Which English language proficiency test should I take for my master's applications to French universities?

For your master's applications to French universities, IELTS Academic and TOEFL iBT are the two tests you should focus on, since both are universally recognized across public universities and elite Grandes Ecoles. Which one you pick should come down to whether your program is taught in English, and which test format plays to your strengths.

Accepted English Proficiency Tests And Score Ranges

Key Points Before You Book A Test

• Check the program language first: if your master's is taught partly or fully in French, an English test alone will not suffice and you will need DELF B2 or DALF C1
• Choose IELTS Academic, not IELTS General Training, since French universities generally do not accept the General module for degree programs
• If applying from outside the EU, your official score report must be uploaded directly to your Etudes en France account as part of the Campus France process

My Advice

Go with IELTS Academic if you want the broadest acceptance across French public universities, and switch to TOEFL iBT only if your target program is engineering or tech focused and explicitly lists a TOEFL benchmark. Confirm your program's exact language of instruction before you register, since that single detail decides whether you need an English test, a French test, or both.