In France you can learn French at a private language school or at a university's French centre for international students. A week of intensive study in 2026 costs $429 (€380) at Accent Français in Montpellier and $463 (€410) at Accord in Paris, while a monthly 80-hour intensive at CUEF, the French centre of Université Grenoble Alpes, costs $994 (€880). Courses of up to 90 days are taken on a Schengen short-stay visa where one is needed; longer courses require a long-stay student visa, and residents of countries covered by the Études en France procedure, including Russia, apply through Campus France first.
| At a glance | Rules and prices checked on 2 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Course of up to 90 days | Schengen short-stay visa if your nationality needs one; it cannot be extended or converted |
| Course over 90 days | Long-stay "étudiant" visa; Études en France procedure in the countries it covers |
| Extra condition for Russian residents on language courses | Campus France Russia requires at least A2, shown by DELF A2 or TCF |
| Funds for a long-stay visa | From 1 August 2026, at least $991 (€877.50) per month |
| Course price, 2026 | Intensive: $429 (€380) a week in Montpellier, $463 (€410) in Paris; one month at CUEF Grenoble $994 (€880) |
| Housing | Homestay with breakfast and dinner in Montpellier: $260 (€230) a week |
| Quality mark | The state-backed Qualité FLE label |
For universities, costs and student life, see the Study in France page, and use our guide to the cost of studying in France for a full-year budget.
University centre or private school
Most large French universities run a French centre for international students. These centres follow the academic calendar: intensives start monthly, and semester programmes lead to a university diploma in French studies (DUEF). Private schools are more flexible, with Monday starts, one-week bookings, 50+ classes and business French.
| University centre (example: CUEF, Université Grenoble Alpes) | Private school (examples: Accord in Paris, Accent Français in Montpellier) | |
|---|---|---|
| Start dates | Monthly for intensives, each semester for the DUEF | Every Monday; set dates for complete beginners |
| Workload | 80 hours in 4 weeks, 216 hours per DUEF semester | 20–30 lessons a week |
| Price | Lower per hour | Higher, but 1–2 weeks are possible |
| Classmates | Students preparing for French universities | Adults of all ages, more young people in summer |
| Exams | The centre runs DELF and DALF sessions | DELF/DALF preparation; exams at an official centre |
| Housing | Usually your own search or university services | The school arranges homestays, residences or flats |
If the course is a step towards a French degree, a university centre fits better: same campus, student life and a DUEF on your record. For a study break or a narrow goal, a private school is easier to plan.
The state-backed Qualité FLE label helps you check a school. It was created by government decree in 2007, and centres receive it after a review of their teaching and services. The map of labelled centres on qualitefle.fr is the quickest check before booking.
What courses cost: three official price lists
CUEF, Université Grenoble Alpes, 2026/27
| Programme | Hours | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly intensive, levels A1–C1 | 4 weeks, 80 hours | $994 (€880) |
| Same intensive in months with public holidays | 4 weeks, 76 hours | $945 (€836) |
| DUEF diploma, language and culture, from B1 | one semester, 216 hours | $2,181 (€1,930) |
| Evening courses | 10 weeks, 2 hours a week | $328 (€290) |
| DELF B2 or DALF C1 preparation | 12 hours | $203 (€180) |
A non-refundable $34 (€30) administration fee is added once per academic year. Deposits are $339 (€300) for an intensive and $621 (€550) for the DUEF. CUEF is a DELF and DALF exam centre, with exam fees of $90–169 (€80–150) by level and an extra $34 (€30) for external candidates.
Accord, Paris: Intensive A, 26 lessons of 45 minutes (20 hours a week)
| Length | 2026, per week | 2027, per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1–4 weeks | $463 (€410) | $475 (€420) |
| 5–8 weeks | $441 (€390) | $452 (€400) |
| 9–12 weeks | $418 (€370) | $429 (€380) |
| 13 weeks or more | $395 (€350) | $407 (€360) |
Complete beginners start on set dates, roughly once a month. At the end you can take the school's own language and culture diploma exam for $56 (€50).
