Courses and degrees in France
French higher education follows the European LMD model (Licence, Master, Doctorat), which makes degrees easy to compare across Europe. Most undergraduate teaching is in French, but English-taught master's programmes are increasingly common.
Levels of study
Licence
The 3-year bachelor's degree (L1–L3), the foundation of the French LMD system.
Master
A 2-year postgraduate degree (M1–M2); many English-taught master's programmes exist.
Doctorat
Typically 3 years of doctoral research, usually after a master's.
Language proof
DELF/DALF or TCF for French-taught courses; IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught ones.
Popular courses
Bachelor of Computer Science
Licence 3 years
A three-year Licence in computer science within France's LMD system, building core programming and mathematical foundations at a public university.
Bachelor of Science
Licence 3 years
A three-year Licence covering core scientific disciplines within France's LMD system, taught mainly at public research universities.
Master of Engineering
Master's 2-3 years
An engineering master's or diplôme d'ingénieur combining advanced technical study with project work, offered by grandes écoles and research universities.
MBA
Master's 1-2 years
A postgraduate management degree taught at France's grandes écoles, blending rigorous coursework with deep corporate recruiting networks.
Teaching language and tests
- French-taught courses usually require proof of French via the DELF/DALF or TCF.
- English-taught programmes, most common at master's level, typically ask for IELTS or TOEFL.
- Choose your institution type carefully: public universités and the selective grandes écoles admit students very differently.
How you apply
- Many non-EU students apply through the Campus France "Études en France" procedure, which links to your student visa.
- Grandes écoles often run competitive entrance exams or selective dossiers; universités are generally more open at Licence level.
- Check tuition before you commit: see our cost of living guide for EU and non-EU "differentiated" rates.
Official source: Campus France.