Can I Study in France Without IELTS

Last Updated: March 11, 2026

🕑 4 min read

Yes, you can study in France without IELTS. Approximately 50+ English-taught Master’s programs at French public universities and Grande Écoles accept students with a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate instead of IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE. Campus France itself doesn’t mandate IELTS for English-taught programmes — universities set their own English proficiency requirements. Many French universities accept MOI certificates from Indian universities, internal English tests, Cambridge English certificates, or even proceed with zero English proficiency if the program is conducted entirely in French with later language support.

Why IELTS Is NOT Required for English-Taught Masters in France

One of the biggest misconceptions among Indian students is that France requires IELTS for admission to English-taught programmes. This is simply not true. IELTS is an internationally recognised test, but it is not mandated by Campus France or by most French universities. Unlike the UK and Canada, where IELTS holds a near-monopoly on English language verification, France recognises multiple pathways to prove English proficiency:

• Campus France does not specify IELTS as a requirement — it is left to individual universities to decide what English proof they accept
• MOI (Medium of Instruction) certificates from Indian universities are widely accepted because they certify that your entire undergraduate education was in English
• Many French universities skip English tests altogether if your Bachelor’s degree was taught in English (as most Indian Bachelor’s degrees are)
• Cambridge English, PTE, and Duolingo are increasingly accepted as IELTS alternatives
• Some universities conduct internal English proficiency interviews during Campus France evaluation itself

How to Get MOI Certificate from Your Indian University

The cheapest and fastest way to prove English proficiency to French universities is via a Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificate from your undergraduate university. Almost every Indian university can issue this in 3-7 days, and it costs nothing or very little (₹500-2,000 at most).

Step-by-Step Process to Get MOI Certificate:

1. Contact your university’s Registrar Office or Academic Office — Visit in person or email (registrar@[university].ac.in)
2. Request: “Medium of Instruction Certificate” — Specify that the certificate should state your entire Bachelor’s programme was taught in English
3. Provide your Admission Roll Number and programme name — Example: “B.Tech Computer Science, 2019-2023”
4. Processing time: 3-7 working days — Most universities issue within this timeframe
5. Cost: Free to ₹2,000 — Much cheaper than IELTS (₹16,000-18,000)
6. Request multiple copies (3-5 copies) — You’ll need originals for Campus France, visa, and universities
7. Ensure apostille if the university is asking — Most French universities don’t require apostille for MOI certificates, but some do. Request apostille if needed (adds 1-2 weeks and ₹2,000-5,000)

50+ English-Taught Masters in France That Accept MOI Instead of IELTS

University	Program Name	Duration	Tuition/Year (EUR)	English Requirement
Paris-Saclay University	MSc Computer Science	2 years	€3,770	MOI accepted
Sorbonne University	MSc Physics	2 years	€3,770	MOI accepted
Grenoble Alpes University	MSc Data Science & AI	2 years	€3,770	MOI accepted
University of Strasbourg	MSc International Relations	2 years	€243	MOI accepted
Toulouse University	MSc Aeronautical Engineering	2 years	€3,770	MOI accepted

FAQ: IELTS-Free Pathway to Studying in France

Q1: Can I apply to French universities without ANY English test?

Yes, if your Bachelor’s degree was taught in English. Your MOI certificate + Bachelor’s degree transcript is sufficient proof for most universities. Some universities may skip English verification altogether if your Bachelor’s GPA is above 3.0/4.0.

Q2: Which is faster — MOI or IELTS?

MOI is much faster. MOI takes 3-7 days from your university. IELTS requires 4-6 weeks of preparation + exam scheduling + results (typically 5-13 days after test). Total IELTS timeline: 6-12 weeks. MOI timeline: 1 week.

Q3: Do French Grande Écoles accept MOI?

Most do, but some prestigious Grande Écoles (HEC Paris, ESSEC, Polytechnique) may prefer Cambridge English or IELTS. However, even these schools increasingly accept MOI. Always check the specific school’s English requirement during application.

Q4: Is Duolingo English Test really accepted by French universities?

Yes, an increasing number (12+) of universities accept Duolingo. It’s cheaper (₹3,500) and faster (1-3 days) than IELTS. However, Duolingo is less widely recognized than MOI. Use it as a backup if MOI isn’t accepted.

Q5: What if my Bachelor’s was partly in Hindi?

If your Bachelor’s is predominantly in English (75%+ of courses in English), universities will still accept MOI. If less than 75%, you’ll need IELTS, Cambridge, PTE, or TCF. Check your university’s specific policy.