Earn eligibility for up to 5 years of post-study work rights by pursuing your education in France. With a community of 250,000 international students, the country is renowned for its innovative programs offered at some of the world’s top universities. Explore comprehensive details on admissions, scholarships, and opportunities for your future in France.
100+
Universities
€3K to €10K/Annually
Average Tuition Fee
Intakes
September and February
14+
Scholarships
France provides a multicultural and inclusive environment for students, with international students making up 12% of its student population. Despite being a non-English speaking country, it remains a top choice for global learners by offering over 1,500 courses taught in English. This accessibility, combined with the nation’s diverse academic and cultural offerings, makes France a highly attractive destination for international students.
No of Universities | 72 |
No of Universities Ranking in QS 2025 | 35 |
No of International Students | 400,000+ |
Part-Time Working Hours | Up to 964 hours a year |
Post-Study Work Visa Validity | 1 year (Extendable up to 4 years depending on type of visa) |
Average Annual Tuition Fees | €2,850 – €3,879 |
Minimum IELTS Requirement | 6.5 (Only for English-taught courses) |
Number of Intakes | 1-2 |
Popular Streams of Study | Engineering,Fashion, Hospitality, MBA, Data Analytics, Marketing and Art |
The French education system offers a wide range of opportunities for Indian students. Public universities often provide free education or charge minimal fees for EU students. For non-EU students, including Indian students, tuition fees are higher; however, scholarships can significantly offset these costs. Indian students benefit from France’s diverse culture, world-class universities, and the ability to pursue internships or part-time jobs while studying. The structured system includes undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, with a strong emphasis on practical skills, making France a highly desirable destination for those looking to study abroad.
France follows the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS), a standardized system for comparing academic credits across the European Union. ECTS credits are based on student workload, measuring the time required to complete a course, including class hours, independent study, and assignments.
One ECTS credit typically corresponds to 25-30 hours of student workload. Most courses in France are worth 3-6 ECTS credits, with students usually earning 30 credits per semester or 60 credits annually. The system facilitates student mobility, enabling credit transfer between institutions within the EU. ECTS credits also assess academic progress and determine if students meet degree requirements.
Most applications to French universities are processed through the centralized “Études en France” platform, specifically designed for international students. This system enables students to track and manage applications to multiple universities.
Indian students applying for undergraduate courses in France typically apply directly to universities or through Campus France. Requirements include a high school diploma and proof of language proficiency (French or English). For postgraduate programs, applicants must hold a relevant bachelor’s degree and submit academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and sometimes evidence of work experience or an interview.
The specific requirements to study in France depend on the course and university, but the essential documents generally include:
France is home to some of the best universities in Europe, offering top-ranked programs for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Ph.D. studies. Here are some of the leading universities in France for international students:
These universities are renowned for their academic excellence and diverse programs, making France a top choice for international students.
Institution Name |
QS Ranking 2025 |
Université PSL |
#24 |
Institut Polytechnique de Paris |
#46 |
Sorbonne University |
#=63 |
Université Paris-Saclay |
#73 |
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
#187 |
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech |
#205 |
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
#283 |
Université Paris Cité |
#=302 |
Université Grenoble Alpes |
#334 |
Sciences Po |
#=350 |
France is renowned for offering top-notch courses across diverse disciplines. Here are some of the most popular and highly regarded courses in France:
France provides a variety of scholarships to make education accessible for international students, including Indian students. These range from fully funded opportunities to partial funding, covering tuition fees and living expenses. Scholarships in France are highly competitive, with merit-based options being common. Fully funded scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden of studying abroad.
Notable scholarships include:
France offers two primary intakes for international students, providing flexibility in choosing when to begin studies:
Tuition fees in France are lower compared to many countries, as they are subsidized by the government.
Living in France as a student is relatively affordable, with average monthly expenses ranging from €600 to €800. Here is a breakdown of expected costs:
International students need a France Student Visa (Visa long séjour valant titre de séjour – VLS-TS) for the duration of their studies. The process includes:
After completing their studies, international students can apply for a Post-Study Work Visa (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour – APS). This visa allows graduates to remain in France for up to 24 months to seek employment related to their field of study. Once a job is secured, the employer can sponsor a work visa, facilitating a transition to a long-term work permit.
While France does not offer direct PR pathways for international graduates, students can work towards obtaining PR or French citizenship by meeting specific criteria. Indian students may qualify for French citizenship after working in the country for at least five years.
According to L’Étudiant, a French educational news platform, the 2022-2023 ranking of the best cities in France for students was based on five key criteria: education, student life, attractiveness, living environment, and employment. The study compared 45 cities with over 8,000 students, representing more than 2.5 million students nationwide.
