Études en France: application guide

To enrol in a French university and prepare for a student visa application, you may need to use Études en France, depending on your country of residence, nationality and chosen course. Read below about this online application service managed by Campus France and how to prepare your documents and profile photo.

Table of contents

• How the Campus France application process works
• How to create an Études en France account
• Documents needed for an Études en France application
• Campus France profile photo requirements
• Get your Campus France profile photo online
• Campus France application fees
• How to find your Campus France application deadline
• How to check your Études en France application status

How the Campus France application process works

The application procedure for studying in France depends on your residence, nationality, qualifications and intended course. The main procedures discussed in the official Campus France guidance include:

• Études en France: an online process for applicants covered by the procedure in participating countries and territories.
• Demande d'admission préalable (DAP): a preliminary admission application required for certain applicants entering the first year of a university degree or an architecture programme. Where applicable, it is completed through Études en France.
• Parcoursup: the admissions platform used for many first-year higher education applications, depending on the applicant and course. Some applicants also need to follow Études en France procedures.

These are not always mutually exclusive routes. TCF is a French-language test, not an admissions platform. Applicants who need it for DAP take the TCF tout public with the required written-expression test, unless an exemption applies. See the official TCF guidance.

Campus France is the French agency that supports international higher education and student mobility. Check its participating-country guidance and the instructions from the office responsible for your country of residence to confirm which process applies to you.

Études en France lets you manage your application and communicate with your Campus France office and participating institutions. It also supports the pre-visa process where required, but it does not issue a visa or replace the separate France-Visas application.

To apply, create an account on the appropriate platform, complete the forms and upload the requested documents. Follow the instructions for your chosen intake and check whether the institution requires a separate application.

How to create an Études en France account

Create your application account on Études en France, rather than registering only on the general Campus France information website:

1. Open the Études en France platform using the link provided by your local Campus France office.
2. Choose the account-creation option, select the relevant Campus France office and enter your email address and requested personal details.
3. Follow the email confirmation instructions and set your password to activate the account.
4. Sign in and follow the application instructions for your situation, including whether you are applying for admission or have already been accepted.

Your local office's guide explains which process to select. For example, Campus France Egypt's application instructions link to the Études en France portal, not the general website registration form.

Documents needed for an Études en France application

Check the document checklist for your country, course and application type. Commonly requested documents include:

• A profile photo;
• A copy of your identity document, such as a passport or an accepted national ID card;
• Academic transcripts and diplomas;
• A CV or résumé.

The exact requirements depend on your case. Follow your local office's instructions for any additional documents, translations or language certificates. See, for example, the Campus France UAE document checklist.

Campus France profile photo requirements

This is a digital portrait for your Études en France profile, not a photo for a physical Campus France identity card. For instance, Campus France UAE's official instructions specify the following preparation settings:

• JPEG or PNG format;
• A file size no greater than 50 KB;
• An image approximately 26 mm wide by 32 mm high at 300 DPI.

The dimensions and resolution describe preparation of the digital image, not a requirement to submit a paper photograph. Follow the requirements shown in your own upload field and your local office's guide if they differ.

For a clear, recognisable portrait:

• Use a sharp colour image with balanced lighting;
• Face the camera directly and keep a neutral expression;
• Keep your eyes and facial features visible, without hair or accessories covering them;
• Avoid glare on glasses, dark lenses, shadows and red-eye;
• Use a plain, light background for the finished image, and follow any specific local rules on background colour and head coverings.

These are practical photo-quality tips, not additional universal biometric measurements. Before uploading, check the file's actual format and size, then open it to make sure compression has not blurred your face. Renaming a file's extension does not convert its format. If it exceeds the upload limit, resize or compress it and check the result again.

Your later student visa application has its own photo requirements. Do not assume that the profile image can be used unchanged; consult France-Visas and our French visa photo guide.

Here is an example of a Campus France profile photo:

Get your Campus France profile photo online

Gathering documents to study abroad can take time. You can prepare your Études en France profile photo online with Visafoto instead of arranging a separate photo session.

Take a clear portrait of yourself and upload it to Visafoto, selecting the Campus France photo format. The tool can adjust the crop, size and background.

You can take the source photo with a smartphone or camera against any background. You do not need studio equipment: Visafoto can adjust the background and improve lighting. Keep your face clearly visible and look straight at the camera.

A daylight selfie like this is a suitable starting point:

Visafoto provides a digital portrait and a printable template. For the Études en France profile, use the individual digital portrait, not the sheet of photos intended for printing. Check the downloaded file against the format and size limit displayed in your application before uploading it, and make sure your face remains clear in the preview.

Campus France application fees

Études en France processing fees vary by country and application type. Check your local Campus France website or contact the office handling your application for the current amount and payment instructions.

How to find your Campus France application deadline

There is no single Campus France application deadline that applies worldwide. Use the calendar for your country of residence, intended intake and application route. An admission deadline, a deadline for confirming an offer and a pre-visa processing deadline are different stages.

• Find your country office through the Campus France directory.
• Open its application calendar and check the academic year and intake, not just the page's publication date.
• Identify the route that applies to you, such as DAP, a non-DAP application or a process for students who already have an admission offer.
• Check your chosen institution's instructions for any separate application or document deadlines.
• Record the relevant submission and response dates, allowing time for document preparation and any required language test.

Campus France directs applicants to their country office for non-DAP calendars. Consult the official procedure guide for the distinction between routes. If the calendar for your intended intake has not yet been published, contact the office rather than reusing dates from a previous year.

How to check your Études en France application status

Check your Études en France account and email regularly for updates or requests for additional information. If you are unsure about the status of your file or an expected update has not arrived, contact the Campus France office handling your application.

Last updated: 11 September 2026