For a Malawian student, the first thing to know is that a French long-stay visa cannot be lodged inside Malawi. The Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe deals only with short-stay visas for France, so your student visa goes to the Consulate General of France in Johannesburg, and a trip to South Africa belongs in your plan from the start.
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 Malawi: what is specific to you
Planning around Johannesburg
France-Visas sends long-stay applicants resident in Malawi to the Consulate General in Johannesburg and tells them to choose South Africa as the country of submission. Campus France South Africa, which also covers Malawi, confirms that the consulate handles these students directly, with no Études en France stage. In practice:
- Read the France-Visas Malawi page and contact the consulate about how appointments are given to Malawi residents before you buy any ticket.
- Check whether you need a South African visa for the trip, and allow time for it.
- Budget for the trip itself, since your file and biometrics are taken in Johannesburg.
- Airlink flies between Lilongwe and Johannesburg, which keeps the round trip short.
MSCE and MANEB paperwork
The Malawi School Certificate of Education, awarded by the Malawi National Examinations Board, is the certificate AI2 asks for, with mathematics, for Bachelor Year 1. MANEB lists academic transcripts, authentication of certificates, verification of certificates and certificate equating among its services, and its Central Region office is in Area 3, Lilongwe. For later stages:
- A diploma or two years of university study in computing or engineering: BSc final year.
- A bachelor’s degree in a related field: MSc Applied AI.
- Four years of higher education in a related field, for example a four-year degree: Fast-Track, starting in January.
English tests in Lilongwe and Blantyre
The British Council runs IELTS in Malawi from two official centres: paper-based tests in Lilongwe and computer-based tests in both Blantyre and Lilongwe. Students taught in English can also read our guide to studying in France without IELTS.
Budget in kwacha
| Programme | EUR | MWK (approx., at the October 2026 rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year | from 9,000 | about MK17.6 million |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from 9,900 | about MK19.3 million |
| MSc Applied AI, per year | from 10,500 | about MK20.5 million |
| Fast-Track, 11 months | 11,000 | about MK21.5 million |
Add the visa fee, the Johannesburg visa trip and your flight to Paris. Our cost of studying guide covers living expenses, and this scholarships page lists funding routes.
From Lilongwe or Blantyre to Paris
Ethiopian Airlines flies from both Lilongwe and Blantyre and connects to Paris through Addis Ababa. Kenya Airways offers Lilongwe to Paris routings via Nairobi.
Sources checked in October 2026: France-Visas: Malawi · Campus France South Africa: students in Lesotho, Malawi and other countries · Malawi National Examinations Board · British Council Malawi: IELTS dates, fees and locations · Ethiopian Airlines: flights from Lilongwe
AI and data science programmes for students from Malawi
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 Malawi
- Bachelor Year 1: the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE), with mathematics. English at B2 level: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, or schooling in English.
- BSc final year: an HND or two years of higher education in computing or engineering lets you enter the third year directly and earn a level-6 qualification in one year.
- MSc: a 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
Graduates can work as data analysts or AI developers for NGOs, banks, telecoms and international organisations, in Malawi or abroad. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Malawi: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Malawi is not part of the Études en France procedure: once you hold your admission letter, you apply for the visa directly on France-Visas (see above for where to lodge your file).
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
Central Africa Time (UTC+2): one hour ahead of Paris in winter, the same time in summer.
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
Can I apply for my French student visa at the Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe?
No. France-Visas says the Norwegian Embassy in Lilongwe takes only short-stay visa applications for France. Long-stay student visas go to the Consulate General of France in Johannesburg.
Is there a Campus France procedure for Malawi?
Malawi is not an Études en France country. Campus France South Africa covers Malawian students, and the Johannesburg consulate handles their visa applications directly.
Where can I sit IELTS in Malawi?
The British Council has official IELTS centres in Lilongwe (paper and computer) and Blantyre (computer).
Can MANEB authenticate my MSCE certificate?
MANEB lists authentication and verification of certificates among its services, with a regional office in Area 3, Lilongwe. Ask MANEB for the current procedure and fee.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
