How to Study in Lyon for International Students

Search Courses:

Lyon, 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, Lyon currently has 11 universities, from which 6 universities are a part of the public sector and 5 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 Lyon you should definitely check out are Claude Bernard University Lyon 1, ENS Lyon, and Central School of Lyon.

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

1. Cost of Studying in Lyon

When choosing a university, you also need to consider the tuition fees and your budget. Before applying to a university in Lyon, 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 12,100 Euros, while for master’s degree studies, the yearly tuition fees are between 243 Euros and 13,900 Euros.

Cost of Studying in Public Universities in Lyon

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

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
VetAgro Sup 1,243 Euros - 8,800 Euros
Jean Moulin University Lyon 3 170 Euros 243 Euros
ENS Lyon 243 Euros

Cost of Studying in Private Universities in Lyon

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
Paris Higher Biotechnology Institute 12,100 Euros 12,100 Euros
ECAM Lyon 1,281 Euros - 7,900 Euros
Lyon Catholic University 9,330 Euros 12,200 Euros - 13,900 Euros
EPITA School of Engineering and Computer Science 9,900 Euros 5,500 Euros - 9,700 Euros

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

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

2. Requirements to Study in Lyon for International Students

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

Paris Higher Biotechnology Institute

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

VetAgro Sup

Master’s degree

ECAM Lyon

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 Lyon

The specific admission process may vary depending on the university. The good news is that most institutions in Lyon have online applications available on their websites, like Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 and ENS Lyon. To help you with this, we also compiled the official websites and admission pages of some of the top institutions in Lyon.

Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

ENS Lyon

Central School of Lyon

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 Lyon 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 Lyon.

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 Lyon

If you’re going to study in Lyon, 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 Lyon, 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 Lyon. 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!

2 Comments