CHAPTER 3 · GETTING IN
Admission requirementsand documents.
Most French programmes ask for your transcripts and degree, a CV, a motivation letter, one or two recommendation letters and an English or French test score. Start 10–12 months before the September intake; public-university Licence 1 applications close by 15 December.
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Documents almost every programme asks for
- Passport (valid for your whole stay)
- Class 10 and 12 marksheets
- Bachelor's transcripts for every semester and the degree certificate (or provisional certificate)
- CV (one or two pages)
- Motivation letter specific to each programme
- Two recommendation letters (academic or professional)
- IELTS / TOEFL / Duolingo for English-taught programmes, or DELF / DALF / TCF for French-taught
- Portfolio for design, architecture and art
- GMAT / GRE for some business-school MSc and MBA programmes
- Work-experience letters, if relevant
Academic expectations
Public universities look at subject match first: your previous courses must prepare you for the programme. Grandes écoles and business schools also weigh grades, test scores, motivation and interview performance.
There is no single cut-off percentage. As a planning guide, competitive engineering and business MSc programmes typically expect a strong first-class record; specialised programmes may accept a wider range if your profile is relevant. Check each programme's published requirements.
Typical timeline for a September 2027 start
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Oct–Nov 2026 | Shortlist programmes, check language and test requirements, book IELTS/TOEFL/TCF |
| Oct 2026 onward | Create your Études en France account; prepare documents and motivation letters |
| By 15 Dec 2026 | Deadline for Licence 1 applications to public universities (DAP) |
| Dec 2026 – Mar 2027 | Most master's and MSc applications; school interviews |
| Feb – May 2027 | Campus France academic interview; offers arrive |
| May – Jul 2027 | Accept an offer, arrange accommodation and funds, apply for the visa |
| Late Aug – Sep 2027 | Travel, validate your visa, enrol |
How offers work
Universities answer through the Études en France platform or by email. You choose one offer, print the acceptance letter and use it for the visa. Schools often ask for a non-refundable deposit to confirm your seat; read the refund terms in case your visa is refused.
IN DEPTH · TAP A TOPIC TO OPEN
Month-by-month for a September start
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| September–October | Shortlist 6–10 programmes, check language requirements, book IELTS/TOEFL or DELF/TCF, ask professors for recommendations |
| October–December | Create your Études en France account, write programme-specific motivation letters, upload documents; Licence 1 deadline is 15 December |
| December–March | Submit to programmes (many have rounds), Campus France interview, school interviews and tests |
| March–June | Offers arrive; accept on Études en France; apply for scholarships the school nominates you for |
| June–August | Visa application at VFS, accommodation, flights, money transfer |
Mistakes that cost Indian applicants an offer
- Sending the same motivation letter to every programme
- Ignoring the programme's language of instruction (an 'international' programme can still be partly in French)
- Recommendation letters with no examples, or from people who barely know you
- Unexplained gaps or backlogs; explain them briefly and positively
- Applying only to the most selective schools; keep a balanced list
- Missing a school's own portal deadline because the Études en France file was complete
- Paying a deposit to an unaccredited school after a high-pressure call
Backlogs, gaps and a 3-year degree
French universities look at your overall average and the subjects relevant to the master's. A few cleared backlogs are rarely a problem if the transcript shows them passed; explain them in one line if asked. Gaps of one to two years are common; show what you did (work, courses, family reasons). A 3-year Indian bachelor's (BCom, BSc, BA) is accepted for Master 1 in most universities; some business schools ask for 4 years or work experience for their MSc programmes.
QUICK ANSWERS
Your questions, answered.
Not for most public-university master's programmes. Some business-school MSc and MBA programmes require or recommend GMAT or GRE; many waive it for strong profiles.
Yes. A 3-year Bachelor's normally gives access to Master 1 (first year of a master's), MSc programmes and the Programme Grande École at business schools.
There is no national cut-off. Selective programmes usually expect 60–70% or a CGPA of about 6.5–7/10 and above, with strong marks in relevant subjects. Universities read your file as a whole, including experience and the motivation letter.
For master's and other non-Licence 1 programmes you can add several choices; the platform shows the current limit for your procedure. Choose a balanced list rather than the maximum.
Many selective master's programmes and most business schools hold an online interview. Campus France India also holds an academic interview for every applicant.
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Keep going: the pages that help next.
Each card says what you will find there. Looking for something else? See every page on the site.
FRANCE GUIDE
Campus France process
Campus France India (Études en France) step by step: account, documents, ₹20,000 fee, academic interview, offers and visa for 2027 intake.
FRANCE GUIDE
IELTS, TOEFL & French tests
IELTS, TOEFL, Duolingo, DELF, DALF and TCF scores needed for English-taught and French-taught programmes in France, and when to book them.
FRANCE GUIDE
Motivation letter, LOR & CV
How to write a French motivation letter (SOP), get strong recommendation letters and format your CV for French universities and schools.
FROM INDIA
Month-by-month timeline
Month-by-month study abroad plan from India for a September 2027 start: tests, applications, scholarships, loans, visa, flights and a document checklist.
FROM INDIA
Documents & attestation
Indian documents for study abroad: transcripts, degree certificates, MOI letters, gap explanations, MEA apostille, notarisation, WES/ECA and sworn translations.
TOOL
Compare countries
Compare countries on fees, living costs, visa rules and post-study work, in one table.
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