You may be wondering what kind of questions you’ll be asked, or simply what this interview is about.

In this article, we tell you everything you need to know about it. We also give you some advices on how to prepare to succeed in your Campus France interview.

More details on this famous interview!

This phase of the process arouses much apprehension among foreign students. That said, it is important to keep in mind that it is of great importance because if you succeed, you will have a major asset in the issuance of your study visa. After the transmission of an educational and administrative file and having made an appointment, it is time to prepare well. To put all the chances on your side, here are some of the questions that you might get during the Campus France Interview.

Can you introduce yourself?

This question may seem trivial, but it is very important. In fact, the agent who stands opposite has all your identity documents at hand so that they can find out more about you. However, he expects you to present yourself in a good manner. You must first have confidence in yourself. Simply answer with your name, first name, age, and what you are currently doing in life (third-year Bachelor student, Master I student…). Who knows you better than yourself? This first question is not destabilizing, so do not stress and take it easy.

Can you tell me about your academic background?

Like the first question, this one is also pretty basic. However, it is important to pay attention to the articulation and the good sequence of your ideas. Start with the high school diploma, then the license, and finally, the master’s. Indeed, the consistency of ideas is much more important than the ideas themselves.

Ex: “I obtained a diploma in Management Sciences, mention very well. Then I did a first year of core curriculum at the university, to then specialize in International Marketing. I am currently in the third year of my license at XXX University. ” See? It is not that complicated!

Is this the first time you are going through this process?

Until then, all is well, isn’t it? If this is the first time that you have taken this process, you answer: “Yes, indeed, this is my first experience”. If not, you can answer with “No, this is my second time. After a first try in 2018. ” In this case, the agent may ask you to justify this “failure”. All you need to do is express yourself in simple and concise terms.

Can you tell me about your study project?

We come to a decisive part. Indeed, your study project must be well thought out beforehand. We recommend that you draw up a small, coherent list of your background to make your interlocutor understand that your ambition is to continue your studies in France. We would agree that if in your country of origin, you are oriented on a course related to fashion, you will not be able to defend yourself if you have chosen training in marketing or commerce.

The Campus France agent will deem it useless to give a favorable response to your file if you provide him with an unconvincing answer. So, think about what you are going to say because it is useless to invent training that you have never done before. Depending on your specialty, you can explain to him that following a common core, for example, and that you would like to specialize in a field that French schools offer. So your speech will not sound wrong. If you are not convinced of the relevance of your study project, the person in front of you will not be either!

What is your career plan?

We finally get there! This question probably tends to anger certain candidates and leads Campus France agents to destabilize you. Indeed, if you master your study project well, you will be able to defend your professional project without any problem. Our advice is above all to link the studies to be undertaken and the position you would like to occupy in the future. For example, if you are studying finance, you cannot say that you would like to become a baker, it has no direct relation to your diploma. So, be logical and consistent in your words! It is very important to find out about the opportunities for the training courses you are registering for! All information is available on the school websites!

Save these tips and we’ll give you more!

The first impression is always the most important. The questions cited above are those that were unanimously asked during the Campus France educational interview. Other questions will come to grips with these and which we will address in the next articles. That said, you should know that the Campus France agent is there to ensure your level in French and also to ensure your ease in defending your study project and professional project. You will be able to train with someone close to you because these questions are inevitable and if you are unable to answer them, you will suggest that you risk a penalty for the notice that the agent will give at the end of your interview.

Our advice for a successful Campus France Interview

We shared with you the first tips to prepare and succeed in your Campus France interview. Now, we are going to continue to give you the answers you need to have during this decisive interview. Firstly, we have mainly focused on the questions/answers where you should introduce yourself and especially talk about your study project and professional project. It is crucial to know how to explain your choice of school and training. Here are the questions relating to your future university course in France.

Why did you choose to continue your studies in a school?

It is complex but simple at the same time. Indeed, you need to be spontaneous. You could for example mention the fact that fashion or business schools are accessible after getting a high school diploma. And there are many renowned schools which enjoy an excellent reputation in France. They have a rather professional vocation and are open to the international. If you feel that you do not have enough prerequisites, you can request the integration of a preparatory class at the Grandes écoles.

In short, you must talk about the advantages that French schools offer to their students. Indeed, the courses within schools multiply the chances of finding a job suited to your profile. The training offered is very often of a high level. In addition, most schools have partnerships and collaborations with companies and offer openness and great chances of finding a job even outside of France. Thus, you can say that schools in France, whatever your field of study, offer several opportunities and facilitate access to working life.

Why did you choose this particular program?

Like the previous question, the answer to this one is pretty obvious: it comes from a carefully considered personal choice. Indeed, you will answer that your choice is justified and is part of the logic of continuing your studies already started in your country of origin. For example, if you are a student in Marketing, you can fully qualify for a course in International Marketing. It is also important to talk about your ambitions and why not, your passion for this field. We recommend that you give clear answers that are in line with your requirements and the training opportunities while remaining yourself. The Campus France agent will only make sure that your choice of training is justified by the desire to pursue a logical course of study and which will lead to work in line with your professional project.

What do you know about this program?

In the same way, the questions follow each other and are part of a logic that you must demonstrate. Indeed, before going to your interview, it is essential to have all the necessary documents in your procession, especially the originals, and make sure you have done the necessary research about the training. For each course chosen, you can go to the school website and document yourself. Thanks to this, you will be able to answer the questions that will be asked. It is important to know the exact title of the program, the number of modules, and potentially the outline of the important courses.

Do you know the costs of a year of study in Paris?

You are surely not unaware that the schools are paying. To answer this question, we invite you to read our article on the cost of a year of study in Paris. Once you are aware of these costs: rent, transportation, and various subscriptions, you add the tuition fees. Each school charges different prices, ranging from € 4,000 to € 8,000 on average per year. This will give you a clearer idea and you can, in turn, respond to the advisor calmly and approximately exactly.

What about your accommodation?

Finding rent in Paris can sometimes be very difficult. And you must attach a document justifying your accommodation in your file. In this case, you have two choices available to you:

• To be accommodated
• Find a rental

As accommodation is very often the main reason for refusing a visa, you must ensure that you have a fairly solid file.

Lastly

You need to know that this interview is used to assess your oral skills, but above all to check and confirm the consistency of your journey. The agent may try to destabilize you, but you must remain calm. What interests him is to know if you can hold a conversation. Most importantly, he wants to know more about your ambitions, your study project, and what you plan to do next. In principle, this kind of interview is the first of a long list. Once in France, you will have to pass others, especially for internships and job interviews. You must prepare yourself beforehand and above all avoid stress and everything will be fine. Do not forget your complete file with all the original documents. 

We are convinced that you will succeed in this administrative formality. If you want to prepare more, you can check out our top questions asked during a Campus France interview. If you want more information, you can also go directly to their website.

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