France has become a popular study destination that attracts international students all across the world. And the increase in the number of international students enrolling to study in France has made France the 4th popular study abroad destination after the UK, U.S, and Australia.
France has turned to be a country of high demand with an organized lifestyle. Having many prestigious universities and colleges with quality education, low tuition fees, low cost of living, and excellent academic reputation.
If you have made up your mind to pursue your academic dreams in France then you need to read this article from beginning to end to discover all you need to know about how to study in France.
Kindly click on the table to get a glimpse of what to expect in this post.
Why study in France?
There are so many reasons why students choose France as a place to study. Some of the reasons include:
- There are so many affordable universities in France depending on your budget.
- France’s universities have numerous courses and programs to pick from and most of them are taught in English.
- The cost of studying is relatively low for European students and also not too high for non-European students.
- France is a home for culture and art. There are a lot of places to visit as a student in France. Think of Paris as an example, it is one of the top-visited places for travellers.
- With a lot of scholarship programs out there, you can study in France for free.
- The Study in France requirements are not difficult to obtain.
- Many schools in France are ranking high in the best global universities.
- Education in France is top-notch and it prepares students for the competitive market. There are endless opportunities for students studying in France.
- You will become bilingual and this will give you more advantage over others. Companies can easily hire you because you speak their language.
- You can work even as an undergraduate studying in France.
Best Universities in France
The 10 best universities in France include:
- #1. Sorbonne Universite in Paris, France
- #2. Université de Paris in Paris, France
- #3. University of Aix-Marseille in Marseille, France
- #4.University of Montpellier in Montpellier, France
- #5.Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA) in Saint-Martin-d’Heres, France
- #6.University of Strasbourg in Strasbourg, France.
- #7. École Normale Superieure, Paris France.
- #8.University Paul Sabatier – Toulouse 3, Toulouse, France.
- #9.Université de Bordeaux in Talence, France
- #10. Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, France.
The best universities in France rankings are based on their positions on the best global universities in France according to the USNews.
How to Apply to Study in the Best Universities in France.
After you have decided to study in France, the next thing is to start applying to your school of choice. Of course, you need to choose a school, pick a program, and course of study before you proceed to the application stage. This will be like a guide to help you get organized during the application process.
You should always go to the school website to check when the application form will be out.
As an international student, your application requirements and procedures may differ from that of European students including the tuition fee too.
Simple Step-by-Step Guide you Need to Follow when applying to study in France.
- #1. Pick a school of choice.
- #2. Decide on a program and a course.
- #3. Check Admission requirements.
- #4. Prepare the necessary document
- #5. Submit your application
- #6. Apply for Student Visa.
- #7. Arrange your bags for travel.
Study in France Requirements for European Students
As a student applying to study in France from European Union Countries you will usually need:
- Your University Application
- Means of identification( ID photo or Driver’s License)
- Application fee
- English proficiency result(TOEFL, IELTS or any other test request by the school)
- Transcripts from your previous school(high school
- Portfolio
- Resume/cover letter
Requirements to study in France for international students
As an international student from non-European Union Countries. Here are the requirements you may need.
- Copy of your passport
- Transcript from your previous school
- A complete University Application
- Copy of birth certificate
- English proficiency result(TOEFL, IELTS, etc)
- A proof that shows you are financially stable for the number of years for study.
- Admission letter
- Student Visa.
You may need to consult the France embassy in your country for more detailed information about their requirements as an international student.
Also, you may need to ask for a requirement from your school of choice. This is because the school requirement differs from school to school in France. Meanwhile, schools are always willing to send these requirements to their prospective students.
Best Universities in France for International Student
There are a lot of good schools in France with a lot of them ranking among the best schools in the world but here are the most popular ones that international students are likely to enroll in.
- Paris Sciences et Lettres University (PSL Research University / PSL)
- École Polytechnique
- Sorbonne University
- University of Paris
- Paris-Saclay University
- Télécom Paris (ENST / Télécom)
- École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC / Ponts)
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon / ENSL)
- University of Montpellier (UM).
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU)
This listing is based on the College International listing about the best universities in France for International students.
Can I study in France in English?
If you want to study in France and you think that their language is going to be a problem, you don’t have to worry because there are some courses in France that are taught in English.
If you want to study in France in English, here are tips that will help you:
- Find a dormitory with international students that speak English
- Learn how to speak French because that’s the France language.
- Pick school from Paris instead. This is because Paris is a state where you will be likely to find most courses taught in English.
Schools where you can study in France in English.
Don’t feel shy about not knowing how to speak French, because there are schools in France that use English language as an instruction language.
- Université Paris Sud
- University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- Paris Dauphine University
- Sciences Po
- Pierre and Marie Curie University
- Paris Tech
- EFREI Engineering School of Information and Digital Technology.
- The American University of Paris
So, go to the school website to find more details about each of the schools.
Can I study in France for free?
Students are always asking if they can study in France for free, but the point is that it depends.
You can study in France for free or at a low cost both as a student from Non-European Country and as a student from a European country.
The first step is getting a scholarship from the various scholarship options for students who want to study in France. And generally, as a European student from Switzerland or the European Economic Area, you will be required to pay a little amount of tuition fee.
Study in France Scholarship Programs
If you have wondered how to get a scholarship to study in France, we have listed some scholarship programs you can check out. These scholarship programs can be fully funded or partial scholarships.
- EFREI Engineering School of Information and Digital Technology.
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarships
- ENS International Selection Scholarships
- Ampere Scholarships of Excellence
- Université Paris Saclay International Master’s Scholarships
- MIEM Excellence Scholarship
- Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation Scholarships
- NSEAD MBA Scholarships
- France Government Scholarship
Study in France Cost
The cost to study in France varies since schools don’t have the same tuition fee. Also apart from tuition fee which depends on your school of choice, course, and program. There are other costs that need to be put in place, like accommodation, feeding, utility bills, and others.
It’s advisable you go to the school portal to check out the cost of study including school accommodation and any other relevant cost.
Can International student work while studying in France
The answer is yes, whether you are an international student or not, the French education system allows students to work while studying.
After graduating, the EEA and Switzerland citizens can get a job straight away in France, unlike the international student who will seek to get a work permit and short-term residency permit to be able to work in France.
Conclusion
Studying in France is more economical for international students across the globe. And simply put, French universities are among the best in the world, and it is very accessible with low tuition fees and good education.
Frequently Asked Questions on Study in France
Can I work and study in france?
You can work part-time while studying in France as an international student.
What are the requirements to study in france for international students?
The important documents you need to study in France as an international student are;
- A Campus France authorization.
- A passport copy.
- A passport sized photo of yourself.
- Copies of transcripts and graduation diplomas.
- A copy of your European health card (for EU students)
- Application fee (if required)
- A civil liability certificate.
Can I study in france for free?
Yes – if you are a citizen or permanent resident of a country of the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland.
You can also apply for French scholarships for internal students to study in France.
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