Schooled in English in Dubai, Sharjah or Abu Dhabi, with no French on your CV? This guide deals with one question: how to take a full French degree in English from the Emirates, from spotting a genuine English-taught course to the 2025 rules Emirati students must read first.
How much French higher education is really in English?
There is a lot on offer, weighted towards master’s level.
Plenty, but unevenly. Campus France UAE speaks of more than 3,500 institutions and hundreds of English-taught programmes, and the agency’s main site counts more than 1,600 programmes taught wholly or partly in English in its catalogue. Campus France’s Nigerian office adds the detail that matters most for planning: these programmes sit mostly at postgraduate level. A school leaver has a narrower choice than a graduate.
The catalogue’s phrase “wholly or partly” deserves attention. A programme can qualify while running one semester in French, or while assessing students in French. Before you invest in an application, put these checks to the school.
| Check | Ask the school | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | Is every compulsory course in English in every semester? | Campus France UAE’s waiver covers taught-in-English programmes; a partly French course may still expect B2 French |
| Assessment | Are exams, reports and the final defence in English? | You must be able to finish the degree in the language you began it in |
| Company phase | Is an internship compulsory, and do host firms accept English speakers? | Many French employers work in French, so ask what support exists |
| Paperwork | Will my admission letter state the language of instruction? | It helps show your project is coherent at the Campus France meeting |
Which route fits your level?
The public calendar closes early, so check it before you shortlist.
The application channel depends on your level and on whether the institution is public or private. In each row below, the French requirement falls away when the course is taught in English. Dates are for 2027-28 entry.
| Your level | Procedure from the UAE | Choices | Window |
|---|---|---|---|
| First year of a licence, public university | Études en France, DAP “Dossier Blanc” | Up to 3 universities | 1 October to 15 December 2026 |
| First year of a bachelor’s, private institution | Direct admission on the school’s website, and Études en France if listed in its catalogue | Up to 7 | 1 October 2026 to 26 February 2027 |
| Second or third year, public or private | School website and Études en France if listed | Up to 7 | 1 October 2026 to 26 February 2027 |
| Master’s, public or private | Regular Études en France, or direct application plus Études en France if listed | Up to 7 | 1 October 2026 to 26 February 2027 |
Who can use the platform also has rules. You must be a UAE resident holding a non-European school diploma (Campus France UAE names IB, A-Levels, Thanawiyya Amma, US diploma and CBSE) or a non-European bachelor’s or master’s. Students preparing a French or European Baccalauréat use Parcoursup instead, and a tourist without residence cannot apply from the Emirates. Master’s candidates comparing public and private options will find routes and fees in our guide to master’s degrees in France for UAE residents, while school leavers can read about the bachelor’s in France for UAE students.
What English proof can you use from the UAE?
The school decides, and your school system shapes what you can show.
France sets no national English score. Each institution sets its level and decides what it accepts, and Campus France UAE lists a language test among your documents “if required”. So your starting point is the admissions page of each school. What differs is the evidence your background gives you.
| Your background | Evidence you already have | Likely gap |
|---|---|---|
| IB, A-Levels, US diploma or CBSE in English | Transcripts, and a school letter stating the language of instruction | Some schools still ask for a test score |
| Thanawiyya Amma, Arabic-medium | Grades in English as a subject | Expect to need IELTS, TOEFL or similar |
| Degree from an English-taught UAE university | Transcript, plus a medium-of-instruction letter from the registrar | Often enough; ask before booking a test |
| Arabic-taught degree, years of work in English | Employer letter as background only | Expect to need a test score |
Our guide to studying in France without IELTS covers the alternatives and how to word a medium-of-instruction letter. Arabic documents raise a separate point: Campus France UAE requires everything in French or English, each file under 500 KB, and points to the list of sworn translators held by the French Embassy.
Do Emiratis and expatriates face the same recognition rules?
This is the part of the plan that language cannot solve.
No, and choosing an English-taught programme does not change this. Two UAE texts apply, and both matter before you accept an offer.
