How to Study in France for International Students
France is an excellent option for your studies. Aside from its famous monuments and multicultural atmosphere, this country offers affordable education to everyone. As a student here, you'll have access to some of the best universities globally, and you will have the opportunity to learn one of the world's best languages- French.
When it comes to the choices that are available, France currently has 224 universities, from which 143 universities are a part of the public sector and 81 universities are private institutions.
Suppose you’re not just looking for any school but a well-performing school. In that case, the top universities in France you should definitely check out are Paris-Saclay University, Paris Cité University, and Claude Bernard University Lyon 1.
Being able to study in France as an international student starts with planning ahead of time, as the process of researching your institution, filling out forms, and completing your paperwork can take a vast amount of time. In this article, you will find out the application process to study in France, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!
1. Cost of Studying in France
When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in France, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 170 Euros to 38,100 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 0 Euros and 57,900 Euros.
Cost of Studying in Public Universities in France
To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in France, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:
Cost of Studying in Private Universities in France
| Institution | Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee | Master’s International Tuition Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Montpellier Business School | 8,600 Euros - 11,000 Euros | 13,000 Euros - 15,500 Euros |
| SUPMICROTECH-ENSMM | 1,220 Euros | |
| IFP School | 30,000 Euros | |
| ESME | 12,500 Euros | |
| École d’Ingénieurs de Purpan | 11,000 Euros | |
| ESC Amiens School of Management | 6,700 Euros | 7,800 Euros |
| ECAM-EPMI | 7,900 Euros | |
| ICN Business School | 9,000 Euros - 9,900 Euros | 13,000 Euros - 14,500 Euros |
| ESIGELEC | 8,250 Euros - 9,000 Euros | |
| Sup’Biotech | 12,100 Euros | 12,100 Euros |
| ESCE International Business School | 8,990 Euros | 9,950 Euros - 11,800 Euros |
| ITECH Lyon | 8,600 Euros | |
| École Supérieure du Bois | 5,750 Euros | |
| Catholic University of the West | 8,200 Euros | 8,400 Euros - 9,000 Euros |
| CY Tech | 3,770 Euros - 11,500 Euros | |
| Institut catholique d’arts et métiers | 7,240 Euros | 9,060 Euros |
| L’École de design Nantes Atlantique | 9,900 Euros | |
| ESEO | 6,550 Euros | |
| IPAG Business School | 8,500 Euros - 9,000 Euros | 16,000 Euros |
| ESSCA School of Management | 8,210 Euros - 12,000 Euros | 12,000 Euros - 16,300 Euros |
| Leonard de Vinci Graduate School of Engineering | 11,400 Euros - 13,400 Euros | |
| ICD Business School | 8,650 Euros | 12,000 Euros - 15,500 Euros |
| IÉSEG School of Management | 10,700 Euros - 12,100 Euros | 18,800 Euros - 39,000 Euros |
| ESITC Paris | 6,990 Euros | |
| UniLaSalle | 7,300 Euros - 7,900 Euros | 5,300 Euros - 9,900 Euros |
| Burgundy School of Business | 8,500 Euros - 9,500 Euros | 16,500 Euros - 29,100 Euros |
| ESIEE Paris | 10,500 Euros | |
| EM Normandie | 8,500 Euros - 11,000 Euros | 10,500 Euros - 19,400 Euros |
| SKEMA Business School | 14,000 Euros | 19,000 Euros - 25,000 Euros |
| Rennes School of Business | 11,500 Euros - 11,900 Euros | 15,000 Euros - 28,900 Euros |
| Institute of Polytechnic Science and Aeronautics | 12,800 Euros | |
| ECE Paris | 8,150 Euros - 10,800 Euros | 12,300 Euros |
| Institut Supérieur d’Électronique de Paris | 11,600 Euros | |
| NEOMA Business School | 6,300 Euros - 12,000 Euros | 15,100 Euros - 17,300 Euros |
| EDC Paris Business School | 8,400 Euros - 10,300 Euros | 13,800 Euros - 14,600 Euros |
| Junia Hei | 9,000 Euros | |
| ISC Paris Business School | 10,500 Euros | 10,500 Euros - 13,900 Euros |
| EPF School of Engineering | 10,600 Euros | |
| Grenoble School of Management | 8,900 Euros - 12,000 Euros | 12,900 Euros - 17,000 Euros |
| Catholic University of Lille | 8,460 Euros - 8,700 Euros | 3,500 Euros - 9,000 Euros |
| Lyon Catholic University | 9,200 Euros | 14,200 Euros - 15,000 Euros |
| Audencia Business School | 10,300 Euros - 12,000 Euros | 19,900 Euros - 36,000 Euros |
| KEDGE Business School | 11,200 Euros | 18,000 Euros |
| EPITA School of Engineering and Computer Science | 10,400 Euros | 7,900 Euros - 9,700 Euros |
| EDHEC Business School | 15,900 Euros - 23,900 Euros | 28,700 Euros - 55,900 Euros |
| EMLYON Business School | 49,500 Euros | |
| ESCP Business School | 23,900 Euros | 25,200 Euros - 57,900 Euros |
| HEC Paris | 21,900 Euros - 37,900 Euros | |
| ESSEC Business School | 17,400 Euros - 21,700 Euros | 13,500 Euros - 55,000 Euros |
| American University of Paris | 38,100 Euros | 21,900 Euros - 27,700 Euros |
If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in France, check out the Cheap Universities in France!
Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.
2. Requirements to Study in France for International Students
Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in France, it’s time to consider preparing the paperwork to apply to those universities. Academic institutions have varying admission requirements, but the ones you should always prepare in advance are your academic records, such as a transcript of records or diploma from a previous academic level, and travel documents, such as your passport and visa.
Some institutions that offer master’s programs might also ask for a statement of purpose, a curriculum vitae or résumé, and letters of recommendation. There are also degree programs where you need to take an admissions test before you can apply. Besides these, universities might also require you to submit proof of language proficiency.
In France, English and French are the languages of instruction. If you’re looking to study in any of the academic institutions here, you might need to prove language proficiency by taking standardized tests, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo for English. Depending on the institution and the language of instruction for your program, you might also have to prove your language proficiency by submitting DELF for French.
To give you an idea, here are some universities in France and their required minimum scores for each program level.
Montpellier Business School
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.0
- TOEFL: 88
- Duolingo: 110
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
IFP School
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 6.5
- TOEFL: 86
- DELF: No minimum score
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
- Master's French Language Requirements Page
ESME
Master’s degree
- IELTS: 5.5
- CEFR: B2
- Master's English Language Requirements Page
- Master's French Language Requirements Page
Typically, you can find information about language requirements on the admissions requirements page of the university. You can also check out if the university has a dedicated language requirements page for international students.
Application Procedure to Study in France
The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in France have online applications available on their websites, like Paris-Saclay University and Paris Cité University. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in France.
Paris-Saclay University
Paris Cité University
Claude Bernard University Lyon 1
Make sure to gather all the information you need for the admission process. As you apply to these institutions, expect that they may ask for additional requirements depending on your nationality, degree, or program. So, it’s best to keep your lines active.
After completing your academic and language requirements, it’s time to apply!
The admission process in France differs from one university to another, so it’s best to contact your chosen school beforehand. Please note that the admission process for international students may take some time, so be sure to know the application dates and apply early.
The application process may take weeks or months, depending on your timing, nationality, degree, and other factors. To make the most of your application, make sure to completely follow the admission steps and submit the necessary requirements to ensure that you’ll be accepted to your chosen university in France.
The key to being admitted to your chosen school will depend on your punctuality and the quality of your application. So make sure to complete the requirements beforehand and follow the steps in applying. After this, you’ll wait for a week or a month for the results.
4. Visa Application for International Students in France
Now that you’re accepted into your chosen institution, it’s time to apply for a student visa in France. A student visa is an essential document for studying abroad. It’s an important government document that you need to present before going to France as an international student.
In this section, let’s briefly discuss the requirements needed and how you can apply for a student visa in France. If you’re going to stay here for your studies, you will need to obtain a Long-stay Visa.
To start your student visa application in France, you will need to present the following:
- Application form (Etudes en France)
- Proof or Certificate of enrollment
- Passport or travel document
- ID photograph
- Proof of funds
- Proof of accommodation
Kindly take note that these requirements may vary depending on your nationality. So, please expect that may ask for additional requirements. Moreover, you will be required to pay a student visa application fee. The visa application fee in France is 99 EUR.
After preparing your requirements and application fees, it’s time to apply for a student visa! The first steps in getting your student visa are:
- Prepare the requirements to apply for a student visa.
- Schedule your visa interview at a consulate or embassy near you.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Attend the interview and submit your documents at the embassy or consulate.
- Collect your passport and visa upon approval of your application
For more information regarding the specific steps in applying for a student visa, visit or contact the nearest embassy or consulate in your home country. They are the ones responsible for processing your student visa application.
That’s it! After getting your student visa, you can now officially study in France. Make sure to book a flight early, before your classes start, so that you’ll have ample time to explore and familiarize yourself in your new place!