<?xml version="1.0"?>
<edgarSubmission>

    <schemaVersion>X0101</schemaVersion>

    <submissionType>EFFECT</submissionType>

    <act>33</act>

    <testOrLive>LIVE</testOrLive>

    <effectiveData>
        <finalEffectivenessDispDate>2012-11-01</finalEffectivenessDispDate>
        <accessionNumber>0001445546-12-004351</accessionNumber>
        <submissionType>485APOS</submissionType>
        <filer>
            <cik>0001497778</cik>
            <entityName>FIRST TRUST SERIES FUND</entityName>
            <fileNumber>333-168727</fileNumber>
            <seriesClassContractData>
                <existing>
                    <seriesId>S000038285</seriesId>
                    <seriesName>First Trust Short Duration High Income Fund</seriesName>
                    <classContractId>C000118178</classContractId>
                    <classContractName>Class A</classContractName>
                </existing>
                <existing>
                    <seriesId>S000038285</seriesId>
                    <seriesName>First Trust Short Duration High Income Fund</seriesName>
                    <classContractId>C000121471</classContractId>
                    <classContractName>Class C</classContractName>
                </existing>
                <existing>
                    <seriesId>S000038285</seriesId>
                    <seriesName>First Trust Short Duration High Income Fund</seriesName>
                    <classContractId>C000121472</classContractId>
                    <classContractName>Class I</classContractName>
                </existing>
            </seriesClassContractData>
        </filer>
    </effectiveData>
</edgarSubmission>
