Timeline for September Intake in France 2026

The September intake in France, also called the Fall Intake, is the primary academic session starting in mid-September. Almost all major universities and colleges participate in this intake and almost 100% courses are available. 

According to Campus France, the number of international students registered for studying in France rose by 17-20% over the last 5 years in 2024-25 and went over 445,000. Also, over 10,000 students from India took admission to France in various universities. But as of now, the government intends to increase the number.

Talking about intakes in France, French universities offer two intakes every year – January/Spring intake and September/Fall intake. The September intake features nearly 100% program availability and high scholarship opportunities. The applications for the Fall Intake in France open in October of the previous year and close by May/June of the application year. However, the key deadlines of some courses are around December 15th. In comparison to the Spring/January intake in France, more time is available to students in Fall intake to prepare for an application. Students need to really showcase their creative skills as this intake is quite competitive. Admitted students find large student crowds on the campus and class sizes may be larger than in the spring intake.   

Let us understand the timeline for the Fall intake in France.

Check: Top Universities in France

Popular Intakes in France

As mentioned above on the page, there are two important intakes to study in France for international students. According to the preferences of students, both of these intakes have their own importance. The table given below specifies the difference between the study intakes in France.

Still not sure which intake to pick? Check - Fall vs Spring Intake - which is best for studying? 

Which France University Intake is best for international students?

Both the fall as well as the spring intakes are of equal importance. But, in order to decide which France university intake should one choose, consider the factors given below.

• Availability of your desired course
• Preference of the weather
• Preparation time for application
• The type of program that you want to study

A Timeline to Study in France: September Intake 2026

The September intake in French universities is also known by the name, Fall intake. This intake is the preferred choice of many international students. This is why the fall intake in France has a high level of competition. This, in turn, makes it all the more challenging for international students to take admission during this intake. Hence, it is important to plan in advance and take the necessary steps for admission. Given below is the timeline for the September intake to study in France. 

March-April 2026

• Till March, shortlist 8-10 universities. Check the requirements of the universities and deadlines for the courses in which you want to take admission
• Know all the funding options that you have such as loan providers and scholarships
• Start working on admission forms
• By April, appear for the required exams like GMAT / GRE
• Accordingly, appear for language tests as well like IELTS / TOEFL. It is advised to plan the buffer time in case you have to retake the test

May - June 2026

• Start working on your SOPs and collect LORs from your seniors or professors at least a month before your deadline for the application
• Then, submit scores, letters, and documents to apply to the universities
• Next, apply before the due date 

July - August 2026

• Hear from the universities and appear for the university interviews
• Reply to the university's emails without any delay, in case you are accepted
• Next, take the decision for the admission fee / confirmation fee to the university

August - September 2026

• Now, make the final necessary arrangements, as required
• Next, apply for scholarships or students loans, if necessary
• Apply for a student visa

September 2026

• Book your flight tickets and check the accommodation facilities
• Arrange for an International Debit/Credit card
• Lastly, collect all your documents and be ready to fly
• Check out this Pre-departure checklist!

Check: Top Courses in France

Universities in France for September Intake

Some of the universities that offer fall intake in France are:

• Sorbonne University
• PSL Research University
• HEC Paris
• Ecole Polytechnique

How to Apply to Study in France 2026?

A step-by-step explanation of the application process to study in France is given below:

• First of all, be clear with the programme that you want to study
• Then, check for the colleges and/or universities offering that program
• Get familiar with the admission requirements of the universities
• Next, check the tuition fee
• Fulfill all the eligibility criteria before applying to French universities
• Next, submit the application form
• Lastly, pay the application fee

Admission Requirements to Study in France: Documents Required

Note that the admission requirements to study in France may vary as per the chosen programs and universities. Given below is a basic list of the documents required while applying to universities situated in France.

• Attested copies of mark sheets of previous qualifications
• SOP
• Resume
• LOR
• GRE / GMAT score
• Proof of funds
• English language proficiency scores
• French language proficiency scores: DEFL or TCF
• Health insurance
• A copy of the passport
• Scanned passport-size photographs

Check: 5 Reasons why you should do your MBA from France

Some points to keep in mind while applying to Study in France

There are numerous factors that one needs to keep in mind while applying to study in France. These can make a difference in the selection process. Check the key factors that have to be considered while applying to study in France provided below:

• Learning French: The universities might not force you to learn French in order to take admission. However, learning the native language will give you an upper hand and will specify your intent and motivation to study in France.
• Professional LOR: If you want to apply for a program like MBA, then a professional LOR from your senior at the workplace will provide value to your profile. In case, you were not employed previously, you can provide academic LOR.
• Follow the deadline: Before applying to your desired French university, check its application deadline and then work towards its submission. If you do not want to miss out on the application deadline for a particular year, it is advised to shortlist the universities for admission as soon as possible.

Some of the mistakes that should be avoided while applying to study in France are:

• Ensure that you have enough funds to satisfy the minimum financial availability requirements
• Carefully check the course-specific admission requirements and country-specific visa application requirements and then, submit the required documents.
• Research your desired program properly. This includes its contents and future opportunities.

Read More: Post-Study Work Permits for Indian Students in France