Living in the Emirates and planning a master’s in France? Emirati or expatriate resident, this guide compares the French master’s routes open to you, prices them in dirhams, lists the scholarships and lays out the 2027 calendar.
Can UAE residents apply for a master’s in France from the Emirates?
Yes. Your residence, not your passport, decides where you apply.
Campus France UAE runs the Études en France (EeF) platform for UAE residents. For graduate applicants, its eligibility check asks for two things: UAE residency and a bachelor’s or master’s degree obtained outside Europe. A visitor without residency applies from home.
An Emirati graduate and an expatriate engineer who has worked in Dubai for years therefore follow the same procedure. UAE nationals can visit France without a Schengen visa, but Campus France UAE is clear that any programme longer than three months needs the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS).
This page is about choosing and funding the master’s itself. For the visa file, document by document, read our France student visa guide for UAE residents. For entry levels from UAE school and university qualifications across AI2’s programmes, see study AI in France from the UAE.
Which kinds of master’s can you study in France?
Three families of programmes, with very different calendars and costs.
According to Campus France, a French master’s adds four semesters and 120 ECTS credits to a 180-credit bachelor’s. Three families of programmes are realistic for an applicant in the UAE.
| Route | Length | Language | Fees for a non-EU student | How you apply from the UAE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National master’s at a public university | Two years, 120 ECTS (M1 then M2) | Many programmes in French: Campus France UAE asks for French at B2 unless the course is taught in English | €3,950 a year in 2026-27, about AED 16,150 | Through EeF or the university website, up to 7 programmes, from 1 October 2026 to 26 February 2027 for the 2027-28 intake; EeF admission fee AED 700 |
| Programme at a private higher education institution | Set by each institution | Often English-taught | About €6,000 to €18,000 or more a year, about AED 24,530 to 73,600 | Directly with the institution, then the EeF pre-consular step for the visa |
| Programme preparing an RNCP level 7 title, such as AI2’s MSc | Two years, with shorter formats for advanced profiles | AI2: 100% English, B2 English required, no French | AI2 MSc Year 1: €12,500, from €10,500 after scholarship | Directly with the school, then the EeF pre-consular step |
The public route is the cheapest in tuition, but it runs on one application window and many of its programmes are taught in French. English-taught programmes cost more, and some open several times a year, which suits working residents.
Which route fits the degree you hold?
Match your highest qualification to the entry point before you compare prices.
Bachelor’s from a UAE university
Master’s or engineering degree
HND, BTEC Level 5 or two years of study
Degree taught in English
How much does a master’s in France cost in dirhams?
Tuition, visa funds and living costs, converted at a single stated rate.
Conversions in this section use the European Central Bank’s euro reference rate of USD 1.1133 on 28 October 2026 and the dirham’s peg of AED 3.6725 per US dollar, as published on the UAE Government portal with reference to the Central Bank of the UAE: about AED 4.089 per euro. The dirham is pegged to the dollar, so AED amounts move with the euro-dollar rate.
| Item | EUR | AED (approx.) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public university master’s, per year (non-EU student) | €3,950 | AED 16,150 | Campus France, updated 25 June 2026 |
| Private institutions, per year | €6,000 to €18,000 or more | AED 24,530 to 73,600 or more | Campus France |
| AI2 MSc Year 1 | €12,500, from €10,500 after scholarship | AED 51,110, from AED 42,930 | AI2 tuition fees |
| AI2 MSc Year 2 or 18-month direct entry | €13,000, from €11,300 (IoT from €11,800) | AED 53,150, from AED 46,200 (IoT from AED 48,250) | AI2 tuition fees |
| AI2 Fast-Track, 11 months, February 2027 | €12,500, or €11,000 before 15 November 2026 | AED 51,110, or AED 44,980 | AI2 tuition fees |
| Visa resources | €877.50 a month, €10,530 for 12 months | AED 3,588 a month, AED 43,053 for 12 months | Service-Public F2231, verified 1 August 2026 |
| Living costs in the Paris region, rent included | About €900 to €1,700 a month | About AED 3,680 to 6,950 a month | AI2 estimate, tuition fees page |
| Student visa fee and VFS service charge | €50 plus AED 99.08 | AED 201 plus AED 99.08 | Campus France UAE |
First-year budget: tuition plus twelve months of visa resources
| Plan | EUR | AED (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Public university master’s, Year 1 | €14,480 | AED 59,200 |
| AI2 MSc Year 1 after scholarship | from €21,030 | from AED 85,980 |
| AI2 18-month direct entry after scholarship | from €21,830 | from AED 89,250 |
| AI2 Fast-Track, application before 15 November 2026 | €21,530 | AED 88,030 |
Campus France UAE’s visa checklist asks that your account, or your sponsor’s, hold the first year’s total, tuition included. The AI2 scholarship applies to the first year of enrolment; the full fee grid is on AI2 tuition fees 2027.
