France Universities & admissions - Application process

To apply to a French university, register on the Etudes en France portal, complete your dossier, choose programmes, pay the Campus France fee and attend the interview where applicable. Then confirm your university offer on the portal and apply for the long-stay visa using your Campus France acceptance certificate.

For aeronautical engineering, Chevening and Commonwealth Master's Scholarships fund UK study for applicants with roughly two years of work experience, while France's Excellence Eiffel Scholarship funds engineering master's including aerospace fields, but only through nomination by your admitting French institution, not a direct student application.

Yes, extracurriculars and certificates help, though their weight differs by country. France's Parcoursup has a dedicated Activities and Interests section for this. In Ireland, most CAO offers rely on academic points, while direct applications like Trinity College Dublin's weigh personal statements and references alongside grades.

Take IELTS Academic if you want one test that both UK and French universities and visa offices accept without exception. TOEFL iBT is a strong alternative in both countries, while PTE Academic is fastest for results but still faces moderate acceptance gaps at competitive French programs.

IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are your safest choices for a French master's taught in English. Standard universities usually need IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 or TOEFL 80 to 95, while top Grandes Ecoles ask for IELTS 7.0 plus or TOEFL 100 plus, so pick whichever format suits your strengths.

IELTS Academic is your safest bet across all five countries, trusted by visa and admissions offices alike. TOEFL iBT is a strong backup. Typical Master's requirements run IELTS 6.5 to 7.0 in Germany, France, and the Netherlands, 6.5 in Ireland, and a slightly lower 6.0 to 6.5 in Italy.

Take the GMAT first if your application deadline is within the next year, since INSEAD's Master in Finance requires a GMAT or GRE score and ESSEC accepts the same or the CAT; CFA Level 2 strengthens your finance profile later but doesn't replace an admissions test.