‘France’ - the popular touristy destination is unsurprisingly one of the best study destinations in the world. With 3000+ institutions offering 1000+ courses in English, the country is welcoming to both, national and international students.
If you too are interested in studying in France, you will have to understand intakes in France for a smooth admission process. By understanding France university intakes, you will be able to choose the one that suits you.
France offers TWO intakes every year - January intake/Spring intake and September intake/Fall intake. Hence, let’s dive into understanding both of these France intakes in this blog.
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France Intakes: September Vs January Intake
As mentioned above, there are TWO important intakes to study in France. Both of these intakes have prominent importance based on the students’ preferences. However, to choose what suits you best, look at the difference between both the France intakes.
September Intake |
January Intake |
Fall intake |
Spring intake |
Is the preferred choice of intake for many international students |
Fairly popular intake |
Aspirants must begin their preparation in March-April |
Aspirants interested in this intake must start preparing by August |
Deadline for this intake is July-August |
Application Deadline - November |
Primary intake |
Secondary intake |
Suggested Read: Guide to education system in France
September Intakes In France 2024-23
The fall intake takes place in the month of September in France. Most international students look forward to this intake. The high level of competition for the September intake might make it challenging. Therefore, it is necessary that you plan in advance and take action for your admission.
Refer to the timeline below to plan your September intake in France:
Month |
Action |
March-April |
Foreign universities require you to take exams to qualify for admission. Check official websites of universities to gather information about the exams you will need to take. |
May |
|
June |
Do not wait for the last date to reply. This will cause a delay in the other processes required to fly abroad. |
June-July |
Note: Both of the processes take time. Thus, you have to remain proactive to stay on schedule. |
August |
Grab your documents, visa, fund and be ready to fly! |
Universities in France for September Intake
Universities accepting international students during the fall semester vary depending on your choice of course. Some of the France universities offering September intake are:
- PSL research university
- HEC Paris
- Ecole Polytechnique
- Sorbonne University
- CentraleSupélec University
NOTE: Indian students aspiring to study in France can apply to universities, track applications and visas through the ‘Study in France’ portal. |
January Intakes In France 2024-23
The January intake also goes by the name Spring intake in France. Most universities offer as many courses in January as September. However, you must check the official university site you prefer to confirm your desired course's availability.
If you want to study in France from January, the ideal time to start your preparation is from July-August.
To enrol in January intakes universities in France preplanning from July-August is crucial to take the required tests, apply etc. To organise your schedule accordingly, refer to the table below:
Month |
Action |
July - August |
Foreign universities require you to take exams to qualify for admission. Check official websites of universities to gather information about the exams you will need to take. |
September |
|
October |
Do not wait for the last date to reply. This will cause a delay in the other processes required to fly abroad. |
October - November |
Note: Both of the processes take time. Thus, you have to remain proactive to stay on schedule. |
December |
Gather your documents, visa, fund and be ready to fly! |
January Intake Universities in France
Spring intake in France is offered by a number of universities. To name a few, look at this list of January intake universities in France:
- CentraleSupélec, Paris
- Grenoble School of Management, Grenoble
- INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau
- Paris Dauphine University, Paris
- Paris Diderot University, Paris
- IÉSEG School of Management
- University of Burgundy
- Paris-Sorbonne University, Paris
Which France Intake to Choose as an International Student?
Both the intakes of France are almost of equal importance. So, the deciding factor of which intake to choose to study in France mostly depends on:
- Your desired course availability
- The weather you prefer
- Your preparation time for application
- The type of program you wish to study
Assess the above factors and take a call based on the list. Some programs might be available specifically for the Fall season. Hence, requiring you to move during the same time.
To take a call, shortlist your desired university and course. After you have shortlisted the course you are interested in, check its availability and then, apply.
Things to Remember Before Applying to France Intakes:
While applying to study in France, you must consider some key factors:
- If you want to apply to English taught courses or French.
- For English taught courses IELTS, TOEFL and PTE are accepted. Whereas, DEFL or TCF tests are required to prove your French proficiency.
- Plan the intake you wish to study and have a visa application and funding plan according.
- Some courses might require international students to take the Preliminary Admission test to study in France.
For example, students aspiring to study Architecture in France are required to take the test. Thus, check the necessary requirements and take the tests in advance.
To further throw clarity, this is what you need to know - As an international student aspiring to study in France, you will have to start your procedure 6 months in advance. This way, you will avoid any delay that might hinder your dream of studying abroad.