French level

A good level of French: the condition required for studying in France

Foreign students from countries that are not EU members must prove they have the appropriate level of French in order to enrol in a higher education establishment in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree course.

Foreign students concerned

If you do not live in the European Union: you must sit a French exam before being able to enrol in a French higher education establishment: this is to prove you will be able to follow the classes.

However, you do not need to sit this exam if:

• French is the official language in your country;
• you attended a French bilingual class recognised by the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• you hold a DALF (diplôme approfondi en langue française) or DELF (diplôme d'études en langue française) level B2, or TCF (test de connaissance du français). In this case, enclose a copy of your successful results certificate in your Bachelor’s (Licence) or Master’s preliminary enrolment dossier.
• you obtained at least 14/20 in the written expression test organised by the Paris Chamber of Trade and Industry.

How can you sit these exams in your country?

• The CIEP
• The Centre international des études pédagogiques (CIEP) is in charge of TCF and DALF exams abroad.
• Type of tests, date of the exam sessions, cost of sitting the exam (http://www.ciep.fr)

If you submit a preliminary enrolment application to a French university
You will be invited to sit the TCF.

Improve your French before coming to France

You can prepare for the TCF and DALF exams throughout the world by contacting:

• the Alliance Française;
• a French Cultural centre or Institute;
• a Research institute;
• the Cooperation and cultural activities services.

Studying French in France before applying to a university

If your level of French is not good enough to enrol for the course you wish to follow: you can come and learn French in France. There are specialised centres that help prepare foreign students so they can follow their choice of studies in French.

Français langue étrangère (FLE) centres in France: Campus France or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Information updated: 31st August 2010