Looking for a master’s in France as a Kenyan student? AI2 offers English-taught MSc programmes in applied AI, data science, cybersecurity and IoT near Paris, open to graduates from Kenya, with a French State qualification at master’s level (RNCP level 7).
This guide is for Kenyan students weighing an applied AI degree in France: how a KCSE certificate or a Kenyan degree fits AI2’s programmes, why Kenya follows the Campus France Études en France route, and what the main costs look like in shillings. Practical details for the offices in the capital are on our separate Nairobi page.
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 lead to French qualifications registered at bachelor’s and master’s level.
Applying from Kenya: what is specific to you
Where your Kenyan qualifications fit
- KCSE holders apply for the three-year Bachelor in Applied AI (RNCP level 6).
- Diploma holders: the BSc final year (top-up) accepts an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education, so a Kenyan diploma representing two years of post-secondary study is worth raising with admissions.
- Bachelor’s graduates in a related field fit the MSc Applied AI. Kenyan degrees carry an honours class such as Second Class Upper Division; AI2’s published requirement is a related bachelor’s degree and names no minimum class.
- Engineers, master’s holders and anyone with four years of related higher education can consider the 11-month Fast-Track, which starts in January.
Études en France is compulsory for Kenyan residents
Kenya is on Campus France’s list of countries using the Études en France procedure, so the Campus France stage comes before the visa. Students who already hold an admission letter, as AI2 applicants do, pay a reduced platform fee of KES 1,999 rather than the KES 7,999 charged to those applying to institutions through the platform. Campus France Kenya asks for payment through M-Pesa once its team has validated your documents, and your Campus France interview must take place before the visa appointment.
One visa centre for the whole country
France’s visa service provider in Kenya is TLScontact, and its only centre is in Nairobi; it also receives applicants living in Somalia. If you live in Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret or elsewhere, build a trip to the capital into your plans for biometrics. Visa fees are set in euros and paid in shillings when you submit, while the TLScontact service fee is paid online when you book. Addresses and opening hours are in our Nairobi guide.
English tests, and coming home with a French qualification
The British Council runs IELTS in nine Kenyan towns, among them Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret, Nakuru and Kakamega. If your studies were taught in English, read study in France without IELTS before booking a test.
Planning to work or study in Kenya later? Two bodies are involved. The Commission for University Education (CUE) recognises and equates foreign university qualifications, and the Kenya National Qualifications Authority (KNQA) aligns foreign awards with the Kenya National Qualifications Framework through its QAV portal. Both expect copies certified by an advocate and Commissioner for Oaths, so keep your French certificate and transcripts safe.
| Item | EUR | KES (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year (after scholarship) | from 9,000 | about 1.31 million |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from 9,900 | about 1.44 million |
| MSc Applied AI, per year (after scholarship) | from 10,500 | about 1.53 million |
| 11-month Fast-Track | 11,000 | about 1.6 million |
| Campus France Kenya fee, students already admitted | about 14 | 1,999 |
Sources checked in October 2026: Campus France: countries using the Études en France procedure · Campus France Kenya: Études en France fee · France-Visas: applying in Kenya (TLScontact) · Commission for University Education: recognition and equation guidelines · KNQA: alignment and validation of qualifications · British Council Kenya: IELTS locations
AI and data science programmes open to students from Kenya
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.
How to come to France from Kenya: the steps
Apply to AI2 online and attend an interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Complete the Études en France procedure with Campus France in Kenya: academic file and interview.
Apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on France-Visas and attend your appointment, 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. The full timeline is in our visa guidance.
Time difference for online sessions and interviews
EAT (UTC+3): two hours ahead of Paris in winter, one in summer. Useful for planning your online admission interview.
Budget: compare tuition, living costs and visa funds in our guide to the cost of studying AI in France (France vs UK vs Germany).
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.
City guides: study AI in France from Nairobi.
Have an HND? Earn a bachelor’s-level qualification in one year: see our top-up degree after an HND in France.
Frequently asked questions
Do Kenyan students have to go through Campus France?
Yes. Kenya uses the Études en France procedure, so you complete the Campus France file and interview before your visa appointment at TLScontact.
How much is the Campus France fee in Kenya if I already have an AI2 offer?
Campus France Kenya lists KES 1,999 for applicants who already hold an acceptance letter from a French institution. You pay it by M-Pesa after your documents have been validated.
Can I join the BSc top-up with a Kenyan diploma?
The top-up accepts an HND, a BTS or two years of higher education. Send your diploma and transcripts with your application so the academic team can check whether they reach that level.
Will a French RNCP qualification be recognised back in Kenya?
Recognition is handled by the Commission for University Education and, for placement on the national framework, by the Kenya National Qualifications Authority. Check their current requirements before you return.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
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