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Studies & Degrees in French Language and Literature (in Language Schools)

French courses at language schools are for people who want to use the language, not to take a degree in it. A school teaches French as a foreign language (français langue étrangère, FLE) in small groups, at every level from beginner to advanced, for stays that run from one week to a full academic year. The aim is practical: to speak, understand, read and write French.

The language is widely used. The Organisation internationale de la Francophonie counts 396 million French speakers in the world and 170 million people learning French or learning in French, and ranks it as the fourth most spoken language, according to the key figures of its 2026 report.

What students learn

Schools place students with a level test and organise classes by the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), from A1 to C2. A general course combines grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, listening and conversation. Most schools sell it in two or three intensities. The Centre International d'Antibes, for example, lists a standard course of 20 lessons of 45 minutes a week and an intensive course of 30 lessons; alpha.b in Nice lists courses of 20, 24 and 28 lessons.

Besides general French, schools usually offer:

  • Preparation for the DELF, DALF or TCF exams
  • French for university studies or for work
  • Private lessons and combined group and private courses
  • Summer programmes for teenagers
  • Training for teachers of French
  • Courses with a theme, such as gastronomy or wine

Group size differs between schools: CLÉ in Tours, founded in 1985, states a maximum of seven students per class. Many schools also arrange accommodation. Accent Français in Montpellier lists homestay, private studios and tourist residences, and the Centre International d'Antibes lists a residence, apartments and host families.

Certificates and levels

A language school gives its own attendance certificate. The official proof of level comes from the exams of the French Ministry of Education, managed by France Éducation international:

  • DELF: four independent diplomas for levels A1, A2, B1 and B2. They are valid for life.
  • DALF: two diplomas for the advanced levels C1 and C2.
  • TCF: a test that places the candidate on one of the six CEFR levels. The certificate is valid for two years.

According to France Éducation international, the DELF B2, and increasingly the DALF C1, gives access to French universities, and the DELF B2 is accepted for French nationality applications. Many schools are also exam centres: the Alliance Française de Lyon, for example, holds DELF, DALF and TCF sessions.

For the schools themselves, France has a state quality label, Qualité français langue étrangère (Qualité FLE). Schools may also hold the international Eaquals or IALC accreditations; alpha.b in Nice states that it holds all three. A label says something about teaching and services, not about official degrees.

Where to study it

SpainExchange lists 36 active schools for this subject. France has 24 of them, Spain five and Germany two; the United Kingdom, Mexico, Colombia, the United States and India have one each. Examples in France are CAVILAM – Alliance Française in Vichy, the Centre International d'Antibes, CLÉ in Tours, Accent Français in Montpellier, alpha.b in Nice, BMA Biarritz French Language School, and the Alliance Française schools in Lyon, Toulouse and Bordeaux. CAVILAM states that it receives more than 4,000 international students of more than 120 nationalities a year.

The Alliance Française is also an option for starting at home: its foundation coordinates 824 Alliances Françaises in 138 countries.

Visa for a French course in France

Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland do not need a visa. For other nationalities the rule depends on the length of the stay. Anyone who stays in France for more than three months must hold a long-stay visa (type D), issued by the French consulate, according to the government portal Service Public (checked on 21 August 2026). For stays of less than three months, Campus France explains that a short-stay visa may be required depending on nationality. Students should check with the French consulate in their country before they pay for a long course.

What the language is used for

Students take a French course for different reasons: to enter a French-speaking university, to work with French-speaking companies or institutions, to meet a residence or nationality requirement, or for personal interest. A course on its own is not a professional qualification; teaching or translating French normally requires a university degree.

Frequently asked questions

Which French exam should I take?

The DELF (A1 to B2) and DALF (C1 and C2) are diplomas that do not expire. The TCF is a level test with a certificate that is valid for two years. For admission to a French university, the DELF B2 or DALF C1 is the usual reference.

Do I need a visa to take a French course in France?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens do not. Other students need a long-stay visa for any stay of more than three months, and may need a short-stay visa for a shorter course, depending on their nationality.

How many lessons a week does a French course have?

It depends on the school and the course. Standard courses at the schools cited here have 20 lessons a week and intensive courses 28 to 30.

Can a beginner study at a language school in France?

Yes. Schools teach from level A1 and place each student with a level test before the course starts.