Admissions · Updated August 2026
Campus France & the Études en France procedure, step by step
Almost every non-EU student must pass through Études en France before a French school can issue a final acceptance. The portal is unforgiving about gaps, spelling and deadlines — here is the exact order of operations.
Who must use Campus France
If you live in one of the ~70 countries connected to the Études en France platform, the procedure is mandatory for degree programmes at public universities and most grandes écoles. Exchange students on an inter-university agreement and holders of certain scholarships follow a lighter path.
- Mandatory: licence, master's, PhD applications at connected-country level
- Not required: EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, and stays under 90 days
- Partial: exchange students nominated by their home university
The seven stages, in order
Treat these as gates — you cannot skip forward.
- Create the Études en France account with your passport name exactly as printed
- Build the academic timeline with no unexplained gaps
- Upload diplomas, transcripts, language test, CV and a project statement
- Pay the country-specific Campus France fee (non-refundable)
- Attend the interview, in person or online
- Receive school decisions and accept one within the portal
- Get the Campus France attestation and book the consular visa appointment
What the interviewer is actually testing
The interview is not an exam on French culture. The advisor is checking three things: that your programme choice logically follows your previous studies, that you can fund the stay, and that you understand what the diploma leads to.
Weak answers sound like 'France is beautiful and education is cheap'. Strong answers name the programme, two or three modules, a professor or lab, and a concrete career outcome.
Common rejection triggers
Most refusals fall into a short list of avoidable mistakes.
- Name mismatch between passport, diploma and portal
- Unexplained gap years with no supporting document
- Financial proof deposited days before submission
- Applying to programmes unrelated to your previous degree without justification
- Missing sworn translation of documents
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Campus France procedure cost?
The fee varies by country, from roughly €50 to €190 equivalent in local currency, and it is non-refundable regardless of the outcome. The visa fee of €50 is separate.
Can I apply to more than one programme?
Yes, most country portals allow up to 7 wishes (voeux). Choose a realistic mix rather than seven top-tier schools.
What happens if I miss the Campus France deadline?
You wait for the next intake, or apply directly to private schools that run their own admissions outside the portal — but you will still need the attestation for the visa in connected countries.