French Courses in Paris - Sorbonne Certificates (2025)

Want to Learn French at the Sorbonne? C’est Compliqué (but totally worth it!)

About the Sorbonne

 “The Sorbonne” isn’t just one big, monolithic French-teaching machine. It’s more like a prestigious family with a few different branches, and a couple of them are very keen on teaching you French language! Your main contenders for mastering Molière’s tongue are the Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS) and the programs from Sorbonne Université (specifically, the Faculty of Arts and Humanities’ SIAL). Both are top-tier and love welcoming international learners.

Here’s the lowdown on getting your French on:

1. Cours de Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CCFS)

Think of CCFS as the grand dame of French language and culture for foreigners. She’s been doing this for ages, and she does it well.

• Website: ccfs-sorbonne.fr
• Location: Paris, France (right where the croissants are warmest, generally in central Paris).

Courses:  You have 8 different options to choose from

1. Year-Long Immersion (AN40/AN50): Commit to French from September/October to May/June. It’s like a full academic year abroad, with around 20 hours a week of pure French goodness. The “Reinforced” option even throws in some cool lectures. All levels, from “Bonjour!” to “Where’s the nearest boulangerie for my C2 exam?”
2. Semester Sprints (S10/S20): Got 12 weeks? Perfect! Dive into General French (around 12h/week) or go “Reinforced” for more hours (20h/week). Again, all levels welcome.
3. Intensive Bootcamp (S40): For the truly ambitious, this 12-week course packs a punch with 25 hours a week. Get ready to think in French!
4. Monthly Meltdowns (M05): Just a month? No problem! They’ve got options from 12.5 to 25 intensive hours a week to give you a quick French fix.
5. Evening Escapades (S05): If you’re busy during the day, their 12-week, 6-hour-a-week evening classes are your secret weapon.
6. Niche Knowledge: Need French for business (S11/S21)? Academic pursuits? Or just want to master the art of rolling your R’s with Phonetics (M060)? They’ve got modules for that, plus deep dives into French civilization.
7. Master’s Prep (SU30/SU40): For those aiming for higher academic ground.
8. Learn from Anywhere: Yes, they’ve got online/distance learning options too, for 1 or 3 months.

The Price of Fluency (for 2025/2026, subject to change – remember, it’s Paris!):

• Annual General Course: Roughly €6,300 – €6,500 for a full academic year (24-28 weeks, around 20h/week).
• Semester General Course (12 weeks): Expect to pay around €2,400 – €3,700.
• Monthly General Course: A quick dip will set you back about €800 – €1,600.
• Intensive Course (S40, 12 weeks, 25h/week): Around €4,800.
• Fancy Business & Luxury Certificate (Annual): Prepare for around €9,800 – for when your French needs to be as exquisite as your taste.
• Annual Enrollment Fee: A mere €75.
• Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for potential promotional offers (5-20% off) for certain courses or times of the year.

Your Golden Tickets (Certificates & Diplomas):

• CCFS’s Own Swagger: Finish a program, and they’ll hand you their own official Academic Certificates (e.g., for French Language and Literature, or that snazzy Business French & Luxury one).
• DELF/DALF Domination: They offer courses specifically designed to help you conquer the official DELF and DALF exams. Even better, they’re often an examination center themselves!
• TCF Triumph: Preparation and exam sessions for the TCF might also be on the menu.

The Nitty-Gritty:

• Prove Your Prowess: You’ll need to take an online placement test to figure out where you fit in.
• Sign Up, Buttercup: Register online or pop into their admissions office. A deposit usually gets you started.
• Visa? Oui! They can provide the necessary registration certificates to help with your visa application.

2. Sorbonne Université (Faculté des Lettres – SIAL)

This is another arm of the prestigious Sorbonne Université, offering more flexible and sometimes even more budget-friendly options for French as a Foreign Language (FLE).

• Website: lettres.sorbonne-universite.fr/en/academics/french-foreign-language-fle-programmes
• Location: Various Sorbonne Université campuses in Paris (like Clignancourt).

What They’re Teaching (Courses Offered):

• Short & Intensive courses: Perfect for a quick language boost! These typically run for 2-3 weeks (30-44 hours total) and are offered a few times a year (Sept, Jan, July). Levels usually go up to B2, sometimes C1.
• Semester-Long courses: Commit for a full semester (Sept-Dec or Jan-May) with options like General French (FG), French for Academic Purposes (FOU), or even French for Specific Purposes (FOS). All levels from A1 to C2 are covered.
• Remote Rêverie: Prefer to learn from afar? They’ve got online/distance learning diplomas for French for academic purposes (B2 and C1 levels), offered twice a year.

The Investment (for 2024/2025, per semester/course – quite a spread here!):

• Intensive Short Courses (e.g., 30 hours):
  • Already a Sorbonne student? A steal at €50!
  • Not yet Sorbonne-affiliated? Still a decent €480.
  • For the job market warriors: €660.
• Semester General French (e.g., 52h total):
  • External learners: €832.
  • Professionals/job seekers: €1,144.
• DELF B2 / DALF C1 Prep (e.g., 39h total):
  • External learners: €520.
  • Professionals/job seekers: €680.
• SELFEE B2/C2 Prep:
  • External learners: €350 – €520.
  • Professionals/job seekers: €780.

Your Proof of Prowess (Certificates & Diplomas):

• University Diplomas (DU): SIAL offers its own university diplomas for remote learning, focusing on French for academic purposes (B2 and C1).
• DELF/DALF Prep: They’ll get you ready for the official DELF B2 and DALF C1 exams.
• SELFEE Success: They prepare you for the SELFEE B2 and SELFEE C2 certifications, which are unique to Sorbonne Université.
• Just Showing Up: For those intensive short courses, you’ll generally get an Attestation of Attendance – proof you were there and (hopefully) learned something!

The Fine Print:

• Who Can Join? Pretty much anyone! Sorbonne students, exchange students, international students, professionals, job seekers, doctoral students, researchers, and staff.
• Know Your Level: A placement test is likely part of the deal to ensure you land in the right class.

A Couple of Universal Truths for Both Sorbonne Institutions:

• CEFR is Your Friend: All their courses are aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). No guesswork there!
• Sign Up Smart: Registration is usually online, with specific deadlines, especially for longer programs.
• Materials: Don’t forget to budget for textbooks and other fun learning goodies; they might be extra.
• Student Status Matters: Your tuition fee often depends on whether you’re already plugged into the Sorbonne system.

Ready to dive into the world of French with a touch of Parisian prestige? Definitely check their official websites directly for the absolute latest and greatest info. Bonne chance!