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You have just applied for a University or a French school via Campus France ? Be aware that the procedure can take several months and that it is essential to respect the official schedules. In this article, I describe, step by step, the deadlines to be expected from submitting the file to payment, including the interview, the validation and the visa application to help you organize your project ofStudying in France stress-free.
The procedure generally follows the same rhythm each year:
consultancy : start your procedures at Minus 8 to 10 months before the start of the school year to have time to prepare your file and your financing.
1-Creation of the Campus France folder
Predict 2 to 4 weeks to gather your documents: diplomas, transcripts, translations, language certificates, CVs and cover letters.
2-Validation and payment of fees_
It generally takes a few days to 1 week for the validation of the file and the issuance of the payment authorization.
3-Educational interview (if mandatory)
The interview is generally scheduled 2 to 3 weeks after the validation of the file and the payment.
4-Response from universities and schools
Institutions communicate their decision between 1 and 3 months after the closing of applications, depending on the sector and the volume of applications.
After submitting the consular file, plan 2 to 4 weeks to obtain the visa (the deadlines vary depending on the consulate).
In summary: anticipate and start your procedure at least 3 to 4 months before the start of school (ideally 8—10 months to be safe).
Example of a typical schedule (September 2026 entry)