A minimum level, assessed by a test or diploma is required to be admitted to higher education institutions in France.
Tests and diplomas of French
Several French language tests and diplomas allow you to prove your level of French:
- The DELF and the DALF (Diploma in French Language and Diploma in Advanced French Language) are diplomas in French as a foreign language used to validate skills in French. They are valid for life.
- The TCF - DAP (French Knowledge Test - Preliminary Admission Application) is a test to check the level of knowledge in French of a candidate at a given time. The results of the TCF are valid for two years.
The DELF, DALF and TCF evaluations focus on oral and written skills. These official diplomas and tests are issued by the Ministry of National Education and are designed by the International Centre for Pedagogical Studies (CIEP).
The registrations and the progress of the tests are organized within the French Institute in Egypt (Mounira, Heliopolis and Alexandria) and the French Alliance of Port-Said.
The TCF DAP examination is available in the French institute in Mounira only.
Level of French required for foreign students
The level B2 (upper intermediate or advanced) is the minimum level required to apply for bachelor or master studies in France.
The common reference for DELF, DALF and TCF certificates is that of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). Level B2 (advanced or independent level) is the minimum level for a Bachelor's or Master's degree in France. Level B2 is required to enter the first year within the framework of the DAP (The Preliminary Admission Application). Some French higher education institutions may require a higher level, C1 or C2, for specific programs, especially in the humanities and social sciences fields. You should always check the level of French required by institutions in France.
If you follow a program delivered in English, proficiency in French is not required. However, the institution concerned will be able to test your level of English or require an official certificate of language knowledge (such as IELTS or TOEFL).
Advices for preparing your level of French
The French Institute of Egypt and the French Alliance offer preparation courses for DELF, DALF and TCF DAP exams. These courses are not mandatory and must be registered separately from the exams.
You can find a wide range of books at the library of the French Institute or the French Alliance of your city.
You can also connect to the TV5 Monde and CIEP websites to find online exercises and annual exams.