France — Study (Bachelor's (year 1) with an Iranian diploma — DAP)

Main requirements

With an Iranian diploma (under the new education rules the former pre-university year is now called 'grade 12') you file a preliminary admission request (DAP). For the September 2027 intake, filing runs 10 Mehr–24 Azar 1405 (2 Oct–15 Dec 2026) with up to 3 choices for licence year 1 and 2 for architecture licence/master (Campus France Iran, updated Oct 2026). If your programme isn't on the platform you can get admission directly from the university and then register it on the platform. This route is for people without a university degree; if you already hold a bachelor's, restarting at year one usually doesn't fit the 'coherent project' Campus France checks, and the master route is better.

Documents

Photo; CV; motivation letter; high-school records with transcripts; French language certificate; recommendation and work letters if available.

Language

DAP requires the DAP French test; a DELF B2 holder is exempt. The Campus France interview is in French. Important: Campus France Iran still lists the 2027 DAP test registration and dates as 'to be announced', and the Tehran French language centre (the only TCF centre in Iran) was closed in September 2026 by decision of the Iranian authorities, with its tests cancelled. Without DELF B2, ask Campus France Iran where and when you can sit the test before filing the DAP.

Costs and proof of funds

Public-university licence tuition for non-EU students in 2026-27 is €2,902/year, and under Decree 2026-385 each university's exemption cap is 30% in 2026-27 and 25% in 2027-28, so don't count on one. Campus France Iran lists its platform/interview fee at €250; student visa €50, VFS €40, CVEC €105, VLS-TS validation €100. Proof of funds since 1 Aug 2026 is at least €877.50/month (≈€10,530 for 12 months) per service-public.

Steps and timeline

Learn French to B2 (usually the longest part); file the DAP between 2 Oct and 15 Dec; DAP language test (or DELF B2) and Campus France interview; wait for university answers on the platform; confirm the offer, email Campus France for a VFS slot, fill in France-Visas; visa and travel for September.

Iran-specific notes

For male diploma holders, leaving Iran for study has specific conscription rules; check with the conscription office before spending money. The Tehran visa service was suspended in July 2025 and reopened, and per the embassy files are again accepted at VFS by appointment from 14 June 2026; it can close suddenly, so follow the notices. The embassy warns only VFS gives appointments and promised visas are scams. Paying tuition from Iran is difficult because of sanctions.

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 without a permit. After year one you can get a multi-year student card covering the rest of the programme. The one-year job-search permit only follows a master-level degree or a licence professionnelle, not a general licence.