English-taught degrees in France number over 1,600, according to Campus France USA, including more than 1,300 master’s and over 115 undergraduate programs. Each program sets its own English requirement, often level B2, and tuition depends on whether the school is public or private.
For tuition, the visa, work rights and the money to show on one page, start with the Diplonaut France guide.
How many English-taught degrees in France?
Campus France USA is the official French agency for students in the United States. Its Programs taught in English page gives these counts.
| Level | Programs taught in English |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate | Over 115 |
| Master’s | More than 1,300 |
| Short and professional courses | 73 |
| Summer classes | 125 |
Most of the offer is at master’s level. Undergraduates have far fewer choices in English than graduate students.
The Programs in English catalog lets you filter by degree level, field of study, “100% Taught in English” and schools holding the “Bienvenue en France” label. Use the 100% filter if you want no courses in French.
Can you study in France in English without speaking French?
Campus France USA presents English-taught programs as an option for students worried about their level of French. None of the program pages we read lists French as an entry requirement.
Campus France USA also notes that many institutions offer French as a foreign language courses (français langue étrangère, FLE) to international students, whatever the language of instruction. Ask your school whether you can take them alongside your degree.
What English test do English-taught master’s in France ask for?
There is no national rule. Each program sets its own. B2 is a level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which runs from A1 to C2. Here is what four admissions pages say.
| School and program | Type | What the admissions page asks |
|---|---|---|
| Université Grenoble Alpes, Master of Science in nanosciences | Public university | English level B2: IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC, CAE or CPE, or a signed statement that English was your main language of instruction |
| Grenoble INP-UGA and UGA, MoSIG master’s in computer science | Public institutions | B2 generally required; minimums such as IELTS Academic 6.0, TOEFL iBT 78 or TOEIC 4-Skills 700; a university “medium of instruction” certificate is not accepted |
| Le Mans Université, master’s in acoustics | Public university | B2 minimum, shown with TOEIC, IELTS or TOEFL; native English speakers are exempt |
| ESSEC Business School, Master in Management | Private business school | IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 95, Cambridge B2 First 175 or TOEIC 850; tests under two years old |
Rules on exemptions differ. Check whether your program accepts a US degree as proof of English or still wants a test score.
National master’s, state-approved diploma or RNCP title?
Private schools are a valid route in France. Campus France states that the State guarantees a diploma’s value in three cases: a French national diploma, a diploma approved by the ministry (diplôme visé) or a title registered on the RNCP (Répertoire national des certifications professionnelles), the national directory of professional certifications.
Only the State awards national diplomas, so private schools use the other two routes. Here is what each recognition means.
| Recognition | Who awards it | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| National master’s (diplôme national de master) | Public universities | The standard French master’s: two years and 120 ECTS (European credits) after a bachelor’s. |
| Engineering diploma (diplôme d’ingénieur) | Public and private engineering schools accredited after evaluation by the CTI (Commission des titres d’ingénieur) | Campus France says it confers the rank of master’s (grade de master). |
| Approved diploma with the grade de master | Private or consular schools recognized by the State, many of them business schools | The ministry authorizes it for a fixed period. It carries master’s-level status. |
| RNCP title, level 7 | Schools whose professional certification is registered with France Compétences | Recognized by the State as a professional qualification. Level 7 is the level of a master’s on France’s national scale. It is a separate recognition from the grade de master. |
| School’s own diploma only | Any school | Campus France says it may have value on the job market but gives no equivalence for continuing your studies. |
A title such as “MSc”, “mastère” or “MBA” does not tell you which of these you will get. The recognition does.
How to check a private school’s diploma
- Ask the school in writing which recognition the diploma carries: visé, grade de master, RNCP title and level, or none. A program can have more than one.
- For a visa or a grade de master, find the program in the ministry’s decrees in its official bulletin, such as the decree of February 12, 2026. Each line gives the school, the diploma, the campuses, the start and end dates of the visa and of the grade, and the level, such as “Bac+5 (niveau 7)”. Check that the dates cover your graduation year.
- For an engineering diploma, check that the school appears in the list of accredited schools published on the CTI website.
- For an RNCP title, follow France Compétences‘ three checks: the title is registered in the RNCP, its record shows it as “active”, and the school is authorized to prepare candidates for it.
- Think about what comes next. If you may want a doctorate or further study, ask whether the diploma carries the grade de master, and confirm with the institution you would apply to next.
Since June 26, 2026, the evaluation of private business school programs has moved from the CEFDG to Hcéres, France’s evaluation body for higher education, according to the CEFDG website. Campus France also notes that independent bodies such as AACSB, AMBA and EFMD accredit business schools. Those labels speak to quality but are separate from state recognition.
Our article on the US bachelor’s and the French licence explains how the degree levels line up.
Tuition for English-taught programs in France
Campus France’s tuition page, updated June 25, 2026, gives the national fees for students from outside the European Union at public institutions.
| Program (2026-2027) | Yearly tuition, non-EU students |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (licence), public institution | €2,902 |
| Master’s, public institution | €3,950 |
| Private institutions | Set by each school; most range from about €6,000 to €18,000 or more |
Campus France advises checking each school’s own website for exact fees. Rules change, so watch our latest rule changes and compare France with other countries.
How to apply: the Études en France route
Campus France USA says all students who will study in France for 90 days or more follow its procedure before applying for a student visa. Its application overview lists four steps.
- Complete an online application on the Études en France platform.
- Pay the Études en France application fee. Your file is not reviewed until you pay.
- Apply for the student visa on France-Visas.
- Attend an in-person visa appointment at a TLS visa center.
There are two paths: one for students already accepted by a school and one for students not yet accepted. The document checklist is in Campus France USA’s Student Visa Application Guide. For the calendar and documents, read Master’s in France for American students. Thinking of a full degree abroad instead of a US college? See degree abroad vs. a US college.
Frequently asked questions
Can you study in France in English?
Yes. Campus France USA counts over 1,600 degree programs taught in English, most of them master’s. Its Programs in English catalog lets you filter for programs 100% taught in English.
How much does an English-taught master’s in France cost?
At public institutions, non-EU students pay €3,950 a year for a master’s in 2026-2027, according to Campus France. Private schools set higher fees, often about €6,000 to €18,000 or more a year.
Do I need French for an English-taught master’s in France?
None of the program pages we read lists French as an entry requirement. Many schools offer French as a foreign language (FLE) courses alongside the degree.
Is an MSc from a French school a master’s degree?
It depends on its recognition, not its name. Check whether it is a national master’s, an engineering diploma, a state-approved diploma with the grade de master, or an RNCP level 7 title, then confirm it on the official lists.
Official sources
- Campus France USA, Programs taught in English
- Campus France, Programs in English catalog
- Campus France USA, Application overview
- Campus France, Tuition fees in France
- French Ministry of Higher Education, Les écoles de commerce et de gestion
- Campus France, French degrees, LMD system and equivalences
- Campus France, Evaluating the quality of a degree or institute
- French Ministry of Higher Education, decree of February 12, 2026 listing schools authorized to award the grade de licence or de master or a visé diploma
- CTI, Accreditation
- France Compétences, Comment vérifier la reconnaissance officielle de votre diplôme ?
- Service-Public.fr, Nomenclature des diplômes par niveau
- CEFDG website (commission closed June 26, 2026)
- Université Grenoble Alpes, Master in nanosciences, language requirements
- Grenoble INP-UGA and UGA, MoSIG admission
- Le Mans Université, acoustics master, admission requirements
- ESSEC Business School, Master in Management mandatory documents
Checked November 8, 2026; updated November 9, 2026. Diplonaut is not affiliated with any school or evaluation body.