Study in France
Your Future Starts Here – World-Class Education, Global Careers
How to Study in France: A How-to-Guide to Indian Students
France is one of the most compelling European study destinations that can offer Indian students a quality education, cheap tuition fees, international exposure, and good career returns. France boasts of highly rated universities, business schools, engineering prowess, and fine cultural living at relatively cheap rates.
France is a blend of academic quality, innovation, and industry partnership, particularly in engineering, business, fashion, hospitality, data science, and international relations. Having over 1,600 English programs, Indian students have an opportunity to study in France without prior knowledge of French, and still have the benefit of learning the most highly appreciated language widely.
This guide will include all the information Indian students need about studying in France, such as admission requirements, cost, best universities, scholarships, visa and life of a student.
The Reasons Why Indian Students Prefer France
The French system of subsidized education, coupled with the opportunities of work after studies and the high level of employability in the whole of Europe, attracts thousands of Indian students annually.
Indian students in France have found studying in France to be more popular because of the friendly academic atmosphere, good Indo-French ties, and the increase in the number of Indian students. The French institutions are also very liberal to international students and provide special support services to enable the students to adjust in both academic and social areas.
Lots of universities and business schools teach English-taught programs at the levels of bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral. Studying in such programs, Indian students do not necessarily need to know French, but it is possible to learn some basics that will greatly simplify everyday life, networking, and employment opportunities in France.
The French visa procedure is also simple, and post-study work opportunities are available, thus making it an ideal place to be considered as a long-term career in international terms by Indian students.
Why Indian Students Choose France:
- State colleges with very subsidized tuition fees.
- World-renowned engineering and business schools.
- Including more than 1,600 English-taught programs.
- Good employment in technology, luxury, hospitality and management.
- Part-time work up to 20 hrs/week
- 2-year post-study work visa.
- Internationally acclaimed degrees.
- Quick security and abundant cultural exposure.
France offers Indian students a European education at a much cheaper cost than the UK or the USA, and access to the whole Schengen region.
Quick Facts About France
Capital | Paris |
Top Cities to Study | Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, Nantes |
Popular Fields | Engineering, Business, Fashion, Data Science |
Tuition Fees | ₹2–10 lakh/year |
Living Cost | ₹70,000–1,10,000/month |
Intakes | September (major), January (limited) |
Scholarships | Govt. & University-funded |
Education in France (Indian Student-Friendly)
France adheres to the LMD system (Licence–Master–Doctorate), which is based on European norms and internationally accepted.
Study Levels:
- Bachelor’s (Licence): 3 years
- Master’s: 2 years
- PhD: 3–4 years
Types of Institutions:
- Public Universities: Research-oriented, very inexpensive.
- Grandes Ecoles: Elite schools (business, engineering)
- Private Schools: Specialization (fashion, hospitality, design)
The majority of Programmes start in September and a Few in January.
Top Courses to Study in France as an Indian Student
France is a world leader in engineering, management, luxury, and innovation-based fields.
Popular Programs:
- Engineering & Technology
Mechanical, Aerospace, Civil, Electrical, Robotics.
- Business & Management
MBA, Finance, Marketing, International Business.
- Data Science & IT
AI, Software Engineering, Big Data, Cybersecurity.
- Fashion, Luxury & Design
Luxury Brand Management, Fashion Management.
- Hospitality & Tourism
Hotel Management, Culinary Arts.
- International Relations and Social Sciences.
Public Policy, Political Science.
Indian Student Admission Requirements
For Bachelor’s:
- Class 12 completion (60% recommended)
- IELTS 6.0-6.5 (English-based courses)
- No initial mandatory use of the French language.
For Master’s:
- Bachelor’s degree from any recognized institute in the world.
- IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL equivalent)
- SOP + CV + LORs
Common Documents:
- Passport
- Academic transcripts
- Statement of Purpose
- Letters of Recommendation
- English proficiency scores
- Portfolio (design/fashion courses)
Indian students are supposed to apply 5-7 months prior to intake.
Student Visa to France for Indian Students
A Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) is obtained by Indian students using Campus France.
Documents Required:
- Campus France NOC
- University offer letter
- Proof of funds (€7,380/year ≈ ₹6.6 lakh)
- Tuition fee payment proof
- Accommodation proof
- Medical insurance
Visa processing time: 2 to 4 weeks after Campus France approval.
Cost of Studying in France
Average Tuition Fees:
Study Level | Fees (INR/year) |
Public Bachelor’s | ₹2–4 lakh |
Public Master’s | ₹3–5 lakh |
Private Schools | ₹6–12 lakh |
PhD | ₹2–4 lakh |
The French government is a strong subsidizer of the public universities.
Indian Students’ Cost of Living in France
Expense | Monthly Cost (€) | Approx INR |
Rent | 400–800 | ₹35,000–70,000 |
Food | 250–350 | ₹22,000–30,000 |
Transport | 30–75 | ₹2,500–6,000 |
Utilities | 80–120 | ₹7,000–10,000 |
Personal | 100–150 | ₹9,000–13,000 |
It is expensive in Paris; other cities such as Lille, Nantes, Clermont-Ferrand, and Toulouse are cheaper.
