Study in France

Not only is France the number one tourist destination in the world, it's also a popular choice with international students thanks to its high quality education, renowned institutions and reasonable tuition fees

According to Campus France, in the 2022/23 academic year there were 412,000 international students enrolled in higher education institutions in the country. It's not hard to see the appeal as studying in France offers a number of advantages.

For example, the French higher education system is widely regarded for its teaching excellence, and many university-level institutions hold impressive positions in global rankings.  

Another huge draw is the relatively low cost of study due to the French government subsidising tuition fees - although different rules apply to European Union (EU) and non-EU students.

Studying in France also provides the perfect opportunity to learn a second language - French is one of the most widely spoken languages.

What's more, as France shares boarders with Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland and the principalities of Andorra and Monaco, you'll have other major European cities on your doorstep.

Away from your studies, you'll have plenty of time to explore student cities such as Paris, Lyon, Lille and Toulouse. For instance, in the capital you can visit famous museums, art galleries and landmarks such as the Musée du Louvre, Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower.

French universities

France is home to more than 3,500 public and private higher education institutions. These include:

• Universities - catering to nearly 75% of foreign students in the country. These publicly-funded institutions offer courses in all areas, from science and sport to humanities and medicine.
• Specialist institutions - including schools of business and management, engineering, architecture and arts and applied arts.
• Grandes Écoles - these prestigious institutions are typically smaller than universities and nurture the talents of the brightest students. They're highly selective, with students only usually accepted after completing a two-year preparation course and passing an entrance exam.

A total of 35 French institutions appear in the QS World University Rankings 2024, with four making the top 100:

• Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (Université PSL) (24th)
• Institut Polytechnique de Paris (38th)
• Sorbonne University (59th)
• Université Paris-Saclay (71st).

NEOMA Business School

As one of the exclusive 1% of international business schools with triple accreditation, NEOMA stands out as an innovative global business school whose impact stems from its excellent research and instruction. Its Master in Management is ranked 15th worldwide (The Economist, 2021).

Degree courses in France

Undergraduate degrees in France, known as Licence degrees, take three years to complete and correspond to a UK Bachelors. They're available in a range of subjects, from global communications and international economics to art history and sociology.

Teaching is made up of lectures, tutorials and/or practical lab work and assessments are usually through coursework, assignments and exams.

Unless you hold a French Baccalaureate qualification (A-level standard), you'll need to get in touch with your chosen institution for details on entry requirements and how to apply.

The French academic year runs from September or October until the end of June, and is comprised of two semesters, a two-week break over Christmas and a summer holiday of at least two months (July and August).

To browse all degree courses taught in English, visit Campus France.

Masters degrees

Postgraduate degrees in France are typically divided into four semesters across two academic years. Their increased length means French Masters courses can be less intensive than in the UK.

Courses are delivered through workshops, discussions and independent project work, leading to the submission of a final extended research project or dissertation.

Other types of Masters degrees offered in France are Specialised Masters and Masters of Business Administration (MBA). These prestigious courses have varying structures, stricter entry requirements and are heavily focused on advanced professional training.

Use the Campus France Masters catalogue to search for Masters programmes.

PhDs

Completing a PhD in France takes around three to four years, although some courses can take up to six. You'll submit a thesis under the supervision of a director, who you'll need to approach and gain the approval of before the course begins.

Once written, you'll have to give a public oral presentation of your thesis, before it's assessed by two rapporteurs.

As part of your studies, you'll receive an additional 150 hours of training in areas such as business creation, research and communication.

You need a Masters or equivalent, or to be studying one at the time of application, to progress onto a PhD. To apply, submit a research proposal to the Doctoral school of your choice, or check university websites for advertised project assistant posts.

You won't need to prove your proficiency in French, as many courses are offered in English.

Use the Campus France directory of Doctoral schools to search for Doctoral programmes.

Student exchanges

If you're looking for a taster of life in France, consider completing a student exchange to supplement studies in your home country.

If you’re a student in the UK, talk to your faculty office/student exchange office to see if they run exchange programmes in France. For example, Manchester Metropolitan University offers exchange opportunities in France for arts and humanities and business and law undergraduates.

°Õ³ó±ðÌýTuring Scheme enables thousands of students from schools, colleges and universities to gain study and work experience overseas. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Turing Scheme.

Alternatively, you could enroll on a short programme to learn French while immersing yourself in the culture. Search available opportunities at Campus France - Programmes.

Course fees

Tuition fees are low in public universities as the government subsidises higher education costs.

