DELF/DALF Level Guide
Select a CEFR level to see what it means and where it's required.
A1 — Beginner
Basic greetings, ordering food, simple directions. Survival French.
Required for: Nothing academic. Good starting point before arrival. 60–100 study hours.
A2 — Elementary
Simple conversations, daily tasks, basic admin. Can handle a landlord meeting (barely).
Required for: Some foundation year programmes. 150–200 study hours.
B1 — Intermediate
Can navigate daily life, understand lectures with context, handle admin. The practical minimum for comfort in France.
Required for: Some licence programmes, minimum for many English-taught admission processes. 350–400 hours.
B2 — Upper Intermediate
Can follow academic lectures, write essays, debate. Standard requirement for French-taught programmes.
Required for: Most French-taught Master's and licence programmes. The most common minimum. 500–600 hours.
C1 — Advanced
Near-fluent. Complex academic texts, nuanced writing, professional communication.
Required for: Some competitive grandes écoles, teaching positions, medical studies. 700–800 hours.
C2 — Mastery
Native-level proficiency. Can understand everything, express nuances effortlessly.
Required for: Rarely required. Some PhD programmes and professional roles. 1,000+ hours.
Do I Need French?
1. Is your programme taught in English or French?
2. Are you studying in Paris or a regional city?
3. Do you plan to work part-time?
French is mandatory. You need minimum B2 (DELF B2 or TCF B2) for admission.
Strongly recommended: B1 minimum. Regional cities have less English. Admin, housing, and daily life will be very difficult without French.
Recommended: A2–B1. Most part-time jobs (even in Paris) require basic French. Your job options without French are very limited.
Not required for admission, but A1–A2 is still strongly recommended for daily life: landlords, banks, doctors, and all government services operate in French.
DELF/DALF vs TCF
| Feature | DELF/DALF | TCF |
|---|---|---|
| Validity | Lifetime | 2 years |
| Type | Pass/fail per level | Score-based (any level) |
| Frequency | 2–3 times/year | Monthly (computer version) |
| Best for | Long-term proof | Quick results, last-minute |