If you want to study in France, make this post your first stepping stone to glory. Do you wish to live and breathe in L’Hexagone? Although there are challenges, the rewards are overwhelmingly outstanding when you choose to study in France.
France is one of the largest countries in Europe. It borders six other countries: Germany, Belgium, and Luxembourg to the northeast, Switzerland, and Italy to the southeast, and Spain to the southwest. Great Britain shares a border with France across the English Channel. The country is considered the gateway to Europe, as it has several major international airports (two of them are in Paris), ferry terminals, and French railways.
Studying in France is the dream of many aspirants, and if you are one of them, this is the right place to start! As one of the most famous destinations in Europe, France is a cosmopolitan country with a rich history and culture. Moreover, in 2019 it was ranked as the 9th best place to study abroad. Students from all over the world enroll to study in France and gain international exposure.
Excited? Want to know more? Come along…
Topics covered
What all is covered in this post?
To make it easier for you, we have created a quick guide to everything you need to know about studying in France.
Why Study in France?
Simply put, the French higher education system is one of the best in the world. It is also one of the most affordable. Due to the low tuition fees, studying in France is more economical for international students. Every year, French universities take first place in the rankings of famous universities. Their institutions offer an education that easily competes with other countries.
France is a particularly good choice for those who want to study business-related subjects. The country is a center of international business and management education and has many world-ranked business schools.
Following are some of the benefits of studying in France for Indian students. This shall help you decide why you should study in France:
Eligibility requirements to study in France for Indian students
Following will be the requirements to study in France for Indian students after the 12th:
- You need to be 18 years of age.
- You must have completed your class 12th from a recognized board.
- Apply for the entrance exam:
- If you have selected English as a medium of study – IELTS/TOEFL scorecards will be required
- If your selected medium is French – DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue Français – Diploma of French-language studies), DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française – Advanced diploma in the French language), TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français), etc. score cards will be required
- You must have all documents such as passport-size photographs, a valid passport, a Letter of Acceptance from the University of France, a visa payment receipt, medical insurance proof, etc.
Documents required to study in France
The documents required for admission to French universities are listed below. International students should do the same during preparation.
10 Popular courses to study in France for Indian students
France is a popular destination for several students because it has a world class education system. Education is a sensitive issue in France. Those who want to study abroad in France can always expect the best education possible.
Following are some of the popular courses to study in France for Indian students:
Computer Science
Studying computer science in France also offers a number of future opportunities. Most international students who want to become communication system experts, engineers or programmers study computer science courses at French universities.
- Top Universities: Universite Paris Saclay, École Polytechnique, Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Sorbonne Universite, Grenoble Institute of Technology, Université de Paris, etc.
- Average Tuition Fee/ year: 5000 EUR – 15,000 EUR
Data Science
Data Science is a popular course all over the world. Be it software or marketing, every field is powered by data. To develop or create a business, you need data professionals and experts to manage them. Hence, studying Data Science is a good choice.
- Top Universities: École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, EPITA School of Engineering and Computer Science, EDC Paris Business School, Data Science Tech Institute, etc.
- Average Tuition Fee/ year: EUR 10,000 – EUR 40,000
Engineering
French engineering universities are very competitive when it comes to the admission process. However, this can be easily justified when you think about the higher teaching standards and quality practical training in engineering universities in France. Yes, they give equal attention to both aspects of technical education, academic, and practical training.
- Top Universities: Ecole Centrale de Lyon, Ecole Polytechnique, Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA), Ecole Centrale de Paris, Grenoble INP, Grenoble Institute of Technology, etc.
- Average Tuition Fee/ year: 10,000 EUR – 30,000 EUR
Pure Science
Always at the forefront of scientific fields such as chemistry and physics, France is home to excellent scientific and research universities. Paris is again the center of the pure sciences, but it is not limited to the place. Simply put, you will find well-known French universities of pure science all over France, wherever you go. It is a wonderful combination of historical traditions and modernity.
