Fabrice Filachet, co-director of academic affairs at the Université Francophone d’Asie (UFA), tells us about the bachelor’s degree programme he offers in Phnom Penh, in partnership with Paris-Panthéon-Assas University.
Could you tell us a little about the UFA?
Fabrice Filachet: The Université Francophone d’Asie is, above all, driven by a desire to offer a French university education of the highest standard in South-East Asia – one that is internationally oriented and deeply connected to the economic and digital realities of the region.
Our partnership with Paris-Panthéon-Assas University enables our students to obtain their bachelor’s degree (French state diploma) without leaving South-East Asia. From the start of the academic year in September 2026, we will launch our first bachelor’s degree in ‘Business Administration, Organisational Management and Digitalisation’, a programme identical to that offered at the Paris campus of Panthéon-Assas but available in Phnom Penh.
We aim to offer students a modern, international and career-focused university experience, at the heart of a dynamic ecosystem.
Why choose to study at the UFA in Phnom Penh rather than in France?
For Vietnamese students, UFA offers a unique gateway to French higher education in Southeast Asia. Thanks to the geographical proximity between Vietnam and Cambodia, students can access recognized French programs while remaining close to their home country. Phnom Penh boasts a rapidly growing international environment at the crossroads of the region's economic and cultural exchanges. Studying at the UFA thus allows students to benefit from French academic excellence, develop international experience valued by employers, and build a strong regional network, all within a more accessible and closer setting than traditional European destinations.
Why did you choose to set up in Koh Pich?
The campus will be situated in the heart of a particularly dynamic development area of Phnom Penh, in a modern, secure environment undergoing rapid transformation.
We wanted to integrate the university into a genuine urban and economic ecosystem, close to businesses, new property developments, residential areas and the infrastructure of the future.
This location is fully in line with our vision: a university connected to its surroundings and focused on the region’s future.
How does the admissions process at UFA work?
We wanted to establish a simple, smooth and stress-free admissions process, particularly at a time when final year students are already sitting numerous exams and facing significant pressure.
The aim is, above all, a human one: to enable applicants and their families to receive a clear and definitive response quickly.
In practical terms, applicants submit an online application comprising their academic results, a personal statement and the main administrative documents required. Upon receipt, the application is reviewed by our academic team. An individual interview is then arranged to discuss the applicant’s study plans, gain a better understanding of their motivations and assess whether their aspirations align with the course they are considering. Following this stage, a decision is communicated promptly, allowing students to look ahead to the next stage of their journey with confidence.
We know how stressful this period of choosing a course can be. It was therefore essential for us to provide clarity and peace of mind to prospective students. Once applications have been completed and submitted via our platform, we invite candidates to an interview.
Above all, these interviews allow us to engage with candidates, understand their plans and ensure that the UFA truly meets their expectations and ambitions.
Could you tell us about the curriculum for the bachelor’s degree?
We are currently working on finalising the curriculum with the co-director of Paris-Panthéon-Assas University. The course syllabuses offered in Phnom Penh will be identical to those in Paris. Some lecturers will also be coming from Paris to share their knowledge and experience with the students.
Our aim is to offer a particularly well-rounded bachelor’s degree programme (aka “licence” in French), enabling students to explore all the key aspects of organisational management, whilst fully incorporating the challenges of digitalisation.
Students will therefore undertake a varied programme of study covering management, administration, IT, project management, law and digital tools. This cross-disciplinary approach is essential today for training graduates capable of thriving in international and constantly changing environments.
Why limit the undergraduate programme to just 30 places?
This has historically been a very competitive programme to gain entry to in Paris, and we wish to maintain the same high academic standards and the same quality of support in Phnom Penh. We are able to offer exactly the same number of places as at the Paris campus of Paris-Panthéon-Assas University.
This cohort size is also fully in line with our educational vision. The first year after secondary school is often a pivotal one, with, unfortunately, many students dropping out of higher education. Smaller cohorts allow for greater availability on the part of teaching staff and the administrative and educational teams.
Our aim is to provide each student with personalised support as they take their first steps at university, in order to foster not only their academic success but also their personal development.
We hope we have sparked some interest. How can you take the next step?
Please do not hesitate to contact us to find out more. Our team is on hand to support every student through this transition from secondary school to university. Understanding the course content, how daily life is organised, and the opportunities associated with this degree programme are all factors that enable prospective students to look ahead with confidence.
It is also a fantastic opportunity to approach the end-of-year exams without the added pressure of deciding on a future course of study.
Practical information
Admissions procedure:
- Submit your application online via Eduka: https://ufa.eduka.school/login
- Applications reviewed by the academic committee
- Motivational interview for shortlisted candidates
- Admissions committee meeting*
- Notification of admissions decisions by email
- Upcoming admissions committee meeting: Friday 10 July.
Tuition fees:
- Tuition fees: 11,900 USD (10,200 €) per year
- Introductory offer: exceptional 30% discount, i.e. 8,330 USD (7,150 €) per year
- Registration fees: 280 USD (240 €) per year
- Degree certificate fees: 500 USD (430 €) (third-year Bachelor’s degree only)
UFA also offers possible scholarships up to 80% for eligible students.
For further information on programmes, scholarships, admissions and university life, please visit the UFA website: www.ufa-universite.asia