Average annual tuition fees in the 2023/24 academic year for EU nationals, EEA (European Economic Area) members, plus those from Andorra and Switzerland, were:

• €170 (£145) for Bachelors/Licence degrees
• €243 (£207) for Masters degrees
• €380 (£324) for PhD degrees.

There are differentiated registration fees for non-EU students, including those from the UK. However, the state will pay two-thirds of the cost for non-EU students applying to study for their first Bachelors or Masters degree.

The maximum registration fee you'd be expected to pay in 2023/24 is:

• €2,770 (£2,367) for Bachelors degrees per year
• €3,770 (£3,222) for Masters degrees per year.

At Doctorate level, the French government will pay most of the costs for non-EU students, as you're not subject to the new differentiated tuition rates. Therefore, for 2023/24 this is set at €380 (£324) per year.

Tuition fees at private universities, Grandes Écoles and on courses for specific subjects are higher than this, so contact institutions directly for specific figures.

Business and MBA students are also subject to much higher fees. For instance, the HEC Paris MBA costs €98,000 (£83,760) for the September 2024 and January 2025 intakes.

Funding to study in France

°Õ³ó±ðÌýFrench Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) offers grants to international students through its embassies, while the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) provides needs-based finance to those who will have lived in France for at least five years by the end of their course.

°Õ³ó±ðÌýEiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, established by MEAE, is designed to encourage students from foreign countries to study at Masters and PhD level.

You can use Campus France's scholarship directory to search for other available funding at all levels of study.

Alternatively, many French universities offer their own scholarships and grants, so approach your institution directly to discover what you're entitled to.

While tuition fees are generally low in France, it's important to factor living costs into your budget, as these can be expensive. You'll need between €800 (£683) and €1,300 (£1,110) per month to get by, including housing, food, transport and leisure activities - the higher end being the cost of living in Paris.

You'll likely also pay a small fee of €91 (£77) to join your students' union.

As an international student, you need to show you have these funds to support yourself, prior to any employment you take on once living in France.

Student visas

Whether you need a visa to study in France depends on your nationality.

• EU/EEA nationals don’t need a visa to study in France.
• Non-EU/EEA nationals (includes those from the UK) will need to apply for a visa to study in the country and obtain a residence permit.

The VLS-TS long stay visa allows you to study in France for a period of four months to a year. If your course lasts longer than this and you need to continue your studies after it expires you can apply for a multi-annual residence permit (cart de séjour pluriannuelle).

Carefully research which visa type is the best option for you. For more information on available visas and how to apply, visit France-Visas.

How to apply

If you're applying for a Bachelors (Licence) degree, you'll use the national online platform Parcoursup (in French) to enroll. Registrations typically close in late March or early April for courses starting in the autumn.

How you apply for a Masters differs depending on your nationality:

• If you're an EU national you'll apply directly to the institution for a Masters, as French students do.
• If you come from one of the 69 countries that are part of the Études en France procedure, you'll apply via the Études en France online platform.
• All other students should contact their chosen institution for advice on how to apply.

Be prepared to provide transcripts of your past qualifications and proof of your language proficiency where required, as well as a CV and cover letter. You may also be invited to an interview or have to sit an entrance exam.

Grandes Écoles often set their own deadlines and admissions tests, so you'll need to contact them directly for more information. Due to their elite status and smaller class intakes, the process of applying to a Grandes Écoles is more competitive than a standard institution.

Find out more about how your circumstances can affect the application process at Campus France.

Language requirements

Hundreds of courses are taught in English across France, which means learning French isn't an essential prerequisite of studying in the country.

However, if you're enrolling onto a French-taught course and it isn't your first language, you'll need to demonstrate your proficiency by taking a recognised language test. The most commonly used tests are the DELF and DALF, awarded by the French Ministry of National Education.

Even if your course is taught in English, it's worth having a good grasp of French to help you navigate the country during your stay. Many institutions offer language courses that can be taken alongside your main studies, or you can learn online with platforms such as RFI Savoirs.

If required, you can prove your proficiency in English with the IELTSÌý´Ç°ùÌýTOEFLÌý³Ù±ð²õ³Ù²õ.

Comparison to UK qualifications

Existing higher education qualifications gained in other European countries will usually be accepted by French institutions. Equally, undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications taken in France should be internationally recognised, including by employers in the UK.

For more information on having your qualifications officially evaluated and recognised, see ENIC-NARIC.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to work in France.
• Read more about studying in France at Campus France.