Studying Medicine and Dentistry in France: PASS, LAS and Costs
17.09.2026
Last reviewed: August 2026.
The Admission System for Medicine in France: An Overview
Until 2020, the PACES exam at the end of the first year of study determined access to medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, midwifery, and physiotherapy in France — collectively referred to as MMOPK. The reform replaced this fixed exam with the so-called Numerus Apertus: each university sets its own number of places, which fluctuates slightly from year to year, rather than a nationally fixed quota. The principle changes little — competition for places remains intense; only the fine-tuning now lies with the universities themselves.
Since then, two parallel routes lead to the second year of medicine: PASS and L.AS. Both are preparatory years with subsequent selection, but they differ significantly in structure and risk.
PASS in Detail: The Medicine-Focused Route
PASS (Parcours Accès Santé Spécifique) is a complete first year of study focused on health sciences — anatomy, biochemistry, physiology — supplemented by a so-called minor subject such as law or linguistics. At the end of the year, the ranking determines admission to medicine, dentistry, or one of the other MMOPK subjects.
The critical catch: PASS cannot be repeated. Those who fail at the first attempt automatically switch to the second year of their chosen minor subject — the so-called droit au rebond, a safety net, but not a second chance for medicine.
L.AS in Detail: The More Flexible but Narrower Route
L.AS (Licence avec Option Accès Santé) combines a regular licence — for example in chemistry, law, or sports science — with a health module comprising around a quarter of the study programme. The major advantage: an application for medicine is possible at the end of L1, L2, and L3, i.e. up to three times. If the application fails, a regular licence degree still remains.
The disadvantage shows in the numbers: places through L.AS are two to three times scarcer at most universities than through PASS. Those who opt for safety lose chances; those who opt for PASS lose the option to repeat.
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Success Rates and Competition
Despite its friendlier name, the Numerus Apertus is not a numerus clausus replacement with lax standards. Depending on the university, between 15 and 30 percent of PASS students make the transition to an MMOPK subject in the first year; for L.AS the rate is often even lower due to the smaller number of places. Approximately 37 French universities offer PASS; L.AS is available at even more locations across various licence subjects, though with widely varying acceptance rates depending on subject and institution.
Universities for Medicine and Dentistry in France
Medicine is taught at numerous French universities; dentistry only at a smaller subset of them.
The author's view
The name Numerus Apertus sounds like a relief, and that is precisely the biggest trap: in advising sessions I repeatedly encounter applicants who believe the French system is more relaxed than the German NC because there is no longer a fixed quota. The success rates of sometimes only 15 percent in PASS tell a different story.
What additionally bothers me about PASS: a single bad day at the end of the year decides definitively, with no repeat option. That is harder than the German system, where at least a renewed application in the next cycle remains possible. Those who do not speak French near-fluently and do not want to take this risk are often better advised by a state medical programme in a country with a more plannable selection process.
Summary
France replaced the classic numerus clausus with PASS and L.AS — two preparatory routes with different risk profiles but equally fierce competition at the end. The only private alternative, the FMMS in Lille, exists in one single and likewise selective form. Those who shy away from the French language barrier and the selection risk will find state alternatives in Europe with a more plannable process.
- PASS is a single medicine-focused year with no repeat option; L.AS allows up to three application attempts with fewer places available.
- The Numerus Apertus replaces the former national quota with individual place numbers per university — competition remains equally tough, just more decentralised.
- Success rates are between 15 and 30 percent for PASS, often lower for L.AS.
- The FMMS in Lille is the only private medical faculty in France and awards the same state degree as public universities.
- State tuition fees are around 178 to 397 euros per year; teaching takes place exclusively in French.
- Medschool Experts does not arrange applications in France but shows the NC-free route in Europe.
Further Reading
- Studying Medicine in Germany: the admission system in direct comparison.
- Studying Medicine in Austria: MedAT instead of a preparatory year.
- University Lexicon: detailed profiles of individual faculties with admission figures and key data.
- Cost Comparison: Abroad and Germany: how the costs of different countries compare.
- Studying Medicine in Hungary: the plannable NC-free neighbouring location without the French language barrier.
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Medicine in France
What is the difference between PASS and L.AS?
PASS is a single medicine-focused year with only one attempt. L.AS combines a regular licence with a health module and allows up to three application attempts over three years — but places are scarcer.
What does Numerus Apertus mean?
Each university decides itself how many students may transfer from PASS or L.AS into medicine, rather than a nationally fixed quota as with the former numerus clausus. Competition remains equally fierce, just more decentrally organised.
How high are the success rates for PASS and L.AS?
Depending on the university, around 15 to 30 percent of PASS students make the transition to an MMOPK subject in the first attempt. For L.AS, the rate is often lower due to the smaller number of places.
Can I repeat PASS if I fail?
No. PASS offers only one attempt; afterwards, the automatic switch to the second year of the chosen minor subject applies. Only in L.AS is a renewed application in a later licence year possible.
Are there private medical universities in France?
Only one: the FMMS of the Université Catholique de Lille, which awards the same state degree in cooperation with the state Université de Lille. A PASS-like selection process remains compulsory nonetheless.
How high are the tuition fees in France?
At state universities between around 178 and 397 euros per year plus around 105 euros CVEC campus fee. At the private FMMS in Lille between 3,717 and 11,097 euros per year, depending on income and scholarship status.
Do I need to speak French fluently?
Yes. All teaching takes place in French. This is evidenced by a DALF or DELF certificate, or a very good grade in advanced French at school level.
Does Medschool Experts arrange study places in France?
No. The application through Parcoursup runs exclusively directly between the applicant and the university. Medschool Experts supports the plannable, NC-free route at state universities in Europe.
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About the author
Marcel Kloos
Swiss-licensed dentist and founder of Medschool Experts
Marcel Kloos founded Medschool Experts while studying abroad; since then, over 500 study places have been secured. The Stuttgart-born dentist studied dentistry from 2015 to 2021 in Sofia and holds a Swiss dental licence.
Today he lives in Bern and runs Medschool Experts full-time as its owner.
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