Mauritian nationals can visit France without a visa for short stays, but a programme lasting a year or more needs a long-stay student visa, and Mauritius is one of the countries where the Campus France procedure comes first. Campus France Maurice works from the Institut français de Maurice in Rose-Hill, and visas are lodged at the French Embassy in Moka.
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 Mauritius: what is specific to you
HSC, diplomas and degrees against AI2’s entry levels
The Higher School Certificate is sat in Mauritius through Cambridge International examinations organised with the Mauritius Examinations Syndicate, and AI2 asks for it, with mathematics, for Bachelor Year 1. Beyond the HSC:
- An HND, a BTS or two years of a degree in computing or engineering: BSc final year.
- A bachelor’s in a related field from a Mauritian or overseas university: MSc Applied AI, with Data Science, Cybersecurity or IoT.
- Four years of related higher education, a master’s or an engineering degree: Fast-Track, from January.
Campus France Maurice after a direct offer
Since you apply to AI2 directly, you follow Campus France Maurice’s procedure for students accepted by a school:
- Email campusfrance@ifmaurice.org with the name of the school, the programme and the name and email address of your admissions contact.
- Create your Études en France account and build the file, using AI2’s official letter confirming your admission.
- Book an appointment at the Institut français, 30 avenue Julius Nyerere, Rose-Hill: your originals are checked, the file is validated, you pay the Rs 5,900 processing fee by bank transfer and you have an interview.
The visa section at La Promenade, Telfair
The French Embassy’s visa section, at The Workplace Building, Level 4, La Promenade, Telfair, Moka, takes applications by online appointment only. Register your application on France-Visas before the appointment, or you will not be received. Visa fees are fixed in euros and paid in rupees at the chancellery rate, in cash, by Juice or by card. Campus France Maurice indicates that a student visa takes about ten days to process.
Budget in rupees
| Item | EUR | MUR (approx., at the October 2026 rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Campus France Maurice processing fee | about 110 | Rs 5,900 |
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year | from 9,000 | about Rs 477,000 |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from 9,900 | about Rs 525,000 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year | from 10,500 | about Rs 557,000 |
| Fast-Track, 11 months | 11,000 | about Rs 583,000 |
Plan separately for the visa fee, your flight and housing; see what studying AI in France costs.
Flights and recognition back home
Air Mauritius flies daily non-stop between Mauritius and Paris Charles de Gaulle, a trip of about 12 hours. If you later want your French qualification recognised in Mauritius, the Higher Education Commission is the body responsible for recognition and equivalence of qualifications obtained abroad, with applications made online through its e-Services portal.
Sources checked in October 2026: Campus France Maurice: procedure after direct acceptance · Campus France Maurice: contact · France-Visas: Mauritius · Mauritius Examinations Syndicate · Higher Education Commission: recognition and equivalence · Air Mauritius: Paris
AI and data science programmes for students from Mauritius
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 Mauritius
- Bachelor Year 1: the Higher School Certificate (HSC), 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 target AI and data roles in Mauritian financial services, ICT and business process companies, or in France. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Mauritius: 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: it is compulsory for long-stay student visas from Mauritius (details above).
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
Mauritius Time (UTC+4): three hours ahead of Paris in winter, two in summer.
Frequently asked questions
I hold a Mauritian passport. Do I need a visa for a year-long programme in France?
Yes. Mauritian nationals are visa-free only for stays of up to 90 days in any six months, so a longer programme requires a long-stay student visa from the French Embassy in Mauritius.
How much does Campus France Maurice charge?
The processing fee is Rs 5,900, paid by bank transfer at your appointment, where your original documents are also checked and you have an interview.
Where is the French visa section in Mauritius?
At The Workplace Building, Level 4, La Promenade, Telfair, Moka. Appointments are booked online.
Can I pay the visa fee with Juice?
Yes. The embassy accepts cash, Juice and card, in rupees converted at the chancellery rate.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