Best Universities in France as an Indian
QS Rank 2026 | University | Avg Fees (€) | Best Programs |
28 | PSL University | 3,000–5,000 | Research, Science |
72 | Sorbonne University | 3,000–4,500 | Arts, Science |
41 | Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 4,000–6,000 | Engineering |
70 | Université Paris-Saclay | 3,000–5,000 | Technology |
| – | HEC Paris | 25,000–35,000 | MBA, Management |
| – | ESSEC Business School | 18,000–25,000 | Business |
The degrees are accepted in Europe, India and other parts of the world.
International Indian Student Scholarships in France
France offers many different scholarships to international students, including those from India. There are popular scholarships, including the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Charpak Scholarship, and other grants provided by universities that are aimed at lowering the tuition fees and costs of living.
International students can work to a maximum of 20 hours per week in part-time work and can afford the living expenses, as well they acquire important working experiences. There are other cities in France like Lyon, Nantes, Toulouse and Lille, which provide cheaper living conditions without a reduction in the quality of academics.
Government Scholarships:
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
- Charpak Scholarship (India-specific)
- Erasmus+
University Scholarships:
- HEC Paris Excellence Awards
- ESSEC Global MBA Scholarships
- Emile Boutmy (Sciences Po)
Benefits Include:
- Tuition fee waivers
- Monthly living stipend
- Travel allowance
- Accommodation support
Apply 6–8 months early.
Study Intakes in France
Intake | Months | Notes |
Fall | September | Main intake |
Spring | January | Limited programs |
Work and Post-Study Opportunities
- Part-time work: 20 hrs/week
- Minimum wage: ~€11/hour
- Post-Study Work Visa: 2 years (maximum).
- IT, engineering, data, hospitality, and luxury high demand.
French is also a major contributor to employability, but not required as a compulsory subject.
Career and Post-Study Employment
By attending a French institute, a graduate gets access to the best international work experience. The best multinational corporations are located in France, including Airbus, L’Oréal, BNP Paribas, Capgemini, Renault and TotalEnergies. Good university-industry partnerships give students access to internships, apprenticeships, and real-life projects.
France has a post-study stay-back alternative, and international graduates can stay in the country in search of jobs, or they can start up a business. This makes France a perfect destination for students who seek to develop international careers in Europe.
Dream Life and Culture in France
Learning in France is not merely an academic experience, but a cultural experience. France provides a rich lifestyle with an iconic tower such as the Eiffel Tower, world-renowned cuisine, art, and fashion. The students have fine transport facilities, medical facilities, and a good lifestyle.
Student Accommodation
France also offers world-class accommodation to international students. Like other countries in the world, students can find accommodations as per their wishes and preferences. In student housings in France, there are world-class facilities. One can find gyms, cinemas, swimming pools, games rooms, and a lot of other spaces in student housing complexes in France. Furthermore, there are Wi-Fi, study rooms, study desks and chairs, laundry services, and numerous other facilities inside the student rooms and houses. Different types of accommodation variants can be found in France, such as ensuite rooms, shared rooms, non-ensuite rooms, studios, and apartments. Apart from student apartments, private apartments are also available in France. Homestays are also offered by plenty of families in the country. The student complexes include university halls and private complexes (PBSAs).
Start Your Study in France Experience Now
In case you want to study in a destination that is full of academic excellence, affordable, world-renowned, and with cultural variety, then France is one of the best places for you. Whether it is to study in France, or whether you are generally seeking opportunities that are open to Indian students, France has no limits as far as education, career and personal development are concerned.
Make the first step towards your international educational experience and find out why France is the best place to study in the world.
Cost of Living in France
Popular Courses in France
Related Content
Frequently Asked Questions
Start by picking your course and university, then apply through Campus France, which manages most admission processes for international students.
As of 2023, over 350,000 international students are enrolled in France, growing steadily year after year.
Bachelor’s degrees cost around €2,850 per year, while Master’s programs are approximately €3,879 annually in public universities.
Private schools and Grandes Écoles charge between €6,000 and €18,000, depending on the program and institution.
Yes, especially at the master’s level, universities provide several English-taught programs, covering fields like business, engineering, and international relations.
You need a VLS‑TS long-stay student visa, allowing stays up to one year, plus eligibility to apply for a multi-year residence permit.
You’ll need to show €7,000–€10,000 per year to cover living expenses, plus proof of accommodation and health insurance.
Yes! VLS‑TS holders can work part-time during their studies, usually up to 964 hours per year (equivalent to 60% of a full-time contract).
- In Paris: expect €1,200–1,800 per month
- In cities like Lyon or Toulouse: living costs are around €800–1,000 monthly
Bring academic transcripts, passport, language scores (IELTS/DELF/TCF), SOP, and portfolio (if applicable).
Key options include:
- Eiffel Scholarship (€1,181/month for Master’s)
- Campus Bourses grants portal
- Emile Boutmy (Sciences Po)
- Scholarships at ENS and Grenoble Ampère
Including tuition, living, and insurance, international students spend between €8,000–€25,000 per year, depending on the city and lifestyle.
Elite schools like Sciences Po, ENS, and INSA Lyon focusing on business, engineering, and humanities—admission is competitive but prestigious.
- Licence (Bachelor’s): 3 years
- Master’s: 2 years
- PhD: 3 years
Not always. English-taught Master’s exist, but French language tests like TCF or DELF are needed for French-language programs.
Once admitted, apply through france‑visas.gouv.fr with your offer letter, financial proof, passport, and accommodation info; fee is around €50.
Start 4–6 months before the program start date, fall intake deadlines often fall around April–May.