This article will cover the admission procedure for France's 20 ENSA - École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture (Higher National Schools for Architecture). For other application guidelines, please consult the [APPLY TO A STUDY PROGRAM] menu in the overhead menu.
STUDYING ARCHITECTURE IN FRANCE
Architecture studies in France are organized in three cycles according to the European LMD system. They are taught entirely in French and require at least B2 CEFR proficiency.
It takes 5 years of education to achieve the title of architect, and another additional year to be able to practice.
| DEEA - Diplome d'Études en Architecture | Translates to "Diplome of Studies in Architecture". Obtainable after 3 years of studies in an ENSA and equivalent to a Licence diploma. |
| DEA - Diplome d'État d'Architecture | Translates to "State Architect Diploma", granting the status of state-recognized architect. Obtainable after 2 years of studies following a DEEA. |
| HMONP - Habilitation à exercer la Maîtrise d’Œuvre en son Nom Propre | Translates to "Project Manager Accreditation" required officially create architectural projects requiring a construction permit. Obtainable after a year of training following a DEA. |
To study architecture in France, a student must be admitted into France's 20 ENSAs (École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture (Higher National Schools for Architecture). In addition to the ENSAs, two institutions—INSA Strasbourg (Institut National des Sciences Appliquées) and ESA-Paris (Ecole Spéciale d'Architecture)—offer diplomas recognized as equivalent to the DEA and HMONP. This article will however only cover applications to the ENSA network of schools.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
OPTION 1: PARCOURSUP
Admission into ENSA is to be applied for via the Parcoursup platform if one of the conditions below applies to you:
- You are of nationality from one of the European Union's 27 member states, the European Economic Area, or of Swiss nationality
- You are an imminent or present holder of a French baccalauréat or an equivalent European Union diploma
- You are an imminent or present holder of a DAEU - Diplôme d’Accès aux Études Universitaires (arrêté du 3.08.1994) or of any level-4 counterpart diploma
Parcoursup is usually open from late December of the prior year, with responses from prospective universities arriving around the end of May.
OPTION 2: DOSSIER JAUNE
Students whose situations aren't relevant to the Parcoursup application track are to complete their applications via the DAP - Demande d'Admission Préalable. Applicants from outside France must complete the Dossier Jaune (Yellow file).
The Dossier Jaune allows students to apply to two ENSAs. Applications via the DAP are to be submitted to the Embassy of France's cultural department from October 1 to mid-December before the targeted academic year.
REQUIREMENTS
- Accomplished dossier jaune form (available at bottom of page)
- Original birth certificate accompanied by an official translation authenticated by the French consulate
- Copies of transcripts of records and diploma/s accompanied by an official translation authenticated by the French consulate
- Any relevant works: portfolio in A4 format, photos, illustrations, plates, etc...
- For non-residents of a territory that does not have French as an official language, proof of French proficiency: DELF /DALF diploma, TCF, or TEF certifying a level of at least B2 CEFR
TIMELINE FOR 2025 A.Y.
| October 1, 2024 | Start of application period |
| January 16, 2025 | Deadline for submission of original documents at Campus France office |
| February 6, 2025 | Deadline of ad hoc French certification test |
| March 1, 2025 | Latest date of endorsement of applications by the Embassy of France |
| May 15, 2025 | Latest release of decision from selected ENSAs |
| May 30, 2025 | Deadline for students' choice of ENSA by way of a letter of confirmation sent to the institution in question |
I don't have a French proficiency certificate, how can I obtain one?
Institutions such as the Alliance Francaise de Manille periodically offer French language certifications such as the DELF/DALF exams and the TEF certifications. Consult their website to find out more about their examination calendar.
For those whose timelines no longer allow the candidate to take their French certification in time for their applications, the Embassy of France may conduct a paid, ad hoc TCF (Test de Connaissance de Francais) exam as part of the DAP procedure. Please contact your Campus France office if you wish to apply for the TCF-DAP.
