France — Study (Master's at a public university (French- or English-taught))

Main requirements

You need a bachelor's degree (for Master 1) and must file through the Études en France platform. For the September 2027 intake, applications run 10 Mehr–10 Dey 1405 (2 Oct–31 Dec 2026), with up to 7 choices for L2/L3 and M1/M2 (Campus France Iran, updated Oct 2026). If your programme isn't on the platform or you missed the deadline, you can get admission directly from the university and then register it on the platform. PhDs are not handled through this platform.

Documents

Photo; CV; motivation letter; university degrees with transcripts; pre-university certificate with transcripts; French or English language certificate (depending on programme); recommendation and work letters if available. Every study or work period must be documented; forged documents can lead to a permanent ban from French public institutions.

Language

Everyone must pass the Campus France interview; it is held in French, or in English if your programme is English-taught. French-taught programmes (without a preparatory language course) require at least B2. Campus France Iran lists 1,600+ fully or partly English-taught programmes; the IELTS minimum is set by each university. Important: the Tehran French language centre, the only TCF centre in Iran, was closed in September 2026 by decision of the Iranian authorities and TCF and DELF/DALF sessions were cancelled. If you don't have a French certificate yet, ask Campus France Iran where you can sit the test before planning; you will probably have to test outside Iran.

Costs and proof of funds

Public-university tuition for non-EU students in 2026-27 is €3,950/year for a master's (€2,902 for a licence), per Campus France. Under Decree 2026-385 (19 May 2026) each university may grant exemptions only up to a cap of 30% in 2026-27, 25% in 2027-28 and 20% after that, so don't count on one for a 2027 start. Private schools typically charge €6,000–18,000/year. The Eiffel scholarship (age limit 29 for master's) is applied for only through the university, which must submit by 6 January 2027, so its internal deadline is earlier. Campus France Iran lists its platform/interview fee at €250, the student visa at €50 and VFS service at €40. CVEC for 2026-27 is €105, and VLS-TS validation after arrival costs €100 in tax stamps. Proof of funds: since 1 Aug 2026 at least €877.50/month (previously €615), i.e. about €10,530 for 12 months, shown by bank certificate, scholarship or a sponsor with regular transfers.

Steps and timeline

Create the Études en France file and upload documents (2 Oct–31 Dec); pay the fee and do the Campus France Iran interview (online, per the Campus France Iran visa page); wait for university answers on the platform; confirm one offer so the file becomes a visa file; email Campus France for a VFS slot; fill in France-Visas and submit at VFS Tehran (Mega Pars Center, 14th floor, Moallem St., Shariati St.); get the visa and travel for the September semester.

Iran-specific notes

The French embassy's visa service in Tehran was suspended in July 2025 and later resumed. An embassy notice of 30 April 2026 says applicants can again file at VFS from 14 June 2026 with a prior appointment, and an embassy warning published in late September 2026 shows VFS Tehran is currently taking files. The service can close suddenly with political events, so check embassy and Campus France notices before each step. Per the Campus France Iran visa page, student-visa VFS appointments are requested by email to [email protected]. The embassy stresses that only VFS gives appointments and anyone promising a guaranteed visa or an out-of-turn slot is a scam. Since July 2025 Campus France Iran has said it handles files remotely; check its site for the current contact channel. Paying tuition from Iran is hard because of sanctions and usually goes through exchange offices or contacts abroad. Start degree release and certified translation early.

After arrival (work while studying, post-study stay, permanent residence)

Validate your VLS-TS online within 3 months. You may work up to 964 hours/year (60% of full time) without a permit. After a master's you can get a one-year, non-renewable job-search/business-creation permit (formerly APS); a related job paying over €2,800.53 gross/month gives a salarié card without labour-market test, or a Talent Passport from €39,582/year. After several years of legal stay you can apply for a resident card, which since 2026 requires a civic exam and B1 French.