Studying

Since the end of the 1990s, the number of foreign students in French academic institutions has significantly increased. In 2005, they accounted for one student in ten.

The reason for this success is that access to public or private higher education institutions open to foreign students is governed by the principle of equal rights: same credit and enrolment requirements as for French students.

To gain access to higher education in France, foreign students who have not passed the French baccalauréat must meet two conditions:

• Be authorised to access higher education in their home country
• Have a sufficiently good understanding of France to do the desired course

Depending on their situation, foreign students may either enrol directly in the institution of their choice in France or fill out a prior application form.

After receiving the certificate of enrolment or of pre-registration, the French Consulate issues a visa marked "student," permitting them to enter France, with the proviso that they have adequate means of support. Nationals of the EC Member States, the European Economic Area, Andorra, Monaco, Poland, San Marino and the Vatican City State are exempt.

To find out more, visit the Web site « Campus France »

Upon their arrival in France, students from outside the European Union who will be staying for more than three months must pass a mandatory medical examination, organised by the OFII delegations. They must also pay a tax of 55 euros (2007).

Where to find information ?

To select their higher education institution, find out about admission requirements, or obtain an application form, students must contact:

• the cultural section of the French Embassy in their home country or their country of residence,
• the Centre d’information et d’orientation de Paris (17, rue Sévigné, 75004 Paris or 47, rue des Ecoles, 75005 Paris),
• the Cellules Universitaires d’Information et d’Orientation (CUIO) des Universités.

Useful information

  Enrolling directly in a higher education institution
  Prior application to enrol in a higher education institution

Reference works:

• Act no. 98-349 of 11 May 1998 on the admission and residence of foreign persons in France and right of asylum.
• Decree no. 81-1221 of 31 December 1981 amended by decree no. 2003-1108 of 21 November 2003
• Decree no. 84-1078 of 4 December 1984
• Decree no. 2003-356 of 17 April 2003 enacted pursuant to article 1635-0 bis of the French Tax Code relating to the tax paid for the Office des Migrations Internationales and completing Appendix III of said Code.
• Order of 21 November 2003 on procedures for assessing the level of understanding of French provided for in article 16 of amended Decree no. 71-376 of 13 May 1971 and on procedures for filing and transferring applications for initial enrolment in higher education institutions for foreign nationals (National Education)
• Circular no. 82 of 5 March 1982 (Interior)
• Circular of 12 May 1998 implementing Act no. 98-349 of 11 May 1998 on the admission and residence of foreign persons in France and the right of asylum (Interior)
• Inter-ministerial circular INT/D/02/00073/C of 26 March 2002 on the admission and residence of foreign students in France and the renewal of “student” residence permits (Interior)
• DPM/DM 2-3 circular no. 98-420 of 9 July 1998 on the issuance of provisional work permits to foreign students (Employment and Solidarity)
• DPM/DMI 3 circular no. 2001-216 of 14 May 2001 on the status of foreign nationals studying or training abroad or benefiting from an EU scheme and wishing to do a work placement in a company in France (Employment and Solidarity)
• DPM/DMI 3 circular no. 2004-249 and DLPAJ/ECT/4 B circular of 26 May 2004 on the rules applicable to nationals from the EU, the European Economic Area and the Swiss Confederation in terms of admission for residence and work (Interior and Employment and Social Cohesion)

Certain students may request an application form directly from the higher education institution of their choice.

This applies to:
  holders of the French baccalauréat, of a French certificate waiving the baccalauréat under domestic regulations, of a Franco-German baccalaureate or an international baccalaureate (subject to year of obtaining it and institution awarding it).
  German nationals enrolling to study arts, sciences, social sciences, law and economics
  the children of diplomats in office and officially accredited in France.
  Foreign students who have come to France to pursue studies under a scheme established by intergovernmental or interuniversity agreement.
  Foreign students receiving French government grants.
  Foreign students receiving grants from international institutions or foreign governments, when the grants are administered by an accredited French institution.
  Foreign students enrolling for the second time in the 1st cycle (first two years) of higher education, wishing to enrol in the 2nd or 3rd cycle or coming to do an internship in a research laboratory.
  Students applying for admission to a Grandes Ecoles preparatory course or to an institution recruiting by competitive entrance examination, before an admissions panel or on the basis of qualifications (I.U.T., I.E.P., écoles universitaires, I.N.S.A., University of Compiègne, E.N.I. and certain engineering schools).
  Applicants seeking to prepare a university diploma, unless the university requires a prior application to be made.
  Foreign students enrolling in an institution not under the authority of the Ministry of Education (schools of music, agriculture, architecture).

Acceptance or rejection of applications will depend on the specific requirements of each institution and are identical to those applied for French students.

Certain students are required to request and file a prior application for enrolment to the cultural services of the French Embassy in order to study in a French higher education institution.

This applies to students not eligible for direct enrolment and who are applying to enrol for the first time in the 1st cycle of university studies, in the 1st year of pharmacy studies or in the 1st year of legal studies.

Acceptance or rejection of an application will depend:

  on the opportunities for studying and training offered by the French higher education institutions.
  on available facilities (accommodation, educational support) of the particular institutions, which, in all cases, shall decide whether or not to grant admission.
  on the level of proficiency in French (the student is required to pass an assessment exam in line with the specific capabilities needed for the proposed course of study).
  on compliance in the home country with the higher education development policy.
  on an appraisal of the applicant’s previous education and motivation.

The Web site Campus France provides foreign students with guidance on applications.