The Campus France procedure, step by step.

Who must go through Campus France to study in France?

Your country of residence decides, not your nationality. The “Études en France” procedure covers students who live in one of the 75 countries and territories on the official list, including Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Lebanon, Morocco, Nigeria, Tunisia and most French-speaking African countries. A non-European student who lives in one of these countries without holding its nationality also follows the procedure of their country of residence, sometimes under conditions (in Senegal, a valid residence permit and at least one year of study or work in the country, except for ECOWAS nationals).

The Études en France platform handles the whole application, from the enrolment request to the visa application, and it is mandatory. You apply there to so-called “connected” programmes (universities and many schools), and you come back to it after an admission obtained elsewhere (the “Je suis accepté” procedure). A fee is charged, with some exemptions (for example for French government scholarship holders).

• For a first year, nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area, Switzerland, Andorra or Monaco who live in a country covered by the procedure apply through Parcoursup only.
• Applicants preparing a French or European baccalauréat list their choices on Parcoursup and follow the Études en France procedure at the same time.
• Doctoral candidates do not apply on the platform: they contact a doctoral school directly. Once accepted, some offices (in Lebanon, for example) have them follow the “Je suis accepté” procedure before the visa.

Which route for which programme?

The level you aim for changes the route and, often, the deadline. Here are the official routes for a student who lives in a country covered by the procedure.

What are the steps of a Campus France application?

1. 1Build the project: choose programmes consistent with your background, check the prerequisites and the French level required.
2. 2Register for a French certification if one is required. In Morocco, for example, the test invitation letter or payment receipt is accepted at the application stage.
3. 3Create the file on the Études en France platform (new interface since 1 October 2026), enter your academic history and upload the documents.
4. 4Fill in the basket of programmes and write the motivation statements, then submit the file before your country's deadline.
5. 5Pay the application fee within the time limit set by your country's Campus France office. It is non-refundable, even if you are not admitted or your visa is refused.
6. 6Attend the interview with an adviser from the Campus France office if you are invited, usually in person, with the original documents.
7. 7Check the institutions' answers (by 30 April 2027 at the latest for the DAP), then confirm your final choice on the platform by 31 May 2027 at the latest.
8. 8Complete the procedure, apply for the student visa on France-Visas, then submit the file by appointment at your country's visa service provider.

How does the Campus France interview work?

The interview usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes depending on the country, with an adviser from the Campus France office, most often in person. It is not systematic everywhere: in Senegal, some complete files are exempt, and Tunisia provides for exemptions. It covers your study project and motivation: the level of study reached, the quality of your academic record, your command of French, the overall consistency of the file, and the study options available in your country of residence.

It matters for what follows: after the interview, the file is sent to the institutions you chose (in Tunisia, the interview is also written up and sent to the consulate). You must be able to explain each programme choice clearly, with the background and the project that justify it.

• The originals of all documents are requested on the day of the interview, with their translations in some countries.
• Missing the interview is costly: in Tunisia, a second appointment costs 100 TND.

What level of French do you need for Campus France?

For a first year of licence (DAP), the required test is the TCF tout public with the compulsory written expression section. It must be taken by 12 February 2027 at the latest, and the certificate is valid for two years.

Those exempt include nationals of countries where French is the only official language (Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Togo), holders of a DELF B2 or DALF, and, subject to conditions, applicants whose secondary education was mostly in French. An exemption must be proven by the file submission deadline at the latest: 15 December 2026 at national level, earlier if your country's office closes before.

For other programmes, the requirements vary by country and by institution. In Lebanon, a language test (DELF, DALF or TCF for studies in French) is compulsory, with a result to be provided before 14 March 2027. In Morocco, a certification (TCF tout public, DELF B2 or DALF) is compulsory unless an exemption applies, and programmes taught entirely in English are exempt unless the institution requires one.

How much do the procedure and studies in France cost?

Here are the official amounts known on 23 October 2026, excluding travel, housing and living costs. Some apply to 2026-2027, as the 2027-2028 amounts are not yet published.

What are the conditions for a French student visa?

For a programme of more than three months, the visa is a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) marked “étudiant”, valid from 4 months to 1 year. It is validated online within three months of arrival and allows you to work up to 964 hours a year. Algerian nationals fall under the Franco-Algerian agreement: their long-stay “study” visa is followed by an application for a residence card at the prefecture, and their paid work, limited to 50% of annual working time, requires a work permit.

• Resources of at least €877.50 per month. Since 1 August 2026, the threshold has been set at 47% of the gross monthly minimum wage (SMIC) in force on the day of the application (decree no. 2026-526 of 22 June 2026). It used to be €615, an amount some pages still show.
• Accepted proof: a scholarship certificate, a bank certificate showing a sufficient balance, or support from a third party with their own supporting documents.
• Accommodation: a temporary address for the first three months or a permanent address.
• The admission or pre-enrolment certificate obtained at the end of the Études en France procedure.
• A passport valid long enough: several Campus France offices require at least 15 months of validity.

The application is made on France-Visas, then the file is submitted by appointment at the country's provider (for example Capago in Mali or TLScontact in Cameroon). If the visa is refused, an appeal to the board for appeals against refusals of entry visas to France (Commission de recours contre les décisions de refus de visa d'entrée en France, CRRV) is compulsory before any court action, within 30 days of notification of the refusal.

What does Studacy do for your plans to study in France?

We support students who have chosen France, from choosing programmes to the visa.

• Choosing programmes: realistic choices given your background, the prerequisites and the French level required, at recognised institutions.
• The file and motivation statements: a complete, consistent file, ready before your country's deadline.
• The Campus France interview: preparation on your background, your choices and your project.
• The visa: documents, proof of resources and accommodation, checked before submission.