Studying in FranceTCF, DELF, DALF: which French test for Campus France, and who is exempt
TCF for the DAP, TCF tout public, DELF B2, DALF: which test to take for your procedure, who is exempt according to the official notice, the expected level, how long results stay valid and when to register.
Founder · Compatri, the social network for diasporas
Information checked on 11 September 2026.
“Do I have to take a French test?” For a Campus France application, that question hides two. The first is regulatory: for a demande d'admission préalable (DAP, the prior admission application for the first year of a bachelor's degree or an architecture school), a test is compulsory unless a specific exemption applies. The second is academic: what level do institutions expect, and does your Campus France office require a certificate whatever the programme? Here are the published rules, the exemptions, the levels and how to fit the test into the calendar. To place this step within the whole procedure, see our complete Campus France guide.
TCF, DELF, DALF, TEF: which test for which procedure
| Certificate | Body | Role in your application | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| TCF for the DAP (TCF tout public with compulsory writing test) | France Éducation International | Compulsory DAP test, unless exempt | 2 years |
| TCF tout public | France Éducation International, via approved centres | Accepted by offices that require a certificate | 2 years |
| DELF B2 | France Éducation International | Exempts from the DAP TCF; accepted by Campus France | For life |
| DALF C1 or C2 | France Éducation International | Exempts from the DAP TCF; accepted by Campus France | For life |
| TEF (France version) | CCI Paris Île-de-France | DAP exemption under conditions; accepted by some offices | 2 years |
The “TCF DAP” is not a separate exam. The official notice for the 2026-2027 DAP refers to a TCF tout public with a compulsory written expression test. If you register at an approved centre rather than at a university, ask explicitly for this version: in the standard TCF tout public, written expression is an optional extra test. Campus France Algeria also points out that some universities, including Nantes, require this written test even outside the DAP.
Watch out for similar names too: Campus France Morocco accepts the TEF (France version), but not the TEF Canada, which is designed for immigration to Canada.
The TCF for the DAP: tests and results
According to the official notice, the test consists of:
- a 76-question multiple-choice test: listening comprehension (29 questions), command of language structures, grammar and vocabulary (18), reading comprehension (29);
- a written expression test in three exercises: a message of at least 60 words, an article or account of an experience of at least 120 words, and a text comparing two points of view of at least 120 words.
The total duration is 2 hours 25 minutes. The certificate gives a score out of 699 for the multiple-choice test with an overall level from A1 to C2, a score and level for each skill, and a mark out of 20 for written expression. Scripts are marked twice, and results can't be contested except in the event of an incident during the test. They are communicated only by the centre where you sat the test. To retake it, you must wait at least 30 days after the previous sitting.
The test is paid and its price depends on the centre: as an example, the University of Tours listed it at €75 (2025 rate). Check with your centre before registering.
Who is exempt from the French test
The notice for the 2026-2027 DAP exempts from the TCF:
- nationals of states where French is the sole official language;
- candidates living in such a country who hold a secondary school leaving certificate from a country where French is the sole official language;
- candidates from a country where French is not the only official language, if their secondary education took place mostly in French;
- in other countries, pupils from a French-language secondary school on a list drawn up by the ministries of higher education and foreign affairs;
- holders of a French language diploma at level B2 or above (DELF B2, DALF C1 or C2);
- candidates who took the oral tests of the TEF and scored at least 400/699 in the written tests.
The exemption must be proven by the file submission deadline at the latest, 15 December.
The same notice classifies countries. For Africa, this gives:
| Status of French | Countries (DAP notice list) | TCF exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Sole official language | Benin, Burkina Faso, Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Niger, DR Congo, Senegal, Togo | Yes, for nationals |
| One official language among others | Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Chad | If secondary school was mainly in French |
| Not on the list | Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and other countries | Through a listed French-language school, a DELF B2, a DALF or a sufficient TEF |
Two clarifications prevent costly mistakes. Holders of a French baccalauréat don't go through the DAP: they apply for the first year on Parcoursup (France's national admissions platform). And a TCF exemption for the DAP doesn't mean an exemption everywhere: for a third-year bachelor's or a master's, the institution and your Campus France office set the requirement. Campus France Morocco, for example, asks for a TCF tout public, a DELF B2 or a DALF for all applications, except for programmes taught entirely in English beyond the first year of a bachelor's. The difference between the two tracks is explained in DAP or non-DAP.
