What is Campus France and the Études en France procedure?
Campus France is the French national agency responsible for promoting French higher education abroad and assisting students with their admission procedures. The Études en France platform is the official gateway through which students from 51 designated countries must pass before applying to a French university and requesting a student visa.
Important to understand: Campus France is not a university. It is an administrative intermediary that validates your dossier before transmitting it to institutions. It is only after receiving a positive Campus France assessment that your applications are forwarded to universities.
Step 1: Check whether your country requires the procedure
The list of 51 countries subject to the Campus France procedure is published and regularly updated at campusfrance.org. These countries include Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Vietnam, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, and many others.
If your country is not on the list, you can apply directly through Parcoursup (for bachelor's degrees) or MonMaster (for master's degrees), then obtain your visa from the consulate without going through Campus France.
Step 2: Create your account on the Études en France platform
Go to pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance and create an account. This account will be your central hub throughout the entire process.
Documents to prepare for your dossier:
| Document | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Identity photo | JPEG format, white background, taken within 3 months |
| Passport | Scan of the identity double page, valid for at least 18 months |
| Transcripts (last 3 years) | With French translation if required |
| Diplomas obtained | Official or certified copies |
| Language certificates | DELF/DALF, TCF, IELTS, TOEFL depending on programme |
| Curriculum vitae | 1–2 pages, chronological format |
Ensure all documents are legible, good quality, and in PDF or JPEG format. Incomplete dossiers are systematically returned, extending processing times.
Step 3: Choose your programmes and write your motivation letters
The Études en France platform allows you to select up to 7 programmes, which must appear in the Campus France partner institution catalogue.
Tips for choosing programmes:
- Diversify institutions (don't put all applications in the same university)
- Diversify cities (Paris is highly competitive; Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse offer excellent programmes with less competition)
- Check language requirements: some master's programmes are taught in English, but French proficiency often remains essential for daily life
The motivation letter:
This is the most differentiating element of your dossier. A strong motivation letter for a French university should:
- Explain your academic background and how it led you to this choice
- Justify your choice of France and the specific institution
- Describe your professional project in five years
- Be written in a formal but personal style (avoid generic phrases)
- Fit on one A4 page maximum
Have your letter reviewed by a native French speaker if possible.
Step 4: Submit the dossier and pay the fee
Once your dossier is complete, submit it through the platform and pay the application fee (approximately €65) by international credit card online.
After submission, your dossier is reviewed by the local Campus France team in your country (typically based at the French embassy or consulate). Processing time is 2 to 6 weeks depending on the period.
Step 5: The Campus France interview (if required in your country)
In some countries, an interview with a Campus France adviser is mandatory. It takes place in person or via video call depending on your location.
Typical topics covered:
- Your academic background (results, favourite subjects, work methods)
- Your motivations for choosing France over other countries
- Your knowledge of the selected institutions and programmes
- Your French language level (free conversation)
- Your professional project after graduation
- Your financing plan (available resources, scholarships, family support)
Duration: 20 to 30 minutes. Prepare to answer open-ended questions with clarity and structure.
Step 6: Receiving admission decisions
Following your interview (or dossier review if no interview required), you will receive:
- A pedagogical assessment from Campus France (favourable, reserved, or unfavourable)
- Admission decisions from the institutions directly on the platform
If multiple institutions accept you, you must confirm your final choice on the platform. This confirmation is required to obtain your validated Campus France dossier.
Step 7: Visa application at the consulate
Armed with your validated Campus France dossier and definitive admission letter, book an appointment at the French consulate or embassy in your country to apply for a long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) with the mention "student".
Documents for the consular appointment:
- Valid passport (minimum 18 months)
- Printed and signed Campus France dossier
- Admission letter from the institution
- Proof of funds (minimum €615/month, i.e. €7,380/year)
- Accommodation proof (host certificate, rental contract, or university hall attestation)
- Health insurance covering the duration of stay
- Completed visa application form
- Compliant identity photos
- Consular fees (approximately €50 for nationals outside bilateral agreements)
Step 8: Arriving in France — what to do in the first 3 months
Once in France with your VLS-TS, you must validate your visa on the OFII website within 3 months of your entry. This validation is mandatory and chargeable (fiscal stamp of €75). It converts your visa into a valid residence permit.
Procedure: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
Official resources
- Études en France platform: pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance
- Campus France — Procedure: campusfrance.org/en/the-etudes-en-france-procedure
- OFII — VLS-TS validation: administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr
- France-Visas (visa application): france-visas.gouv.fr
Meridiane supports you through all your procedures after arriving in France: VLS-TS validation, Ameli registration, CAF application, bank account opening. Our AI assistant answers your administrative questions 24/7.