95 Best Universities for MS in France for International Students 2026

France is an attractive country to pursue an MS in, as it combines both low tuition at public universities in France and longer post-study work options.

Here’s why studying an MS in France can be a very good option:

• Post-Study Stay & Job Search Time: International students can stay back for up to 24 months after graduation under the APS (Temporary Residence Permit) to search for jobs or start working.
• Internships Built into MS Programs: Most French MS programs include mandatory paid internships (4-6 months), making it easier for students to get work experience before graduation.
• High Demand from French & EU Employers: Companies like Capgemini, BNP Paribas, Airbus, TotalEnergies, and Dassault regularly hire international graduates from French universities.
• Clear PR Pathway: Graduates can apply for long-term residence or permanent residency after working for 5 years in France.

France has around 35 universities appearing in QS global rankings and at the top, PSL University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and Université Paris-Saclay consistently rank.

Below is a list of the top universities for MS in France:

Let’s break down these universities and see how they stand out for MS programs in France.

PSL University

PSL University has around 17,000 students, with nearly two-thirds enrolled in Master’s and PhD programs, and about 25% are international students. It is supported by more than 2,200 researchers and works closely with over 3,000 industry partners. These reasons make it one of the top 10 universities for MS in France. 

• Popular MS Programs: Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Physics, Economics, Engineering
• Average Tuition Fee: €0-€850 per year (₹0-₹89,900 approx.)
• Application Deadline: Fall, March 12, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.psl.eu/

Institut Polytechnique de Paris

Institut Polytechnique de Paris has around 11,200 students, and a very high international presence with about 41% international students. It was formed by six elite French engineering schools and is supported by nearly 2,250 faculty members.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Applied Mathematics, Physics
• Average Tuition Fee: €12,000-€19,000 per year (₹12.7 L-₹20.1 L approx.)
• Application Deadline: January 6, 2025
• Useful Link: https://www.ip-paris.fr/

Université Paris-Saclay

Université Paris-Saclay has around 50,000-60,000 students, with about 21% international students from many countries. It is one of the best universities for MS in France because of its 8,000 researchers and academic staff. They play a major role in French research, contributing nearly 13% of the country’s total output.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Data Science
• Average Tuition Fee: €254 per year (₹26,900 approx.)
• Application Deadline: January 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/

Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University has around 53,000-55,000 students, including nearly 11,000 international students. It has over 3,400 professor-researchers and more than 130 research laboratories, and awards 900+ PhDs every year in partnership. More than 90% of Master’s graduates find employment, making it one of the top universities for MS in France.

• Popular MS Programs: Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Life Sciences
• Average Tuition Fee: €850-€6,800 per year (₹89,900-₹7.19 lakh approx.)
• Application Deadline: May 31, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.sorbonne-universite.fr/

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon has around 2,100-2,400 students, including over 214 international students. The university has 400-550 faculty members across 12 teaching departments and operates 23 research labs producing around 1,600 international publications per year with 60,000 citations.

• Popular MS Programs: Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Life Sciences, Humanities
• Average Tuition Fee: €850-€850 per year (₹90,000 approx.)
• Application Deadline: January 23, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.ens-lyon.fr/

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne has around 45,000 students, with roughly 21% coming from other countries. The university has 1,500 teacher-researchers and 1,200 administrative staff, and annually oversees 304 PhDs. It collabs with 322 partner institutions from 66 countries.

• Popular MS Programs: Law, Economics, Business, Political Science, International Relations
• Average Tuition Fee: €6,500-€7,500 per year (₹6.86L-₹7.91L)
• Application Deadline: April 10, 2026
• Useful Link: https://www.pantheonsorbonne.fr/

Université Paris Cité

Université Paris Cité has around 63,000-66,000 students, with 22% coming from international backgrounds. The university has between 4,500 and 7,500 academic staff and operates across roughly 20 campuses in Paris. It has 117 to 119 research laboratories and is ranked 5th globally for innovation.

