How to apply to an institute of higher education?
Depending on your nationality, level of studies or type of institute of higher education in which you wish to enroll, you must follow the corresponding procedure.
Timetable of Procedures
Depending on your nationality, your residence country, your high school diploma and the level of studies you want to join, the process may differ to apply in a higher educational institution in France. Feel free to check out the Website of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, and the further sections below, to know more.
If you want to join the French higher education system in 2024-2025 for the 1st year of your Bachelor's degree, here are the important dates to remember :
DAP – “Demande d’Admission Préalable” (preliminary request for admission for non-EU students)
- Registrations open on 1st October 2023
- Registrations close on 15 December 2023
Your application will be examined at the same time by the 3 universities you have requested.
- University response and proposals for acceptance : before 30 April 2024
If it occurs, universities will share with you exemptions from which you may benefit.
- Student response : before 31 May 2024
If you have received several acceptance proposals, you will have to make a choice.
Note: if you do not answer before 31 May 2024, the absence of answer will be considered as a rejection.
Parcoursup (for European students)
- Start of registrations : 17 January 2024
- Complete your list of academic choices before : 3 April 2024
- Complete your file before : 14 March 2024
CampusArt
Registrations open on 1 October 2023 and close on 29 February 2024.
All other levels of study (2nd and 3rd year of Bachelor's degree, Master's, Doctorate, short-term programmes)
As admissions and recruitment are determined independently by higher educational institutes in France, students will be required to verify the admissions procedures and deadlines, and apply directly to the schools they are interested in for all levels of study that do not include the 1st year of a Bachelor's programme.
Do not hesitate to contact Campus France Hong Kong for all further questions.
The Preliminary request for admission (DAP)
The "Demande d'Admission Préalable - DAP" (preliminary request for admission) applies to all non-European international students wishing to enroll in the first year of Bachelor's at a university or in school of architecture in France.
The DAP is the admissions method to be used by those holding Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passports, who are resident in the respective regions. Please note that Hong Kong and Macau are affected by the 'Etudes en France' (EEF - Studying in France) procedure, which is used by 69 countries around the world. Prospective students with Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR passports will be required to go through the EEF procedure for their applications.
The DAP will be submitted to the Department of Cooperation and Cultural Action at the French Consulate in Hong Kong.
Remember to complete the procedure as soon as possible. Ideally, in November of the year preceding the academic year you are applying for to ensure that you do not miss the deadline.
“Parcoursup” to apply in 1st year
Parcoursup is the French platform dedicated to registrations in first year in training of the 1st cycle of higher education (1st year of Bachelor's)
You must follow follow this process if :
- You are a European student who want to study in 1st year of Bachelor's ;
- You are a non-European student who passed a French baccalauréat in a lycée français à l'étranger (French High school abroad) placed under the supervision of the AEFE (Agence Française pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Etranger - Agency for French Education abroad) and you want to join the French higher education system in 1st year of Bachelor's ;
- You are a non-European student who want to register in 1st year of a "filière sélective" (courses with a selection process). It is generally the case for IUTs (Instituts Universitaires Technologiques), STS (Sections de Techniciens Supérieur) and preparatory classes to “Grandes Ecoles” (CPGE). Enrolment process for "filières sélectives" is excluded from the DAP procédure (“Demande d'Admission Préalable”, Preliminary request for admission).
Enrolling in an arts programme
The CampusArt platform is the entry for enrolling in an arts programme in France. It covers approximately one hundred institutes that offer programmes in fine arts, design, fashion, music and architecture, from preparatory classes to the Doctorate.
The CampusArt application area is accessible from anywhere around the world. Nonetheless, it does not replace the "Etudes en France" procedure in the countries where that applies. A single file is used for applying to several institutes or programmes at the same time. The filing fees are only invoiced if you are accepted.
How do you confirm your enrolment?
After your application is accepted, you must confirm your enrollment with your institute before classes start. For universities, final enrollment includes an administrative component and a pedagogical component. The first consists of filling in your file; the second involves you choosing your courses (including elective classes, sports, etc.).
Your institute will then give you a certificate of school attendance and a student card that can attest to your legal status as a student. The documents are given to you in person, after payment of enrollment fees has been received.
