Undergraduate studies in France can either be a bachelor's program or a licence.
Students who have obtained a diploma in secondary education (junior or senior high school) may apply for an undergraduate program in France. Undergraduate programs in France could either be a licence or a bachelor's degree. The procedure to follow for either program has a different set of prerequisites and timelines to follow.
Note: The Philippines isn't covered by the EEF - Études en France procedure, more commonly known as the Campus France online application. Undergraduate admissions originating from the Philippines must undergo the specific procedures detailed below.
The licence is a 3-year undergraduate program following France's LMD (licence - master - doctorat) system. Licence programs issue state diplomas (Diplome National) and are rigorously maintained by France's Ministry for Higher Education. Furthermore, the licence is almost exclusively taught in French, requiring at least B2 CEFR proficiency.
The structure of the licence is likewise unique, being centered on theoretical learning to allow better integration into a master's degree. The exception to this is the licence professionnelle. As the name suggests, the licence professionnelle is a 3rd-year study track that aims to better prepare students for the job market via more hands-on learning approaches.
The licence professionnelle requires completion of 2 years' worth of licence units; no direct admission to the licence professionnelle is available.
APPLYING FOR THE 1ST YEAR OF LICENCE
OPTION 1: PARCOURSUP
Students who are of nationality from one of the European Union's 27 members states, the European Economic Area, or of Swiss nationality are to apply via the Parcoursup platform.
Parcoursup is usually open from late December of the prior year, with responses from prospective universities arriving around end of May.
OPTION 2: DEMANDE D'ADMISSION PRÉALABLE
Students whose situations aren't relevant to the Parcoursup application track are to complete their applications via the DAP - Demande d'Admission Préalable. Applicants from outside of France must complete the Dossier Blanc (White file).
Applications via the DAP are to be submitted to the Embassy of France's cultural department from October 1 to mid-December prior to the targeted academic year.
Click here for more information on the DAP procedure.
APPLYING FOR THE 2ND OR 3RD YEAR OF LICENCE (Including the Licence Professionnelle)
Applications into the 2nd or 3rd year of licence must be submitted via the university's eCandidat portal. There is no single eCandidat portal; every university has its own eCandidat page (or equivalent).
Make sure to verify your chosen university's eCandidat page by visiting their official website, or contacting their admissions department.
Bachelor's degrees are 3- or 4-year certifications that are offered by non-state entities in France. It is worth noting that not all bachelor's degrees are recognized by the state. There are, however, certain bachelor's programs that have been certified by the state as having the equivalent of a licence grade as bac+3, or bac+4 (respectively meaning 3 or 4 years of studies following the obtention of a secondary education diploma).
Bachelor's degrees are more catered to international students, being widely available in English. The objective of the bachelor's is to train students to become professionals upon the completion of their program.
APPLYING FOR A BACHELOR'S PROGRAM
Admission into a bachelor's program depends on the institution's requirements. These educational establishments may have exclusive application platforms and are also more selective in their recruitment via quotas, examinations, and interviews. Private educational institutions have a lower rate of admission compared to universities.
Students must contact their chosen private school directly to determine the admission procedure that applies to them.