• Popular MS Programs: Medicine, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, Data Science, Law
• Average Tuition Fee: €950 per year (₹1 L approx.)
• Application Deadline: May 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.univ-paris.fr/

Université Grenoble Alpes

Université Grenoble Alpes has around 57,000 students, including 11,000 international students from 150 countries. About 30% of its Master’s programs are taught in English. The university has 10,500 staff members (6,050 academic/research and 4,450 admin/technical) and is a research hub with 69 research units, 137 ERC grants, and over 3,300 patents filed.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science, Life Sciences, Business Analytics
• Average Tuition Fee: €3,780-€17,890 per year (₹4.0L-₹18.9L)
• Application Deadline: Fall, January 12, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.univ-grenoble-alpes.fr/

Sciences Po Paris

Sciences Po Paris has around 12,000 students, with 50% coming from international backgrounds. American students make up about 12% of the international cohort, and the university has the highest acceptance rate (86%) among French IEPs. Around 90% of graduates secure jobs within six months of completing their studies.

• Popular MS Programs: Political Science, International Relations, Economics, Data & Policy Analytics, Law
• Average Tuition Fee: €14,730-€47,040 per year (₹15.6L-₹49.7L)
• Application Deadline: Fall, February 22, 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.sciencespo.fr/

INSA Lyon

INSA Lyon has around 6,300 students, with around 28-30% coming from over 90 different countries. The university has about 314 academic staff and 22 research laboratories, supporting more than 700 researchers. It maintains over 1,000 industrial contracts.

• Popular MS Programs: Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering
• Average Tuition Fee: €641 per year (₹67,800)
• Application Deadline: April 2026
• Useful Link:https://www.insa-lyon.fr/

France is popular for MS programs in Engineering, Business, and Data Science, with strong links to industry and research.

Below is an overview of the top MS specialisations in France:

The top universities for MS in France focus on thesis projects, assessment methods, and other industrial learning.

Below is an overview of the courses taught in the best universities for masters in France:

Top universities for MS in France check your academic records, along with proof of language proficiency, before offering admission.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants need to meet certain France-specific rules:

• Educational Background: You should have a recognised bachelor’s degree in a field relevant to the program.
• Professional Experience: Some business or management master’s programs prefer students with 1–3 years of work experience.
• Campus France Registration (Etudes en France): Most international students must register on the official French portal to validate their application.

Entrance Exams

Certain programs ask for standardised test scores, like:

• GRE: 300-325
• GMAT: 550-700

Language Requirements

You must prove that you can study in the program’s language:

• English:IELTS 6.5-7.0 or TOEFL iBT 90-100 for English-taught programs.
• French: TCF/DELF/DALF B2 or above if the program is taught in French.

Documents Required

Universities in France carefully review documents to understand your profile:

• Transcripts & Degrees: Submit all certificates and mark sheets from previous studies.
• SOP: Describe your reasons for choosing this course and university.
• LOR: Written by teachers or employers to support your application.
• CV: Summarise education, projects, internships, and work experience.
• Passport & Proof of Funds: Provide documents to verify your identity and finances for visa and living costs.

Tuition fees for top universities for MS in France are quite economical, with PSL University offering programs for as low as €0 per year (₹0 L), whereas Sciences Po Paris charges up to €48,000 per year (₹50.8 L).

The number of French universities that fall within each tuition cost bracket is summarised below:

Indian students usually go for the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and the Erasmus+ Joint Master Scholarship, which cover tuition and provide living support.

Below is the list of all the scholarships available in France:

France is favoured by students for industry-linked programs in business and engineering, and access to EU job markets after graduation.

Key considerations for selecting a French MS university:

• Stage (Internship) Requirement: Most French MS programs include mandatory internships (3 to 6 months), so pick universities with strong corporate partnerships.
• Recognition by the French Ministry of Higher Education: Ensure the program is RNCP or Bac+5 approved for professional or academic recognition.
• Post-Graduation Visa Options: Check eligibility for the 'Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour' (APS) to stay for 12 months after graduation to find work.
• Language Considerations for Industry Integration: Even for English-taught programs, universities with French language support or bilingual tracks help in local employment.

Choosing an MS university in France can be confusing because of the different university types and specialised programs. Students often find it hard to compare internships, thesis formats, and post-study visa options. Understanding how French education works can make the process smoother.

Yocket Premium supports students by offering personalised shortlisting and application guidance. From selecting the right program to planning internships and visas, students receive structured support. This helps them stay confident throughout the admission journey.