Study in France
Universities, Grandes Ecoles, Costs, Scholarships & Placements — your complete 2026 guide.
About France
France is Europe's second most popular destination. With nearly tuition-free public universities, prestigious Grandes Ecoles, and a rich cultural heritage, France offers world-class education at very affordable costs. French degrees are globally recognised, and Paris consistently ranks among the world's top student cities. The country offers a 24-month post-study work permit (APS) for graduates.
Why Study in France?
Prestigious Grandes Ecoles
HEC Paris, INSEAD, Sciences Po, Ecole Polytechnique — French business and engineering schools rank among the world's elite.
Affordable Tuition
Public universities charge just €170–600/year. Even Grandes Ecoles offer competitive fees compared to UK or US universities.
24-Month APS Visa
Autorisation Provisoire de Sejour (APS) lets graduates stay in France for 24 months to find a job related to their qualification.
EU Gateway
A French degree gives access to the EU job market. France is home to 39 Fortune 500 companies including TotalEnergies, LVMH, and BNP Paribas.
Rich Cultural Experience
Paris is the world's most visited city. Students enjoy world-class museums, cuisine, architecture and a vibrant international community.
Research Excellence
France spends 2.2% of GDP on R&D. Strong in aerospace, automotive, life sciences and luxury goods sectors.
Top Universities in France (2026)
Universite PSL (Paris)
Paris • Research universityEcole Polytechnique
Palaiseau • Engineering grande ecoleSorbonne University
Paris • Humanities & sciencesInstitut Polytechnique de Paris
Paris • Science & engineeringHEC Paris
Jouy-en-Josas • Business schoolSciences Po Paris
Paris • Social sciences & lawINSEAD
Fontainebleau • MBA schoolUniversity of Grenoble Alpes
Grenoble • Tech & sciencesScholarships in France
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Full scholarship by the French government for outstanding international students at Master's and PhD level.
GovernmentFrench Government Scholarships (MEAE)
Ministry of Foreign Affairs scholarships for Master's and PhD students from partner countries including India.
GovernmentMOPGA Scholarships
"Make Our Planet Great Again" fellowships for researchers and students in climate-related fields.
ResearchCharpak Scholarship
international Embassy / Campus France scholarship for Master's, PhD or internship in France.
GovernmentHEC Paris Merit Scholarship
Partial tuition scholarships for outstanding international MBA and Master's students based on merit.
MeritINSEAD Need-Based Aid
Financial aid for MBA students demonstrating financial need. Also merit fellowships available.
UniversityPopular Courses in France (2026)
Cost of Studying in France
| Expense | Paris | Other Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Public University) | €170–601/yr | €170–601/yr |
| Tuition (Grande Ecole) | €10K–40K/yr | €5K–20K/yr |
| Monthly Living | €1,100–1,600 | €700–1,100 |
| Campus France Registration | €66 (mandatory for visa) | |
| Student Visa Fee | €50 (long-stay) | |
Exams Required for France
DELF / DALF
French language proficiency test (B2 level required)
IELTS / TOEFL
6.5+ IELTS / 90+ TOEFL (English programmes)
GMAT / GRE
Required by Grandes Ecoles and some business schools
Campus France Interview
Mandatory for all international students applying via VFS
France Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Register on Campus France portal
Attend Campus France interview
Apply for VLS-TS via VFS Global
Visa issued — validate online on arrival
Visa Fee: €50 | Processing: 4–8 weeks | Campus France Registration: Mandatory €66 fee | Post-Study: APS permit allows 24 months job search after graduation | Tip: Apply at least 3 months before your programme starts. Biometrics required.
Intakes in France 2026
🌱 September Intake (Primary)
Apply: Nov 2025–Mar 2026
Deadline: Mar–Apr 2026
Starts: Sep 2026
🌞 January Intake
Apply: Sep–Nov 2025
Deadline: Nov–Dec 2025
Starts: Jan 2026
Admission Requirements
| Requirement | Undergraduate (UG) | Postgraduate (PG) |
|---|---|---|
| Academics | Class 12 (PCM for engineering) | Bachelor's degree (relevant field) |
| Language | DELF B2 (French) OR IELTS 6.5+ (English prog.) | DALF C1 (French) OR IELTS 6.5–7.0 (English) |
| Campus France | Mandatory registration and interview | Mandatory registration and interview |
| Documents | SOP, transcripts, CV, language certificate, passport | SOP, 2 LORs, CV, GMAT/GRE, transcripts, passport |
Top Student Cities in France
🏛 Paris
Ile-de-France
🏛 Lyon
Auvergne-Rhone
🏛 Toulouse
Occitanie
🏛 Bordeaux
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
🏛 Grenoble
Auvergne-Rhone
🏛 Strasbourg
Grand Est
🏛 Nice
PACA
🏛 Marseille
PACA
🏛 Montpellier
Occitanie
🏛 Rennes
Brittany
Frequently Asked Questions
Campus France is the French agency for international student mobility. All international students applying for a French student visa must register on the Campus France portal and attend a Campus France interview before applying for a visa through VFS Global.
Not necessarily. Many programmes at Grandes Ecoles and universities are taught in English. For French-taught programmes, B2 level DELF or DALF is required. Learning French is strongly recommended for daily life and job prospects.
The Autorisation Provisoire de Sejour (APS) is a 24-month post-study work permit for graduates from French institutions. You can work full-time in France to find employment related to your field of study. Many international graduates use this to transition to a long-term work permit.
Monthly living costs range from €700–1,600 depending on the city. Paris is the most expensive. Budget around €900–1,100/month in cities like Toulouse, Lyon or Bordeaux. CROUS student housing (€200–500/month) is available and very affordable.
Both are world-class. INSEAD (Financial Times #1 MBA globally) offers a 10-month intensive MBA in English with strong alumni networks. HEC Paris (FT #1 in Europe) offers a 16-month MBA with French industry exposure. INSEAD is better for global careers; HEC for European careers.
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