Looking for a master’s in France as a Zimbabwean student? AI2 offers English-taught MSc programmes in applied AI, data science, cybersecurity and IoT near Paris, open to graduates from Zimbabwe, with a State-registered qualification at master’s level (RNCP level 7).
Unlike Zambia, Botswana or Namibia, Zimbabwe has a French Embassy that examines visas itself, with no outsourced visa centre: you lodge your student visa in person at the embassy in Harare. Zimbabwe is also outside the Études en France procedure, which means you move straight from an AI2 offer to your France-Visas application.
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 Zimbabwe: what is specific to you
The visa section in Newlands, Harare
The embassy is at 3 Princess Drive, Newlands, and it alone decides visas filed in Zimbabwe. A few local rules matter for students:
- Long-stay student visa appointments can be requested by email to the visa section (admin-etrangers.harare-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr); other bookings go through consulat.gouv.fr, and none are given by telephone.
- Files are received by appointment only, on weekday mornings from 9:00 to 12:00.
- Your passport needs at least two blank pages and must remain valid for at least three months after the visa ends.
- Visa fees are accepted only in US dollars, in cash.
ZIMSEC, Cambridge and degree routes into AI2
AI2 accepts ZIMSEC or Cambridge A Levels with mathematics for the first year of the Bachelor. Holders of a Higher National Diploma, or of two years at university in computing or engineering, can join the BSc final year. A bachelor’s in a related field leads to the MSc, and if your honours degree took four years, the Fast-Track is worth considering.
ZIMSEC offers a Confirmation of Results service designed for institutions and employers. The confirmation goes straight to the organisation that asks for it and is never handed to the candidate; ZIMSEC aims to issue it within three working days of payment, and requests from abroad add a courier fee.
Budget in US dollars and ZiG
| Programme | EUR | USD (approx., at the October 2026 rate) | ZiG (approx., at the October 2026 rate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSc Applied AI, per year | from 10,500 | about US$11,800 | about ZiG 314,000 |
| Fast-Track, 11 months | 11,000 | about US$12,300 | about ZiG 329,000 |
| BSc final year (top-up) | from 9,900 | about US$11,100 | about ZiG 296,000 |
| Bachelor in Applied AI, per year | from 9,000 | about US$10,100 | about ZiG 269,000 |
Budget separately for the visa fee in cash dollars and for flights. Living costs near Paris are broken down in our cost guide, and you can compare routes from neighbouring countries in the Zambia and South Africa guides.
IELTS and the journey from Harare
The British Council runs IELTS in Harare, at the Zimbabwe Agricultural Society in Belvedere, and in Bulawayo; Harare offers both IELTS for UKVI and the standard test, Bulawayo the standard test only. If your schooling was in English, look first at studying in France without IELTS. Ethiopian Airlines connects Harare with Paris via Addis Ababa, Kenya Airways flies from Harare via Nairobi, and Airlink links Harare with Johannesburg for Air France’s non-stop service to Paris.
Sources checked in October 2026: France-Visas: Zimbabwe · ZIMSEC: Confirmation of Results information sheet · Campus France: countries under the Études en France procedure · British Council Zimbabwe: IELTS dates, fees and locations · Ethiopian Airlines: flights from Harare
AI and data science programmes for students from Zimbabwe
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 Zimbabwe
- Bachelor Year 1: the ZIMSEC or Cambridge A Level, 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 build careers in Europe or in Southern Africa’s banking, mining and telecom sectors. Typical roles include data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI developer, data analyst and AI security specialist.
How to come to France from Zimbabwe: step by step
Apply to AI2 online and attend an online interview with the academic team.
Receive your admission letter.
Zimbabwe 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, 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
Where do I lodge a French student visa in Zimbabwe?
At the French Embassy, 3 Princess Drive, Newlands, Harare. There is no outsourced visa centre, and the embassy is the only authority deciding visas filed in Zimbabwe.
How do I get a student visa appointment in Harare?
Long-stay student appointments can be requested by email to the embassy’s visa section. Appointments are not given by phone.
Can I pay the visa fee in ZiG or by card?
No. The embassy accepts visa fees only in US dollars cash and asks applicants to bring the exact amount.
Can ZIMSEC confirm my results directly to a school abroad?
Yes. ZIMSEC’s Confirmation of Results is sent to the requesting institution, never to the candidate, and international requests carry a courier fee.
Apply online: the academic team reviews your file and invites you to an online interview.
