature, seal or authority that issued the document. France applies different rules depending on the country where the document was issued and the type of document. Some documents may be exempt, some may need apostille, and others may need legalisation. Always check the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs legalisation table and the local French consulate guidance.

For admissions, many universities initially accept scanned documents. Later, at enrolment or visa stage, they may ask for originals, certified copies, translations, apostilles or legalised documents. Do not wait until the last week, especially if your country requires Ministry of Foreign Affairs legalisation before French consular legalisation.

Language requirements

French-taught programmes

Most French-taught programmes require B2 or C1 French. Licence programmes often ask for B2, while law, humanities, social sciences, health and some master’s programmes may expect C1. For DAP, applicants may need the TCF tout public with written expression unless they are exempt or hold an accepted French diploma such as DELF B2 or DALF.

English-taught programmes

English-taught programmes are common at master’s level and in business, engineering, international relations, data science, environmental sciences and some private schools. They usually require IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, Cambridge English, TOEIC or another accepted proof. Some programmes waive the test if your previous degree was taught in English, but this is not automatic.

Even if your programme is in English, French remains very useful for housing, internships, part-time work, administration, healthcare and daily life.

Fees and costs for 2026/2027

For 2026/2027, official French student information lists national public higher education registration fees of €178 for licence-level national degrees, €255 for master-level national degrees, €397 for doctorate, and €630 for many engineering degrees under the Ministry of Higher Education. Some engineering and health programmes have different rates.

Some non-EU students are subject to differentiated tuition fees. For 2026/2027, official student information lists differentiated rates of €2,902 for licence-level programmes and €3,950 for master-level programmes and many engineering cycles for affected students. However, many students are exempt or pay the same fees as French and European students, including EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, some long-term residents, refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, doctoral students and some other categories. Universities can also grant exemptions within regulatory limits.

Students in initial training usually also need to pay the CVEC before administrative enrolment, unless exempt. For 2026/2027, the CVEC is €105.

Private schools, especially business schools, can cost much more. Campus France indicates that private institutions, particularly business schools, may charge around €6,000 to €18,000 per year, and some programmes cost even more. Always check the exact programme page.

How universities select applicants

Selection criteria vary, but admissions committees often look at:

Academic grades and ranking.
Relevance of previous studies.
Number of credits in required subjects.
Language level.
Motivation letter and clarity of study project.
Professional or internship experience.
Research fit for research master’s and PhD programmes.
Portfolio quality for creative fields.
Interview performance, where required.

One common mistake is applying only based on the title of the programme. In France, especially for master’s admissions, subject fit matters a lot. A student can have good grades and still be rejected if their previous degree does not include the required modules.

Recommended timeline

12 months before intake

Choose your target level and field.
Check whether your country uses Etudes en France.
Check whether you need DAP, Parcoursup, Mon Master or direct applications.
Start French or English language preparation.
Check scholarship deadlines.

9 months before intake

Shortlist programmes and cities.
Collect diplomas, transcripts and grading scales.
Prepare translations if needed.
Draft CV and motivation letters.
Prepare portfolio, GRE, GMAT or interviews if required.

6 months before intake

Submit early applications such as DAP, CampusArt or scholarship-linked applications.
Register on Parcoursup or Mon Master when the platforms open.
Complete Etudes en France applications if required.
Take language tests and upload results.

After admission

Accept the offer before the deadline.
Complete the Etudes en France pre-consular step if required.
Apply for the student visa through France-Visas.
Pay CVEC if applicable.
Complete administrative enrolment.
Arrange housing, insurance and travel.

Common mistakes to avoid

Using Parcoursup when the correct route is DAP.
Applying through Mon Master when your country requires Etudes en France.
Assuming that admission from a private school automatically completes the visa process.
Paying a private school deposit before checking recognition and refund rules.
Submitting documents without required translations.
Ignoring early DAP deadlines.
Choosing only Paris without considering housing difficulty and cost.
Applying to master’s programmes without checking subject prerequisites.
Confusing RNCP registration with a national academic degree.
Waiting until the visa appointment to prepare legalised or apostilled documents.

Best strategy for international applicants

A good France application strategy should include several types of programmes. Combine ambitious options with realistic options. Compare public universities, universities outside Paris, programmes in smaller cities, applied programmes and scholarship opportunities. For master’s admissions, choose programmes that match your transcript, not only your dream job title.

Applicants from MENA countries should check two things very early: whether their country of residence is covered by Etudes en France, and whether their documents need official translation, apostille or legalisation for the application, enrolment or visa stage.

Frequently asked questions

Do I apply through Campus France or directly to the university?

It depends on your country, level and programme. If you live in an Etudes en France country, you often need EEF. If you apply to a direct school, you may still need EEF later for the visa step.

Is Parcoursup for international students?

Sometimes. European students use Parcoursup for first-year higher education. Non-European students may use Parcoursup for selective first-cycle programmes such as BTS, BUT or CPGE, and in some cases when they hold a French or European baccalaureate. For first-year public university licence with a foreign secondary diploma, DAP is usually required.

Is Mon Master mandatory for all master’s applications?

No. Mon Master is used for many national master’s degrees, but not for all master-level programmes. EEF-country applicants may need Etudes en France. Grandes ecoles, private schools, MSc, MBA and specialised programmes may use direct portals.

Can I study in English in France?

Yes, especially at master’s level. English-taught bachelor’s programmes exist but are fewer. Even for English-taught programmes, learning French is strongly recommended.

Do I need French for admission?

For French-taught programmes, yes. B2 is common, and C1 may be required in some fields. For English-taught programmes, English proof is usually required, but French may not be mandatory.

Are public universities free in France?

They are not fully free, but they are heavily subsidised. Some students pay national registration fees, while some non-EU students pay differentiated fees unless exempt. Students also usually pay CVEC unless exempt.

Can Jisr help me choose the right route?

Yes. Jisr can help you check your route, compare programmes, prepare your documents, review your motivation letters, and build a realistic France application plan.

Useful official links

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