Application Process for UG / PG Courses in France

France has long been a country associated with quality and perfection. The cultural yet cosmopolitan society and the excellent academic and research facilities in the country fascinates many students from around the world to its shores. To this is added a constant endeavour of the French Government to promoted education. So be it medicine, biotechnology, art or even management, the country continues to thrive on excellent research and attract the best minds from around the world. But how to start the journey? What are the steps to applying to an institution of higher learning in France? Read on to understand the application process for universities in France.

Before starting the application process

The application process to any university generally starts with gathering information and figuring out the eligibility requirement. The same is true for Universities in France as well. So before you start with the application for a university in France, here’s a quick checklist of things you must have already looked into and have ready.

• Write the Language and any other Exams required by the programs

Every university in France would have a basic requirements. So, before you start with the process, it is advisable to check the language proficiency requirement as well as any standardized exams like GMAT/GRE etc. For language proficiency, depending on the program of choice, you might be required to have the IELTS/ TOEFL/ TCF (for French Language) scores at hand. Same would be the case for GMAT/ GRE scores as well.

• Academic Transcripts of previous qualification

You would be required to present your academic transcripts from the previous qualifying examination. For undergraduate courses, it would be wise to have the transcripts ready for all classes starting from class 9. Your qualifying transcripts of class 12 as well as your graduation degree would also be required for your admission into a postgraduate program.

• A Valid Passport

Needless to say, before you start applying for admission to any foreign university, you must ensure that you have a valid passport. You would be required to provide this number with you application and you passport should have at least 6 months of validity. So ensure the same before you start applying to France or any other country for that matter.

Applying to an Undergraduate Program in France

France offers a lot of excellent options for students planning to pursue their undergraduate degree. A centralized system CEF Procedure (Centres pour les Études en France, or Centres for Studies in France) created by the association of Campus France and Egide has created platform that makes applying to France relatively easy and convenient for students in India. It is supervised by the Ministry of European and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research and has a list of over 230 universities listed. Unless otherwise specified, you can follow the following steps to start with your application process.

1. Register for the Preliminary Admission or DAP by CEF Procedure

It is relatively simple. All you need to do is create an account at the Campus France Website. Its’ online and you can do it from the convenience of your home. The CEF Procedure basically is the first step to registering for the compulsory Preliminary Admission ("demande d’admission préalable" - DAP).

2. Select the colleges/ courses you wish to apply for

The application form is a centralized application form and you can list a number of choices for the programs you are interested in. Simply do the research, understand which all colleges you wish to apply to and create a list.

3. Provide the transcripts and necessary documents

The application form would ask for specific documents, which would range from the academic transcripts to essays in some cases. You would be required to upload the same.

4. Apply for Visa

Universities in France would require you to have a Visa before you are granted a Preliminary Admission or DAP ("demande d’admission préalable"). You can do the same via Campus France Website as well. The CEF Procedure would guide you through the entire steps so you need not be worried about the same.

5. Complete your Application, undergo the interview

Campus France after validating your transcripts and other certificates, would complete your application and also seek interview with you. This would be recorded for view by various universities in France.

Once you have done all of the above, you wait for the call of admission. Though the country has multiple admissions as well, usually the admissions for courses close latest by May of the year for it Fall intake. It would be wise to start your application in good time.

Applying to a Postgraduate Program in France

Unlike the undergraduate program, there is no centralized platform available for postgraduate applications in France. Depending on the program you are interested in, you would be required to apply directly to the university/ college. Accordingly, the requirements may vary and the process can be listed as below

1. Select the course/ college/ program you are interested in.
2. Understand the program requirement and eligibility criterion from the respective university website. You can also reach out to the Admissions Office for International Students.
3. Enrol with the University for the Application.
4. Submit transcripts, scores and the essays as required – this includes providing you language proficiency test scores as well as your GMAT/ GRE scores, as applicable.
5. Provide Letters of Recommendation and proof of funds

Once the application is complete, the university would individually process the application, request for an electronic or face to face interview or simply offer you the admission. For postgraduate courses, like the undergraduate courses, the admissions open in October of the previous years and go on till about April or May of the same year for admission in the fall intake.

So, whether you are an undergrad or a graduate, whichever be your program of choice, understand how to go about it and start.

All the best!