Which scholarships can UAE residents look for?
Emirati-only programmes, open international schemes and school awards.
Campus France UAE groups scholarships by who can apply: Emirati citizens only, or all nationalities. Schools add their own awards.
| Scholarship | Who it is for | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| UAE Ministry of Education scholarship programme | Emirati students | Listed by Campus France UAE for bachelor’s or master’s study at French universities approved by the ministry; the approved list is set by the funder |
| Quai d’Orsay and company partnership programme | Emirati students | Run by the French Embassy in the UAE with a corporate partner, for places at selective French institutions |
| Eiffel Excellence programme | International students of all nationalities | French government programme for master’s study in engineering and PhD study in sciences; the French institution submits the application |
| AI2 international scholarship | Every international applicant to AI2 | Assessed automatically when you apply, with no separate form; up to three criteria: partner channel, merit (record and interview) and full payment; applies to the first year, cannot be combined with other discounts |
| AI2 Fast-Track scholarship | Fast-Track applicants, February 2027 | €1,500 off (€11,000 instead of €12,500) for applications submitted before 15 November 2026 |
Government-funded programmes use their own lists of approved institutions, so start with the funder’s list. AI2’s awards are confirmed in the admission letter; see AI2 scholarships.
From admission letter to Abu Dhabi: the order of steps
Six steps, one visa centre for all seven emirates.
- 1Choose the programme and applyFor an EeF catalogue programme, apply through the platform. For a school that admits you directly, such as AI2, apply online and attend the interview.
- 2Receive the admission letterIt states the programme, intake and tuition, and every later step relies on it.
- 3Complete Études en FranceWith a direct admission you follow the pre-consular route: upload your file, wait for validation, pay by bank transfer when the payment email arrives, then attend an in-person meeting with Campus France.
- 4Fill in the long-stay form on France-VisasChoose the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), not a short-stay visa.
- 5Lodge at VFS Global in Abu DhabiCampus France UAE sends all residents to the VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch, where long-stay student applicants may walk in; bring each checklist document in two copies.
Campus France UAE gives 4 to 6 working days for the EeF file in low season, 5 to 7 in high season, then 3 to 4 weeks of visa processing after you lodge at VFS. Skipping Campus France leads to an automatic refusal.
| AI2 date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 November 2026 | Last day of the Fast-Track scholarship (€11,000 instead of €12,500) |
| 30 November 2026 | Priority application deadline and complete visa file expected |
| 15 December 2026 | Enrolment and deposit for the February 2027 intake |
| February 2027 | Start of the February intake, including the Fast-Track |
| May and September 2027 | Further MSc intakes; dates sent on request by AI2 admissions |
Can you work during and after your master’s in France?
Part-time work while you study, then a one-year permit to find a job.
During your studies, Service-Public states that a student permit allows paid work of up to 964 hours a year without a separate authorisation.
After graduation, the job-search or business-creation permit is what keeps you in France while you look for a first job. According to Service-Public (F17319, verified 1 June 2026):
- You must hold a student permit and have obtained, within the last 12 months, a diploma at least equivalent to a master’s, among others.
- You apply at the prefecture in the two months before your student permit expires.
- The permit lasts one year, for a job or a company related to your studies, and the 964-hour limit no longer applies.
- It costs €150 in tax stamps, about AED 613.
For the full picture, from the internship to a work-based permit, read our guide to working in France after graduation.
AI2’s MSc: an English-taught option for UAE residents
Three specialisations, three intakes and a level 7 title.
