Study in France
Grandes écoles for business and engineering, low public university fees, and a growing catalogue of English-taught master's.
Why students choose France
France offers two very different experiences: public universities with fees below €4,000 a year, and elite business and engineering schools that place graduates at the top of the European job market. English-taught master's are now common in business, engineering, computer science and international relations. Post-study rights are generous, especially for Indian graduates, who can get a two-year job-search permit.
Intakes
Main intake. Public university applications through Campus France open in October and close in January to March.
Some business schools and private programmes.
What international students study in France
After you graduate
After a master's you can apply for a 12-month Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour to find work; Indian nationals get 24 months under a bilateral agreement. A job at 1.5 times the minimum wage converts it to a talent or salaried residence permit.
Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) / Recherche d'emploi
12 months after a master's; 24 months for Indian nationals. Work in any job while searching; convert to a work permit with a qualifying salary.
Part-time work
964 hours a year (about 60 percent of full time), which allows roughly 20 hours a week. Wages of €11.88 an hour gross minimum wage (SMIC, 2025).
Employment by sector
Aerospace and engineering (high), Luxury, fashion and retail (high), Software and AI (high). Full picture.
What it costs to study in France
Living costs of €800 to €1,200 a month outside Paris; €1,200 to €1,800 in Paris. Tuition of €2,850 a year at public universities for non-EU students; €6,000 to €15,000 at private schools for undergraduate and €3,879 a year at public universities; €10,000 to €25,000 at grandes écoles and business schools for postgraduate study. Many public universities exempt non-EU students from the higher differentiated fee; check each one.
| Monthly cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €400 to €800 outside Paris, €700 to €1,300 in Paris (CROUS halls are cheapest) |
| Food and groceries | €200 to €300; university restaurants serve meals for about €3.30 |
| Transport | €30 to €90 with youth discounts |
| Utilities and phone | €60 to €110 |
| Health | Free enrolment in French social security; a top-up mutuelle costs €10 to €40 |
Fees and costs are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS)
Documents you will need
- Campus France attestation (Études en France procedure)
- Admission letter
- Proof of funds
- Proof of accommodation for the first 3 months
- Passport, photos, academic documents
- Language proof: English (IELTS 6.0 to 6.5) or French (DELF B2) depending on programme
Funding for international students in France
| Scholarship | What it offers | Who awards it |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | €1,181 a month for master's students nominated by French institutions. | French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs |
| Charpak Scholarships | For Indian students: tuition waivers, living allowance and visa fee waiver. | French Embassy in India |
| School merit scholarships | 10 to 50 percent fee reductions at business and engineering schools. | Grandes écoles |
| Erasmus Mundus | Full funding for joint master's involving French universities. | European Union |
France in eight facts
Grandes écoles admit students through competitive processes separate from the public universities.
CROUS runs subsidised student housing and €3.30 meals at university restaurants.
All students, including internationals, can claim CAF housing benefit of €100 to €200 a month.
Campus France's Études en France procedure is compulsory for students from most non-EU countries.
Bachelor's degrees are called Licence (3 years) and master's take 2 years.
France is the world's most visited country, and students travel Europe cheaply by train.
A French bank account and a phone number are needed before most rental contracts.
Sunday and evening shop hours are limited outside big cities.
Where to study in France
Everything else about studying in France
Student visa
How to get a France student visa: fees, funds, documents and timeline
Cost of studying
What it costs to study in France: tuition, living and one-off fees
Cost of living
Monthly cost of living for students in France
Scholarships
Scholarships for international students in France
Work after graduation
Working in France during and after your degree
Education system
How the French education system works
Student life
Student life in France: housing, work, weather and culture
Best student cities
Best cities to study in France
Exams required
Which exams you need to study in France
Master's degrees
Studying a master's in France
Studying in France: what students ask
Do I need to speak French to study in France?
Not for an English-taught programme. Daily life, internships and jobs are far easier with French, and many schools include French classes in the fee.
How long can I stay after my master's in France?
12 months on the APS for most nationals, 24 months for Indian nationals. Bachelor's graduates are not eligible.
Is a French public university degree recognised abroad?
Yes. Public universities award national diplomas recognised across the EU and beyond. For business, check that a school's programme is Visa-accredited or triple-crowned (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).
Ready to plan France?
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