01
World-Renowned Institutions
Home to prestigious Universities and elite Grandes Écoles.
Study destination
Study in France
France, located in Western Europe, is globally renowned for its cultural richness, historic landmarks, world-class education system, and influential contributions to art, science, philosophy, and politics. It is home to some of the world's top universities and "Grandes Écoles", offering high-quality education at an affordable cost.
At a glance
Key facts
Everything you need to know about France before you start planning.
Official Name
French Republic
Capital
Paris
Language
French (Many English programs)
Currency
Euro (€)
Population
~67 million
Int. Students
350,000+ (4th globally)
Work During Study
Up to 964 hours/year (~20/wk)
Post-Study Stay
Up to 2 years (Master's)
Why this destination
Why study in France?
Discover the benefits of choosing France for your education.
02
Affordable Education
Highly subsidized tuition fees at public institutions.
03
Top Internships
Internship opportunities with top companies like L'Oréal, Airbus, Renault.
04
Gateway to Europe
Schengen Visa holders can travel freely in 26 countries.
Education system
How studying in France works
The levels of education and how your work is graded.
Levels of education
1
Licence (Bachelor's)
3 years (180 ECTS)Undergraduate Degree
2
Master
2 years (120 ECTS)Postgraduate Degree
3
Doctorat (PhD)
3 yearsDoctoral Degree
Grading system
Excellent / Outstanding
First Class / 4.0 GPA
Very Good / Above Average
Upper Second / 3.5 GPA
Good / Average Performance
Lower Second / 3.0 GPA
Satisfactory / Pass
Pass / 2.0–2.5 GPA
Fail (Further work required)
Fail / 0.0 GPA
Essential guide
Costs & key aspects
Tuition, living costs, intakes and other essentials at a glance.
| Key aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Annual Tuition Fees (Undergraduate) | €2,770/year (Public) |
| Annual Tuition Fees (Postgraduate) | €3,770/year (Public) |
| Estimated Monthly Living Costs | €800–1,300 (covers accommodation, food, transport, and utilities) |
| Part-Time Work Rights | Up to 20 hours/week during academic semesters, full-time during scheduled university vacations. |
| Post-Study Work Opportunity | Eligible graduates can apply for a Post-Study Work (PSW) or Job Seeker visa ranging from 1 to 3 years. |
| Main Admission Intakes | Primary intake in September/October (Autumn/Fall) and secondary intake in January/February (Winter). |
| English Proficiency Requirements | IELTS (6.0–6.5 average), TOEFL iBT (80–90+), or PTE Academic (58–65). Duolingo accepted by select universities. |
Entry requirements
What you need to get in
Academic and English language requirements for international students.
| Program level | Academic requirement | English requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation / Pathway | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 50%–60% marks from a recognized board. | IELTS 5.0–5.5 / TOEFL 60 / PTE 45 |
| Undergraduate (Bachelor’s) | Class 12th (10+2) with minimum 65%–85% aggregate marks in relevant subjects. | IELTS 6.0–6.5 / TOEFL 80+ / PTE 58+ |
| Postgraduate (Master’s) | Recognized Bachelor’s degree with 60%–75% aggregate marks (First/Second Class). | IELTS 6.5–7.0 / TOEFL 90+ / PTE 65+ |
| Doctoral (PhD / Research) | Master’s degree in a relevant discipline with strong research proposal and faculty mentorship. | IELTS 6.5–7.0+ / TOEFL 95+ / PTE 68+ |
Institutions
Types of institutions
Understanding the different kinds of universities and colleges available.
Public Universities
State-funded, highly affordable, offering a broad range of disciplines.
Grandes Écoles
Highly selective elite institutions specialized in engineering, business, and political science (e.g., HEC Paris).
Technological Institutes (IUTs)
Offer two-year technical diplomas (DUT).
Funding
Scholarships & aid
Financial aid opportunities for international students.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Prestigious govt grant. Master's: €1,181/mo, PhD: €1,700/mo + flights/insurance.
Charpak Scholarships (Indian Students)
Master's (€860/mo), Exchange (€700/mo), Research (€700/mo) + tuition waivers.
Emile Boutmy Scholarship (Sciences Po)
For top students from outside EU. Covers up to €13,000/year.
Erasmus+ Scholarship Program
For joint Master's degrees. Full tuition waiver + €1,000–€1,200/month.
Regional Scholarships
E.g., Île-de-France Master's Scholarship offers up to €10,500.
Intakes
When you can start
Admission cycles for international students in France.
Fall Intake
The primary intake in France. Maximum course availability and better chances for scholarships.
Best for: Bachelor's, Master's, and PhD programs.
Spring Intake
Smaller class sizes and less competition, but fewer course options and scholarships.
