France offers international students a wide range of master’s degree programs and a multicultural educational experience. Students can study at public universities, grandes écoles, and other higher education institutions while experiencing French culture and daily life.
Graduate education in France includes nationally recognized master’s degrees offered by accredited institutions. France is home to many universities offering programs in various fields of study.
The relative affordability of studying in France can make the country attractive to international students, particularly at public institutions. The standard registration fee for a national master’s degree at an eligible public institution is €255. This rate generally applies to students from the European Union, European Economic Area, and Switzerland, as well as certain other eligible international students. Non-EU students who are subject to differentiated registration fees may pay €3,950 for a national master’s degree, although legal, institutional, or individual exemptions may reduce or eliminate this amount. Students in initial education may also need to pay the €105 Contribution de vie étudiante et de campus, or CVEC, unless they qualify for an exemption. Private institutions and institution-specific diplomas set their own tuition rates, so applicants should always consult the institution’s current fee page. Let’s examine the requirements and application process for obtaining a master’s degree in France.
Master’s Degree Admission Requirements
| ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS |
|---|
- a bachelor’s degree or another qualification at least equivalent to three years of higher education
- French and/or English language proficiency documents, when required by the program
- academic transcripts
- copies of diplomas or proof that the qualifying degree is being completed
- a résumé or curriculum vitae
- a statement of purpose, cover letter, recommendations, portfolio, or other program-specific documents when requested
- identification and translations of documents when required by the application platform or institution
|
Language Proficiency Tests Needed for Master’s Studies
Many master’s degree programs in France are taught in French. However, Campus France also maintains a substantial catalog of programs taught wholly or partly in English. Applicants must follow the language requirements published for their specific program because France does not impose one universal test or minimum score for every master’s degree.
| MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION | COMMONLY ACCEPTED LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY EXAMS |
|---|
| French-taught Programs | DELF/DALF |
| English-taught Programs | IELTS, TOEFL iBT |
French-taught programs commonly require a B2 or C1 level, but the precise level and accepted certificate depend on the institution. For example, Université Jean Moulin Lyon 3 states that international applicants to its master’s programs need C1-level French and identifies the DALF C1 as an accepted qualification. English requirements are also program-specific. At Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne’s QEM master’s program, for example, the published minimums are IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 76. These scores should not be treated as university-wide requirements for every Paris 1 program.
Language-test exemptions also depend on the program and institution. Some programs waive a test for applicants who completed a previous qualification in the relevant language or who meet other stated conditions. Applicants should not assume that nationality, attendance at a bilingual program, or possession of a previous degree automatically grants an exemption unless the official program page confirms it.
Master’s Degree Application Process
Applying for a master’s degree in France involves several steps, but preparing the required documents and confirming the correct application platform can make the process more manageable.
Step 1: Choosing Your Program and University
The application process begins by searching for an appropriate French university and reviewing each program’s academic, language, and application requirements. Admission may be based on an application file, interview, entrance examination, or competition. Some specialized programs may request additional standardized tests, such as the GRE or GMAT, but these tests are not general requirements for master’s study in France.
For entry into the first year of a national master’s degree, international students residing in France or in a country within the European Economic Area generally apply through the Mon Master platform. International students residing outside the EEA also use Mon Master when their country of residence is not covered by Études en France. Applicants residing in a country or territory covered by Études en France normally apply through the Études en France procedure. Certain programs, including some programs at business schools, engineering schools, and institutes of political studies, may use their own application systems, so applicants must follow the instructions shown on the individual program page.
Step 2: Completing and Submitting Your Admission Requirements
Applicants should complete the application requirements and carefully check the university’s website and the applicable application platform for additional documents and deadlines. Application calendars and decision dates vary by platform, institution, program, and year. Applicants using Études en France complete the relevant procedure online, while applicants using Mon Master or an institution’s own portal should monitor that platform for requests, decisions, and enrollment instructions.
Check the published deadlines of these French institutions: ENS Lyon, Sorbonne University, and École des Ponts ParisTech. Applicants should also verify the dates on each institution’s official admissions page because deadlines may change annually.
Step 3: Finding Accommodations
After receiving an offer, students should begin researching accommodations near their institution as early as possible. Options may include Crous university residences, private student residences, hostels, shared apartments, and private rentals. Students should also ask their university whether it offers housing or access to approved accommodation services.
Students who do not have a personal rent guarantor may be eligible for the free Visale rental guarantee. Visale generally covers renters aged 18 to 30, while applicants older than 30 must meet additional employment-related conditions. Eligibility should be checked through the official Visale simulator rather than assumed solely on the basis of international student status.
Step 4: Apply for a French Visa and Residency Permit
Students who are not citizens of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland generally need a French student visa for a master’s program lasting more than three months. Visa applications are initiated through the official France-Visas website. Students residing in a country covered by Études en France must also complete the applicable Campus France or pre-consular procedure.
For a course of study lasting longer than three months, the student is normally issued a long-stay visa with residence formalities. In many cases, this is a VLS-TS “étudiant,” or long-stay visa equivalent to a student residence permit. The exact visa issued depends on the applicant’s nationality, circumstances, and intended length of stay.
Step 5: Tasks upon Arrival in France
Students must complete their administrative enrollment with the university, submit any outstanding documents, and pay the applicable registration fees and contributions. Students who receive a VLS-TS must validate it online within three months of arriving in France.
International students who need to join the French health insurance system should complete the free registration process through Assurance Maladie’s international student portal. EU, EEA, and Swiss students with a valid European Health Insurance Card generally do not need to register separately with French social security. Those without a valid card may need to register, depending on their circumstances.
Applying to a university in France can feel overwhelming, especially for international students. However, careful research, early preparation, and close attention to the official instructions provided by the program, application platform, and visa authorities can make the process much easier.
We hope this article on studying for a master’s degree in France, including its requirements and application process, was helpful. To learn more, explore our Study in France guide and Programs in Europe for international students!
