Looking for a master’s in France as a Iranian student? AI2 offers English-taught MSc programmes in applied AI, data science, cybersecurity and IoT near Paris, open to graduates from Iran, with a French State qualification at master’s level (RNCP level 7).
For applicants in Iran, the route to France runs through Tehran: Campus France Iran interviews you online, then books your slot at the VFS Global centre, and the French Embassy takes the decision. English testing is the other point to plan early, because TOEFL testing inside Iran is currently paused.
AI2 – Applied Institute of Artificial Intelligence is an applied AI school on the Écouen campus, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. Its programmes are taught in English and prepare French State qualifications registered with France Compétences (RNCP) at level 6 (bachelor’s level) and level 7 (master’s level).
Applying from Iran: what is specific to you
Kardani, karshenasi and AI2’s entry points
Iranian universities award the kardani (associate degree, two years), the karshenasi (bachelor’s degree, usually four years and sometimes five) and a discontinuous karshenasi that adds two years on top of a kardani. Read against AI2’s programmes, and always subject to the academic team’s review of your transcripts, they give the following options.
- Secondary diploma, as listed in the entry requirements above: the Bachelor in Applied AI, three years, from €9,000 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
- Kardani in computing or a related subject: two years of higher education, the level required for the BSc final-year top-up (from €9,900).
- Karshenasi, continuous or discontinuous, in computer science, engineering, mathematics or statistics: the MSc Applied AI (RNCP level 7).
- Four-year related karshenasi or a karshenasi arshad: possibly the 11-month Fast-Track (€11,000, January start), which is aimed at holders of a master’s or four years of related higher education.
Campus France Iran: the online interview comes first
Iran follows the Études en France procedure. On the platform you open a Je suis accepté / I am accepted file, enter your AI2 admission and submit it online. Campus France Iran then sets the date of an online interview; candidates do not pick the slot themselves. Its visa page lists an interview fee of €250, paid in person, with the practical details sent by email. When your visa documents are ready, you write to the office and it allocates your appointment at VFS Global.
Lodging the visa in Tehran
France-Visas states that applications made in Iran are examined only by the French Embassy in Tehran, with files received at the VFS Global centre in Tehran. Register your application on France-Visas first and bring the printout. The VFS service fee is €26.50, set and collected in euros in cash, and the visa fee is also charged in euros. VFS is optional: the Embassy’s visa section also accepts files by appointment. For a long stay, plan on one month between submission and departure; applications can be lodged up to six months before travel.
English tests and document authentication
- ETS has paused TOEFL testing within Iran after a US Treasury (OFAC) rule change. Iranian nationals can still take the TOEFL in another country where it is offered.
- IELTS remains possible at home: IDP lists a computer-delivered IELTS Academic centre in Tehran. If your karshenasi was taught in English, read studying in France without IELTS.
- Iran is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention, so any authentication a French authority requests goes through legalisation. Confirm with the French Embassy in Tehran which documents need it before paying for certified translations.
| Item | Amount | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year after the AI2 scholarship | €9,000 | to AI2 |
| BSc final-year top-up | from €9,900 | to AI2 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year after the AI2 scholarship | €10,500 | to AI2 |
| 11-month Fast-Track | €11,000 | to AI2 |
| Campus France Iran interview | €250 | in person |
| VFS Global service fee, Tehran | €26.50 | cash, in euros |
We have not converted these amounts into rials. The fees collected in Tehran are fixed in euros, and what you pay in rials depends on the rate your bank or exchange office applies on the day. Living costs are in our cost of studying AI in France guide.
Sources checked in October 2026: France-Visas: applying in Iran · Campus France Iran: long-stay student visa · ETS: countries where the TOEFL iBT is available · IDP IELTS: Tehran test centre · Nuffic: higher education in Iran · HCCH: Apostille Convention status table
AI and data science programmes for students from Iran
Bachelor in Applied AI
Three years after secondary school. RNCP level 6, from €9,000 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
BSc final year
AI-Powered Application Development or Data Analytics & Applied AI. Entry with an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education. RNCP level 6, from €9,900.
MSc Applied AI
Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT. RNCP level 7 (master’s level), from €10,500 a year after the AI2 scholarship.
11-month Fast-Track
The level-7 qualification in under a year, €11,000. Starts in January.
All programmes and current fees: all programmes, scholarships and our guide to the cost of studying AI in France.
Entry requirements for students from Iran
- Bachelor Year 1: the high school diploma (diplom) and pre-university year, with mathematics. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
- MSc: a karshenasi (bachelor’s degree) in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or a related field. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
Why study AI in France rather than the UK or Australia?
- Tuition from €10,500 a year for an MSc, far below typical UK fees.
- Programmes taught in English, in the Paris region, at the heart of Europe.
- The right to work up to 964 hours a year during your studies, and a post-study permit for master’s-level graduates.
- Applied projects with companies, from the first semester.
Careers after an AI degree
Iranian graduates with a European AI qualification can pursue careers in European tech companies and research-oriented roles. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Iran: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Complete the Études en France procedure with Campus France in Iran: online academic file and interview.
Apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on France-Visas, with proof of at least €877.50 a month of resources.
Arrive on the Écouen campus near Paris and validate your visa online on the ANEF portal within three months.
Start 6 to 8 months before your intake (January, May or September). The full timeline is in our visa guidance, and daily life is covered in life in France.
Time difference for your online interview
Iran Standard Time (UTC+3:30): 2 h 30 ahead of Paris in winter, 1 h 30 in summer.
No IELTS? AI2 accepts English-medium education as an alternative: see study in France without IELTS. Missed September? Start in January or May 2027.
Campus France interview? Prepare with our guide to Campus France interview questions and the Études en France procedure.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the TOEFL in Tehran for my AI2 application?
Not at present, because ETS has paused TOEFL testing inside Iran. You can sit IELTS at a centre listed by IDP in Tehran, take the TOEFL abroad, or rely on English-medium studies.
How much does the Campus France Iran interview cost?
Campus France Iran lists a fee of €250, paid in person. The interview itself takes place online, at a time the office sets.
Can I enter the BSc top-up with a kardani?
A kardani is a two-year associate degree, which matches the BSc final-year entry level of two years of higher education. The academic team confirms that your subjects are relevant.
Do I have to use VFS Global in Tehran?
No. VFS Global (service fee €26.50) is the usual channel, but France-Visas confirms that the Embassy’s visa section in Tehran also accepts applications by appointment.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