Accent Français, Montpellier, 2026 prices
The school teaches adults from age 16, levels A1 to C1.
| Course | 1–4 weeks | 5–8 weeks | 9 weeks or more | 20 weeks or more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard, 24 lessons | $316 (€280) | $294 (€260) | $271 (€240) | $209 (€185) |
| Intensive, 30 lessons | $429 (€380) | $407 (€360) | $384 (€340) | $322 (€285) |
| DELF/DALF or university preparation, 30 lessons | $655 (€580) | $633 (€560) | $610 (€540) | — |
Registration costs $90 (€80). A homestay room with breakfast and dinner is $260 (€230) a week, with breakfast only $203 (€180), and a student-residence studio from $237 (€210) to $328 (€290) depending on the building and length. The school asks students under 18 to choose a half-board homestay.
A four-week budget
| Scenario | Course and fees | Housing | Total before flights and insurance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accent Français, intensive, homestay with breakfast and dinner | $1,808 (€1,600) | $1,039 (€920) | $2,847 (€2,520) |
| Accord, Paris, Intensive A | $1,853 (€1,640) | your own search | from $1,853 (€1,640) plus rent |
| CUEF Grenoble, monthly intensive | $1,028 (€910) | your own search | from $1,028 (€910) plus rent |
Rent is the biggest cost in Paris, where a room for a month usually costs more than the course itself. City-by-city housing costs are in our guide to student housing in France.
Visas for language courses
The French consulate decides on the visa; the school only confirms enrolment and payment.
Courses of up to 90 days
A short course needs a Schengen short-stay visa if your nationality requires one. The file usually includes the school's letter with dates and hours, proof of payment, housing, bank statements, travel insurance and a return ticket, and the fee is $102 (€90). This visa cannot be extended in France or converted into a long-stay student visa anywhere in the EU. Russian citizens also face EU-wide limits: the visa facilitation agreement has been suspended since 2022, and multiple-entry visas are issued more restrictively.
Courses longer than 90 days
Residents of countries on the Études en France list, including Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Turkey and the UK, must complete that online procedure with Campus France before applying for the visa, whether they enrol at a university or on a long language course. For Russian residents the steps are:
- Enrol on an in-person programme lasting more than 90 days.
- Prove French at A2 or above with DELF A2 or TCF; Campus France Russia does not accept language-course files without it.
- Create the Études en France file, submit it for review, pay the registration fee and attend the Campus France interview.
- Complete the France-Visas form and book the visa centre no earlier than three months before the course starts.
- Show funds for the whole course: at $991 (€877.50) a month, six months come to $5,948 (€5,265).
- Pay the consular fee of $56 (€50), the reduced rate for Études en France countries.
A course of four months to a year is normally covered by a VLS-TS "étudiant", which doubles as a residence permit. You validate it online within three months of arrival and pay a $113 (€100) fee. If you will certainly not extend your stay, the consulate may issue a temporary long-stay visa (VLS-T) instead.
Your passport must remain valid for three months after the course ends. For a minor, the consulate asks for extra documents, above all parental consent and details of the adult responsible for them in France. If you plan a language course followed by a degree, enrol in both at once and apply for a visa covering the whole period.
Applicants from countries outside the Études en France list, such as Kazakhstan and Belarus, apply directly through France-Visas and pay $112 (€99). Full document lists, fees and validation steps are in our guide to the French student visa; Russia-specific points are covered in studying in France for Russian citizens.
Can you work?
As a general rule, a VLS-TS "étudiant" allows international students to work up to 964 hours a year, or 60% of normal full-time hours. Short-stay visa holders cannot work. Work hours do not replace the funds you must show the consulate when applying.
Proving your level: DELF, DALF and TCF
A long-stay visa for a language course needs at least A2, and French universities usually ask for B2. A practical plan is to arrive with DELF A2 or TCF and sit DELF B2 at the university centre at the end of the course. Our guide to DELF, DALF and TCF compares the tests, centres and fees.
