January Intake in France 2026: A Complete Guide for International Students

The January Intake in France 2026 is intended for students who did not participate in the September Intake or who wish to postpone their respective studies until a later point in the academic year. This intake is also known as Spring Intake and is also a great intake for international students who long to get higher education in France, compared to the September Intake, this January Intake is not that common but has some perks such as lesser competition, easy application processing and unique opportunities opened for students to explore specific programs that did not fall during the autumn's intake.

This guide will provide you with all the necessary details regarding the January Intake into France 2026, including eligibility criteria, application procedure, top universities, deadlines, scholarships, student life, cost of living, and more. This article would also guide those foreign students thinking of studying in France in 2026 in understanding what needs to be done to make their academic journey a bit easier.

Why Choose January Intake in France 2026?

There are several benefits related to January Intake that international students find attractive:

• Less Competitive Admission Process: In the January intake fewer candidates apply due to which competition is less as compared to the September intake so, there is a higher chance of acceptance increase.
• Programs Available: Several universities offer a variety of graduate programs during the January Intake (especially in business, engineering, and data science). There may be limitations in course availability compared to September, but still, many high-demand programs are open.
• An Alternative Start Date: For students who are not able to go for the fall semester due to personal or professional commitments to keep on hold before higher education in France, the January Intake makes things more flexible for such cases.
• Internship Opportunities: A set of companies and institutions in France align their recruitment cycle with the January intake, this provides students the unique privilege of internships and placements through sectors such as technology, finance and healthcare.
• Scholarships Available: Even though September gets infused with the maximum number of scholarship offers, the January Intake has its own set of scholarships for students, especially for Master's or PhD students.
• Smooth Visa Process: Because of the reduced number of students seeking admission in the January intake, the processing of visa applications becomes a matter of smoothness with quick and efficient turnaround time.

What are some other names for January Intake in France?

While carrying out research, the knowledge of various terminologies for the January Intake will streamline your search results. Alternative names include: 

• Spring Intake
• January Semester
• Late Intake
• Second Intake

Top 10 Universities for January Intake 2026 in France

Here are the top universities that offer programs during the January Intake for international students in 2026:

What is the deadline for January Intake in France 2026?

It is crucial to apply according to the university deadline for applications and starting dates of programs to secure the seats. Most of the French universities and Grandes Écoles follow strict deadlines.

For January Intake, the session starts in early to mid-January 2026, and this intake is open for specialized or specific programs and universities, mainly for a few bachelor's courses, Master’s degrees, Engineering courses and business schools.

Application Deadlines:

1. September to November 2025 – Most universities open applications.
2. October to December 2025 – Submission deadlines. It also varies by institution.
3. Here is a list of top French Universities with their deadlines for 2026 January Intake

• Sorbonne University – Deadline: November 30, 2025
• ESSEC Business School – Deadline: October 15, 2025 (Early Round)
• HEC Paris – Deadline: Varies by program (Check official website)
• École Polytechnique – Deadline: November 1, 2025 (for select MSc programs)
• University of Lyon – Deadline: December 1, 2025

Academic Requirements for January 2026 Intake in France

1. Undergraduate (Bachelor's) Programs

• High School Diploma: Equivalent to French Baccalauréat
• Minimum Grades: Typically 12/20 (French grading) or equivalent (e.g., 70% in the Indian system)
• Language Proficiency:

A) French-taught programs: DELF B2 or TCF Certificates are required
B) English-taught programs: IELTS or TOEFL are required

• Entrance Exams: Some Grandes Écoles require SAT/ACT or their tests

2. Postgraduate (Master's) Programs

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field
• Transcripts: Official copies with grading scale explanation
• Language Requirements:

A) French: DELF B2/DALF C1 for French programs
B) English: IELTS or TOEFL for English programs 

•  Additional Documents:

A) Statement of Purpose (SOP)
B) Letters of Recommendation (academic/professional)
C) CV/Resume (for some programs)
D) GMAT/GRE (for business/engineering schools like HEC Paris/École Polytechnique)

3. PhD Programs

• Master’s Degree: In a related field (minimum 65% or equivalent)
• Research Proposal: 5-10 pages (aligned with supervisor’s expertise)
• Language Proficiency:

A) French: C1/C2 for humanities/social sciences
B) English: IELTS for STEM fields

• Additional Requirements:

A) Academic publications (preferred)
B) Interview with a potential supervisor

Top 10 Universities in France Offering English-Taught Programs for January Intake 2026

Scholarships for January Intake 2026

While scholarships for the January Intake are less than those for the September Intake, there are still several options available. Below are some scholarships you can apply for:

1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

Deadline: September 30, 2025 (University nomination required by this date)
Benefits:

