Campus France Interview: The Questions Asked and How to Prepare
Study plans, choosing France, budget, career plans: the classic Campus France interview questions and how to answer them well.
By Worldwide Studies team, Worldwide Studies teamPublished 5 min read
The Campus France interview is a key step in the Études en France procedure. In 15 to 30 minutes, an advisor assesses your plans, your level of French and your motivation, then writes an opinion that accompanies your application to universities and, later, to the consulate. Good news: the questions are predictable. Here are the most frequently asked questions, how to answer them and the preparation that makes the difference.
For the full procedure (DAP, non-DAP, timeline, visa), see Campus France Tunisia: the complete guide 2026-2027.
What is the interview for?
The advisor is not trying to trick you. They want to check three things:
The coherence of your plans: do your past studies, the programme you are targeting and the job you want to do form a logical path?
Your ability to succeed: academic level, level of French, independence.
How realistic your plans are: budget, accommodation, knowledge of the city and the institution.
Their opinion is not an admission decision, but a well-argued opinion carries weight in the review of your application.
The most frequently asked questions
About you and your background
Introduce yourself.
Why did you choose this stream for the baccalaureate or in higher education?
How do you explain this repeated year or this year without studies?
What are your strong and weak subjects?
Tip: prepare a clear, chronological 1- to 2-minute introduction. Don't recite your CV: tell the story of a path that logically leads to your plans.
About your study plans
Why this programme?
What do you know about the programme (subjects, internships, career prospects)?
Why did you choose these universities and not others?
What is your first choice and why?
Tip: mention specific elements of the programme (a module, an internship, a partnership). It is the best proof that you have done your research.
About France
Why study in France rather than in Tunisia?
Why not another country?
What do you know about the city where you want to study?
Tip: avoid generalities ("France is a beautiful country"). Talk about the quality of the programme, the recognition of the degree, and what the programme offers beyond what is available in Tunisia.
About your career plans
What job do you want to do?
What will you do after graduating?
Do you plan to return to Tunisia?
Tip: be honest and concrete. A credible career plan, even a modest one, is better than a vague, ambitious speech.
About funding and practical life
Who will fund your studies?
What is your monthly budget?
Where will you live?
Tip: know the orders of magnitude (rent, transport, food) for your city. For most cities, students plan for between €700 and €1,100 per month. Our Study in France page gives benchmarks.
Your level of French
The interview is conducted in French. The advisor observes your fluency, your vocabulary and your ability to argue a point. If your French test score is just at the required level, practise speaking: simulate the interview with a relative or an advisor, record yourself and listen back. For the test itself, see our TCF Tunisia guide.
Cover letter and CV: your best allies
The advisor has your application in front of them. What you say must be consistent with your cover letters and your CV.
An effective Campus France cover letter:
one letter per programme, never a copy-and-paste;
three parts: you (background and qualities), the programme (why it), the plan (what you will do next);
concrete examples rather than adjectives;
a reasonable length, with no mistakes.
The Campus France CV:
one page, clear and chronological;
education, experience (internships, jobs, volunteering), languages, IT skills, activities;
no holiday photos or unnecessary information.
On the day of the interview
Arrive early, with your appointment letter and the originals of the requested documents.
Neat, understated clothing.
Listen to the whole question before answering.
If you don't know, simply say so rather than making something up.
Stay natural: an interview learned by heart is noticeable.
Mistakes that count against you
Not knowing the content of the programmes you chose.
Giving answers that contradict your cover letters.
Saying you chose France "because it's easy" or "because everyone goes there".
Not knowing who is funding your studies.
Listing programmes with no connection between them.
Prepare with an advisor
At Worldwide Studies, we organise mock interviews in real conditions, we review your letters and CV, and we work with you on the coherence of your plans. You can also read our Campus France Pastel account guide for a flawless application.
Sample answer to "Why this programme?"
An effective answer follows three steps:
The link with your background: "During my bachelor's in economics, the corporate finance module particularly interested me, and my internship at a bank in Tunis confirmed this choice."
What the programme offers: "This master's offers courses in financial analysis and a six-month internship, which is exactly what I am missing today."
The plan afterwards: "I want to become a financial analyst, first in France to gain experience, then in Tunisia."
Adapt this structure to your situation: what matters is being precise and consistent.
Prepare a structured answer like this for each major question, then practise saying it naturally, without reciting.
Key takeaway: a successful interview rests on coherent plans, good knowledge of the programmes you chose and precise answers, without reciting. One or two mock interviews are often enough to gain confidence.
👉 Book a conversation with an advisor to prepare for your Campus France interview.