- Top Universities: Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris; Ecole Polytechnique; Université de Strasbourg; Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC); University of Grenoble Alpes; University of Paris-Sud, etc.
- Average Tuition Fee/ year: 10,000 EUR – 20,000 EUR
Biosciences & Biotechnology
When most people think of biopharma France, the first thought is Sanofi. Other companies have bases there, including Takeda and Otsuka, both Japanese companies, as well as Bayer, Eli Lilly, and Ipsen. France has the highest number of patents, ranking second (388 issued and 960 applications in 2017).
- Top Universities: Universite de Paris, Sorbonne Universite, Universite de Montpellier, Universite Paris Saclay, Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS), Universite de Strasbourg, Aix-Marseille Universite, Universite de Bordeaux, etc.
- Average Tuition Fee/year: 10000 EUR – 30000 EUR
Finance
With its ever-growing economy, France is an ideal study abroad destination for students working in business and management. The capital city of Paris has the perfect combination of university opportunities and career aspects. If you’re looking to get away from Paris, the south of France is something you should look at.
- Top Universities: INSEAD; HEC Paris; ESSEC Business School; Grenoble Graduate School of Business; EDHEC Business School, etc.
- Average tuition fee/year: EUR 12,000 – EUR 40,000
Film studies
Film studies is a diverse academic field, ranging from highly practical professional studies to more academic, theoretical areas of research. Likewise, MA film graduates can find careers in film production – in positions such as screenwriters, directors, producers, lighting, designers, and editors – or in the analysis as teachers, writers, critics, and more.
- Top Universities: ESRA; Paris College of Art, 3is; University of Paris, EICR
- Average tuition fee/year: 10,000 EUR – 20,000 EUR
Philosophy
France gave the world great thinkers. The nation itself, which is a perfect combination of history, modernization, diversity, and its closeness to traditional French roots, makes it an ideal place to study philosophy. There are many top universities in France to study philosophy across the country, and here is a list of the best of them. No wonder Paris has the best!
- Top Universities: Pantheon-Sorbonne University, Ecole Normale Superieure, Sorbonne University, etc.
- Average tuition fee/year: 5000 EUR to 10000 EUR
MBA
With 9 institutions in the top 50 MBA colleges in Europe (Source: QS Global 200 MBA Rankings 2014/15: Europe), the MBA is the best choice among the best courses to study in France. The best MBA colleges in France are also among the top 20 B-schools in the world.
- Top Universities: INSEAD; HEC Paris; ESSEC Business School; Grenoble Graduate School of Business; EDHEC Business School, etc.
- Average tuition fee/year: 30,000 EUR to 100,000 EUR
Linguistics
Studying in France is known worldwide for its excellent language programs. Linguistics simply means the study of language. It contains the origins and history of the language as it has been used, studied, and shaped over the years. The field of Linguistics is useful for candidates involved in journalism, translation, linguistics, and more. Courses usually consist of syntax, grammar, pronunciation, and phonetics.
- Top Universities: ISIT France, Lille Catholic University, University of Kent – Paris Campus, University of Reims, etc.
- Average tuition fee/year: 10,000 EUR to 14,000 EUR
Best Universities to Study in France
France has several highly ranked universities as well as good accommodation for students. There are also many different options for your education. It has some of the best law schools, business schools, engineering schools, and more.
Here are some of the best universities in France–
- Aix-Marseille University
- ðcole des Ponts ParisTech
- ðcole Polytechnique
- Grenoble Alpes University
- PSL Research University
- Sorbonne University
- The University of Bordeaux
- The University of Paris
- University of Montpellier
- University Paul Sabatier Toulouse III
Cost to Study in France
One of the many questions that applicants will have is “how much does it cost to study in France?”
