What are the entry requirements to attend university in France? Are there any prep courses I could take?

Question

I am interested in completeing an undergraduate degree in anthropology/psychology at a french university pref. aix-marseilles. What exams/level does my french need to be at to do this? Is there anyway I could do a semester or two of french language or any courses out there that would help me get to the level I need to be at? What about study visas are these hard to obtain? Any help/info/advice would be greatly appreciated. many thanks

Answer 1

In order to do a regular undergraduate degree at a French university, your French has to be at the level of the DALF certificate. How much French have you had? Look into the Alliance Français in your area and find out about their classes and exams. If you pass the Dalf, you don't have to take any exams. If you don't do the Dalf, they will give you an exam in France. Chances are that if you don't pass, they'll give you a conditional entrance but you would have to take French courses while there and then repeat the exam after the first year. If you prefer, you could already go and spend a year in France studying French, and I guarantee you, after a year you'll be able to do their courses. I had Spanish friends who had only done 1 year of French in Spain and they were able to survive with no problem! Then after a year, you could start your program of study.

The visa is easy. After you are accepted, the university will send you the documents you'll have to send to the French embassy to get the visa. You should have no problem at all getting one. The last link underneath is a school in Aix for foreign students who want to study French for a summer, a semester or two.

Aix is beauuuuuuuuutiful!! Have fun!

PS the application process should be started in December if you're looking on entering in Sept/Oct 2009.