What level of French for Campus France
Institutions don't settle for a certificate: they look at the level. Campus France Algeria puts it this way: “The minimum level required by most institutions is B2. For the humanities, a C1 level is strongly recommended.” Campus France Morocco recommends a TCF score of at least 400 points, or a DELF B2, or a DALF, and considers a score below 350 points insufficient.
| Situation | Level generally expected | To check |
|---|---|---|
| First year of a bachelor's (DAP) | B2 at most universities | Some fields ask for C1, as in Tours |
| Third year of a bachelor's, master's | Usually B2 minimum | C1 strongly recommended in arts and humanities |
| Programme taught entirely in English | French certificate sometimes not required | Depends on office and institution; never in first year in Morocco |
| Highly selective programme | Set by the institution | The programme's admissions page |
A good score isn't only for your file. The Campus France interview also assesses your spoken French, and lectures won't slow down for you. A B2 obtained by a whisker deserves strengthening before you leave.
Fitting the test into the Campus France calendar
For the 2027 intake, Campus France Ghana announces the opening of the Études en France platform (the online application platform) on 1 October 2026 and the DAP application deadline on 15 December 2026. Non-DAP dates vary from country to country: check your office and our Campus France calendar.
Revising with compatriots taking the same test
Every season, other students from your country prepare the same test as you, for the same intake. Revising in twos or threes makes a big difference: you correct each other's writing, practise speaking for the interview, share centre addresses and feedback on previous sessions.
On Compatri, communities bring compatriots together by city, in France and elsewhere, and your country's page, for example the Moroccan diaspora, gathers them. Students who took the TCF last year may be there, now settled in the city where you plan to study. The group “Étudiants africains” (African students) also brings together students from several countries around scholarships, degree equivalences and mutual help between campuses. Joining a community is free, even before you leave: see joining your community before you leave. Compatri runs no courses and no tests: for registration and results, only approved centres and your Campus France office are authoritative.
Official sources
- Notice for the 2026-2027 demande d'admission préalable, green file (enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr)
- France Éducation International: the TCF for the DAP
- Campus France Morocco: required French certificates
- Campus France Algeria: what level of French to be accepted?
- Campus France Ghana: admissions 2027/2028
- Parcoursup: international students
Frequently asked questions
Which French test do you need for Campus France?
For a demande d'admission préalable (first year of a bachelor's or architecture), it's the TCF tout public with a compulsory writing test, unless you're exempt. For other applications, offices that require a certificate generally accept the TCF tout public, the DELF B2 or the DALF, and sometimes the TEF (France version). The exact rule depends on your Campus France office.
Who is exempt from the TCF for the DAP?
Notably nationals of countries where French is the sole official language (Senegal, Ivory Coast, Benin, Mali, Togo, among others), candidates from countries where French shares that status if their secondary schooling was mainly in French, and holders of a DELF B2 or DALF. The exemption must be proven by 15 December at the latest, the file deadline.
What level of French do you need to study in France?
Most institutions require at least level B2, and C1 is strongly recommended in the humanities, according to Campus France Algeria. Campus France Morocco recommends a TCF score of at least 400 points and considers a score below 350 insufficient. Each institution can set a higher threshold.
How long is the TCF valid?
The TCF certificate is valid for two years. For the DAP, it must still be valid on 15 December of the application year, and it's wise for it to cover the whole procedure up to administrative enrolment. The DELF and DALF have no expiry date.
Does a Cameroonian student have to take the TCF?
According to the DAP notice, French is one official language among others in Cameroon. A Cameroonian candidate is therefore exempt from the TCF for the DAP if their secondary education took place mostly in French, or if they hold a DELF B2 or DALF. For other applications, check the requirement on the Campus France Cameroon website.