France has two major intakes for international students — Fall Intake (September/October) and Spring Intake (January/February).
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The Fall Intake is the primary and largest intake, covering most Bachelor’s, Master’s, and MBA programs.
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The Spring Intake offers limited programs, mainly for postgraduate and business degrees.
Applications generally open 6–10 months before the start date.
👉 Need personalized guidance? Blue Ribbon Overseas helps you shortlist universities and complete your France application for 2026 — from SOP to visa filing.
1. Overview of France’s Education Intakes
France offers flexible entry points for international students, but unlike the UK or USA, only two main intakes are officially recognized.
| Intake | Start Months | Applications Open | Ideal Apply By | Courses Available |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall / September Intake | September – October 2026 | November 2025 – February 2026 | Before March 2026 | All major UG, PG & MBA courses |
| Spring / January Intake | January – February 2026 | May – August 2025 | Before September 2025 | Limited PG & business programs |
| Rolling Intakes | Variable (few universities) | Flexible | Flexible | Short courses, language programs |
🗓️ Most top public universities and Grandes Écoles accept new students only in the Fall intake.
🧭 2. Which Intake Is Best for Indian Students?
| Aspect | Fall Intake (Sep/Oct) | Spring Intake (Jan/Feb) |
|---|---|---|
| Course Availability | 90% of UG + PG programs | 10–20% (mainly business/tech) |
| Competition | Higher, but more options | Lower competition |
| Scholarships | Widely open | Fewer available |
| Visa Processing Window | May – August 2026 | October – December 2025 |
| Best For | Students who plan early | Students who missed Fall cycle |
✅ Recommendation: Indian students should target Fall 2026 intake for maximum course and scholarship options.
3. Detailed Timeline for France Intakes 2026
| Step | Fall Intake (Sep 2026) | Spring Intake (Jan 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Research & Shortlist | Nov 2025 – Jan 2026 | Apr – May 2025 |
| Prepare Tests (IELTS / TEF / DELF if needed) | Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 | Apr – Jun 2025 |
| Apply to Universities | Jan – Mar 2026 | May – Sep 2025 |
| Receive Offer Letters | Mar – Apr 2026 | Sep – Oct 2025 |
| Apply for France Student Visa (Campus France Process) | May – Jul 2026 | Oct – Dec 2025 |
| Travel & Enrolment | Aug – Sep 2026 | Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 |
✈️ Campus France is mandatory for all Indian students — so start your process at least 3–4 months before visa filing.
4. Universities Offering Intakes in France 2026
| University | Fall Intake | Spring Intake | Popular Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sorbonne University | ✅ | ❌ | Humanities, Law, Arts |
| University of Paris-Saclay | ✅ | ❌ | Engineering, Science |
| Grenoble INP | ✅ | ✅ | Engineering, Data Science |
| NEOMA Business School | ✅ | ✅ | MBA, Marketing, Finance |
| EDHEC Business School | ✅ | ✅ | Finance, Management |
| Toulouse Business School (TBS) | ✅ | ✅ | Business, Aviation |
| Ecole Centrale de Nantes | ✅ | ✅ | Civil, Mechanical, Energy |
| ESCP Europe | ✅ | ✅ | Management, International Business |
| Skema Business School | ✅ | ✅ | AI, Business, Management |
| INSEEC U Group | ✅ | ✅ | Hospitality, Marketing |
💡 Many business schools in France (like NEOMA, SKEMA, TBS) have two intakes each year — Fall and Spring.
5. Most Popular Courses Among Indian Students (2026)
| Program | Typical Intake | Average Fees (€/year) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Data Science | Fall & Spring | €10,000 – €18,000 | Offered by SKEMA, ECE, NEOMA |
| MBA / Master in Management | Fall & Spring | €18,000 – €28,000 | INSEEC, ESCP, EDHEC |
| MSc Artificial Intelligence | Fall only | €12,000 – €20,000 | Popular for engineering grads |
| MSc Finance | Fall & Spring | €15,000 – €25,000 | NEOMA, EDHEC, TBS |
| Bachelor in Business / Engineering | Fall | €8,000 – €15,000 | Public & private universities |
| MSc Civil / Mechanical Engineering | Fall | €10,000 – €17,000 | Centrale Nantes, Polytechs |
🎓 Public universities in France offer low tuition (as low as €2,770 – €3,770 per year), while private schools can go up to €20,000+.
6. Documents Required for France Intakes 2026
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Valid Passport
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Academic Transcripts & Certificates
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Statement of Purpose (SOP)
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Letter(s) of Recommendation
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CV / Resume
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English or French Language Test Scores (IELTS / TOEFL / TEF / DELF)
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Proof of Financial Resources
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Health Insurance (mandatory)
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Campus France Registration Proof
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Offer Letter from University
7. Campus France Process (Mandatory for Indian Students)
Every Indian student applying for a France study visa must go through Campus France, a government agency that verifies applications and conducts interviews.
Steps:
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Create a profile on India.CampusFrance.org
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Submit all documents digitally.
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Pay Campus France fee (currently ~INR 18,000).
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Attend an interview at your nearest Campus France office.
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Apply for your France Study Visa post-interview.
8. Scholarships for 2026 Intakes
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Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
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Charpak Scholarship (For Indian Students)
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École Normale Supérieure (ENS) International Scholarship
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Erasmus+
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Sciences Po Emile Boutmy Scholarship
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INSEAD Diversity Scholarship
💡 Apply for scholarships during the university application stage, as most close 3–6 months before intake.
9. FAQs on France Intakes 2026
Q1. How many intakes are there in France?
→ Two main intakes — Fall (Sep/Oct) and Spring (Jan/Feb).
Q2. Which is the main intake?
→ The September intake is the major one with most programs and scholarships.
Q3. When should I apply for the Fall 2026 intake?
→ Start between Nov 2025 – Feb 2026 and finish by March 2026.
Q4. Is IELTS mandatory to study in France?
→ Not always. Many universities accept MOI (Medium of Instruction) certificates or conduct internal English tests.
Q5. What are the cheapest universities in France?
→ Public universities like University of Paris-Saclay, Aix-Marseille, Sorbonne, Toulouse, Montpellier — fees start around €3,000/year.
10. Plan Your France 2026 Application with Blue Ribbon Overseas
We help you with:
✅ University shortlisting (intake-wise)
✅ SOP & document editing
✅ Campus France process
✅ Visa filing & interview prep
✅ Scholarship guidance
👉 Book your free counselling session today — contact Blue Ribbon Overseas (Hyderabad) for expert support.
