France 2027 Admissions Timeline: Undergraduate DAP Deadline December 15, Plus Tuition Fee Overview
France 2027 Admissions Applications: First-year undergraduate (DAP) opens on October 1, 2026, and closes on December 15; the master's platform Mon Master opens in February 2027. For the 2026–27 academic year, tuition fees for non-EU students at public universities are 2,902 euros per year for undergraduate and 3,950 euros for master's programs. This article includes the impact of the new May decree on tuition fee waivers.
Chinese students applying to French universities must go through the "Études en France" (EEF) procedure. Campus France has released the timeline for 2027 enrollment: First-year undergraduate (DAP) registration opens on October 1, 2026, and closes on December 15. This means we are already in the application season, and students planning to pursue a bachelor's degree in France in Fall 2027 have just over two months left.
Regarding tuition, for the 2026–27 academic year, French public universities will charge "differentiated tuition fees" for non-EU students: €2,902 per year for bachelor's, €3,950 for master's, and €398 for doctoral programs.
Who Must Use Études en France
According to Campus France, students residing in countries or regions covered by "Études en France" must use this procedure to enter French higher education. It currently covers 75 countries and regions, including China. Applications are submitted through a dedicated online platform, not directly to the universities.
For local arrangements such as interviews, document reviews, and visa applications for Chinese students, please refer to the latest notices on the Campus France China official website.
2027 Enrollment Timeline
| Category | Key Dates |
|---|---|
| First-year undergraduate (DAP) | Registration opens October 1, 2026; closes December 15 |
| DAP University Responses | By April 30, 2027 |
| DAP Student Confirmation | By May 31, 2027 |
| Master's (Mon Master) | Opens in February 2027; applications in February–March; main admission phase in June |
| Arts (CampusArt) | Registration opens October 1, 2026; closes February 28, 2027 |
The above information is from the Campus France official website, with the page updated on September 25, 2026.
A few reminders:
- DAP is the entry point for the first year of undergraduate studies. December 15 is the platform deadline. Factoring in document preparation, language test scores, and local procedures in China, the earlier you start, the better.
- Master's and bachelor's programs follow different timelines. Master's programs are mainly applied for through the Mon Master platform, which opens in February 2027, but documents and language scores must be prepared beforehand.
- Arts programs have a separate timeline. The CampusArt deadline is later than DAP, but portfolio preparation takes a long time, so you should start early as well.
2026–27 Academic Year Public University Tuition
Tuition at French public universities is divided into two categories based on student nationality.
| Degree | EU/EEA/Swiss Students | Non-EU Students (Differentiated Tuition) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | €178/year | €2,902/year |
| Master's | €255/year | €3,950/year |
| Doctoral | €397/year | €398/year |
Campus France notes that doctoral programs are exempt from differentiated tuition. Additionally, the actual cost of education borne by the French government per student per year is typically over €10,000 to €15,000, making public university tuition relatively low on an international scale.
Private institutions (mainly business schools) are not included in this; their tuition is significantly higher, mostly ranging from about €6,000 to €18,000 or more per year, subject to the respective university's official website.
Which Non-EU Students Can Pay Local Rates
Some non-EU students can pay the same rates as French and EU students, such as:
- Students holding a long-term residence permit, or those who have been part of a French tax household for at least two years
- Students granted refugee status or subsidiary protection
- Doctoral students
- Certain scholarship recipients, as well as exchange students coming to France under tuition waiver agreements
In addition, universities may grant tuition waivers based on the student's individual circumstances upon application.
May Decree: Adjustments to Tuition Waiver Rules
On a page updated on June 25, 2026, Campus France stated that Decree No. 2026-385, issued on May 19, 2026, has modified the rules for universities granting tuition waivers.
For currently enrolled students, the decree includes transitional arrangements:
- Students who received a waiver for the 2025–26 academic year will continue to be subject to the original rules until they complete their current degree at the same university.
- Students who received a waiver for the 2026–27 academic year before the decree was issued will also retain their waiver until they complete their current degree at the same university.
The Campus France page does not elaborate on how the new rules specifically adjust the waiver conditions. Students planning to apply for a waiver should refer to the latest guidelines from their target universities and the French Ministry of Higher Education, and do not assume a waiver is guaranteed.
Advice for Families Applying to France for 2027
- Undergraduate applicants: take action immediately. The DAP deadline is December 15. You need to confirm your target universities, language requirements, and the local Campus France procedures in China right now.
- Master's applicants: prepare your documents first. Mon Master opens in February. Get your transcripts, recommendation letters, and language test scores ready before then.
- Calculate your budget based on differentiated tuition. Public university tuition is €2,902 per year for bachelor's and €3,950 for master's, plus living expenses; for private business schools, calculate based on the tuition published by the school.
- Language requirements vary by program. Language requirements differ for French-taught and English-taught programs; refer to the specific program page.
This article is for informational purposes only. All dates and amounts are subject to the latest announcements on the Campus France and university official websites.
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