University Diploma in French Language and Culture (DU LCF)
The DU LCF is a full-time course. It lasts one semester and leads to the Diplôme Universitaire de Langue et Culture Françaises.
This Aix-Marseille University diploma course is aimed at all non-French-speaking adults, from complete beginners to experienced users, holding a secondary school leaving certificate (diploma giving access to university) or any higher education diploma.
1. ORGANIZATION OF TRAINING :
- A1 to B2+/C1 (CEFR* levels).
- 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits per semester.
- 18 or 20** hours of classes per week (language courses and thematic workshops, see table below).
- 18-20 students per class with groups adapted to level (initial placement test).
- Attendance mandatory.
* For more information on language levels, see the A1 to C1 Language Level Reference Guide.
** Students who need 20 hours per week for their course have the option of enrolling in an additional workshop.
- Where : Classes are held in Aix-en-Provence.
- When are classes held? Schedules will be available soon.
ATTENTION: Schedules are subject to change, so please check regularly for rooms and times.
2. Assessment :
The course is assessed on the basis of continuous assessment.
For further details, please consult the study regulations in the download section.
IMPORTANT: By law, only one copy of transcripts and diplomas may be issued. No duplicates will be issued. Final grades will not be available until after the jury's deliberation (a certificate of attendance may be issued while waiting for the transcript).
| French language levels | Basic language |
Phonetics | Workshops themes |
| Beginners - Level 0. Objective A1. |
14h30. | 1h30. | 2h (1 workshop). |
| Elementary level. Objectives A2 and B1. |
12h30. | 1h30. | 4h (2 workshops). |
| Intermediate level*. Objective B1+. |
12h. | . | 6h (2 workshops of 3h). |
| Advanced intermediate level. Objective B2. | 10h. | . | 8h (1 workshop of 2h and 2 workshops of 3h). |
| Superior level. B2+ and C1 objectives. |
10h. | . | 8h (1 workshop of 2h and 2 workshops of 3h). |
3. ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- be at least 18 years of age;
- hold a high school diploma equivalent to the baccalauréat;
- not be a national of a country whose only official language is French;
- have passed the written and oral test following pre-registration.
3. REGISTRATION PROCEDURES:
Pre-registration for the 1ᵉʳ semester 2026- 2027 is open from March 16, 2026 to May 13, 2026 inclusive.
To register, please follow the steps below:
3.1 Administrative registration:
- Submit your application on the Ecandidat platform;
- Identity document (passport)
- Copy of baccalaureate or equivalent and most recent university diploma (if applicable) in original language, with official translation into French or English.
- As soon as your application has been validated by the Registrar's Office, pay a deposit of 500 euros* by bank transfer, cheque or credit card(bank details);
- Submit your proof of payment on Ecandidat ;
Receive a pre-registration certificate as soon as payment is confirmed.
*500 euros excluding bank charges, which you must pay yourself.
Final registration: dates to come
Registrations will be made online.
Please provide the following documents to the school :
- a copy of your civil liability insurance certificate*.
- a copy of the CVEC certificate.
- payment of registration fees.
* Issued by the French insurance company insuring the accommodation. Mentioning that thecivil liability insurance covers university studies for the semester or academic year. It is also possible to take out this insurance on the HEYME website.
3.2 Placement tests :
The test schedule will be sent to you by e-mail.
Once your pre-registration process has been completed and you have received your pre-registration certificate, you will be contacted for an interview by videoconference (mandatory) with one of our teachers, and you will be asked to complete a written test (online - mandatory) which you will receive by e-mail.
It's important to complete this process, as it will determine your level of French.
Even with a French level certificate, this step must be taken, as your command of the language may change over time (progressing or regressing).
3.3 Educational registration :
- Attend the orientation week organized by the SUL the week before the start of classes in each semester.
- Consult your level group and class (a few days before the start of classes online or on site) and choose the workshop(s) corresponding to the level indicated (see the table Workshop descriptions DU 25-26 S1).
