Study in France: Find Top Universities, Courses & Scholarships

With over 3,500 institutions offering a range of diverse study programs, France is in amongst top countries to consider as a study destination. Many  international students consider pursuing higher studies in France due to their well-ranked universities, outstanding research opportunities and low tuition fees.  

The French government is also very welcoming and keen on having foreign students. This is why they have made  it easy for international students to apply for a visa.

With a growing economy and a promise of  quality life, education in France for Indian students and other international students is worth the time and effort.

To be able to move to the country, it is important to understand the French education system for international students. After students complete their secondary education, they can go ahead and pursue their higher education in the country. The higher education institutions in France offer the following degrees to its students:

• License (Bachelor's Degree): It is a full-time degree which is referred to as License or License Professional in France. It is known as Bachelors in other countries. The study duration is three years.
• Masters Degree: The Master's degree consists of a study duration of 2 years.
• Doctorate degree: The Doctorate program has a study duration of 3-6 years. 

Here is a detailed view of the different types of higher education institutes for study abroad in France:

France has adopted the LMD system and gives ECTS credits. This helps studying in France for Indian students to be recognized by many countries in the European Union and around the world. Given below are the degree requirements under the ECTS in French institutions: 

• A student requires 180 ECTS for a Bachelor's degree. This includes six semesters. 
• A student requires 120 ECTS for a Masters degree. This includes four semesters.
• A student requires 480 ECTS for a Doctorate degree. This includes sixteen semesters.

One of the top answers to why study in France is because the county is home to highly ranked universities. Let’s have a look at the top ranked universities in France. 

France offers diverse options when it comes to choosing courses and programs. Here are the best courses to study in France especially for international students:

• Medicine
• Finance
• Geography
• Pharmacology
• Art history
• Psychology
• International Economics
• Global communications

Here are the most popular programs that are highly sought-after by students in France:

France university admission process is the same for domestic and international students. Here is a step-by-step process of how non-EU students can apply to a university in France:

1. Choose the course you wish to pursue and find the university that provides the same.
2. Once you’ve chosen your university, visit the institute’s official website to understand all admission requirements.
3. Apply for the course you wish to pursue by filling in any forms and submitting the vital documents.
4. Once approved, you will receive a confirmation letter from the university. Thereafter, you can apply for a student visa in France.

Here is a quick run-through of France university admission requirements for international students to give you a better overview of pursuing education in France. 

The cost of studying in France depends on your expected lifestyle and the choice of university. The cost of studying can be divided into two categories, Tuition Fees and Cost of living. 

Tuition Fees

The French university fees have a difference between EU students and Non-EU students. The latter always has a higher fee structure and this includes additional fees as well. Apart from this, tuition fee will also be high if you choose to study in a private institution.

Cost of Living

The cost of living in France purely depends on your lifestyle. If you’re a student with a tight budget, staying in student accommodation is a feasible option. However, if you have enough to stay outside campus, renting your own room space can also be considered. Here is an outlook of what living in France would cost you.

France has a host of cities that offer world-class education. These cities have grown popular over the years and have become the hub for international students. Here are the best student cities in France: 

The process for obtaining a French student visa is fairly easy and hassle-free if you know all the essential steps. Here is a step-by-step guide to student visa in France for Indian students:

1. Create an account in Campus France.
2. Fill the application form and upload required documents. Ensure Campus France fees are paid.
3. Depending on your applications and the chosen institutes, you shall be either accepted or rejected for the chosen course. In case of acceptance, you will receive a mail from the institution to your Campus France account.
4. Once Campus France reviews the application, they will assign an academic interview appointment date. 
5. The visa appointment will be in person, so you need to carry along all the necessary documents. In the interview, state which university accepted your application and why you wish to study it in France.
6. Following the interview, an interview completion certificate will be given to you along with the original copies of the hard copies of the documents that were bought.
7. Create an account there and schedule a meeting with the VFS-France to submit all documents.
8. Visit the VFS centre to submit your biometric details. Once the visa is approved you can collect the same here itself.
9. After you land in France, ensure within three months, your visa is validated.

There are multiple scholarships in France that will cater to all international students. These are scholarships that are either government or non-government funded. Here are some top scholarships for Indian students to consider:

Eiffel Scholarships in France for International Students

Students enrolled in Masters and PHD Programs

Amount/Benefit: Covers fees of international air travel, local travel, health insurance, social activities and also housing allowance.

ENS International Selection Scholarships

Students to pursue Masters in Science, Arts and Humanities

Amount/Benefit: Offers monthly grant of 1000 EUR for three years and a room space on ENS campus

Emile Boutmy Scholarship 

Students from non European states to pursue UG and Masters at Sciences Po

Amount/Benefit: Provides 3000-12,300 for 3 year UG study programs

Universite Paris- Saclay International Masters Scholarships

Students to pursue  Masters Programs

Amount/Benefit: Pays 1000 EUR and covers travel and visa expenses based on student origin

Ampere Excellence Scholarship for International Students

Students to pursue Masters Programs at ENS de Lyon.

Amount/Benefit: Provides scholarship amount of 1000/month for 1 year. The second year scholarship is renewable if the head of masters program approves and Year 1 is completed

Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

Students pursuing Masters.

Amount/Benefit: Covers fees of tuition, travel, grants, allowances

Fondation Rainbow Bridge MBA Scholarships for African and Asian Women

Students pursuing MBA for Asian or African countries that are affected by natural disasters

Amount/Benefit: Offers scholarships value of 20,000 EUR

It is important to understand the stay back options in France after study. Students completing bachelors can stay only if they have a paid employment. Students completing their masters from French institutes can apply and get a temporary residence permit – APS, for a period of 24 months. During this time they can find employment.  

There are multiple job opportunities in France after Masters for international students. There are several areas where the demand for manpower is quite high. Here’s a quick look at the top job sectors in France:

Students can avail a Work Visa in France after completing their studies. In order to get a work visa, you need to find a job that gives you a salary of at least 1.5 times the minimum wage. This will allow you to stay in France after the extension of your student visa is over.

To make the work visa easy for international students, the French government has eased the permits. An example is Passport Talent Permit. If an international student can contribute to the French Economy, they can apply for this permit where they can stay in France for up to 4 years and renew accordingly. 

Students who wish to stay back in France can also apply for a Permanent residence. To be a permanent resident of France, the following criterias should be met:

• Lived in France for 5 years
• Is Fluent in French
• Aware of French rights and cultures

All in all, France is a great student destination for pursuing higher studies. Also, with a growing French economy, the opportunities for work have grown which has become a key factor for international students to consider this country. Therefore, choosing to study abroad in France can turn out to be a great decision for your academic life and career. If you need further assistance regarding moving to France for higher studies, reach out to Yocket Counsellors today!