Best for: Limited Master's and a few Bachelor's programs.
Top universities
Where to apply
Leading universities in France, ranked by the QS World University Rankings.
| Rank (QS) | University | UG fees / year | PG fees / year | Popular courses |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | PSL Research University | €2,770-€4,000/yr | €2,770-€4,000/yr | Physics, Math, Humanities |
| 38 | Institut Polytechnique de Paris | €5,000-€12,000/yr | €5,000-€12,000/yr | Engineering, CS |
| 59 | Sorbonne University | €2,770-€4,000/yr | €2,770-€4,000/yr | Arts, Medicine, Sciences |
| 71 | University of Paris-Saclay | €243-€600/yr | €243-€600/yr | Physics, Life Sciences |
| 84 | École Normale Supérieure (ENS) | €250-€600/yr | €250-€600/yr | Humanities, Sciences |
| 110 | École des Ponts ParisTech | €5,000-€15,000/yr | €5,000-€15,000/yr | Civil Engg, Transport |
| 130 | Sciences Po | €10,000-€13,000/yr | €10,000-€13,000/yr | Politics, IR, Law |
| 292 | Grenoble Alpes University | €243-€3,770/yr | €243-€3,770/yr | Engineering, Health |
| 319 | Université de Strasbourg | €243-€600/yr | €243-€600/yr | Chemistry, Law |
| 328 | Aix-Marseille University | €243-€600/yr | €243-€600/yr | Economics, Law |
*Fees vary by course. Tuition fees are per year for international students.
Admission requirements
Your application checklist
What you need to apply to universities in France.
Campus France
Most students must register and apply via the Campus France portal.
Fall Timeline
Apply: Nov-Mar. Results: Mar-May. Visa: May-Jul.
Important Note
Start preparation at least 6-8 months before your preferred intake.
Careers
Career growth & post-study work
High-demand sectors and the work options open to you after graduation.
APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour)
Master's graduates can apply for an APS valid for 12 months (extendable up to 24 months for some nationalities like India) to search for a job.
Fashion & Luxury Management
- Outlook: Global fashion hub
- Roles / employers: LVMH, Chanel, Dior, L'Oréal
€30k – €50k/yr
IT & Software Development
- Outlook: Focus on AI & Data Science
- Roles / employers: Capgemini, Dassault
€35k – €55k/yr
Engineering & Manufacturing
- Outlook: Strong in aerospace & automotive
- Roles / employers: Airbus, Renault, Schneider
€32k – €50k/yr
Business, Management & Finance
- Outlook: Top business schools (HEC)
- Roles / employers: BNP Paribas, EY, KPMG
€35k – €55k/yr
Biotechnology & Health
- Outlook: Growing innovation sector
- Roles / employers: Sanofi, Pasteur Institute
€35k – €60k/yr
Permanent residency
The road to PR
International students can secure Permanent Residency and eventual Citizenship after fulfilling certain conditions.
1
Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Valid during studies, allows part-time work, renewable annually.
2
Post-Study Work Visa (APS)
Apply for a 12 to 24-month temporary visa to search for employment after a Master's.
3
Salaried Work Permit
Granted once a graduate secures a full-time job. Counts towards PR eligibility.
4
Permanent Residency (10-Year)
Eligible after 5 continuous years in France (student years count), with stable income and A2 French.
5
French Citizenship
Eligible after 5 years (reduced to 2 years for graduates of French higher education). Requires strong integration.
Visas
France visa types
A quick overview of the visas international students use.
| Visa type | Purpose | Work allowed? | PR pathway? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) | Degrees >6 months | 964 hrs/yr | Usually 1 yr (renewable) |
| Post-Study Work Visa (APS) | Job search (Master's grads) | Yes | 12–24 months |
| Researcher Visa (Passeport Talent) | PhD/Researchers | Yes | 1–4 years |
| Temporary Long-Stay (VLS-T) | Short study programs | No | 3–6 months |
| Short-Stay Student Visa (Type C) | Short courses/Exchange | No | Up to 90 days |
01 Is there a Post-Study Work visa in France?
Yes, Master's graduates can apply for an APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) valid for 12 to 24 months to seek employment.
02 Are there fully funded scholarships in France?
Yes, France offers prestigious fully funded options like the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship which covers living expenses, and the Charpak Scholarship (for Indian students) covering tuition and living.
03 Can international students get Permanent Residency in France?
Yes! After living continuously in France for 5 years (student years often count), and securing stable employment with A2 level French, you can apply for a 10-year Permanent Residency.
04 Do I need to speak French to study in France?
No, France offers over 1,500 English-taught programs. However, learning basic French is highly encouraged for daily life and greatly improves your post-study career prospects.
Free counselling
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