Please note : Please respect the number of workshops to be chosen according to level (A1, A2, etc.).
4. CALENDAR 2026/2027:
coming soon
Sample 2025-2026 calendar :
SEMESTER 1 :
- LANGUAGE COURSE: September 15 to December 19, 2025 inclusive.
- Orientation week: September 8 to 12, 2025 inclusive.
- Week off (no classes): October 27 to November 2, 2025 inclusive.
SEMESTER 2 :
- LANGUAGE COURSE: January 19 to April 30, 2026 inclusive.
- Orientation week: January 12 to 16, 2026 inclusive.
- Monday 12: welcome for new students in the lecture hall.
- Thursday 15: S2 back-to-school day (levels, groups and timetables).
- Friday 16: presentation of workshops and registration.
- Weeks off (no classes): February 16 to 20, 2026 inclusive and April 13 to 17, 2026 inclusive.
6. EXEMPTION MECHANISMS :
6.1 File-based exemption scheme
(reserved for exiled persons recognized as statutory refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary or temporary protection, asylum seekers or stateless persons)
The above-mentioned groups may benefit from a waiver of registration fees, on an exceptional basis, up to a limit of 10% of enrolments per semester (i.e. around 30 places), after completing an online waiver request form, which will be examined by an assessment committee.
PLEASE NOTE: there is only one application session per year.
A learner cannot be exempted from SUL fees for more than 2 academic years.
- Session 2026/2027: Application deadline at SUL: May 13, 2026
- Placement tests: dates and times to come
You can also consult this page of useful information for students in exile (useful addresses and sites, accommodation, courses, etc.).
6.2 DU PASSERELLE (reserved for exiled students):
Aix-Marseille Université has set up the Diplôme Universitaire (DU) Passerelle for people in exile (statutory refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary or temporary protection, asylum seekers, stateless persons) wishing to attain the level of French required to enter or resume a university course in France.
If you would like to apply, please go to the diploma page and read the admission requirements.
5. FEES 2026/2027:
Mandatory pre-registration fee: 500 euros included in the DU fee.
- INDIVIDUAL FEES:
| TRAINING: | CATEGORY: | RATE: |
|---|---|---|
| DU French Language and Culture (DU LCF). | Individual semester. | 1,800 euros. |
| Individual yearly. | 3,100 euros. | |
| DU French Language and Culture, Arts and Letters course. | Individual yearly. | 3,100 euros. |
-
GROUP RATES (MINIMUM 10 PEOPLE):
Reduced rates for organizations (universities, agencies, companies...) enrolling 10 people or more. Please contact us in advance (see e-mail address on registration form).
| TRAINING: | CATEGORY: | RATE: |
|---|---|---|
| DU French Language and Culture (DU LCF). | Individual semester. | 1,600 euros. |
| Individual yearly. | 2,750 euros. | |
| DU French Language and Culture, Arts and Letters course. | Individual yearly. | 2,750 euros. |
- OTHER RATES:
| COURSES: | RATE: |
|---|---|
| Additional workshop (2 hours/week) per semester. | 190 euros. |
| Additional workshop (3 hours/week) per semester. | 280 euros. |
| One-to-one lessons per hour. | 60 euros. |
Please note that for students from outside the European Union (EU) who wish to make a bank transfer, the banks directly deduct bank charges. The amount shown on the bank transfer receipt must correspond to the amount of the administrative registration fee.
NB. The above prices do not include Civil Liability Insurance, nor the CVEC, which are compulsory to finalize your registration and obtain your student card.
Contact
SUL - Pôle FLE (Aix - Schuman site).
Aix-en-Provence
29, avenue Robert Schuman. 13621 Aix-en-Provence cedex 1. Building T3/Door.
Home - Schooling
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am-12:00pm and 2:00pm-5:00pm.
FLE amU courses
French as a Foreign Language (FLE) course, 30 hours per semester, for foreign students at Aix-Marseille University, open to the public (face-to-face and distance learning).
