Looking for a master’s in France as a South African student? AI2 offers English-taught MSc programmes in applied AI, data science, cybersecurity and IoT near Paris, open to graduates from South Africa, with a State-registered qualification at master’s level (RNCP level 7).
South African applicants take a slightly longer road than most of their neighbours, because South Africa is one of the countries where the Campus France Études en France step is compulsory before any student visa. This guide sets out how the NSC and the NQF levels line up with AI2’s programmes, what Campus France South Africa asks of students who already hold an offer, and where the Capago visa centres are.
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 qualifications registered by the French State with France Compétences (RNCP) at level 6 (bachelor’s level) and level 7 (master’s level).
Applying from South Africa: what is specific to you
From the NSC to NQF level 8: finding your entry point
Your school-leaving National Senior Certificate with a bachelor’s pass opens the first year of the Bachelor. Beyond school, South African higher education qualifications are placed on the National Qualifications Framework, registered by SAQA, and that ladder is a useful way to read AI2’s entry routes:
- Bachelor in Applied AI: NSC with a bachelor’s pass, including mathematics.
- BSc final year (top-up): two completed years of a degree, or a Diploma at NQF level 6, can be put forward against the two-years-of-higher-education condition.
- MSc Applied AI: a three-year bachelor’s degree or an Advanced Diploma, both at NQF level 7, in a related field.
- 11-month Fast-Track: a four-year professional bachelor’s, or a three-year degree followed by an Honours year (NQF level 8), gives you four years of higher education.
Campus France South Africa points out that France has no Honours year, so you do not need Honours to move on to master’s-level study.
The Études en France pre-visa step
The procedure applies to anyone residing in South Africa. Once AI2 has admitted you, the sequence is:
- Create an account on the Études en France platform and choose the Campus France South Africa space.
- In the pre-visa section, declare that you were accepted directly by a French institution and upload your AI2 admission letter.
- Pay the processing fee by EFT when the payment notice arrives.
- Attend a short online video interview with Campus France, passport to hand.
- Download your EEF certificate: Capago will ask for it at your visa appointment.
Capago in Sandton, the Foreshore and Umhlanga
Decisions are made by the Consulate General of France in Johannesburg, while Capago collects files and biometrics at Fredman Towers in Sandton and at The Towers South on the Cape Town Foreshore. The Umhlanga Ridge office in Durban runs biometric missions only. France-Visas asks for long-stay files at least one month before departure and accepts none more than six months ahead. If you live in South Africa without South African citizenship, add proof of your legal status in the country.
Budget in rand
| Item | EUR | ZAR (approx., at the October 2026 rate) |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year | from 9,000 | about R166,500 |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from 9,900 | about R183,000 |
| MSc Applied AI, per year | from 10,500 | about R194,000 |
| 11-month Fast-Track | 11,000 | about R203,500 |
| Capago base service fee | 31 | about R570, paid in rand |
The Campus France processing fee and the visa fee come on top. Living costs are covered in our guide to the cost of studying AI in France, and funding options in scholarships for international students.
Flying to Paris
Air France runs non-stop flights from Johannesburg to Paris Charles de Gaulle, about 10 hours 50 minutes in the air, and adds a seasonal non-stop from Cape Town in the southern summer.
Sources checked in October 2026: Campus France South Africa: EEF pre-visa procedure · Campus France South Africa: visa procedure · Campus France South Africa: French degrees and South African equivalences · France-Visas: South Africa · Campus France: countries under the Études en France procedure · Air France South Africa: Johannesburg to Paris
AI and data science programmes for students from South Africa
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 South Africa
- Bachelor Year 1: the National Senior Certificate (NSC) with bachelor’s pass, 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 or advanced diploma 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 are in demand in South African banks, insurers, mining and telecom companies, as well as in Europe. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from South Africa: 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 South Africa (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
South Africa Standard Time (UTC+2): one hour ahead of Paris in winter, same time 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
Do I have to complete Études en France if I live in South Africa?
Yes. Campus France South Africa requires the pre-visa procedure from students residing in South Africa, and you complete it after receiving your AI2 offer, before creating your France-Visas application.
Can I give my biometrics in Durban?
Only when Capago holds a biometric mission there; the Umhlanga Ridge office does not take or return files on a normal schedule. Check fr-za.capago.eu for mission dates, or book in Sandton or Cape Town.
Is an Advanced Diploma enough for the MSc?
An Advanced Diploma sits at NQF level 7, the same level as a bachelor’s degree, and AI2 accepts it for the MSc when it is in a related field such as computing, engineering or statistics.
I am a Zimbabwean living in Johannesburg. Where do I apply?
If South Africa is your country of residence, you follow the South African route: Études en France, then Capago. Bring proof of your legal residence status in South Africa to the appointment.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