Paying the school
Schools invoice in euros and ask for a deposit or full payment before issuing the enrolment letter. The invoice, payment and bank statements should match, because consulates compare them. If you pay from Russia, use only legal routes, as explained in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.
Timeline
- 6–8 months before a course longer than 90 days. Take DELF A2 or TCF if you have no certificate yet.
- 4–5 months before. Choose a Qualité FLE school or a university centre, enrol and pay the deposit.
- 3–4 months before. Complete the Études en France file and interview if your country is on the list; short courses skip this step.
- 3 months before. Fill in France-Visas and lodge documents at the visa centre.
- After arrival. Validate your VLS-TS online within three months.
Common mistakes
- Spending a semester on a Schengen visa. It cannot be extended or converted, so you would have to return home for a new visa.
- Applying for a long language course as a beginner from Russia. Campus France Russia requires A2 with DELF or TCF.
- Budgeting with the old figure of €615 a month. Since 1 August 2026 the threshold is €877.50.
- Skipping validation. After three months without it you cannot leave France and re-enter on the same visa.
- Leaving Paris housing to the last week. Book a room early, or the rent will outgrow the course fee.
FAQ
A private-school intensive costs roughly $400–460 (€350–410) a week, cheaper in Montpellier than in Paris and cheaper per week on longer bookings. The CUEF university centre in Grenoble charges $994 (€880) for a month-long 80-hour intensive.
Yes. Many universities run French centres for international students; CUEF at Université Grenoble Alpes offers monthly intensives, a semester programme leading to the DUEF and DELF/DALF exam sessions. The centre itself decides on enrolment.
For 90 days or less, visa nationals take a short-stay Schengen visa; anything longer needs a long-stay student visa. Residents of Études en France countries complete the Campus France file and interview first, and the French consulate makes the visa decision.
Not if you apply from Russia: Campus France Russia requires at least A2, proven by DELF A2 or TCF, for long-stay visas for language courses. Beginners can take a short course on a Schengen visa first and return for a longer one later.
Adult courses usually start at 16; Accent Français accepts students from 16 and asks minors to live in a homestay. A minor applying for a long-stay visa needs parental consent and details of the adult responsible for them in France, and the French consulate decides on the visa.
With a VLS-TS "étudiant", the general rule allows up to 964 hours of work a year. Short-stay visa holders cannot work. Permitted hours do not replace the funds the consulate expects you to show.
Paris costs more for courses and much more for housing. Montpellier, Grenoble, Tours and other university cities are cheaper and offer the same immersion. If you plan to continue to a degree, see our overview of universities in France.
Sources
- France-Visas: studying in France, Études en France country list, €50/€99 fees, 964 work hours and long-stay visa types — checked 02.10.2026
- Campus France Russia: Études en France procedure and A2 condition for language courses and visa information — checked 02.10.2026
- Campus France: the VLS-TS "étudiant" and validation with the €100 fee — checked 02.10.2026
- Bas-Rhin prefecture: student funds threshold of €877.50 from 01.08.2026 — checked 02.10.2026
- Qualité FLE label: purpose and state backing — checked 02.10.2026
- CUEF, Université Grenoble Alpes: 2026/27 dates and fees (PDF) — checked 02.10.2026
- Accord, Paris: Intensive A, 2026 and 2027 prices — checked 02.10.2026
- Accent Français, Montpellier: 2026 dates and fees — checked 02.10.2026
US dollar amounts use the ECB reference rate of 01.10.2026: €1 = $1.1298.
If you want to work through your route, send a request: document preparation and submission are provided under an agreement with StudyU, the school makes the enrolment decision and the French consulate decides on the visa.
During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.
Next steps
- Studying in France for international applicants
- Cost of Studying in France in 2026/27: Tuition, Compulsory Fees and a Full-Year Budget
- Student Housing in France 2026/27: Crous Residences, Private Rentals, Visale and CAF Housing Aid
- French Student Visa in 2026: VLS-TS, the New Funds Threshold and Validation After Arrival
- Studying in France for Russian Citizens: How to Apply from Russia in 2027
- DELF, DALF and TCF: Which French Test You Need to Study in France and Where to Take It
