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Schools and higher education

Open a school or a training programme in France

For foreign institutions and education groups: the right legal route, the declarations, certification and launch, with a single point of contact.

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Updated

How does a foreign institution open a school in France?

It first decides what it will offer. Private higher education requires an opening declaration to the rector (Education Code). Vocational training requires an activity declaration and, to access public and pooled funding, Qualiopi certification. Recognition of qualifications goes through the RNCP.

Two legal routes, often combined

Many institutions combine both: higher education for students, vocational training for employees and apprentices.

Private higher educationVocational training
Opening formalityDeclaration to the rector before openingActivity declaration from the first training agreement
Legal basisEducation Code, articles L731-1 onwardsLabour Code, article L6351-1
Public and pooled fundingApprenticeship possible through a Qualiopi-certified CFAQualiopi certification required (article L6316-1)
Recognition of qualificationsRNCP registration by France Compétences, five years at mostRNCP or Répertoire spécifique

Source: Légifrance, Education Code (title III, private institutions)

Who it is for

  • Foreign universities and schools that want a campus or a branch in France.
  • Education groups opening a new institution.
  • Investors creating or acquiring a school.
  • Foreign companies that want to train their employees or partners in France.

What we take care of

01

Regulatory scoping

Choice of route (higher education, vocational training or both) based on your audiences and qualifications.

02

Declarations

Opening declaration file, activity declaration, follow-up with the authorities.

03

Certification

Qualiopi, then registration of your qualifications in the RNCP or the Répertoire spécifique.

04

Offer and teaching

Adapting programmes to the French framework, skills frameworks, assessments.

05

Apprenticeship

Opening apprenticeship with your own CFA or a partner CFA.

06

Launch

Team, tools, first student or trainee intake.

The steps

  1. Scoping

    Audiences, target qualifications, business model, intake calendar.

  2. Structure

    Legal route, governance, premises, management.

  3. Declarations

    Opening declaration to the rector and, for vocational training, activity declaration.

  4. Certification

    Qualiopi for funding, RNCP or RS for qualifications.

  5. First intake

    Recruitment, tools, launch and first indicators.

Timing and cost

The timeline depends on the route chosen, the target intake and the authorities’ review of the files. You receive a costed proposal within 48 hours of a first conversation, in English or French.

  • The route: higher education, vocational training or both.
  • The number of programmes and qualifications to get recognised.
  • Whether apprenticeship is opened.
  • The number of sites in France.
Frequently asked questions

Opening a school in France

Short answers, based on the rules in force.

Yes, within the framework set by the Education Code for private higher education, which requires an opening declaration to the rector, or within the Labour Code framework for vocational training. The State’s representative can oppose an opening where there is a risk of foreign interference.

National degrees (licence, master) fall under the State’s monopoly and accredited institutions. A private school can have its professional qualifications registered in the RNCP by France Compétences, for up to five years.

For vocational training funded by an OPCO, the State, the regions, the Caisse des dépôts (CPF), France Travail or Agefiph, yes. It is also a condition for funding apprenticeship.

Yes. We work in English or French and prepare the French files for you.

The cost depends on the route chosen, the number of qualifications and whether apprenticeship is opened. You receive a costed proposal within 48 hours of a first conversation.

Further reading

See also

Planning a school in France?

Describe your project and timeline: you receive a costed proposal within 48 hours, in English or French.