French Courses & Activities

The Graduate Institute has an English-French bilingual teaching policy. 
Although most classes are taught in English, students, professors and staff can speak and write in either English or French. 


The Institute wishes to ensure that students with a limited or no knowledge of French can develop their French language skills during their studies. Accordingly, French courses and French tests are organised during the study period.
 

Do you need to take a French Course? Are you eligible to be exempt? 

Registration conditions
 

Students with minimal (lower than B1) or no prior knowledge of French must take an intensive French course, which takes place three weeks before the start of the first semester. 
They must register for this course when confirming their enrolment at the Institute. This intensive course will be followed by a weekly course during the first year.

French Intensive Summer Course at the Geneva Graduate Institute: August 24th to September 11th 2026. The course takes place three weeks before the start of the first semester (Autumn semester).

  • Free of charge
  • Levels proposed: beginners, A1 and A2 (only). For information, B1 is offered during the French Semester Course (see below).
  • 3 weeks, 20 hours per week, morning OR afternoon.
  • Course materials need to be purchased (CHF 30) on the first day of class.
     

What is your level in French ?

What is your level in French ?
 
You are an absolute beginner if you have never taken a French course.
 
A1 
At A1 level, you can understand and use very simple words and phrases. You can communicate in routine situations (introducing yourself, asking for basic information, ordering something) when people speak slowly and clearly. You can express simple needs with short sentences.  
 
A2 
At A2 level, you can understand simple sentences about familiar topics. You can make short, connected sentences to talk about your daily life, your habits, your needs or your activities. You can take part in short, simple conversations in everyday situations, even if you still need help or reformulations.  
 
B1
At B1 level, you can understand the main ideas when people speak clearly. You can talk about your experiences, explain plans, describe situations and give your opinion in a simple way. You can manage most everyday interactions and some basic professional situations, even if you still make mistakes or need to clarify things.  
 

French Workflow
 

Syllabus

2026-2027 French Intensive Course Syllabus

Registration conditions
 

All other students, who are neither native French speakers, nor holders of a B1 or higher French proficiency certificate, must register for a French test when confirming their enrolment. This test takes place during the first week of the academic year. The results (B1 level: listening and writing components) determine whether the participating students need to take a weekly French course during their first year of study.

Students who demonstrate French language proficiency must submit a proof of proficiency to be exempt from any course or test, at the time of enrolment confirmation.

This exemption applies to students who are either native French speakers, who have a secondary or post-secondary diploma taught entirely in French, who have spent a minimum of one academic year studying at university level, full-time, entirely in French, or who can produce a French language certificate equivalent to a DELF B1 level.

Please check your French registration status here.
 

REQUIREMENTS
 

1-    Successful completion of the French course

2-    Regular attendance: missing more than two class sessions, without written justification, leads to automatic withdrawal from the semester course.
Written justification includes a medical certificate or other reasonable cause, sent by email to francais@graduateinstitute.ch

The French course will be indicated on the transcript, with a pass/fail assessment.

 

Application guidelines for students registered for the French course
 

  • Master in International and Development Studies: The French course will count as a 3 ECTS skills workshop
  • Disciplinary Master programmes: The French course will count as a 3 ECTS complementary course taken outside the discipline
  • PhD programmes: The French course will appear on the transcript and be counted in addition to the required credits

 

SYLLABUS 

2026-2027 Annual Course Syllabus

 

French Course Level A2 and B1

Second year students who attended the French course in first year and want to continue their course to improve their French can now take the new A2-B1 Level Course.
2 hours/10 weeks per semester. Cost 100 CHF per semester.

 


French Course Level B2

First and second year students who already have obtained the B1 level and wish to continue improving their French are now able to take part in the new B2 level course. 
2 hours/10 weeks per semester. Cost 100 CHF per semester.

French Conversation Corner

Students who already have obtained B1 level and want to practice their French can attend the "French Conversation Corner".
10 sessions of 1 hour per week. Free of charge. No registration requested.

1 st Semester: from 1 October to 3 December 2026. 1 hour per week. Thursdays at 12h30.
2nd Semester: date to be confirmed 

 


Atelier :

Vendredi 23 octobre et samedi 24 octobre 2026, 2 jours en présentiel

Simulation d’une réunion de négociation en français à l'Organisation internationale de la francophonie, organisée conjointement par l’OIF et l'Institut des hautes études internationales et du développement (IHEID). Cette simulation est offerte aux étudiants de l'Institut et aux diplomates accrédités auprès de l'Office des Nations Unies, avec un niveau B1 acquis ou B2 en langue française.

 


ADditional Resources
 

L'Amicale des Étudiant-e-s Francophones de l'IHEID
Amiacle aims to promote the French-speaking identity in all its diversity, through academic and cultural events, within IHEID and beyond in the service of the international community.

Maison des Langues at Université de Genève
Enroll in a general course for French as a foreign language. Maison des Langues offers French courses for all levels (pre-A1 to C2) for 260 CHF / semester as of 2024.

Preply
Online platform offering personalized language learning experiences with private tutors for tailored one-on-one sessions, focusing on conversational skills and suitable for all levels.

Duolingo
Free, gamified language learning app offering comprehensive courses in French and many other languages through interactive lessons.

Association On Va Parler Ensemble
Geneva-based nonprofit organization promoting French language learning through weekly, free-to-attend conversational practice groups, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange.

Podcasts 

Duolingo Podcast
Coffee Break French
FrenchBlaBla

Youtube Channels 

Français avec Pierre
Comme Une Française
Easy French

More Apps

Babbel
Memrise
Quizlet
Anki Web
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I skip the French course?

Only students with a sufficient proficiency level at the time of admission are exempt from French classes.

According to your French level, you will be registered for the intensive summer and/or annual French courses.

Once registered, attendance is mandatory. All absences must be justified by a medical certificate sent to the teacher via email. Two unjustified absences will lead to dismissal from the course and result in a failing grade, which will appear on your transcript.

Are there different language levels within the intensive and annual courses?

Yes. Students self-evaluate their level before the start of the course, via an online individual placement test. Group levels vary from beginner to intermediate.

Is there a course offered to students with an advanced level of French?

No. Students with an advanced level of proficiency are encouraged to attend the master degree courses taught in French by bilingual Faculty members (see course catalogue).

What does the French test consist of?

Easier than a typical B1 level certification, the French test is designed to evaluate your passive knowledge of French (indicative of your ability to follow a course taught in French). The test is different each year. It is generally composed of a listening exercise, grammar and vocabulary exercises and a reading comprehension exercise, followed by a multiple choice section, as well as a short writing section. All instructions are translated into English.

How will the French final result appear on my transcript?
  • Success: “Aquis” will appear on your official transcript (code “O” on your online transcript)
  • Failure: “Echec” will appear on your official transcript (code “I” on your online transcript)
  • Failure in the B1 test taken in September: “En cours” will appear on your official transcript (code “P” on your online transcript)
  • Exemption (your French level met the Institute’s admission requirements): “Acquis” will appear on your official transcript (code “O” on your online transcript)
  • Corrected copies of the test are available for review at the admission office. Please notice that you cannot print or take a picture of your test.