• €1,181/month stipend (Master’s) or €1,400/month (PhD)
• Full tuition waiver at public universities
• International airfare, health insurance, and cultural activities

Eligibility:

• Open to Master’s (M1/M2) and PhD applicants
• Age limit: Under 30 for Master’s, under 35 for PhD
• Must be nominated by a French university (direct applications not accepted)

Coverage: 12–36 months (depending on program length)

2. Charpak Scholarship (Indian Students)

Deadline: October 15, 2025
Benefits:

• €700/month (Bachelor’s) or €860/month (Master’s)
• Student visa fee waiver
• Assistance with housing and health insurance

Eligibility:

• Indian nationals enrolled in a French institution
• Minimum 70% marks in previous degree
• DELF B2 required for French-taught programs

3.    Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships

Deadline: Varies by program (November 2025 – January 2026)
Benefits:

• ?    Full tuition coverage + €1,400/month living allowance
• ?    €3,000–€5,000 travel grant (non-EU students)

Eligibility:

• Open to all nationalities
• Must apply to an Erasmus Mundus-labeled program (e.g., Data Science, Environmental Engineering)
• No age restriction

4.    ENS Lyon Ampere Excellence Scholarships
Deadline: January 15, 2026
Benefits:

• €1,000/month for 1–2 years
• Tuition fee exemption

Eligibility:
?    Master’s applicants in Sciences, Humanities, or Arts
?    Academic excellence (top 10% of graduating class)

5. HEC Paris Excellence Scholarships

Deadline: Rolling (October 2025 – February 2026)
Benefits:

• €5,000–€24,000 (partial to 50% tuition waiver)
• Eligibility:
• Admitted MBA or Master’s students
• Based on GMAT/GRE scores (700+ recommended) and leadership potential

6. Sciences Po Émile Boutmy Scholarship

Deadline: December 5, 2025
Benefits:

• €3,000–€19,000/year (tuition reduction)
• Eligibility:
• Non-EU students with demonstrated financial need
• Minimum IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100

7.    Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarships

Deadline: October 30, 2025
Benefits:

• €10,000/year + €1,000 travel allowance
• Eligibility:
• STEM Master’s applicants (e.g., AI, Physics)
• Age under 30

8.    French Government (BGF) Scholarships

Deadline: Varies by the embassy (August–October 2025)
Benefits:

• €700–€1,200/month + tuition waiver
• Eligibility:
• Country-specific (e.g., Vietnam, Brazil, Nigeria)
• Requires a pre-admission letter from a French university

Process of Application to France for January Intake 2026

To apply for January Intake in France, follow these steps:

Step 1: Research and Shortlist Universities (July 2025 - August 2025)

• Discover the universities that offer programs in your field of interest. 
• Review the eligibility requirements, tuition fees and scholarships available. 
• Among those, shortlist the universities that are most suited to your past academic career and financial situation.

Step 2: Prepare Your Application Documents (August 2025 - September 2025)

Compile the required documents for the application: 

• Passport 
• Updated Resume/CV 
• Transcripts and academic certificates 
• Statement of Purpose (SOP) 
• Letters of Recommendation (LOR) 
• Knowledge of English or French proficiency test scores (IELTS, TOEFL, DELF or DALF)

Step 3: Apply to Universities (September 2025 - October 2025) 

Submit your application to the university you have shortlisted. Before submission recheck all the information of your application.

Step 4: Get Acceptance Letters and Confirm Enrollment (October 2025 - November 2025)

Once you get the acceptance letters, then confirm your enrollment by paying the deposit fee to the university. 

Step 5: Booking Accommodation and Travel (November 2025)

 Book your accommodation and flight tickets to France. 

Step 6: Apply for a Student Visa (November 2025- December 2025)

Apply for a student visa through the French Embassy and have all your documents ready, i.e., proof of admission, financial support, health insurance, etc.

Step 7: Arriving in France and Studying in France (January 2026) 

After arriving, attend orientation programs to familiarize yourself with university life and begin your studies.

Cities like Paris are more expensive, while cities like Lyon or Toulouse offer a more affordable lifestyle.

Post-Study Work in France

France offers great post-study work opportunities to its graduates, such as: 

• Post-Study Work Visa: This visa allows students to stay in France for 18 months after graduation, post-graduation, or PhD to seek a job. 
• Job Search Visa: A temporary residence permit can be applied by students to look for employment.
• Internship/Employment: There is a huge demand for skilled healthcare, engineering, finance and IT professionals so, in these areas, students can easily get Internship opportunities and Employment.

Conclusion

January Intake in France 2026 is a great opportunity for foreign students to enroll in higher education in France. It is less competitive than the September Intake but assurances quality education, vibrant student life and good opportunities in various sectors. If the student performs timely planning and applies on time, the academic journey can be very rewarding in this highly sought-after educational destination across the globe.