How to Study in Lille for International Students

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Lille, one of the beautiful cities in France, is a city that needs to be considered when planning on studying abroad. Here, you can immerse yourself in a rich local culture and learn about its history and the factors that make it unique.

When it comes to the choices that are available, Lille currently has 9 universities, from which 3 universities are a part of the public sector and 6 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 Lille you should definitely check out are University of Lille, EDHEC Business School, and IMT Nord Europe.

Being able to study in Lille 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 Lille, along with information on tuition, language requirements, and visa applications. So, let’s dig in!

1. Cost of Studying in Lille

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Lille, it’s best to have a general knowledge of the tuition fees there. The annual tuition fees for international undergraduate students range from 2,000 Euros to 17,300 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 243 Euros and 68,000 Euros.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Lille

To give you an idea of how much it costs to study in Lille, here are the tuition fees in these public and private universities:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
IMT Nord Europe 9,000 Euros
University of Lille 243 Euros

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Lille

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Institut catholique d’arts et métiers 7,240 Euros 9,060 Euros
IÉSEG School of Management 11,100 Euros 8,250 Euros - 9,450 Euros
HEI Lille 9,000 Euros
Catholic University of Lille 2,000 Euros - 9,000 Euros 2,000 Euros - 9,000 Euros
EDHEC Business School 11,700 Euros - 17,300 Euros 23,000 Euros - 68,000 Euros

If you’re looking for the most affordable universities in Lille, check out the Cheap Universities in Lille!

Besides tuition fees, you also need to consider other expenses like books, accommodation, and living expenses.

2. Requirements to Study in Lille for International Students

Once you have an idea of how much tuition fees are to study in Lille, 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 Lille, 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 Lille and their required minimum scores for each program level.

Institut catholique d’arts et métiers

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

IÉSEG School of Management

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

HEI Lille

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

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 Lille

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Lille have online applications available on their websites, like University of Lille and EDHEC Business School. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Lille.

University of Lille

EDHEC Business School

IMT Nord Europe

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 Lille 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 Lille.

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 Lille

If you’re going to study in Lille, you will need to apply for a student visa in France

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 Lille, you will need to present the following:

  1. Application form (Etudes en France)
  2. Proof or Certificate of enrollment
  3. Passport or travel document
  4. ID photograph
  5. Proof of funds
  6. 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:

  1. Prepare the requirements to apply for a student visa.
  2. Schedule your visa interview at a consulate or embassy near you.
  3. Pay the visa application fee.
  4. Attend the interview and submit your documents at the embassy or consulate.
  5. 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 Lille. 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!