How to Apply to a French University: The Complete Two Phase Process for the 2027 Intake
The process of getting into a French university and obtaining your student visa is not one single process. It is two. Most students confuse the two, and that confusion costs them time, money, and sometimes their entire application.
Phase 1 is about getting your acceptance letter. Phase 2 is what happens after you have it. The 2026 intake is now closed. The next cycle for the September 2027 intake opens on the Etudes en France platform in October 2026. This guide walks you through both phases completely so you are ready when the window opens.
| Category |
Details |
| Next Cycle Opens |
October 2026 |
| Maximum Applications |
7 universities |
| France-Visas Fee |
€90 |
| VFS Global Fee |
€20 to €25 |
| Total Time Needed |
5 to 6 months |
2026 Intake Applications Are Now Closed
The Etudes en France platform for the September 2026 intake closed in January 2026. If you missed this cycle, the next opportunity is the September 2027 intake. The platform reopens in October 2026 at pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance. Use the time between now and October to prepare your documents, shortlist your universities, and write your SOP so you are ready to apply from day one.
The Two-Phase Process at a Glance
Before going into detail, here is how the two phases connect. Phase 2 cannot begin until Phase 1 is complete and you have your acceptance letter.
| Phase |
What It Is |
Platform |
Outcome |
| Phase 1 |
University Application: Apply to up to 7 public French universities if you do not yet have an acceptance letter.
|
Études en France Portal
|
Attestation d'acceptation
Opens: October 2026
|
| Phase 2 |
Visa Process: Campus France pre-consular validation, followed by the France-Visas online application and a VFS Global appointment.
|
France-Visas
VFS Global France
|
VLS-TS Student Visa Issued in Your Passport
|
PHASE 1: University Application on Etudes en France Opens October 2026 for the September 2027 Intake
The 2026 intake is closed. The next application cycle for the September 2027 intake opens in October 2026 on the Etudes en France platform at pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance. This platform is managed by Campus France on behalf of the French government and is specifically for applications to public French universities.
You can apply to a maximum of 7 public universities per cycle. Private institutions and grandes ecoles have their own separate portals. This guide covers the public university route.
| Step |
Action |
Key Details |
| 1 |
Create Your Études en France Account |
Create your account on
Études en France
as soon as the platform opens in October 2026. Complete your profile with your academic history, nationality, country of residence, and language qualifications.
|
| 2 |
Select Up to 7 Programmes |
Choose a maximum of 7 public university programmes that align with your academic background and career goals. Each university evaluates your application independently.
|
| 3 |
Upload Application Documents |
Submit all required Phase 1 documents, including your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Letters of Recommendation (LORs). Tailor your SOP to each programme and institution.
|
| 4 |
Pay the Campus France Fee |
Pay the required Campus France application fee through the platform. Keep your payment confirmation for future reference.
|
| 5 |
Attend the Campus France Interview |
Participate in your pre-consular interview. Be prepared to explain your programme choices, academic project, and long-term career goals.
|
| 6 |
Receive & Accept Your Offer |
Universities release decisions by 30 April 2027. If admitted, you must accept your offer by 31 May 2027. After acceptance and Campus France validation, you can begin the visa process.
|
Key Dates: September 2027 Intake
Platform opens: October 2026.
Submission deadline: December 2026 to January 2027 (varies by country).
University decisions issued by: April 30, 2027.
Student acceptance deadline: May 31, 2027. Start preparing your documents and SOP now so you are ready when the portal opens in October.
Phase 1 Documents: University Application
These documents are required for your applications on the Etudes en France platform. Every document must be clearly scanned, in colour, at a minimum of 300 KBS.
| Document |
Details |
| Valid Passport |
All 36 pages scanned as a single PDF. The bio page must be clearly readable. The passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your studies plus at least 3 additional months.
|
| High School Marksheets |
Marksheets from all years of secondary education. Certified copies are required. Certified translations must be provided if the documents are not in French or English.
|
| University Semester-wise Marksheets |
Individual semester or annual transcripts from your undergraduate degree. Each semester should be listed separately. Certified copies are required.
|
| University Degree Certificate |
Final degree or diploma certificate. If you have not yet graduated, provide a provisional certificate or an official letter from your university confirming your expected graduation date.
|
| English Certificate or MOI |
IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programmes. If your previous degree was taught entirely in English, a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter may be accepted instead.