Tuition fees for international students –
- €2,770 per year for bachelor’s programs
- 3,770 euros per year for master’s programs
- €380 per year for Ph.D. programs,
However, they only apply to public universities in France. The cost of studying at private universities will be higher. They can range from 3,000 to 20,000 euros per year.
Student life in France can be expensive. Despite this, you can live in cities such as Bordeaux, Lyon or Toulouse from 850 to 1000 euros per month, including accommodation. In smaller towns, you can spend even less.
However, if you want to live in the capital of France, Paris, you will spend around 1,250 to 1,400 euros per month.
Scholarships to study in France for Indian students
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs awards various scholarships to foreign students who come to study in France. The Ministry finances about 25% of the scholarships.
Some of the government scholarships include:
- Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence
- Erasmus+
- The Chateaubriand Fellowship
Some of the non-government scholarships include
- AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Support
- Civil Society Leadership Awards (CSLA)
- The Fulbright Scholarship
The official Campus Bourses tool will give you an overview of grants and scholarships to study in France.
Another way to cover your expenses is to work part-time. All international students are allowed to work while studying in France. You can work up to 964 hours per year, which is 20 hours per week.
Best Cities to Study in France
You have decided to study abroad and know that France – the capital of style, culture, and food – is the perfect place for you. Are you now choosing a study abroad program in France? Quelle envy!
It may sound overwhelming, but choosing the city in France that’s perfect for you is actually fun. From the cobbled streets of Aix to the beaches of Nice, each city has its own personality. Each also has unique study-abroad opportunities and programs.
Here is the list of best cities to study in France:
- Aix-en-Provence
- Bordeaux
- Cannes
- Grenoble
- Lyon
- Montpellier
- Paris
- Strasbourg
- Toulouse
Conclusions
After all of that mind-bender, you must be full of facts now. If you’ve been endlessly looking for extensive knowledge about studying in France, we’ve served you much, isn’t it? Now, to put all of those existing doubts at the back of your mind to rest, why not ask expert professionals? Call us to study abroad! Take action!
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Talk to our study abroad experts to know yourself in and out! We have helped several brilliant but confused minds to select their most-suited career choices. We have helped many students like Anjana Prasanna who was not very confident about her capabilities. Later with the help of career guidance and moral support from our study abroad experts she got an offer from King’s College London! We have also helped several brilliant but confused minds like Aayush, and Tapan to select their most-suited career choices.
Also Read:
- DELF, DALF, TEF
- Best Universities in Europe
- Study in Latvia
- France Student Visa Process & Requirements
- Study in Europe
- Best Countries to Study Abroad
- How to get scholarship to study abroad?
- Study Abroad Consultants
- Which is the best country for MBA?
- Best Countries to Study Abroad
- Studying Masters in France
- Top MBA Colleges in the World
FAQs
Popular courses to study in France for Indian students include Medicine; Geography; pharmacology; art history; linguistics; sociology; Film studies and others.
Most universities in France have English language study options for international students. So studying there should not be a problem. However, it is a well-known fact that the locals only speak French here.
Tuition fees in France are usually the same as in other countries (around €10,000 per year), but luckily the French government subsidizes higher education, so tuition fees are really affordable. Especially the tuition fees for international students because they have many opportunities to get scholarships.
You can study in France at public and private universities without taking the IELTS exam. There are alternative options, such as taking other English proficiency exams, obtaining an excellent academic certificate, or having a university interview to access your English language skills.
The student visa application process begins with your university offering you an acceptance letter. You can apply for a student visa both online and offline.
Studying in France for Indian students leads them to good career opportunities internationally after graduation. France is better known for its high level of technological development, culture, and reputation in the education system, which attracts a number of young entrants every academic year
Anushree has 5 years of experience in the career counseling industry as a Senior Content Writer. She has also worked as a Social Media Marketing Expert for a startup and Content Quality Analyst for the Publishing and E-learning Industry. She has done her Master’s in Commerce and PGDM in Finance & Trade and Marketing & HR, but she is currently following her passion for writing.
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