Academic excellence packed with cultural heritage and an enriching lifestyle is what studying in France is ready to give you. Placed at the doorstep of Europe, it has numerous reputed universities, out of which 35 hold a ranking in the QS table. From Marie Curie to 64 other Nobel Prize winners, this country’s institutions have reaped them all! Do you want your name to be included in the list? Let’s start your journey to study in France now!

Overview

French

Official language

Euro

Currency

6.8 Crores

Population

#12

Global innovation Iindex

#4

Cultural heritage influence

3500

Public and private institutes

Why study in France?

Studying in France offers various benefits, making it an ideal destination for international students.

  • Situated at the heart of Europe
  • Industry-specific and practical learning
  • Affordable tuition fees
  • Multicultural environment
  • Reputable universities with high rankings
  • One of the best higher education systems globally
  • Open to Erasmus + programme letting you travel across EU countries
  • 20% of the government budget is invested in research and education
  • #2 Globally with 16 Triple Crown accredited B-schools
  • 2 years Post-Study Work visa
  • 20 hours of work permit per week while studying
  • Medical reimbursement
  • Student discounts

Higher education system in France

In France, a master’s degree can be obtained from public universities, Grande Ecoles, the School of Arts and Design, or the School of Architecture. These schools offer three types of postgraduate degrees (MSc, MBA, and MiM), typically two years long. 

The majority of international students seeking professional degrees enrol at public universities. You can choose from various disciplines here, including the humanities, sciences, medicine, literature, and the arts. 

Grande Ecoles are considered prestigious places of study in France, but they admit limited candidates and are highly competitive. They are well-known for courses in engineering, business, and commerce fields. 

The School of Arts and Design offers degrees strongly emphasising media, fashion, communication, graphics, and other related courses. Their courses require you to take a competitive exam or interview as part of the selection process.

Top universities and colleges in France

1 Sciences Po
2 Université Grenoble Alpes
3 Université Paris Cité
4 Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
5 École des Ponts ParisTech
6 École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
7 Université Paris-Saclay
8 Sorbonne University
9 Institut Polytechnique de Paris
10 Université PSL

Intakes in France

You need not worry about missing your chance in a year when you have two! But always keep an eye on the course information you opt for.

Fall intake 1

Starts in September

Spring intake 2

Starts in January

Most universities and Grande Ecoles start their academic year in the fall or September intake. Their applications are usually open between January and April.

However, limited courses from certain universities are open to spring or January intake in France. Their applications are usually open between October and November. 

Popular programs in France

Universities in Fracne offer myriad undergraduate and post-graduate programs — which may include your favourite and even yet-to-be-discovered career interests. Some of the popular programs of studies among Indian and other international students include:

Business & Management

Engineering

Fashion Designing

Luxury Brand Management

Computer Science

Tourism & Hospitality

Data Science

Cost of studying in France

Tuition fees

Studying in France lets you experience one of the high-standard, affordable educations in the EU countries. Most importantly, the French government subsidizes a significant portion of your fee. It is almost two-thirds of your tuition, leaving you less stressed.

After deductions, you would pay the following fees on average at public universities:

  • Undergraduate (License studies) – €2,850 per year
  • Master’s degree (public institutions)- €3,879 per year
  • Master’s degree (private institutions) – €6,000 to €18,000 per year
  • Doctorate – €391

Grande Ecoles and private institutions charge higher; their minimum fee can be between €8,000 and €10,000.

Estimated living expenses

The cost of living in France for international students varies between Paris and other cities. To keep up with the lifestyle of the capital city, you would have to spend a little more money in Paris.

So, on average, you can manage your expenses with 600 to 800 euros (per month) in other French cities, whereas similar expenditures can cost you around 1000 to 1500 euros in Paris. The high figures listed below are for the capital city.

  • House rent – 200 to 1,200 euros per month
  • Groceries – 200 to 300 euros per month
  • Transportation – 30 to 100 euros per month
  • Internet & phone – 20 to 50 euros per month
  • Entertainment – 5 to 750 euros per month
  • Utilities – 50 – 150 euros per month
Proof of funds for visa

You must provide financial proof to cover your tuition and expenses for one year to obtain a French student visa. The French government quotes a minimum monthly cost of 615 euros; thus, proof of 7,380 euros per year is required during the visa process.

Scholarships in France

There are four important sources through which you can obtain scholarships and grants when studying in France: Scholarships from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Scholarships from the Ministry of Higher Education, Local Authority Scholarships, and Erasmus+ Mobility Grants. Here are some of the most popular waiver programs:

  • Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program
  • Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
  • The Charpak Scholarship Programs
  • Masters of Science Excellence Scholarships by Skema Business School
  • Emile Boutmy Scholarships at Sciences Po
  • Ampere Scholarships
  • Study a Masters in Europe Scholarship
  • ISAE-SUPAERO Excellence Scholarship

Work permit and PR in France

You should have stayed in France for at least 5 consecutive years to obtain permanent residency. 

However, this rule can be reduced to three years for international students who have a master’s degree from a reputed French university. Apart from this, you must satisfy the criteria below to apply for a PR.

  • Basic French language proficiency certificate
  • Clean criminal record
  • CDI contract jobs or employment agreements with a minimum duration of one year and a salary that is at least 1.5 times the national average

In general, while searching for a job in France, prioritize the ones under the CDI contract. These careers provide an indefinite contract with stability and long-term employment. Similarly, they are given top priority during your PR process.

Getting started with your admission process

Once you have understood your course and which university is the best for that, start gathering the documents required for your admission process.

Most French universities require the following documents from you:

  • Completed application form
  • Letter of recommendation
  • Cover letter
  • Resume
  • Academic transcripts
  • Copy of passport
  • Passport-size photos
  • French language test scores (for courses in French)
  • English language test scores (for courses in English)
  • Civil liability certificate
  • Proof of funding or scholarship
  • Campus France authorization

If you need any help making your dream of studying in France come true, feel free to reach out. We at Sarem Education – study in France consultants are here to assist you at every step — from study counseling to short-listing the course to admission to help with fees, visa application, and beyond.