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The Campus France interview in India: what applicants are asked and how to practise

Updated 18 October 2026 · from Campus France India and applicant accounts on Reddit

In India, Campus France holds an « academic interview » with the Campus France manager « if applicable », in person according to the visa page (the procedure page still mentions online or in person). Your documents are checked first. You then explain your study project, why you chose France and the institution that admitted you. After the interview you receive an email to book your VFS appointment.

Indian applicants report interviews of 10 to 50 minutes in which the adviser goes programme by programme: why this course, why this university, the fees, what your family does for a living, whether you applied yourself or through an agency, and whether you are learning French. A smooth interview does not protect a weak visa file: one applicant had « pretty smooth and very easy (7min online interview) » and two visa refusals afterwards.

The interview in India, point by point

  • « Academic interview » with the Campus France manager, if applicable; in person per the visa page.
  • Documents verified first: bring the originals, a set of photocopies and the payment receipt.
  • Content: your study project, why France, why the institution that admitted you.
  • Duration and grid: not published. Applicants report 10 to 50 minutes.
  • Next step: an email for the VFS visa appointment.

Dates and figures for the 2027 intake

DeadlineRolling, at least three months before the programme starts
Campus France fee20,000 INR
LanguageSet by each institution; over 1,400 programmes are taught in English
CVRequired
Visa providerVFS Global

What Indian applicants report

  • « 12th marks, bachelor's degree, CGPA », then each programme in turn: why this course, why this university, what you like about it, how it serves your goals.
  • « What was the university fee? » and the fee structure of every course you applied to.
  • « Applying yourself or via agency? »: the real defence is knowing every line of your own file.
  • « Do you know French / learning French? », even for an English-taught programme.
  • Refused applicants rereading their file found a statement of purpose and a cover letter that did not match, and no clear mention of returning to India.

The questions to prepare first

The rest of the core questions are on the Campus France interview questions page.

Why this course? What is it about and what will you learn from it?

Named in 16 of 47 applicant accounts

What the adviser checks
The link between your current courses, the programme and the job you aim for.
What works
Two or three courses of the programme named, linked to tasks of your future job, and what you have already studied that lets you follow them.
Answers that get pushed back
  • An applicant« The field does not matter »What the adviser hearsNo project.
Push backs to prepare
  • Name two courses of this programme.

Practise: one minute to answer out loud, as if the adviser were in front of you. Nothing is recorded.

Sources: Video 1Video 2Video 3Video 4Reddit 1Video 5Video 6Video 7

Explain the modules of the course you chose.

Named in 14 of 47 applicant accounts and 29 % of 148 interview videos

What the adviser checks
Whether you really know the programme, and your own courses: some advisers ask for a definition (« what is economic geography? »).
What works
The table of the programme's courses, each defined in simple words. You are the expert in your field, the adviser is not.
Answers that get pushed back
  • An applicantNot being able to define a subject of your own degreeWhat the adviser hears« It felt like an exam »
Push backs to prepare
  • Give me the definition.

Sources: Video 1Reddit 1Video 2Video 3Video 4Video 5Video 6Video 7Video 8Video 9

What is the university fee? What is the cost of living there, per month and per year?

Named in 7 of 47 applicant accounts

What the adviser checks
Whether you have put figures on your project.
What works
The institution's fees and the cost of living in the city, with figures and their source.
Answers that get pushed back
  • An applicant« I do not know exactly »What the adviser hearsThey doubt the funding is ready.

Sources: Reddit 1Video 1Video 2Video 3Video 4

Are you applying yourself or through an agency?

Named in 2 of 47 applicant accounts and 26 % of 148 interview videos

What the adviser checks
Whether you master your own file. Campus France says no intermediary is approved.
What works
The truth, and a file you know so well that the question causes no problem.
Answers that get pushed back
  • An applicantHesitating, then not knowing what is writtenWhat the adviser hears« Someone who did something themselves and someone who was told to recite: it shows »

Sources: Reddit 1Reddit 2Video 1

After your degree, do you intend to stay in France?

Named in 1 of 47 applicant accounts and 24 % of 148 interview videos

What the adviser checks
Whether your career plan matches what your letters say about returning.
What works
Your real career plan, the same as in your letters and your SOP. If you talk about returning, why this sector lacks people in your country.
Answers that get pushed back
  • An applicant« I will go back to contribute to my country's development » with nothing specificWhat the adviser hearsThe sentence everybody writes.

Sources: Reddit 1Video 1Video 2Video 3Video 4Video 5Reddit 2

The full procedure

Updated 18 October 2026. Entretien France is an independent service, not affiliated with Campus France or any consulate. The advisers you practise with are virtual. No admission or visa is guaranteed.