Can I pick between September and January masters intakes in France, and how do they differ?
France has two masters intakes, September and January. September is much bigger, with public universities, grandes écoles and business schools admitting students. January is smaller and mostly offered by private business schools. Always trust the start date on the course page.
Masters programs in France start in two intakes, September and January. September is much bigger, since public universities, grandes écoles and business schools all admit students then, while January is smaller and mostly offered by private business schools.
September vs January Intake
| Point | September intake | January intake |
|---|---|---|
| When classes start | September or October | January or February |
| Who offers it | Public universities, grandes écoles, business schools | Mostly private business schools |
| How many courses | A very wide choice | A small number, course by course |
| Big scholarships | Planned around this start | Rarely linked to it |
Why September Dominates
- France's national application platforms only run one cycle a year, and it is for September.
- That is why public universities rarely open a master's course in January.
- If you want a public university, plan for September.
My Advice
A school offering both starts does not mean every course does. A single MSc can begin in January even if the rest of the school begins only in September. Trust the start date on the specific course page, and confirm it with the official university site.
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