Depression is one of the leading causes of morbidity worldwide and increases the risk of suicide. Students are known as a population at risk for depression. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of 12 months major depressive episode (MDE) and suicidal thoughts in French students and investigate associated factors. A questionnaire was sent by email to a representative sample of the French student population between April 28th and June 27th 2016. MDE was assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form (CIDI-SF). The response rate was 18.7% (N= 18,875). Prevalence of 12 months MDE was 15.8%, and suicidal thoughts was 9%. Factors associated with MDE were being a woman, study field (law/eco, human/social sciences, and medical), having failed midterms exams or dropout, refusal or stop social scholarship, and subjective financial difficulties. Factors associated with suicidal thoughts were study field (human/social sciences), having failed midterms exams or dropout, and important subjective financial difficulties. The use of CIDI-SF allows comparison with the 2017 French national study, and showed more MDE in students than in the general population. This is the only national study on French students before COVID 19 pandemic.