France Intakes 2025-26:
The Intakes simply denote that the terms of the classes at the universities will start at that time of the year. There are two main Intakes in France for international students, January and September, both of which are equally important for both students and universities in France. But the September intake is given more importance by some Here we are discussing the timeline to follow and the process to study for the intakes in France.
September Intake in France:
The Fall Intake in France starts in September, it is considered the main intake by many, and there are a large number of courses available for the September Intake. If you are someone looking forward to studying in September Intake for France, here is the timeline one needs to follow:
6 Steps to Study in September Intake in France 2025
Step 1 : March 2023 to April 2023
- Begin early and by March, shortlist 10-12 top universities in France that you will apply to. Visit the websites of the best universities in France and note application requirements, due dates, etc.
- By that time, be familiar with bank loan options and scholarships in France to support your studies.
- Start by downloading admissions brochures from the university websites. Most brochures are out over a year sooner.
- Do some initial research on different accommodation options.
Step 2 - Crack the exams: April 2025 to June 2026
- Prepare for required standardized tests like GMAT, GRE, SAT, TOEFL, or IELTS – relying upon the course and university. Many universities offer to study in France without IELTS.
- By April or three months before the test date, enroll for GMAT/ GRE.
- Register for the TOEFL/IELTS no less than a month prior to the test date.
- Take the required tests around June and do plan for buffer time in case you need to retake the test.
Step 3 - Its application time: May 2025 to June 2025
- Check out the list of universities in France for international students offering study abroad programs in France, and prepare for your application. Think hard about what makes you unique as an applicant and sketch out your strengths and self-appraisal.
- Contact your professors and direct managers for the required 2-3 reference letters. At least a month before your application due date.
- Start drafting your SOP and essays. Give a month’s time to structure these documents appropriately.
- Apply before the due date!
Step 4 - What next: July 2025 to August 2025
- Do not delay replying to college emails. In addition, there will be quite a few!
- Appear for personal/video interviews. These are planned for around January to March.
- Once you get acceptance letters, make your decision as quickly as possible.
- Depending on the deadline, inform the universities of your decision.
- You will need to pay a non-refundable deposit to affirm your admission.
Step 5 - Visa and money matters: August 2025 to September 2025
- Search for and begin applying for external scholarships (if relevant).
- Apply for a student loan, after you get your acceptance letter.
- Assemble the paperwork for your France student visa. Check visa prerequisites.
- Apply for a student visa in time. Remember the time taken for visa processing!
Step 6 - Get ready to fly: September 2025
- Book airline tickets.
- Organize an International Debit/Credit card.
- Gather all the documents and their photocopies, to take along.
- Check out the Pre-departure checklist!
Here is a list of Universities in France for September Intake 2025:
January Intake in France:
The Spring Intake in France takes off at the beginning of the year in January. As we have mentioned, both fall and spring intake hold the same importance and the number of courses offered are almost the same. If you are willing to study in France for January intake, here are the steps to follow:
6 Steps to Study in January Intake in France 2025
If your goal is to Study in France, and you want to apply for the January intake, we bring you the timeline you can follow to apply at Universities in France to study in January 2024. Keep in mind that there are other intakes in France, too, and fall or September intake in France in Primary Intake. There is a spring intake, too. But if you want to start in January, here are the deadlines and timeline for the steps you need to follow.
Step 1 : Start Now!
- Start looking for a course in your field of study, bachelor's and Masters in France Courses starting in January, and after that, a University.
- Shortlist the University that best suits your academic and career goals.
- Look for specific cities and tuition fees (Refer to Cost of Studying in France) of the courses you want to study. In short, do thorough research in every way possible before deciding the University you will be studying in.
- Once you have decided on a University, go to their website and look for the application deadlines. You must submit your application before the deadline. So Plan Accordingly.
Here is a List of Universities in France for January Intake 2025:
January Intake Universities
- CentraleSupélec, Paris
- University of Burgundy, Burgundy
- Paris-Sorbonne University, Paris
- Paris Diderot University, Paris
- Grenoble School of Management, Grenoble
- INSEAD Business School, Fontainebleau
- Paris Dauphine University, Paris
These are only some of the Top Universities in France with January intake. There are many Universities and Colleges that offer programs starting in the January term.
Step 2 -Appear for the Exams: July 2025 to August 2025
- The University you have shortlisted will have some specific admission requirements that you need to fulfill. One of them is entrance exams. There are many competitive entrance exams one can take to get admission into a French University. The most common exams are IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, SAT, etc.
- The test results also take time to be declared, and you might need to retake them in case of undesirable results. Therefore, it is important to have a buffer of two months for the exams.
Read more about language requirements at Study in France without IELTS
Step 3 -Start Applying to Colleges: August 2025 to September 2025
- Start preparing for the application once you are sure about the course and University. French Universities might ask for an application essay or SOPs and LORs. The idea is to highlight the strengths you possess and present yourself as a unique applicant.
- Start working on the SOP, the statement of purpose. Contact your former professors and superiors for the LOR, letters of recommendation. The documentation should start at least a month before the application deadline.
- To apply, go to the respective University and follow the steps on the official websites. Make sure you are filling in the correct information. Submit the application on time before the due date.
Step 4 - Acceptance Letters and Interviews: September 2025 to October 2025
- After a specific time, the University will mail you the status of your application. You should revert to them as soon as you are ready with your decision. You might be asked to appear for a personal or a video interview.
- If you are selected and willing to attend the course, you should reply immediately. Do not wait for the deadlines to revert.
- Once you confirm your positive reply, you might be asked to pay a confirmation fee by some Universities. Pay them as per the deadlines.
Step 5 - France Visa Application / Education Loan: October 2025 to November 2025
- After the confirmation, you will get an acceptance letter from the University. As soon as you get the confirmation letter from a French University, start preparing for your Student Visa in France Application. The visa process will also take time, so keep that in mind before applying.
- Apply for a student loan. Start applying for your student loan and manage the money funds you will be required to show. If you are applying for study abroad scholarships, start the process for the same. Document all the proofs and papers you will need for all these applications.
Step 6 -Tickets and Departure: November 2025 to December 2025
- You are almost ready. Book the flight tickets. If the orientations and Courses start in January, it is advisable to arrive in France by December. Start looking for accommodation on or off the campus depending on your preference.
- Gather all the necessary documents and the photocopies required before flying. Arrange for an international credit/debit card, and a pre-departure checklist to have a hassle-free journey to France.
Must Read:
Admission Requirements for Study in France