|
| French Language Certificate |
TCF, DELF, or DALF results for French-taught programmes. Most universities require a minimum B2 level. Always verify the exact requirement with each institution.
|
| Updated CV |
One to two pages covering education, internships, work experience, research projects, skills, certifications, and achievements. Any gaps in your timeline should be explained.
|
| Personalised SOP |
A tailored Statement of Purpose for each programme and university. Explain why you chose the programme, why you selected the institution, and how the degree supports your long-term career goals. Avoid generic templates.
|
| Letters of Recommendation (LOR) |
Usually two recommendation letters from professors or professional supervisors who know your work directly. Strong, detailed letters are significantly more valuable than generic endorsements.
|
| Internship or Work Documents |
Internship certificates, employment contracts, offer letters, experience certificates, and payslips. These documents strengthen your profile, especially for professionally-oriented Master's programmes.
|
PHASE 2: The Visa Process: France-Visas and VFS Global Begins after your Attestation d'acceptations is confirmed
Once you have your acceptance letter and Campus France validation number, Phase 2 begins. This phase has two consecutive steps: the online visa application on france-visas.gouv.fr, then your in-person appointment at VFS Global to submit your physical documents and biometric data.
| Stage |
Step |
Action |
Outcome |
Step A
France-Visas
€90
|
1 |
Go to the official France-Visas portal and start your application. |
Create your visa application file. |
| 2 |
Select the VLS-TS Student Visa and complete the application form exactly as shown on your passport and supporting documents. |
Accurate visa application submitted. |
| 3 |
Upload all required Phase 2 documents and pay the €90 visa fee. |
Application officially lodged. |
| 4 |
Download and print your France-Visas application summary and reference number. |
Documents ready for VFS appointment. |
Step B
VFS Global
€20–€25
|
1 |
Book your VFS appointment immediately after submitting your France-Visas application. |
Appointment secured. |
| 2 |
Pay the VFS Global service fee. |
Booking confirmed. |
| 3 |
Attend your appointment with all originals and copies. Biometrics (photo and fingerprints) are collected. |
Application forwarded to the French Consulate. |
| 4 |
Track your application online and collect your passport once processing is complete. |
Receive your VLS-TS student visa. |
Book VFS on the Same Day You Submit France-Visas
The most common and costly mistake at this stage is submitting on france-visas.gouv.fr and then waiting before booking VFS Global. In peak summer months, slots at high demand centres disappear within days. Submit France-Visas and open vfsglobal.com on the same day.
Phase 2 Documents: France-Visas and VFS Global
These are the exact documents required for your France-Visas submission and your physical VFS Global appointment. Bring originals and one clear copy of each.
| Document |
Specification |
| 1. Passport (All 36 Pages Scanned PDF) |
All 36 pages scanned into a single PDF file. The bio page must be clearly readable. The passport must remain valid for the entire duration of your studies plus at least 3 months beyond your programme end date.
|
| 2. Visa Photo (45mm × 35mm) |
Passport-sized photograph measuring exactly 45mm (length) × 35mm (width). White or light-grey background. Full face visible with no tinted glasses. Must comply with Schengen biometric standards. Verify the latest requirements on France-Visas before printing.
|
| 3. Attestation d'Acceptation |
Official French university acceptance letter confirming your programme, academic level, start date, duration, and enrolment status. This document is issued after successful completion of Phase 1.
|
| 4 (a) Sponsorship Affidavit |
A notarised declaration from your financial sponsor confirming they will cover your tuition fees and living expenses in France. Must be signed before a notary or magistrate.
|
| 4 (b) Bank Statements |
Last 3–6 months of your sponsor's bank statements showing regular income and sufficient available funds. The official benchmark is €615 per month, though stronger financial evidence is recommended.
|
| 4 (c) Bank Balance Certificate |
Official certificate issued by the sponsor's bank confirming the current account balance. Must be printed on bank letterhead and include an authorised signature and stamp.
|
| 4 (d) ITR / Salary Slips / Pension Slips |
Most recent Income Tax Return along with the last 3 months of salary slips or pension statements. Self-employed sponsors should provide a CA-certified income declaration.
|
| 4 (e) Sponsor Aadhaar Card |
Clear copy of the sponsor's Aadhaar Card or equivalent national identity document. Both sides should be scanned and clearly legible.
