MBBS in France 2026: Eligibility, Fees, Scholarships & Scope

The French medical education system follows a three-stage structure that includes PASS/L.AS for entry, DCEM/EDM for clinical training, and Internat for residency and specialisation.

Below, we have discussed each stage of the French medical education system in detail:

• PASS / L.AS (First Cycle): This is the first year of medical education and the main entry route into medicine in France. Students study core subjects, and only around 15-20% of students are allowed to move to the second year based on strict exams and ranking.
• DCEM/EDM (Second Cycle): This stage covers years 4 to 6 of medical studies and focuses on clinical training. Students study advanced medical subjects, work as hospital interns (externs), and prepare for the national medical ranking exam (EDN), which decides their future specialisation.
• Internat (Third Cycle): This is the residency phase where students train as full-time doctors in hospitals. Residency lasts 3 years for general medicine and 4-6 years for specialisations. Students receive a fixed salary, around €1,500 to €2,000 monthly (₹1.6L to ₹2.14L) while completing their training and medical thesis.

As mentioned above, the MBBS course structure in France is divided into three main cycles that move from basic medical studies to clinical training and specialisation.

Below, we have explained each cycle of the MBBS course structure in France:

• Cycle 1 (First Cycle): This stage focuses on basic medical sciences such as biology, anatomy, biochemistry, and public health, and prepares students for advanced medical studies through competitive assessments.
• Cycle 2 (Second Cycle): This cycle concentrates on clinical subjects and hospital training, where students attend lectures, seminars, and internships while learning patient diagnosis and treatment.
• Cycle 3 (Third Cycle): This is the specialisation stage where students choose between general medicine or medical specialties and apply for DES (Specialised Studies Diploma) or DESC certifications. After which they can continue toward doctoral or research studies.

Top medical colleges in France include Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne University, and Université Paris-Saclay, all known for strong teaching, good hospital exposure, and quality medical training.

Here are the top universities/colleges in France for MBBS, along with approx fee and more:

Let’s get into the details of each university so you can make an informed decision here:

Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University is one of the leading French medical colleges, enrolling over 55,000 students, including a high ratio of international students. Admission to its medicine programs requires a high school diploma with a good academic record (around 3.5 GPA or higher) and a minimum B2-level French, as medical teaching and hospital training are conducted in French.

Université Paris Cité

Université Paris Cité has a student population of about 66,000, including over 14,000 international students. The university has nearly 3,900 faculty members and 119 research laboratories, placing it among the top French medical colleges for medical research and clinical learning.

Medicine studies follow the PASS/L.AS entry route, are highly competitive in the first year, and remain very affordable due to government subsidies, even though actual training costs are much higher.

Université Paris-Saclay

Université Paris-Saclay is one of the top French colleges for MBBS, known for its close link with major teaching hospitals such as Bicetre, Gustave Roussy, and Antoine Beclere. Medical students train in specialised hospitals, including cancer and cardiothoracic centres, which gives strong active clinical exposure. 

The university supports medical education through 25+ research units and follows the European LMD structure.

Université PSL

Université PSL is a top-ranked French medical college, ranked in the top 50 worldwide (48th in THE 2026, 28th in QS 2026). Entry into medicine is far more competitive than its overall admission rate (69-82%). 

Students must qualify through the PASS or L.AS route. All MBBS pathways in France at PSL are taught in French, and students must have at least B2 to C1-level proficiency to handle exams, hospital work, and patient interaction.

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 is among the top French medical colleges, ranked within the top 1.1% globally for clinical and health studies. The first year combines medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and midwifery, with strict selection before students move ahead. 

All MBBS courses in France at Lyon 1 are taught in French, and the full medical degree takes 6 to 10 years depending on the chosen specialisation.

Aix-Marseille University

Aix-Marseille University has 17,000+ students and a strong focus on medical research.

Its medical programs are highly competitive (acceptance rate of around 20%), and major research areas include cancer, infectious diseases, epidemiology, and public health.

