DELF, DALF, and TCF: Which French Language Test You Need for University Admission in France

DELF and DALF

DELF (Diplôme d'études en langue française) covers levels A1 through B2, and DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) covers C1 and C2. Both are issued by France Éducation International and, once you pass, the diploma holds for life with no expiry date, unlike a TCF score. You register for the specific level you want to prove, so a DELF B2 pass shows exactly B2, not a range. For Campus France applications, DELF B2 or a DALF at C1 or C2 both satisfy the French-language requirement (Campus France certification guidance ). Each exam covers all four skills, reading, listening, writing, and speaking, with the written papers usually sat in one session and the oral exam scheduled separately, sometimes on a different day.

TCF

TCF (Test de connaissance du français) gives a numeric score rather than a fixed pass/fail level, and the version required for Campus France applications is TCF TP (tout public). Unlike DELF and DALF, a TCF result only counts if it is less than 2 years old on the day you submit your application, so timing your test matters more than with the other two options. TCF measures your ability against the same CEFR scale as DELF and DALF, just expressed as a point total instead of a named level. The core TCF covers listening comprehension, reading comprehension, and language structures through multiple-choice questions, while writing and speaking are optional modules you can add depending on what your target program asks for. Because TCF results carry a 2-year expiry, plan your test date so the certificate stays valid through your entire application and enrollment window, not only the submission deadline.

Which level your program needs

Campus France guidance recommends a TCF total of 400 points or higher, or a DELF B2 pass, or a DALF pass, to follow university study in France without difficulty. A TCF score under 350 points counts as insufficient for studying in good conditions, according to the same guidance. Individual universities and programs can set a higher bar than this general recommendation, particularly for competitive Master's programs or fields with heavy reading and writing loads, so check your specific program's page as well. As a general pattern, standard licence and master programs taught in French lean on the B2 baseline described above, while selective grandes écoles and competitive Master's programs in fields like law and political science more often push toward C1, since coursework there leans heavily on fast reading and formal writing.

Exemptions

Students applying to programs taught entirely in English can sometimes skip the French-language certification requirement, with one common exception: first-year undergraduate licence programs, which usually still expect French proof even when some courses run in English. Each institution sets its own policy on this exemption, so confirm directly with your target school rather than assuming an English-taught program means no French test at all. Applicants who completed their entire secondary or higher education in French, or who hold a nationality where French is an official language, can sometimes skip the certification too, but this exemption is decided case by case rather than guaranteed, so submit supporting documents with your application instead of leaving the requirement blank.

Cost and where to test

Fees for DELF, DALF, and TCF differ by country and by exam center, since Alliance Française and Institut français branches set local pricing rather than following one global rate. Expect DALF to cost more than DELF at the same testing center, since the exam runs longer and involves more detailed marking, and expect TCF pricing to sit close to DELF depending on which optional modules you add. Confirm the exact fee with your nearest authorized center when you register, rather than relying on a figure from another country.

How to book

Register for DELF, DALF, or TCF through your nearest Alliance Française, Institut français, or an authorized exam center, and apply for your degree through Campus France Études en France in your home country if your country runs the Campus France procedure. Book early: DELF and DALF sessions run on set dates a few times a year, and popular centers fill up well before each session, especially in the months leading into application deadlines. TCF runs more often than DELF or DALF at many centers, which makes it a practical backup if you missed a DELF session and your deadline is close. If you already live in France or a country without the Campus France Études en France procedure, you can usually apply directly to the university and submit your certification alongside the rest of your file instead of routing through Campus France.

Picking between DELF/DALF and TCF

Choose DELF B2 or DALF if you want a certificate that never expires and matches a named CEFR level directly, useful if you plan to apply to more than one program over multiple years. Choose TCF if you need results faster, want the option to add only the modules your program requires, or your target school names TCF specifically in its admission requirements. Both routes satisfy Campus France when your score clears the recommended threshold, so let your timeline and how many times you plan to reuse the certificate guide the choice.