French for studying in France

Why France?

With respected public universities, comparatively low tuition fees and a vibrant student life, France has long been one of the top destinations for international students. To make the most of these opportunities, your most important asset is the French language. In this article we walk step by step through the path to the level universities require.

B2: the main admission benchmark

For French-taught programmes, most universities set level B2 as the admission requirement. In some fields such as law, medicine or literature, universities usually prefer C1, because of the heavy reading and writing load. For English-taught programmes an English certificate is enough, but knowing French plays a decisive role in daily life, student jobs and opportunities after graduation.

Accepted language certificates

• DELF and DALF: official diplomas of the French Ministry of Education; DELF covers levels up to B2 and DALF covers C1 and C2. These diplomas never expire.
• TCF: a multi-skill placement test whose results are usually valid for a limited period.
• TEF: a test similar to the TCF, also used for study and immigration purposes.

Which test to choose depends on your goal and your application timeline; for study purposes, any of these certificates at the required level is usually accepted.

The Campus France process

Iranian students generally need to submit their application through the Campus France system. The process involves creating an academic file, choosing programmes and universities, uploading documents and, finally, an interview. The interview usually assesses your academic motivation and your language ability — so genuine command of the language, not just a certificate, matters a great deal.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees at French public universities are usually lower than in English-speaking countries. On top of that, there is a range of scholarship opportunities:

• The Eiffel scholarship: a prestigious French government scholarship for outstanding students at master's and doctoral level.
• French embassy scholarships and regional scholarships, whose conditions are announced each year.
• Grants and fee reductions that some universities offer to international students.

How long does it take from A1 to B2?

The answer depends on how much you practise, but realistically, going from zero to B2 usually takes several hundred hours of tuition and practice — with regular classes and consistent study, a journey of roughly one and a half to two years. Intensive courses can shorten this, provided daily practice is taken seriously. The key is to align your plan with the Campus France deadlines, so that your language certificate is ready on time.

A suggested route could look like this:

• Levels A1 and A2: building the foundations of the language, focusing on conversation, pronunciation and everyday vocabulary.
• Level B1: strengthening listening comprehension and reading authentic texts such as news items and simple articles.
• Level B2: practising argumentative writing, oral presentations and working with official past exam papers.
• The final months: taking a mock exam and preparing for the Campus France interview.

Alongside your classes, watching French films and series, listening to podcasts and speaking regularly will noticeably speed up your progress.

Starting the journey with GLOBAL TALK

GLOBAL TALK language institute in Karaj runs French courses from beginner to advanced levels and supports you in preparing for the DELF, DALF and TCF exams. With a placement test and a consultation session, you can design a realistic plan for reaching B2 and getting ready for the Campus France process.