AI2, the Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence, teaches its MSc 100% in English on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord by Transilien line H. Each MSc ends with a six-month company internship. The final year awards the AI2 MSc diploma and prepares a professional certification recognised by the French State, registered in the RNCP at level 7, master’s level (EQF 7), with DATAKOO, AI2’s parent company, as certifier.
| MSc | Certification prepared | Formats | Intakes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Applied AI and Data Science | RNCP39978 « Architecte des systèmes d’information dans les processus industriels », level 7 | 2 years; 18-month direct entry; 11-month Fast-Track | February, May, September 2027; Fast-Track February only |
| MSc Applied AI & Cybersecurity | RNCP39978, level 7, cybersecurity specialisation | 2 years; 18-month direct entry | February, May, September 2027 |
| MSc Applied AI & IoT | RNCP40554 « Architecte Internet des objets (IoT) », level 7 | 2 years; 18-month direct entry | February, May, September 2027 |
Three intakes a year suit residents who must give notice to an employer. Year 1 is a shared applied AI foundation, the specialisation comes in Year 2, and work-study is possible from Year 2, subject to eligibility and an employer contract. See the curriculum and Fast-Track calendar on the MSc Applied AI and Data Science page.
📘 Related guides: Cost of studying in France from the UAE (AED budget) · Scholarships in France for UAE residents.
📘 Related guides: Study in France in English from the UAE · Study in France from the Gulf: Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain.
Looking for a short course rather than a degree? See AI courses and training in Paris, including the ten-day Paris AI Summer School, taught in English.
Frequently asked questions
Can expatriates living in the UAE apply for a master’s in France from here?
Yes. Campus France UAE serves UAE residents of any nationality through the Études en France platform, provided you hold UAE residency and a non-European degree. A visitor without residency must apply from the country where they live.
Do Emiratis need a visa for a master’s in France?
Yes. UAE nationals can enter France without a Schengen visa for short stays, but a programme longer than three months requires the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) and the Campus France procedure.
How much does a master’s in France cost in dirhams?
A public university master’s costs €3,950 a year for non-EU students in 2026-27, about AED 16,150. AI2’s MSc Year 1 is €12,500, from €10,500 (about AED 42,930) after scholarship. Add at least €877.50 a month for the visa, about AED 3,588.
Where do UAE residents lodge their French student visa?
At the VFS Global Abu Dhabi branch, after completing the Études en France step with Campus France UAE. Long-stay student applicants may walk in, and processing takes 3 to 4 weeks.
When should I apply for a September 2027 master’s in France?
For public university master’s on Études en France, Campus France UAE gives a window from 1 October 2026 to 26 February 2027. AI2 recommends starting 6 to 8 months before your intake; it also starts its MSc in February and May 2027.
Will a UAE government scholarship pay for any master’s in France?
No. Government-funded programmes cover institutions and fields on their own approved lists. Check with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research or your provider before enrolling.
What qualification does AI2’s MSc lead to?
Each AI2 MSc final year awards the AI2 MSc diploma and prepares a professional certification recognised by the French State and registered in the RNCP at level 7, master’s level (EQF 7): RNCP39978 for Data Science and Cybersecurity, RNCP40554 for IoT.
Sources consulted on 29 October 2026: Campus France UAE: How to apply to French universities · Campus France UAE: Applying for a student visa · Campus France UAE: Scholarship programs for international students · Campus France: tuition fees 2026-27 (updated 25 June 2026) · Campus France: French degrees, LMD and equivalences · Campus France UAE: long-stay student visa checklist (PDF, July 2026) · Service-Public: student visa and resources, F2231 (verified 1 August 2026) · Service-Public: work for foreign students, F2713 (verified 7 October 2025) · Service-Public: job-search or business-creation permit, F17319 (verified 1 June 2026) · European Central Bank: euro reference rates (28 October 2026) · UAE Government portal: fact sheet (dirham peg) · AI2: tuition fees 2027 · AI2: MSc Applied AI and Data Science
Every step in the UAE depends on it. Apply online: AI2’s academic team reviews your transcripts, holds an online interview and confirms your MSc format, intake, tuition and any scholarship in writing, ready for Campus France UAE. Priority deadline for February 2027: 30 November 2026.