Emirati citizens: Resolution 5 of 2025
Issued on 22 May 2025 by the Education, Human Development and Community Development Council, this resolution sets standards for UAE nationals studying abroad, whether on scholarship or self-funded. It controls the use of qualifications obtained abroad in the federal government sector: employment, promotion, study leave and related benefits. The institution must meet one of four ranking conditions, in rankings accredited by the ministry.
The test looks at the country of study and the institution’s ranking, not at the language of your course. Under Article 4, a qualification obtained without meeting the standards is not recognised and does not count for federal government purposes. If you hope to work for a federal entity, or a sponsor is paying, ask MoHESR or your sponsor in writing before you enrol. Article 6 provides for an exceptions committee, so ask about that route too if your case is unusual.
Everyone: Ministerial Decree 34 of 2025
This decree sets the general system for recognising qualifications from outside the UAE, for employment, career progression and further study. Its conditions are that the qualification is valid and accurate, and that the awarding institution is legally established, licensed and accredited by the relevant authority in the country of qualification when the qualification is issued. The ministry can later revoke recognition if those conditions were not met. In April 2025 MoHESR said the updated service had cut required documents from 14 to four.
Will you need French at all?
Not to get in; useful once you are there.
Not for admission to a taught-in-English programme, and not for the exemption: Campus France UAE lists “applying to a taught-in-English program” first among those excused from its French test. Daily life outside campus runs in French, though, so a little preparation pays off.
Before you leave
If you want a certificate
For a company phase
Our guide to whether you need French to study in France sets out each level and what it opens.
What does an English-taught year cost in dirhams?
Language does not set the price, but the type of institution does.
Amounts use the Central Bank of the UAE rate of €1 = AED 4.088278 for 28 October 2026. For the full budget, with housing, insurance and transport, read our guide to the cost of studying in France from the UAE.
| Item | Euros | Dirhams |
|---|---|---|
| Public university licence, non-EU student, per year | €2,902 | about AED 11,864 |
| Public university master’s, non-EU student, per year | €3,950 | about AED 16,149 |
| Private institutions, per year | About €6,000 to €18,000 or more | about AED 24,530 to 73,590 |
| Visa resources, per month | €877.50 | about AED 3,588 |
| Études en France admission fee | Paid in dirhams | AED 700 |
Private programmes cost more, and many English-taught courses sit in that range, so compare what the fee includes. Three lines often separate two programmes at a similar price: a company phase, a compulsory language module, and the length of time you must fund living costs.
How does the application work in English?
Documents in English are accepted at the Campus France stage.
Your paperwork can run in English. Campus France UAE accepts documents in French or English, so you can build your Études en France file with Emirates ID and passport, CV, motivation letter and English-language records. After Campus France UAE validates it and you pay, a representative contacts you for an in-person meeting. You then complete France-Visas and lodge your file at VFS Global in Abu Dhabi. Campus France UAE asks you to start at least two months before departure, and says a pre-consular file takes 4 to 7 working days and the visa section 3 to 4 weeks. Emiratis and expatriates follow the same procedure, as our France student visa guide for the UAE shows step by step.
English-taught study at AI2
An English-taught option from admission onwards.
Where does AI2 fit? It suits UAE residents who want an applied route in AI, data, cybersecurity or connected systems. At AI2 the language question is simple: programmes are taught 100% in English, and the Data Science page states that on the Fast-Track all courses, examinations and defences are in English. Students study on one campus at Écouen, 22 minutes from Paris Gare du Nord. French is not an admission requirement, and optional French classes run every year.
| Entry | Format | English required | Tuition | Dirhams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 12, A-levels or Baccalauréat with mathematics | Bachelor in Applied AI, 3 years | B2, or an English-medium school | €9,000 a year, Years 1 and 2; final year €9,900 | about AED 36,795; final year AED 40,474 |
| Three-year bachelor’s | MSc, 2 years: 1,000 h, then a 6-month internship | B2: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent | Year 1 €12,500, from €10,500 after scholarship | about AED 51,104, from AED 42,927 |
| Related four- or five-year degree | Direct entry, 18 months: 1,000 h in 12 months (IoT 920 h), then a 6-month internship | Same; a medium-of-instruction certificate may support a waiver | €13,000, from €11,300 (IoT from €11,800) | about AED 53,148, from AED 46,198 |
| Related master’s or accredited engineering degree | Fast-Track, Data Science only, February 2027, 11 months | Waived if your degree was taught in English | €12,500, or €11,000 before 15 November 2026 | about AED 51,104, or AED 44,971 |
Read that table against the checks at the top of this page. In the 18-month route, 500 hours on campus combine with 280 hours of online platform modules and a 220-hour company project. The internship is the one place language may matter: AI2 says most work-study employers in France work in French and that a B1 level makes the company search much easier, so plan for it if you want work-study from Year 2.
