This article details the application procedure for the L1 — 1st year of undergraduate programs in French public universities. If you are interested in gaining admission into the 2nd or 3rd year of licence or in enrolling in an undergraduate program in a private institution, please refer to this article.
The French Licence
The licence is a post-baccalauréat (or post-senior high school in the Philippines), and is the first segment of France's LMD educational system. While it can be compared to undergraduate programs in the country, a licence typically only lasts for 3 years. If you're yet to find the licence program for you, get started by consulting this online catalog.
Most licence programs are taught in French and require a proficiency of at least B2 CEFR.
What is the Dossier Blanc?
The Philippines isn't covered by the Etudes en France procedure, and no system of equivalence exists between the Filipino and French educational systems. First-time applicants for a licence must undergo the DAP (Demande d'Admission Préalable) Procedure via the completion of the White File (Dossier Blanc).
The Dossier Blanc procedure applies to you if:
- You are an incoming, first-time undergraduate/licence student
- You are not a holder of a French baccalauréat
- You are residing in the Philippines*
*Applicants based in France must instead undergo the Green File (Dossier Vert) procedure.
What are the requirements for my Dossier Blanc?
The Dossier Blanc consists of the following documents:
- Accomplished DAP form (available at bottom of page)
- Original birth certificate accompanied by an official translation stamped by the French consulate
- 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
- Additional documents based on your situation as stipulated in the Dossier Blanc notice (available at bottom of page)
The completed Dossier Blanc must then be submitted to the Embassy of France's cultural department (SCAC) on or before December 15, 2022. Once they review your application, they will provide you a receive copy of your dossier.
Timeline for 2025 A.Y.
| October 1, 2024 | Start of application period |
| December 15, 2024 | Deadline of submission of original documents at Campus France office |
| February 17, 2025 | Deadline of ad hoc French certification test |
| March 15, 2025 | Latest date of endorsement of applications by the Embassy of France |
| April 30, 2025 | Latest release of decision from universities |
| May 31, 2025 | Deadline of students' confirmation of school |
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.
