Study Abroad

Study in France

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Why France

Study in France – A top destination for international students.

Its higher education system is ranked 17th in the 2020 U21 Rankings with 12 universities in the QS Top 200. Its vibrant culture, from Paris’s art to Provence’s landscapes, inspires creativity. Affordable tuition and a welcoming spirit make France a place where dreams flourish and global connections thrive. Lastly, there’s a robust post study work visa regime that allows you to get valuable experience after your studies.

U21 system ranking (2020)
17th
Universities in QS Top 200
12
Public bachelor’s tuition
€2,770/yr
Post-study work permit
12 mo

Student Visa

France Education Visa

For a France education visa, Indian students over 18, already accepted into a higher education program, must apply for a long-stay visa via the Études en France platform. Required for stays over 90 days, this visa, valid for three months to one year, also acts as a Schengen visa, allowing 90-day stays in the Schengen Area within any 180-day period. To extend your stay, apply for a residence permit at a French prefecture.

France Student Visa Requirements

To obtain a student visa for a bachelor’s or master’s in France, applicants must be over 18, accepted into a recognized higher education program, and provide proof of admission. Indian students apply via the Études en France platform. A long-stay France education visa, required for stays exceeding 90 days, must be valid for three months to one year. Applicants need sufficient financial resources (around €7,380/year), health insurance, and a valid passport.

With regard to IELTS, TOEFL and PTE these are not required for the visa process and MOI is quite common, but it is a good idea to take a language proficiency test to make the process of admissions smoother.

Look at the official Campus France page for how to prepare for a student visa application to France.

France student visa conditions and regulations

Key conditions for a French student visa include providing proof of accommodation in France (e.g., a lease or university housing confirmation) and a clean criminal record certificate for applicants over 18. You must also submit a motivation letter outlining your study plans and how they align with your future goals. Non-EU students, including Indians, need to register with the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within three months of arrival and may need a medical examination. Finally, you must not intend to permanently settle in France post-study.

Costs

Tuition and living costs in France

Tuition Costs in France

Public university, bachelor’s€2,770/yr
Public university, master’s€3,770/yr
Private business or engineering schools€7,000–€20,000/yr
Some Grandes Écoles€30,000+/yr

Tuition costs for international students in France vary significantly. Public university fees for non-EU students are set by the French government for 2025, while private institutions charge much higher depending on the program’s prestige. Scholarships, like the Eiffel Excellence Program, can offset costs. France’s affordable public education, paired with its rich academic tradition, makes it a compelling choice for international students seeking quality without exorbitant fees.

Living Cost in France for International Students

Living costs in France for international students vary by city.

City	Shared rental	Private studio
Paris	€500–€800/mo	€800–€1,000/mo
Lyon	€500–€800/mo	€800–€1,200/mo
Marseille and Toulouse	€400–€600/mo	€600–€900/mo

Food
€200–€300/mo
with affordable markets in Toulouse and Marseille
Transport
€30–€50/mo
bus/metro, with student discounts
Mobile plan
€10–€20/mo

Budget-conscious students can manage €800-€1,200/month outside Paris, balancing vibrant city life with reasonable expenses in France’s diverse regions.

Scholarships

Scholarships for International Students in France

France offers numerous scholarships for international students. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs funds over 25% of international students through embassy grants. Universities like Sorbonne and Sciences Po offer merit-based awards, covering €5,000-€10,000 annually. Erasmus+ grants support EU exchanges. These opportunities make France’s world-class education accessible and affordable.

Eiffel Scholarships

Master’s
€1,181/mo
12–36 months
PhD
€1,700/mo
6–12 months

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, supports international students pursuing master’s or PhD degrees in France. Eligible candidates, aged up to 25 (master’s) or 30 (PhD), must be non-French nationals and apply through a French higher education institution.

The scholarship excludes tuition. Priority fields include science, economics, law, and engineering. Applicants need strong academic records and a clear career goal aligned with their program. Applications are submitted by institutions, not individuals, with deadlines typically in January.

University Scholarships in France

French universities offer scholarships to attract international students, often based on merit or financial need.

Sciences Po
Émile Boutmy Scholarship, covering €3,000-€12,300 annually for non-EU students with strong academics.
Sorbonne University
Sorbonne Excellence Scholarship, awarding up to €10,000/year for master’s students in sciences or humanities.
University of Paris-Saclay
€10,000/year plus travel expenses for international master’s students.

These scholarships, typically requiring a solid academic record and application through the university, reduce financial barriers, making France’s prestigious institutions accessible while fostering global academic exchange.

Looking for a scholarship in France? Look no further.

