Campus France interview in India: the questions asked and how to answer them

The official pages say you will explain your study project, the reasons for choosing France and the institution that admitted you. Originals are checked against your photocopies, which are returned with an interview completion certificate. No grid is published and no duration is given. Campus France India does not decide the visa: « Visas are granted at the sole discretion of the French Consular Authorities. »

Of 47 first-hand interview reports published by candidates (YouTube comments and Reddit, read on 17 October 2026), ten come from India, the largest single group. They describe the same pattern:

• Documents first, then questions, sometimes in that order every time.
• Programme by programme: « why this course, why this university, what do you like about it, how does it serve your goals ».
• Marks and gaps: 12th marks, bachelor’s CGPA, a six-month gap, « what are you doing currently ».
• Why France and not the US or India? One adviser replied to « quality education and cultural diversity » with « other countries also had this balance, are you saying otherwise? ».
• Experience: « looks like you have professional experience, why did you plan for masters? ».
• Family and funding: who is sponsoring you, what your parents do.
• « Do you know French? Are you learning French? »
• « Applying yourself or via agency? » One student who had let an agent fill the file could not remember which courses he had applied to.

• Why France: a reason from your field that can be checked, such as a specialisation, an internship or an industry in that city, not « quality education ».
• Career plan: one job, one sector, what you will do in the first three years. An adviser cut a candidate who was describing the next degree: « just tell me what you want to do now ».
• Gaps and experience: what you did, with dates, and how it led to this programme.
• Funding: the sponsor’s name, relationship, monthly amount and the proof you will show (at least €877.50 per month).
• Consistency: the same plan as in your SOP and cover letter. Refused students most often trace their refusal to texts that contradicted each other or never mentioned returning to India.

The full question bank, with what each question checks, is on the Campus France interview page.

• All mandatory original documents.
• One full set of photocopies.
• The Campus France fee payment receipt.