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How do I apply to a French university through Campus France and the Etudes en France portal?

30 Sept 2026 · Answered by Shairal Pathak · 2 min read
Quick Answer verified

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.

Shairal Pathak
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Applications to French universities follow one centralised route through Campus France and the Etudes en France portal. You move from registration and document upload to an interview, an offer and finally your visa.

Seven Steps to Apply

StepWhat you do
1. RegisterCreate your personal file on the Etudes en France portal and note the unique identification number you receive.
2. Complete your dossierEnter personal details and upload your CV, SOP, mark sheets, degree certificates and language scores.
3. Select programmesChoose from the connected university catalogue. Depending on your level (DAP for undergraduate year 1, Hors-DAP for postgraduate and upper years), you can apply to several universities in one cycle.
4. Pay and submitPay the local Campus France administrative fee, then submit your digital file for review by a Campus France academic advisor.
5. Attend the interviewMeet a Campus France representative in person or online, explain your background and goals, and let them verify your original documents.
6. Confirm your offerUniversities review your file on the platform and issue decisions. Confirm your final choice on the portal before the acceptance deadline.
7. Apply for the visaDownload your Campus France acceptance certificate (Attestation Etudes en France), apply on the official France-Visas portal and book your appointment with the visa processing centre.

Documents to Prepare Before You Start

  • CV and statement of purpose (SOP)
  • Academic mark sheets and degree certificates
  • Language proficiency scores such as DELF, DALF, TCF, IELTS or TOEFL

My Advice

Keep every document consistent, since your interview will check what you upload against the originals. Practise explaining why you chose France and your course, and complete each step early so the visa stage does not become a rush.

This information is available on: inde.campusfrance.org

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