France, a forerunner of the first industrial revolution and home to over sixty-nine Nobel Laureates, is a great educational hotspot in Europe. Studying in France attracts students from all over the world because of its outstanding comprehensive teaching in subjects such as technology and culinary arts.
France is an excellent choice if you want to live in a diversified country having a strong academic reputation. More than 2,50,000 international students, including Indian students, settled in France after completing their studies.
However, while deciding which French university you want to study in, you might have overlooked one crucial point: if you are not a native French speaker, you may be required to submit an English proficiency score for admission. However, in some French universities, an applicant is not required to provide IELTS or TOEFL scores. Many universities in France admit international students without requiring proof of English language proficiency.
Furthermore, sufficient funds and English proficiency are two significant conditions for visa approval. Without IELTS, students will need a relatively high level of English ability to study in France because they will have to face an interview with the institution and the High Commission.
Let us have a look at what IELTS is before we look at how you can study in France without it.
Our well-versed study abroad consultants have assisted numerous Indian students to study in France without taking the IELTS exam. We are delighted to know that many of our counselee students are attending top Frenchuniversities.
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Can You Study in France Without IELTS?
Still, wondering if you can study in France without taking the IELTS? Yes, it is true! This is because, unlike in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other countries, an English competence certificate has never been a prerequisite for admission to French institutions.
As proof of alternative to IELTS, you can show your educational transcripts that you have studied in an English medium college or school. In any event, you may also be required to submit proof of language proficiency, which could be as simple as providing a Medium of Instruction (MOI) from your previous degree program's university.
Take into account that in cases when you do not sit for the IELTS exam, you will most likely be required to participate in a Skype/video interview with an admissions officer to evaluate your language proficiency. Some of the universities in France will require you to take the TOEFL exam instead of the IELTS.
Apart from France, here are some top countries where Indian students can study abroad without IELTS:
IELTS Alternatives for Studying in France
International students who do not have an IELTS certification but want to enrol in a French university have a lot of alternatives. These options apply to the admissions process as well as student visas in France.
1. Other English proficiency tests
Various English language competency examinations can be taken to study at French universities besides IELTS. TOEFL, PTE Academic, and C1 Advanced are three prominent and widely acknowledged tests. These exam results can also be used to apply for a student visa in France.
2. Acceptance Letter from university
Most French institutions that do not require IELTS accept international students who have received an acceptance letter from their preferred institution. This acceptance letter can also be used to assist students in obtaining a French student visa.
3. An English-medium school curriculum
Most overseas students take English proficiency tests because English was not their first speech at their prior school. However, if students can demonstrate that their qualifications are from an English-medium school, this will be taken into account on behalf of the English language proficiency test to study at French universities.
4. Institutional interview
Most institutions schedule interviews to evaluate and assess students' command of the English language. If the conversation goes well and the university administrators approve of your English abilities, this will be considered instead of the English proficiency test.
5. Transcripts of educational records
Several times, institutions in France that do not require IELTS accept students with excellent academic results instead of their English language proficiency tests. Thus, it is central to achieving high marks in your previous qualifications to be admitted to certain French universities without taking the IELTS exam.
Top Universities to Study in France Without IELTS
France has QS-ranked universities all over the world. Many of these universities also accept IELTS alternatives. As a result, we have listed the top France universities that do not require IELTS below:
French Universities to Study Without IELTS |
IELTS Alternative |
cole Pour l'Informatique et les Techniques Avances (EPITA- School of Engineering and Computer Science) |
TOEIC- 800 TOEFL iBt- 80 |
cole Suprieure Angevine en Informatique et Productique (ESAIP Engineer School) |
English or French Baccalaureate Previous academic qualifications |
Ecole de Commerce International (ESGCI) |
University Interview English MCQs tests |
Institut Suprieur du Commerce (ISC Paris Business School) |
Previous Academic qualifications Fluency in English |
Neoma Business School |
GMAT/GRE scores, Cambridge, TOEFL, Duolingo, English or French language proficiency |
Paris School of Business |
PTE, TOEFL, and CAE scores Virtual Interview Previous educational qualifications |
TOEFL iBt- 50 (for bachelor programs) TOEIC 500 ( for bachelor programs) Placement English Test Studied at English Institute Native Language English |
|
Skema Business School |
GRE or GMAT scores TOEIC, TOEFL, Cambridge Advanced, Cambridge English Proficiency scores Previous educational qualifications |
The American Business School, Paris |
TOEFL scores University interview Previous educational qualifications |
Toulouse Business School |
TOEFL- 90 (for master programs) TOEIC- 800 (for master programs) Cambridge- B2 (for master programs) University interview Other English proficiency tests |
Now, if you want to understand more about how to begin studying in France without IELTS, go through the following points:
How to Apply for Universities in France Without IELTS?
To apply to universities in France without having an IELTS score, follow these step-by-step instructions outlined below:
Step 1: The application procedure begins with researching the course and university where you want to study in France. You can look over all of the universities and decide which one is ideal for you. Before applying to any university, you should carefully review the eligibility criteria and prerequisites to ensure that they do not include IELTS as a criterion.
Step 2: After reviewing all of the prerequisites, fill out the application form and submit it together with all of the requested papers. If you want to apply for any scholarships, you can do so at the same time.
Step 3: Some French institutions even require entrance tests for certain courses, therefore one must sit for such exams and pass them to be admitted to that university and course.
Step 4: If you are successful, you will be requested to participate in a video interview. If you pass the subsequent video interview, you will receive a confirmation letter or letter of acknowledgement from the university, and further you can start preparing for your visa application.
How to Apply for a French Student Visa Without IELTS?
After you have completed the competitive application process and received your acceptance letter, the next step is to apply for a legal student visa to study in France.
If you have a letter of acknowledgement from a French university that does not require IELTS, you can apply for a student visa in France without taking the exam.
You must also request a 'No Objection Certificate' from your French university, which will aid you in your student visa application.
You must also prepare other documents required for visa application, following which you can apply for a visa at any France embassy near you.
You must wait 10-15 business days for the France Embassy/Consulate to process your visa application once you submit it. The processing time for a France visa is determined by various factors and is subject to change at the discretion of the consulate. It is highly recommended that you begin your visa applications three weeks before your journey to France.
Is IELTS Required for a French Student Visa?
No, IELTS is not required for a French student visa. If the university does not require IELTS, you will not need it for a student visa. Some universities that do not require IELTS may require a certificate of IELTS alternative exams; in this instance, you must submit the certificate with your visa application.
Hopefully, it is now pretty clear that students can apply to French universities without having an IELTS score. This does not, however, imply that France disregards English proficiency entirely. The evaluation of a candidate's English proficiency is still requisite for admission to any French university.
Our experts have an impeccable track record of helping Indian students to make it to top French universities. For more information, drop us a line at abroad@collegedekho.com.
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