Each final year awards the AI2 diploma and prepares a professional certification recognised by the French State and registered in the RNCP. For the MSc, that is level 7, master’s level (EQF 7): RNCP39978, whose official title is Architecte des systèmes d’information dans les processus industriels (Information Systems Architect for Industrial Processes), or RNCP40554, Internet of Things (IoT) Architect, with DATAKOO, AI2’s parent company, as certifier. Curriculum details are on the MSc Applied AI and Data Science page, and the full grid on AI2 tuition fees. If you are weighing several Gulf routes, see studying in France from the Gulf.
A calendar for 2027
The public window and private intakes run on different clocks.
- 1NowEmirati applicants: check Resolution 5 with MoHESR or your sponsor. Everyone: shortlist programmes and put the four language checks to each school.
- 2By 15 November 2026Applications for AI2’s Fast-Track at the €11,000 rate.
- 3By 30 November 2026AI2’s priority deadline and complete visa file for February 2027, followed by enrolment and deposit by 15 December.
- 4By 15 December 2026Public first-year licence requests on Études en France.
- 5By 26 February 2027Master’s and other Études en France applications for 2027-28.
- 6May and September 2027Later AI2 intakes; admissions sends the dates on request.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study in France in English from the UAE?
Yes. Campus France’s catalogue lists more than 1,600 programmes taught wholly or partly in English, mostly at postgraduate level. UAE residents apply through Études en France, directly with the school, or both, depending on the programme.
Do I need French to apply from the UAE?
Not for a taught-in-English programme. Campus France UAE lists applicants to taught-in-English programmes among those exempt from its French test. A programme taught partly in French may still require it, so check each one.
Does a degree taught in English in France count as studying in an English-speaking country?
Not for recognition purposes. The UAE’s Resolution 5 of 2025 looks at the country of study and the institution’s ranking, not at the language of the course, so Emirati students should check its conditions with MoHESR.
Are Emirati students allowed to study anywhere in France?
Resolution 5 of 2025 sets ranking conditions for the institution, and a qualification that does not meet them is not recognised for federal government purposes. Emirati applicants should confirm their choice with MoHESR or their sponsor before enrolling.
What about expatriates living in the UAE?
Resolution 5 concerns UAE nationals. Ministerial Decree 34 of 2025 sets the general recognition conditions for qualifications from outside the UAE. Expatriates should also check the rules of the country where they plan to work.
Which English tests are accepted?
Each school decides. AI2 asks for B2: IELTS 6.0, TOEFL iBT 72 or equivalent, and a medium-of-instruction certificate may support a waiver. Check the school’s page before you book a test.
Is AI2 fully taught in English?
Yes. AI2’s programmes are taught in English on its Écouen campus, and French is not an admission requirement. Optional French classes run every year, and B1 French makes a work-study search much easier.
Sources consulted on 30 October 2026: Campus France UAE: How to Apply to French Universities · Campus France UAE: Applying for a Student Visa · Campus France UAE: Learn French in UAE and in France · Campus France UAE: home page · Campus France: finding a programme · Campus France: tuition fees · Campus France Nigeria: studying without French · MoHESR: Resolution No. (5) of 2025 · MoHESR: Ministerial Decree No. (34) of 2025 · MoHESR: update of the recognition system (28 April 2025) · Central Bank of the UAE: exchange rates · Service-Public: student visa, F2231 (verified 1 August 2026) · France Compétences: RNCP39978 · France Compétences: RNCP40554 · AI2: tuition fees 2027 · AI2: apply now
Send your transcripts and English evidence: AI2 admissions confirms in writing what it accepts and your entry year. Priority deadline for February 2027: 30 November 2026.