Click here to claim your scholarship

Work & PR

Post Study Work Visa

After graduating with a master’s or higher degree from a French university on a France education visa, you can apply for a “Recherche d’emploi / Création d’entreprise” temporary residence permit. This permit is valid for 12 months (non-renewable), and allows you to stay in France to seek employment or start a business in a field related to your degree.

You must apply for a post study work visa within two months before your student visa (VLS-TS) expires at your local Prefecture. Requirements include proof of your diploma, health insurance, and sufficient funds (at least €1,801.80 monthly, equivalent to SMIC).

To move toward PR, secure a job related to your field of study during this 12-month period. The job must offer a minimum gross salary of 1.5 times the SMIC (€29,620.44 annually in 2022). Upon securing employment, you can apply for a residence permit such as:

Carte de séjour temporaire “salarié”
for permanent contracts, CDI
Carte de séjour temporaire “travailleur temporaire”
for temporary contracts, CDD

PR in France: Eligibility

To apply for a Carte de Résident (10-year PR card), you must meet these conditions:

Duration of Stay
Reside legally and continuously in France for 5 years (or 3 years if married to a French national). Absences must not exceed 6 consecutive months or 10 months total over 5 years.
Integration
Demonstrate integration into French society, including A2-level French proficiency (not required if over 65, disabled, or from certain countries like Morocco/Tunisia).
Resources
Prove stable income (at least SMIC, €1,801.80 monthly) and health insurance.
Eligible Permits
Hold a residence permit like “salarié,” “entrepreneur/professional,” or “Talent Passport” (e.g., EU Blue Card). Student or intern permits are ineligible.

Green card for the EU

The EU Long-Term Resident Card is equivalent to France’s PR card but allows stays of over 3 months in other EU countries (e.g., Germany, Italy) without a visa. The process and requirements are similar to France’s PR:

Eligibility
5 years of continuous legal residence in France (or 2 years in France with an EU Blue Card, plus 3 years in another EU country). Absences must not exceed 12 consecutive months or 18 months total over 5 years.
Conditions
Stable income (€1,801.80 monthly), health insurance, and proof of integration (A2 French proficiency).
Application
Submit at the Prefecture or online, similar to the PR process. The card is valid for 10 years, renewable, but expires if you leave France for 6 consecutive years or the EU for 3 years.

Universities

France University List : Public Universities

Public universities in France are significantly cheaper than private ones for international students. Public institutions charge around €2,770/year for bachelor’s and €3,770/year for master’s programs for non-EU students in 2025.

Most prestigious French universities

France has a collection of great universities. Here is a list of the most prestigious French universities:

University	THE World University Rank 2025	City
Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris	42	Paris
Université Paris-Saclay	64	Paris
Institut Polytechnique de Paris	71	Paris
Sorbonne University	76	Paris
Université Paris Cité	=183	Paris
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon	251-300	Lyon
IMT Atlantique	351-400	Nantes
Institut Agro	351-400	Nice
Montpellier University	351-400	Montpellier
Université Grenoble Alpes	351-400	Grenoble

IT universities in France

France’s IT education is renowned for blending rigorous academics with cutting-edge research, preparing students for global tech careers. There are many IT universities in France that are on the cutting edge of IT education. Here is a France university list for the best IT universities:

1Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) UniversityExcels in AI and data science, ranked 24th globally (QS 2025).
2Sorbonne UniversityStrong in AI, cybersecurity, and data science, with notable faculty like Isabelle Guyon.
3Université Paris-SaclayKnown for industry partnerships and research in AI and IoT, ranked 73rd globally (QS 2025).
4Institut Polytechnique de ParisOffers top-tier engineering and tech programs, strong in employer reputation.
5École Normale Supérieure de LyonElite programs in computer science and mathematics, research-focused.
6CentraleSupélecInnovative project-based IT curriculum, collaborates with McGill University.
7INSA LyonLeading engineering school with strengths in quantum computing and software engineering.
8Université Grenoble AlpesAdvances in AI research, with 71 labs and a history since 1339.
9Université de StrasbourgCutting-edge software engineering programs, led by experts like Marie Duflot-Krichten.
10Télécom ParisSpecializes in networks, cybersecurity, and digital innovation, part of Institut Polytechnique.

American University in Paris France

The American University of Paris France, founded in 1962, is a private, liberal arts institution in the heart of Paris, offering a U.S.-style education with a global perspective. Accredited in both the U.S. and France, AUP provides over 25 undergraduate and graduate programs, taught in English, to a diverse student body from over 100 countries. With small class sizes and a focus on critical thinking, it fosters intercultural exchange. Located near the Eiffel Tower, AUP blends American academics with Paris’s vibrant cultural and intellectual life.