A great number of students dream of spending their student years in France due to many reasons. First, the harmony of French culture, history, cuisine, and art makes it a popular destination for students to enjoy their stay while completing their degrees. Second, France is home to many globally recognized universities with top-quality education. Therefore, holding a degree from a French university will not only expand one’s academic knowledge but also create great opportunities after graduation.
There are more reasons to study in France, yet international students should also consider the admission requirements French higher education institutions demand, including English language proficiency. Study programs in France are mainly taught in French or English, and when it comes to English, international students must prove their fluency by taking widely recognized English exams such as TOEFL. Read more to learn about the best French universities accepting TOEFL scores.
TOEFL Scores Accepted at French Universities
TOEFL iBT is one of the most popular English proficiency exams recognized by universities worldwide, and French universities are no exception. Below are the seven best universities in France accepting TOEFL iBT and their minimum score requirements.
1. École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon)
The École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon) has a spectacular location in the country; it is France’s third biggest city, with many historical and architectural landmarks. Its origins can be traced back to 1880 focusing on providing exemplary programs in science and humanities. It is now part of the University de Lyon, an academic community comprising renowned universities and institutions in the Lyon region. The community has over 150,000 students pursuing programs in Humanities and Urbanity, Science and Engineering, Bio-health, and other academic disciplines, studying in their respective member and affiliated institutes.
ENS de Lyon offers numerous English programs for international students, yet the university has strict rules about English language proficiency. International students must prove their English competence by providing a minimum total score of B1 (CEFR) or equivalent to 42 – 71 in TOEFL iBT. The minimum scores required vary per program, for instance, a master’s degree in Computer Science requires applicants to submit a C1 level or 94-101 in TOEFL iBT
2. HEC Paris
HEC Paris is an international university with a 100% English medium of instruction. HEC offers master’s and Ph.D. programs in areas such as Business Administration, Economics, Languages and Cultures, and Law.
HEC Paris graduate programs are focused on the fields of economics and management. There is no minimum score set by the university, however, students are expected to have a full grasp of the English language as all its courses are taught only in English.
3. Sciences Po
Sciences Po is a public university globally recognized by its high-quality schools of humanities and social sciences. Half of the university’s population comprises international students from 150 different countries. Tuition fees can start from €0 to €14,210 for undergraduate and €0 to €19,670 for graduate programs depending on the status of the applicant or the desired program’s requirement.
As there are plenty of English-taught programs, Sciences Po demands international students to obtain a minimum score of 95 to 113 in TOEFL iBT. The minimum score can vary for certain programs; this is why it’s important to check undergraduate and graduate programs to find the program-specific requirements.
4. École Polytechnique
Located in Paris, École Polytechnique is a small university supervised by the French Ministry of Defense. It is considered to be one of the world’s top small universities pursuing excellence in academics. Notable programs in École Polytechnique include Artificial Intelligence & Advanced Visual Computing, Data and Economics for Public Policy, and more.
École Polytechnique requires international students to obtain a minimum total score of 90 in TOEFL iBT; yet, as it is a competitive university, higher scores will have advantages for international applicants to stand out during the applications. Program-specific language requirements are found on the bachelor’s and MSc&T program pages.
5. American University of Paris
The American University of Paris is a private international university founded in 1962. Both the faculty staff and students have a high international population, which makes it one of the most diverse and multicultural universities in France. The best programs at the American University of Paris are Business, Management, Social Sciences, Art, Foreign Languages, and more. Tuition fees can change for undergraduate and graduate programs; the average tuition fee is €34,496 per year for undergraduate applications, yet it can change for graduate programs depending on the number of credits they include.
The American University of Paris demands international undergraduate applicants to obtain a minimum score of 88 in TOEFL iBT, whereas, for graduate applicants, the minimum requirement goes up to 101.
7. EDHEC Business School
EDHEC Business School is a private higher education institution with worldwide recognition in Business programs. EDHEC demands international students prove their English proficiency by obtaining a minimum total score of 95 in TOEFL iBT. For details, kindly visit the program-specific requirements from the university’s course catalog.
FAQs: TOEFL Acceptance in France
What Type of TOEFL Exam is Accepted in France?
TOEFL iBT is the most popular type of examination recognized by universities and colleges in France, and most French universities demand high scores from international applicants.
TOEFL iBT is an internet-based exam focusing on the four main skills in English: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. French universities and colleges expect international applicants to excel in all language skills to pursue their studies in their English-taught program.
Today, the TOEFL iBT exam is accessible with thousands of test centers available almost everywhere in the world. Additionally, a TOEFL iBT Home Edition is available for applicants with the necessary equipment and environment to take the test.
Many of the most elite French universities have high expectations from international students about their proficiency in English, which means the applicant’s English skills can be the key factor determining their acceptance. Turn your English proficiency into an advantage and start preparing for the TOEFL exam immediately to become one of the lucky students in France.
You can also find more information on French and European universities in the Study in France and Available Programs for International Students sections!