The university hosts 10,000 international students from 128 countries, and admission requires a strong academic record and solid French language skills.

To be eligible for MBBS in France, you must qualify for NEET (for Indian students) and meet the mandatory French language requirement (minimum B2 level). 

Here is the detailed list of academic, exam, language, and age requirements explained clearly below:

• NEET (Indian Students): Mandatory qualification (minimum qualifying score as per NEET cutoff for the admission year).
• Academic Qualification: Class 12 (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, 50%-75% aggregate (varies by university and category).
• French Language Proficiency: Minimum B2 level in TCF or DELF (C1 preferred for clinical training and hospital work).
• Age Requirement: Minimum 17 years by December 31 of the admission year.
• Admission Pathway: Entry through PASS or L.AS, which are competitive first-year medical tracks.
• Application Platform: International students apply via Campus France, and medical track selection is done through Parcoursup.

The total cost of studying MBBS in France is €8,670-€17,000 per year (₹9.28L-₹18.19L), with tuition fees ranging from €170 to €3,000 per year (₹18K-₹3.21L) and living expenses of about €8,500-€14,000 per year (₹9.1L-₹15L).

Tuition Fee

MBBS tuition fees in France are low because medical education at public universities is heavily subsidised by the French government.

• Tuition Fee Range: Public universities charge €170 to €3,000 per year (₹18K to ₹3.21L) for MBBS programs.
• Reason for Low Fees: The actual cost of training a medical student is much higher, but the government pays most of it.
• Minimal-Fee Universities: Universities like Université Paris Cité charge only a basic registration fee (€170/₹18K) along with a mandatory student contribution (CVEC).
• Fee Exemptions: Many international students receive partial or full tuition waivers, allowing them to pay the same fees as EU students.

Monthly Living Expenses

The monthly cost of living in France is around €700 to €1,200 (₹75K to ₹1.28L) for international students.

Below is a general breakdown of living expenses, which may vary by city (Paris is more expensive than smaller cities):

A few popular scholarships in France for MBBS students include the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and the Charpak Scholarship.

Here is the list of scholarships in France you can apply for while pursuing MBBS, along with eligibility and benefits:

The top job roles after completing MBBS in France include General Practitioner and Medical Specialist, with annual salaries ranging from €60,000 to €160,000 (₹64L to ₹1.71Cr).

Here is the detail on the top job roles after MBBS in France, along with their annual starting salary ranges:

To be eligible to practice in India after an MBBS in France, a NEET qualification, and a course structure fully compliant with NMC rules are non-negotiable.

Here we have clearly explained the NMC rules:

• NEET (UG) is mandatory: Indian students must qualify for NEET before taking admission abroad.
• Minimum course duration: The MBBS program needs to be at least 4.5 years (54 months) long, followed by a 12-month compulsory rotating internship.
• Same institution rule: Both academic study and internship should be completed at the same foreign medical university.
• Medium of instruction: The entire course should be taught in English as per NMC norms, including exams and clinical training.
• License to practice abroad: The degree should make the student eligible to practice medicine in France after graduation.
• University recognition: The medical university has to be listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS).
• Age & academics: The student must be 17 years old by 31 December 2026 and have 50% in PCB (40% for reserved categories) in Class 12.
• Internship location: The mandatory internship cannot be done in India and must be completed in France itself.

Important note: Most MBBS colleges in France teach medicine in French, which might not meet the English-medium requirement of NMC. Students must carefully verify compliance before applying.

Choosing to study MBBS in France looks affordable, but students often struggle with language requirements, complex admission routes like PASS/LAS, and NMC compliance confusion. Many realise too late that not every French medical college aligns with Indian practice rules around English-medium instruction and internships. The smartest move is to plan early, verify eligibility line by line, and not rely on surface-level information.

This is where Yocket Premium quietly makes a big difference. From shortlisting NMC-compliant medical colleges in France to guiding you on Campus France, Parcoursup, scholarships, and visa steps, the process becomes structured and stress-free.