Studying in French

We wrote this guide in French first, for francophone students. Lire en français.

Did you go to school in French? You have two options. You can try both at the same time:

• keep studying in French, in Vanuatu, in the French-speaking Pacific or in France;
• change to English: several big English-language scholarships accept francophone students.

French-language applications have their own calendar. It often starts earlier than people think. This guide explains what we could check with official sources.

Your school diplomas

The Vanuatu Government scholarship portal has categories for francophone students:

• Baccalauréat: students in Terminale at Lycée Jean-Marie Le Clézio or at a school in New Caledonia.
• DAEU (Year 14 or CP): taught at Lycée LAB, Lycée de Montmartre, Lycée de Luganville, the AUF and Collège de Lowanatom.

Choose the right category on the form. It decides which rules are used for your application. See Vanuatu Government Scholarships.

Scholarships to study in French

Scholarships on this site that let you study in French:

• France Excellence Eiffel ScholarshipThe French Government's flagship scholarship for top international master's and PhD students. You don't apply yourself; a French university puts you forward.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's scholarships (Europe)Prestigious EU-funded master's programmes run jointly by universities in several European countries. Open worldwide; some are taught in French.
• Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)World Bank scholarships, funded by Japan, for mid-career professionals from developing countries, including Vanuatu, to do a development-related master's abroad.
• Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships (research)Swiss Government scholarships for early-career researchers from 183 countries, including Vanuatu, to do a PhD or research in Switzerland, in French, German, Italian or English.
• Vanuatu Government ScholarshipsThe Vanuatu Government's own scholarships for school leavers, current students and postgraduates, in study pathways the country needs. One online application through the national scholarship portal.

Would you rather study in New Caledonia? For each scholarship to France, its page says whether New Caledonia is included.

We are still checking other French-language scholarships (French Embassy, New Caledonia, AUF). We will add them here only when an official source confirms them.

Studying in France

First year of a licence (L1): the "dossier blanc"

Vanuatu is not one of the 75 countries in the Campus France "Études en France" process. Do you have (or are you preparing) a school-leaving diploma from outside France? Do you want to start the first year of a licence (bachelor's degree) at a French university? Then you make a prior admission request (DAP) with a form called the "dossier blanc".

This is what the official 2027-2028 notice says:

• You get the form on the website of the French Ministry of Higher Education. You can also ask for it at the SCAC of the French Embassy (its cooperation and cultural service).
• You can choose up to three universities. You need one form for each course.
• You give or post the form to the SCAC of the French Embassy. Never send it directly to the universities.
• Deadline: 15 December 2026 (the post office stamp date counts). Keep the stamped receipt safe.
• French test (TCF): take it before 12 February 2027, unless you do not need it (see below).
• Universities answer by 30 April 2027. You give your final choice by 31 May 2027.

If you are preparing the French baccalauréat

The rules are different for students preparing a French baccalauréat. For example, Campus France says that in the "Études en France" countries, these students apply through Parcoursup. Vanuatu is not one of these countries. So ask your lycée (guidance office) what to do, at the start of Terminale.

Licence 2, licence 3 and master's

For countries outside the "Études en France" process, you normally apply directly to each university, on its own website and with its own calendar. Read the international admissions page of the university. Also ask the SCAC to confirm.

PhD

Campus France says PhD applicants contact the doctoral schools directly about their research topics. Once you are accepted, you apply for a visa called "passeport talent-chercheur".

Visas for France (and the French Pacific territories)

France-Visas says people living in Vanuatu apply for their visa at the consular section of the French Embassy in Port Vila:

• only with an appointment, with a complete file, and in person;
• you pay only in vatu, in cash. You do not get the money back if the visa is refused.

Applying in English as a francophone student

Several English-language scholarships accept francophone students:

• Australia Awards Scholarships (Vanuatu)Fully funded Australian Government scholarships for Ni-Vanuatu citizens to study in Australia or at a Pacific institution, from TVET Certificate IV to master's, in priority fields for Vanuatu's development.
• Chinese Government ScholarshipFull Chinese Government scholarships for Ni-Vanuatu students to study in China, from bachelor's to PhD, plus non-degree study.

Be careful with these points:

• Translations: Australia Awards Vanuatu asks for a certified English translation of all documents in French. See Getting your documents ready in Vanuatu.
• Grades: for a bachelor's degree with Australia Awards, francophone students need at least 12/20 in every subject, including English, in their last year of study.
• English test: plan for an IELTS score if you are shortlisted (chosen for the next step). See English tests (IELTS and others).

Calendar for a Terminale student (start in 2027)

These are the dates published for this year. Check them again every year.

When	What
1–31 October 2026	Vanuatu Government scholarships: online application (2027 round)
1 October – 15 December 2026	DAP "dossier blanc" to the French Embassy SCAC (L1 in France)
Before 12 February 2027	TCF, if you need it
30 April 2027	French universities answer
31 May 2027	Your final choice
As soon as you are accepted	Visa appointment at the French Embassy in Port Vila

Who to contact

• French Embassy in Port Vila, SCAC (cooperation service): DAP, study in France, French scholarships.
• French Embassy in Port Vila, consular section: visas (appointments on France-Visas).
• Your lycée: guidance, French baccalauréat, school reports.
• Vanuatu Government scholarship office: on the scholarships.gov.vu portal.