Learn french

Learn french

PLEASE NOTE! Some courses require a specific level of French.
Generally, a B1 or B2 level is required for a Bachelor’s degree, DNA or DMA, and a C1 level for a Master’s degree, DNSEP or DSAA.
Preparatory courses in French + Art or Design at CampusArt
Improve your French whilst preparing for art school entrance exams:

Tests of and Degrees in French as a foreign language

To enrol in the first year or at any stage of a degree programme at a university, art school or architecture school, international (non-European) applicants must demonstrate a certain level of French by taking a language test or presenting a qualification.

For enrolment in the third year of a Bachelor’s degree, the third year of the DNA, a Master’s degree, a DNSEP or a PhD, there is no standard rule; each institution is free to set its own admission criteria regarding proficiency in French. You must therefore be sure to check the ‘prerequisites’ tab for each course online on CampusArt to find out the level of French required by the institution.

Please note: if your level of French does not meet the requirements for the course you have chosen by the start of the academic year, you will not be able to enrol on the course.

Tests in French

The ‘TCF’ and the ‘TCF-DAP’
These are general language proficiency tests recognised by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. They comprise compulsory and optional components.
Specially designed to form part of the DAP procedure (entry into the first year of university), the ‘TCF-DAP’ comprises the same compulsory components, supplemented by a text analysis.

The TCF is administered in 629 approved centers in 129 countries.

The ‘TEF’ test

The TEF is a test developed by the Paris chamber of commerce and industry. It measures test-takers’ knowledge of general French through the 100-question QCM component, in addition to two supplemental tests, one written, one oral.

The TEF can be taken in 400 centers in about 100 countries.

Degrees in French

The ‘DELF’ and the ‘DALF’

The DELF (Diplôme Élémentaire de Langue Française) and the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) are qualifications awarded by the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research.
They are in fact made up of six separate qualifications, each corresponding to a specific level. The DELF is awarded upon passing four levels, followed by the DALF upon passing the remaining two levels.

Exemptions from requirements

Applicants who meet one of the following criteria may be exempted from the requirement that they demonstrate their proficiency in French:

  • holders of the French baccalaureate (awarded by the Ministry of National Education), the European baccalaureate, the Franco-German baccalaureate (Abibac-Abitur), the Franco-Spanish baccalaureate (Bachibac) and the Franco-Italian baccalaureate (Esabac);
  • nationals of countries where French is an official language: Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea-Conakry, Mali, Monaco, Niger, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal and Togo;
  • nationals of multilingual countries where French is an official language: Belgium, Burundi, Cameroon, Canada, the Central African Republic, the Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Luxembourg, Madagascar, the Seychelles, Switzerland, Chad and Vanuatu. To be exempt from the TCF, candidates must have completed the majority of their secondary education in French;
  • students from French-speaking bilingual streams
  • nationals of countries where secondary school leaving examinations are conducted predominantly in French;
  • candidates taking part in a programme established by an intergovernmental agreement or a programme set out in an inter-university agreement;
  • foreign scholarship holders funded by the French Government, international organisations or foreign governments, whose scholarships are administered by an approved French body;
  • stateless persons, refugees, and the children of diplomats posted to France;
  • in certain cases, for students going abroad to study on programmes taught entirely in English.

Learn French in your own country

French language courses are taught across the network of cultural centres and Alliances Françaises around the world.
Based on the principles of tolerance and secularism, exchange and mutual understanding, this network – the largest international cultural network – serves as a tool for cultural mediation and a platform for global debate on ideas.
It is a means of promoting cultural diversity in all its forms of expression, and a major player in cooperation that contributes to cultural and artistic development worldwide.

The links below will help you explore the French cultural network:

Learn French in France

If you’d like to learn French or improve your language skills, why not come to France and take French lessons in a fully immersive environment?

French language preparatory courses + Art or Design at CampusArt
Improve your French whilst preparing for art school entrance exams:

Centers in France for the study of French as a foreign language

Whether you’re here for a short or long stay; whether you’re in Paris or one of France’s regions; whether you’re beginning your language study at square one or have very specific objectives—whatever your circumstances you’re sure to find a language center that can meet your needs.

Several years ago the French government began a program to award a label of quality to qualifying centers for the teaching of French as a foreign language operating within France. The “FLE Qualité” program identifies, recognizes, and promotes centers in which the consumer can be assured of receiving excellent language training.

Follow the link below to access a directory of all labelled programs, with descriptions of the levels and length of training that they offer. “FLE Qualité” programs are found all over France.

See also: