Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Arts (MA) in French at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, is a 2-year full-time postgraduate programme offered by the Faculty of Arts under the Department of French and Francophone Studies. BHU is one of the premier central universities in India offering a dedicated MA French programme, combining advanced language proficiency with the study of French literature, culture, linguistics, and translation. The programme spans 4 semesters with a total seat intake of 22 seats, and the annual tuition fee is approximately Rs. 3,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). Admission is based on CUET-PG scores. The course is popular among students aspiring for careers in translation, interpretation, teaching, diplomacy, tourism, and the corporate sector, given France's significant cultural and economic presence globally and India's growing ties with Francophone countries.

As of March 2026, the CUET-PG 2026 examination is currently ongoing (March 13 - April 1, 2026). Results are expected in May 2026, following which BHU will open its Combined Allotment Program (CAP-PG 2026) for registration, tentatively in May-June 2026. Candidates who have appeared in CUET-PG 2026 must separately register on the BHU CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) to be considered for admission to the 2026-27 batch.

Key Points

BHU's Department of French and Francophone Studies is one of the few departments in India offering a full MA programme in French language and literature at a central university.
The programme covers advanced French language skills (up to B2-C1 level), French and Francophone literature, cultural studies, translation, and linguistics.
French is the second most widely learned foreign language in India after English, and proficiency opens doors in diplomacy, tourism, luxury goods, and international organisations.
The programme provides a strong foundation for pursuing higher studies or research in France through Campus France scholarships and other exchange programmes.
With only 22 seats, the programme offers a close-knit learning environment with personalised faculty attention.

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15 Apr, 2026 CUET PG 2026 Results are expected to be released by First week of May @exams.nta.nic.in. To know more, click here.

BHU MA French Fees

BHU offers the MA French programme at one of the most affordable fee structures among central universities in India. The total tuition fee for the entire 2-year course is approximately Rs. 6,000 (Rs. 1,500 per semester). In addition to tuition, students pay other charges including examination fees, library fees, and development fees, bringing the total academic fee to approximately Rs. 25,500 for the full course. Hostel accommodation is available separately and is not mandatory.

Fee Structure

Fee Component	Per Semester (INR)	Total for 2 Years (INR)
Tuition Fee	1,500	6,000
Examination Fee	Approx. 500	Approx. 2,000
Library Fee	Approx. 200	Approx. 800
Development / Other Charges	Approx. 4,175	Approx. 16,700
Total Academic Fee	Approx. 6,375	Approx. 25,500
Hostel Fee (Boys, optional)	Approx. 2,688 per semester	Approx. 10,750
Total Fee (with Hostel)	-	Approx. 36,250
Total Fee (without Hostel)	-	Approx. 25,500

Hostel accommodation is not guaranteed and is allotted on a merit-cum-distance basis as per BHU Hostel Manual.
Hostel fee does not include mess/food charges.
Mess charges are approximately Rs. 80-100 per day.
The registration fee for CAP-PG 2026 is Rs. 300 (General/OBC/EWS) and Rs. 150 (SC/ST/PwBD) per programme, which is non-refundable.
Full refund of admission fee is available if withdrawal is made before the last date of admission declared by BHU.
No EMI facility is available; fees are paid semester-wise through the online portal.

BHU MA French Admission 2026

Admission to MA French at BHU is entirely merit-based through CUET-PG scores. Candidates must first appear in CUET-PG conducted by NTA, and then separately register on BHU's CAP-PG portal. The seat allotment is done through multiple rounds of the Combined Allotment Program. For the 2026-27 session, CUET-PG 2026 is currently ongoing and BHU's CAP-PG registration is expected to open in May 2026. The 2025 General category cutoff ranged from 68-160 marks (CUET-PG score), and the 2024 General cutoff ranged from 111-151 marks.

BHU MA French Admission Schedule

Event	Tentative Date
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 13 - April 1, 2026 (Ongoing)
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Opens	May 2026 (Tentative)
BHU CAP-PG 2026 Registration Closes	June 2026 (Tentative)
1st Round Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
2nd Round Allotment	July 2026 (Tentative)
3rd Round Allotment	July-August 2026 (Tentative)
Spot Round (if applicable)	August-September 2026 (Tentative)
Classes Begin	August-September 2026 (Tentative)

CUET-PG 2026 Important Dates

Event	Date
CUET-PG 2026 Registration Start	December 14, 2025
CUET-PG 2026 Registration End	January 25, 2026
Admit Card Release	March 3, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Exam	March 6 - April 1, 2026
CUET-PG 2026 Result	May 6, 2026 (Tentative)

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria:

Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree (BA/BA Hons.) under the 10+2+3 pattern from a recognised university with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks (45% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates).
Candidates who have studied French as a subject at the graduation level are preferred; however, graduates from any discipline who have appeared in the relevant CUET-PG French test paper are eligible.
Candidates appearing in their final year of graduation are also eligible to apply provisionally, subject to fulfilling eligibility by October 31, 2026.

Admission Process:

Appear in CUET-PG 2026 conducted by NTA in the relevant French test paper.
Register separately on BHU's CAP-PG portal (bhucuetpg.samarth.edu.in) after CUET-PG results are declared.
Fill in programme preferences and pay the non-refundable registration fee (Rs. 300 for General/OBC/EWS; Rs. 150 for SC/ST/PwBD).
Seat allotment is done through multiple rounds based on CUET-PG merit score.
Upon allotment, pay the admission fee within the stipulated deadline to confirm the seat.
Report to the Department of French and Francophone Studies, Faculty of Arts, BHU with original documents for physical verification.
Up to 25% of open category seats are reserved for BHU students (institutional preference) as per Supreme Court directives.

BHU MA French Scholarships 2026

Students enrolled in MA French at BHU can avail a range of scholarships from central government, university-level schemes, and French government programmes. Given the highly affordable fee structure, scholarships can effectively cover the entire cost of education for eligible students. Additionally, students with strong French language skills may qualify for Campus France scholarships for study or research in France.

Available Scholarships

Scholarship	Offered By	Amount	Eligibility
National Scholarship for Post Graduate Studies (UGC)	UGC / NSP	Rs. 4,500 per month	Graduation with min. 60% marks; age below 30 years; full-time PG at recognised university
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	Ministry of Social Justice / NSP	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	SC category; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh per annum
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	Ministry of Social Justice / NSP	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	OBC-NCL; family income below Rs. 1.5 lakh per annum
Post-Matric Scholarship for Minorities	Ministry of Minority Affairs / NSP	Tuition fee + maintenance allowance	Minority community; family income below Rs. 2 lakh per annum
Campus France Scholarship (Study in France)	French Embassy / Campus France India	Full or partial funding	Strong academic record; French language proficiency; for study/research in France
BHU Merit Scholarship (Internal)	Banaras Hindu University	Varies	Based on academic performance in qualifying examination
Pratidana PG Awards	BHU	Rs. 25,000 per annum	Underprivileged students; family income below Rs. 2.5 lakh; min. 60% in qualifying exam

Most central scholarships are applied through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in).
Campus France scholarships are applied through the Campus France India portal (india.campusfrance.org).
Deadlines vary by programme.
Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue receiving scholarships.
SC/ST/OBC/EWS students should apply for scholarships immediately after admission to avoid missing deadlines.

BHU MA French FAQs

Ques. What level of French language proficiency is expected before joining MA French at BHU?

Ans. Students joining MA French at BHU are expected to have at least A2-B1 level French proficiency (basic to intermediate). The programme builds on this foundation to take students to advanced levels (B2-C1). Students who have studied French at the BA level or have an Alliance Francaise certificate will have a significant advantage. Complete beginners may find the programme challenging.

Ques. Does BHU have any tie-ups with French institutions or the Alliance Francaise for MA French students?

Ans. BHU has academic collaborations with several international institutions. The Department of French and Francophone Studies maintains connections with French cultural organisations including the Alliance Francaise. Students can also independently pursue DELF/DALF certifications alongside their MA programme, which significantly enhances career prospects. Campus France scholarships for study in France are also accessible to BHU students.

Ques. What are the career options after MA French from BHU?

Ans. After MA French from BHU, common career paths include: (1) Translator/Interpreter for Indo-French companies, embassies, and international organisations like UNESCO and UNDP, (2) Teaching French in schools, coaching institutes, and language centres, (3) Corporate roles in French MNCs operating in India (luxury goods, aviation, automotive, cosmetics sectors), (4) Tourism and hospitality industry roles requiring French proficiency, (5) Research and PhD in French studies, and (6) Diplomatic services and foreign language officer roles in the Government of India.

Ques. How competitive is the CUET-PG cutoff for MA French at BHU?

Ans. The MA French cutoff at BHU is moderate. In 2025, the General category cutoff ranged from 68-160 marks across rounds (CUET-PG score), with Round 1 cutoff at 160 and later rounds dropping to 68. In 2024, the General cutoff ranged from 111-151. The variation across rounds indicates that seats are available even for students with moderate scores in later rounds.

Ques. Can I pursue a PhD in French at BHU after completing MA French?

Ans. Yes, BHU offers PhD in French through its Research Entrance Test (RET). After completing MA French with a good academic record, candidates can apply for PhD admission. Those with UGC-NET/JRF qualification are exempted from the RET. Research areas include French literature, Francophone studies, translation studies, and Indo-French cultural relations.

Ques. Is DELF/DALF certification necessary alongside the MA French degree for better career prospects?

Ans. While not mandatory, DELF/DALF certification (issued by the French Ministry of Education) is internationally recognised and significantly enhances career prospects, especially for corporate and international roles. An MA French degree from BHU demonstrates academic knowledge of French language and literature, while DELF/DALF certifies language proficiency to international employers. Students are strongly advised to pursue DELF B2 or DALF C1 certification alongside their MA programme for maximum career advantage.