Important information
Proposed by
Target audience
Requirements
Where is it?
Applying to university
What is it?
Registering at university allows you to start or continue studies in France.
There are 3 types of higher education establishments in France:
- public universities
- private universities
- large public or private schools.
There are around 80 public universities on French territory, in all fields (sciences, letters, languages, arts, human sciences, health, sport, etc.).
They are financed by the French State and deliver national diplomas (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate).
The main conditions for enrolling at the university are:
- have the baccalaureate level or have completed high school (12 years of school) (step 1)
- have at least a B2 level in French (step 2).
Take the time to find out about universities and training courses (step 3), and prepare the documents for your file in advance (step 4).
The registration dates and procedures for sending a file are different depending on the universities and courses: it is essential to know the university calendar (step 5).
How to do it?
You must have an equivalent of the baccalaureate or have completed high school (12 years of school) in your country of origin.
- If you have a foreign diploma, you can request a certificate of comparability of your diploma from the ENIC-NARIC center (national information center on the academic recognition of foreign diplomas in France). You need to show official documents (diploma, transcripts, training certificate, etc.). The certificate given by the ENIC-NARIC center is official, but has no legal value and is not obligatory. Each university is free to request, accept or refuse this certificate to register.
> Read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Having a foreign diploma recognized in France”
- If you do not have proof of your diplomas or grades, because you were not able to take them before leaving your country or because they were lost, you can apply for a Passport European Qualifications for Refugees (EQPR).
> Read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Apply for a European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR)”
- If you have not completed high school, you can take the access diploma to university studies (DAEU) which gives the same level as the baccalaureate.
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Having the Diploma of Access to University Studies (DAEU)”
Level B2 in French is required to register at university.
But certain courses, such as law or social sciences and in general all Masters, require level C1 in French.
There are several methods to certify the level of French:
- Official tests: French Evaluation Test (TEF), French Knowledge Test (TCF), valid for two years.
- Diplomas: French Language Studies Diploma (DELF), Advanced French Language Diploma (DALF), valid throughout your life.
There is no certification that is easier or more complicated to pass, each has its own particularities.
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Having an official certification of the French level”
If you are not able to take an official language certification, it is sometimes possible to ask the university to assess your level of French (assessment interview, written test, etc.).
> Everything is explained in the Réfugiés.info sheet “Doing bridge training”
> DU Passerelle training courses in France are referenced here .
> The form to apply for the DU Passerelle d’Île-de-France is here .
Training can be offered by several universities in France, and some universities have specialties. It is therefore advisable to choose according to the place you live, your skills, your projects, the number of places available, etc.
- license level (bac +1, bac + 2, bac +3) by clicking here ,
- master level (bac + 4, bac + 5) here .
You can also ask for help:
- In a SUIO (university information and orientation service)
- In a CIO (information and orientation center)
- In a Youth Information and Documentation Center
- On the My Master website by telephone or email
- On the Onisep website (National Information Office on Education and Professions) by telephone, chat or email
- At the UniR association - Universités Réfugié.es or another association near you.
Refugee students can also be accompanied by a CROUS advisor after registration.
A - To register for the first year:
You must withdraw, complete and submit a file to the university. You have to phone or contact the education department or the international relations service of the university _ by email _ to find out where to collect the file to complete.
B - For other years:
The file must be completed online on the university website.
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Good to know : A CV, cover letters, copy of your diploma(s) obtained and a French level certificate are generally required.
The documents requested for the application file are generally:
- A CV
- A cover letter
- An official certification of the French level
- The diploma(s) obtained in your country of origin translated(s)
OR the ENIC-NARIC comparability certificate
OR the European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR)
> Read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “ Request the official translation of a document ”
Explain what you have done before and why you want to do this training, even if you have changed fields or stopped studying for a while.
Other documents may be requested depending on your situation (certificate of training completed in France, employer certificate, letters of recommendation, level of English, etc.).
If you need to send your file by email or download it from the website of the university that interests you, you must have all the documents in electronic version (PDF format).
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Scan a document”
> For registration in the first year of the license
Between January and March, registration requests must be made on “Parcoursup”, a website which brings together and distributes future students. Each student chooses several universities and several courses (“formulation of wishes”).
Between March and April, each student confirms their “wishes” and sends application files.
Between June and July, Parcoursup makes the distribution between the students and the chosen universities (“main admission phase”).
If you are accepted, classes start between September and October.
> For registration from the second year of license
It is not necessary to go through Parcoursup, you can contact the university directly using the contact details of the training manager or on the eCandidat website. Check the dates on the website carefully.
> For master’s registration
You must go to the My Master website while respecting this schedule .
> For registration for DU Passerelle training
Everything is explained in the Réfugiés.info sheet “Take a DU Passerelle course”
DU Passerelle courses in France are referenced here .
The form to apply for the DU Passerelle in Île-de-France is here .
What happens next?
Beneficiaries of international protection (refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary or temporary protection, and stateless persons) do not pay registration fees at public universities.
- You have the possibility to request financial aid to live properly during your studies.
> Everything is explained on the Réfugiés.info sheet “ Apply for a scholarship ”
- Depending on your situation and available places, it is also possible to request student accommodation.
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Obtain CROUS student accommodation”
- If you already have accommodation, the CAF (Family Allowance Fund) can help you pay your rent , depending on your situation and your resources.
> Read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Ask for housing assistance”
- If you have already worked in France before your studies and are registered with France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi), it is also possible to receive unemployment benefits.
> To read: the Réfugiés.info sheet “Register with France Travail (formerly Pôle emploi)”
If the registration dates have passed, it is sometimes still possible to register: you must contact the university directly (tuition service, training manager, reception office for mobile students, etc.).
If it is no longer possible to register for training or if your application has not been accepted, you can follow online courses while waiting for the next registrations, for example with:
- The CNED (National Center for Distance Studies) allows you to follow a complete university course remotely.
- The CNAM (National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts) offers numerous online training courses, work-study courses, etc.
- FUN MOOC (France Université Numérique) offers more than 600 online courses, free and open to all
- The Interuniversity Federation of Distance Education (FIED) helps you find the training that interests you by field, by university or by diploma.
- The AUF (Francophonie University Agency) offers online (MOOC) and distance learning (FOAD) training
More information about online training here .
You can also continue to practice French to progress before registering for the next training:
- on the Learn French with TV5 Monde website
- on the French Facile website with RFI
- read and listen to everyday documents (news, podcasts, newspapers, radio shows, videos, etc.) and have conversations with French-speaking people.
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