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Studying in France from Senegal

Le Sénégal fait partie des principaux pays d'origine des étudiants en France. La procédure est entièrement dématérialisée mais le calendrier est court : l'essentiel se joue entre novembre et mars.

Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), proof of about €615 per month, and a validation on ANEF in your first 90 days.

Key facts

Procedure
Études en France (Sénégal) — obligatoire
Visa type
VLS-TS Étudiant
Cost
Frais Campus France 50,000 FCFA env. + visa €50
Timeline
Dossier de janvier à mai, réponse visa 2–4 semaines
Proof of funds
€615/mois, garant en France accepté avec attestation de prise en charge

The procedure, step by step

  1. 1. Dossier Études en France

    Relevés du bac, attestations, CV et projet d'études. Le projet doit expliquer la cohérence avec votre parcours.

  2. 2. Entretien Campus France à Dakar

    Motivation, connaissance de la formation et financement sont évalués.

  3. 3. Visa et assurance

    Rendez-vous visa avec attestation d'admission, justificatif de logement et ressources.

  4. 4. Après l'arrivée

    Validation du VLS-TS, inscription à la sécurité sociale étudiante, demande CAF et garantie Visale.

A realistic timeline for students from Senegal

The Études en France calendar, not the school calendar, is what decides whether you make the September intake.

  • October–January — open the Études en France account, complete the academic timeline, pay the Campus France fee.
  • January–March — Campus France interview, then school decisions arrive inside the portal.
  • April–June — accept an offer, receive the attestation, book the consulate or VFS/TLScontact visa appointment.
  • July–August — visa decision, flight, accommodation proof, insurance.
  • First 90 days in France — validate the VLS-TS on ANEF, CPAM, CAF, bank account.

What a year in France actually costs a student from Senegal

Non-EU students at public universities may pay the differentiated tuition (≈€2,770 licence / €3,770 master), though many universities and grandes écoles waive or reduce it.

  • Rent: €350–€600 in Lille, Rennes, Toulouse or Montpellier; €700–€1,100 for a studio in Paris.
  • CAF housing aid: typically €100–€200 off the rent each month once your file is accepted.
  • Food and transport: €250–€350 a month, with student restaurant meals at €3.30 and city passes around €30.
  • CVEC: a single €105 contribution paid before enrolment, refundable for scholarship holders.

Where files from Senegal usually break

These are the failure points we see most often on this desk — none of them are hard to avoid if you know they exist.

  • Gaps in the academic timeline with no supporting document — the single most common blocking point.
  • Proof of funds that appears days before the appointment, with no history behind it.
  • A statement of purpose that does not connect the transcript to the exact programme.
  • Missing the 90-day ANEF validation window after arrival, which makes an otherwise valid stay irregular.

Coming from Africa: what is specific to you

Diplomas from Senegal are usually accepted on a case-by-case reading by each institution. Where a comparison is requested, ENIC-NARIC France issues an attestation de comparabilité — order it early, it takes several weeks. Sworn translations (traducteur assermenté) are required for the consulate file, scans are enough for the online stage.

Consulates and Campus France offices

Dakar · Saint-Louis

Where Senegalese students usually go

Paris · Lille · Toulouse · Rouen · Montpellier

Frequently asked questions

Combien coûte la procédure Campus France au Sénégal ?

Environ 50,000 FCFA de frais de dossier, plus €50 de frais de visa, hors traduction et déplacements.

Un garant en France est-il suffisant ?

Oui, avec une attestation de prise en charge de 615 €/mois, une pièce d'identité et les trois derniers bulletins de salaire du garant.

How early should students from Senegal start the process?

Ten to twelve months before the intake. The application, the interview or school decision, and the consulate appointment are three queues stacked back to back.

Do I need to speak French to study in France from Senegal?

Not for the 1,600+ English-taught programmes, which ask for IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90. French-taught programmes require DELF B2 or TCF. Either way, A2 French makes the prefecture, the bank and the landlord far easier.

Can I bring my family from Senegal while I study?

A student permit does not open family reunification. A spouse can apply for a visitor visa with independent proof of funds, which is assessed separately.

Can I stay in France after graduating, coming from Senegal?

Yes. A master's degree opens the APS (autorisation provisoire de séjour) for 12 months to look for work or start a business, and it converts into a work permit once you have a matching contract.

Is student housing aid (CAF) open to students from Senegal?

Yes. CAF aid depends on your accommodation and your resources, not your nationality — you need a lease in your name, a RIB and, for non-EU students, a valid residence permit or validated VLS-TS.

Read next

Admissions

The Campus France interview for students from Senegal

Admissions

The Études en France portal for students from Senegal

Admissions

Parcoursup for international students for students from Senegal

Admissions

The DAP procedure for students from Senegal

The four guides everyone from Senegal needs

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