|
| 5 (a) Legal Lease Agreement |
Signed rental agreement covering at least the first three months of your stay in France. Accepted documents include a CROUS allocation letter, private student residence booking confirmation, Studapart reservation, or a private lease agreement.
|
| 5 (b) Electricity / Water / Internet / Phone Bill |
Recent utility bill linked to the accommodation address in France. If utilities are included in your rent, a signed confirmation letter from the residence management is generally accepted.
|
| 5 (c) Landlord Identity Document (Passport) |
Clear copy of the landlord's passport or national identity document to verify the legitimacy of the accommodation arrangement.
|
Preparing Your Physical File for VFS Global
At your VFS Global appointment, present documents as originals plus one clear copy each. Organise your file in the same order as the checklist above. Use paper clips or dividers, not staples, to separate sections. A clean and well organised file gets processed faster and raises fewer questions from VFS staff.
Full Timeline: September 2027 Intake
The 2026 intake is closed. Here is the complete timeline for the September 2027 intake, starting now.
| When |
What to Do |
Phase |
| Now – September 2026 |
Research up to 7 universities and shortlist programmes. Begin drafting your Statement of Purpose (SOP), contact potential LOR referees, and gather all academic transcripts and certificates.
|
Preparation |
| October 2026 |
Études en France opens for the 2027 intake. Create your account immediately and begin uploading documents via
Études en France
.
|
Phase 1 |
| November – December 2026 |
Submit all university applications before the deadline and attend your Campus France pre-consular interview when invited.
|
Phase 1 |
| January – April 2027 |
Universities review applications and issue decisions by April 30, 2027. Accept your preferred offer by May 31, 2027 and receive your Attestation d'Acceptation.
|
Phase 1 |
| May 2027 |
Submit your visa application through
France-Visas
and pay the €90 fee. Book your VFS Global appointment on the same day through
VFS Global
.
|
Phase 2 |
| May – June 2027 |
Attend your VFS Global appointment with your complete Phase 2 document file. Submit biometrics and supporting documents.
|
Phase 2 |
| June – August 2027 |
Visa processing period (typically 2–8 weeks). Track your application and collect your passport once approved.
|
Phase 2 |
| September 2027 |
Travel to France and validate your VLS-TS visa through
ANEF
within 3 months of arrival.
|
Arrival |
Mistakes That Cost Students Their Application
These are the errors that appear most frequently. Every one of them is avoidable.
• Confusing Phase 1 and Phase 2: Phase 1 is your university application. Phase 2 is your visa process. They are separate and sequential. You cannot begin Phase 2 without completing Phase 1 and receiving your acceptance letter.
• Using a generic SOP: Your Statement of Purpose must be written specifically for each programme and institution. Committees read hundreds of applications. A letter that makes no reference to the specific curriculum or university is immediately obvious.
• Missing the May 31 acceptance deadline: If you receive an offer through the Etudes en France platform and do not accept it by May 31, the system cancels it automatically. Many students lose genuine offers waiting for another university to respond.
• Inconsistent documents: Your name, date of birth, passport number, and address must be identical across every document submitted in both phases. A single mismatch flags your application.
• Waiting to book VFS Global: Submitting France-Visas and then taking days to book VFS is one of the costliest errors. In peak season, the nearest slot may be 4 to 6 weeks away, pushing your visa past your programme start date.
• Incomplete financial documents A bank statement without a bank balance certificate, or a sponsorship affidavit without ITR documentation, creates an incomplete file that must be resubmitted, losing you weeks in the process.
Final Thoughts
The 2026 intake is closed. But October 2026 is closer than it feels, and the students who arrive prepared on day one are the ones who secure the best university offers.
Use the time now to research your 7 universities, write a strong SOP for each, and gather every document in the Phase 1 checklist. When the portal opens at pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance in October, you will be ready to submit immediately rather than spending weeks catching up.
Phase 2 follows Phase 1. Accept your offer by May 31. Submit France-Visas and book VFS Global on the same day. Do those things and the rest of the process runs exactly as it is designed to.
From Application to Arrival in France
Dimensions France supports international students throughout the entire study abroad journey. From university applications and document preparation to visa guidance and accommodation support, our team helps simplify the process every step of the way.
Students from over 25 countries worldwide have successfully completed their journey with us.
Contact Dimensions France
.webp)