Name of the City |
Rank |
Score (out of 151) |
Toulouse |
1 |
120 |
Reindeer |
2 |
117 |
Montpellier |
3 |
116 |
Strasbourg |
3 |
116 |
Grenoble |
5 |
115 |
Lyons |
5 |
115 |
Bordeaux |
7 |
114 |
Nantes |
8 |
112 |
Paris |
9 |
111 |
Poitiers |
10 |
107 |
France offers numerous part-time job opportunities for international students, enabling them to earn while gaining valuable experience. Students are permitted to work up to 20 hours per week during their studies. Some common part-time job roles and their average hourly wages include:
Abroad provides expert support to students aspiring to study in France, offering:
With Abroad, you can confidently navigate the complexities of studying in France while focusing on your academic and professional goals.
Full scholarships are rarer, particularly since the country subsidizes higher education at public universities. However, several scholarships offer coverage for tuition and living costs.
It is only possible if you enroll at a public university in the country which offers free tuition and a nominal registration charge for the course. You can also consider finding and applying for a full scholarship.
You should look at available scholarships at your chosen universities/institutions along with options like the French Foreign Ministry Awards, French Excellence Charpak Scholarship, Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence, and others.
There are varying amounts of scholarships offered by different institutions and universities. Many of them cover tuition fees, living costs, and other expenses.
100% scholarships are rare in France although you will find quite a few options available. There are various scholarships that offer coverage for living and study costs.
This differs across scholarships, although around 50-60% is recommended.
A temporary long-stay student visa is required for higher education in France if the course duration exceeds three or six months.
Obtaining a study visa for France is relatively straightforward, as long as you meet the requirements and submit your application accurately.
A study visa for France costs approximately €99, which is around INR 8,951.
Yes, students who have lived in France for a minimum of five years for education or employment purposes are eligible to apply for permanent residency (PR).
No, it is not possible to study in France without a visa.
To apply for a student visa for France, you need to create an account and register online at Campus France. After registering, submit your application with all required documents. Once your application is reviewed, you will be given an appointment date, and an interview process may also be part of the application.
The admission requirements for studying in France include high school or undergraduate degree transcripts, proof of English language proficiency, evidence of sufficient funds, letters of recommendation, and other relevant documents.
English language proficiency is required for studying English-taught programs in France. You can submit scores from tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or other recognized exams.
You can apply to study in France through Parcoursup by completing your registration and uploading the necessary documents as part of the application process.
No, it is not overly difficult to gain admission in France, as long as you follow the guidelines, submit the required documents, and ensure your application is error-free.
To study in France, you will need qualifications such as a high school diploma or undergraduate degree, proof of English or French language proficiency, and other relevant documents.
Eligibility for studying in France includes proof of sufficient funds, language proficiency (in English or French), academic qualifications (such as a high school or undergraduate degree), and other necessary documents.
Education in France is heavily subsidized by the government, even for non-EU nationals. The registration fees for bachelor’s and master’s programs typically range from €2,850 to €3,879 (approximately INR 2.57 lakh to INR 3.50 lakh). However, private institutions charge between €6,000 and €18,000 per year (INR 5.42 lakh to INR 16.27 lakh).
Yes, 10 lakhs may be sufficient to study in public universities in France, as the government subsidizes education for international students. This amount can typically cover your tuition fees, with some left over for living expenses.
France is not considered very expensive for Indian students, especially when studying at public institutions with lower tuition fees. However, it’s important to keep track of living costs to manage your budget effectively.
Yes, studying in France is worth it for Indian students due to its top-ranked universities, excellent quality of life, reasonable tuition fees, and a diverse, welcoming population.
To cover living costs in France, a student will typically need between €120 and €800 (INR 10,850 – 72,332) per month for accommodation, €60 (INR 5,425) for utilities and internet, €70 (INR 6,329) for transportation, €20-30 (INR 1,808-2,712) for mobile phone expenses, and around €300 (INR 27,124) for food and other miscellaneous costs.
The average tuition fees at private institutions range from €6,000 to €18,000 (INR 5.42 lakh to 16.27 lakh), while public universities charge between €2,850 and €3,879 (INR 2.57 lakh to 3.50 lakh) for undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
While France has slightly higher living costs than Germany, both countries offer affordable education. Germany provides free education at public universities, while France subsidizes tuition fees at its public institutions. Therefore, both countries are comparable in terms of education costs.
France has two main intakes: January (spring) and September (fall).
The September (fall) intake is generally considered a better option due to the wider availability of courses and universities during this period.
Most students apply for the September (fall) intake, as it offers a broader selection of courses and programs.
Yes, France has a spring intake, typically in January.
No, the course duration remains the same regardless of the intake in France.
Yes, it is possible to request a deferral of admission to the next intake, but it is subject to specific terms and conditions set by the university.
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