How to Study in Paris for International Students

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Paris, 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, Paris currently has 44 universities, from which 23 universities are a part of the public sector and 21 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 Paris you should definitely check out are Paris Cité University, École Polytechnique, and École Normale Supérieure.

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

1. Cost of Studying in Paris

The cost of your studies is a big factor to consider when you're planning to study abroad. It can financially burden you, but here's the good thing: the public universities in Paris don't charge tuition fees to international students like you! there is Sorbonne University a tuition-free school. You will just be required to pay some registration and other study fees, but these won't be as high.

On the other hand, if you choose to study in a private institution, expect that you'll pay higher fees. Here are some of the private universities in Paris with their tuition fees:

Institution Bachelor’s International Tuition Fee Master’s International Tuition Fee
IFP School 30,000 Euros
ESCE International Business School 9,090 Euros 9,990 Euros
IPAG Business School 7,700 Euros - 8,900 Euros 9,100 Euros - 16,000 Euros
Leonard de Vinci Graduate School of Engineering 9,300 Euros - 14,900 Euros
ICD Business School 7,900 Euros 11,700 Euros
ESITC Paris 6,990 Euros
SKEMA Business School 12,000 Euros 15,000 Euros - 30,000 Euros
ECE Paris 7,840 Euros 11,200 Euros
Institut Supérieur d’Électronique de Paris 9,600 Euros
ISC Paris Business School 8,500 Euros - 9,950 Euros 9,950 Euros - 22,500 Euros
KEDGE Business School 10,000 Euros 19,900 Euros
EMLYON Business School 38,500 Euros
ESCP Business School 22,300 Euros 21,600 Euros - 47,000 Euros
HEC Paris 21,900 Euros - 37,900 Euros
ESSEC Business School 14,000 Euros 12,500 Euros - 49,500 Euros
American University of Paris 32,800 Euros 26,600 Euros

2. Requirements to Study in Paris for International Students

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

IFP School

Master’s degree

ESME Sudria

Master’s degree

IPAG Business School

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 Paris

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

Paris Cité University

École Polytechnique

École Normale Supérieure

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 Paris 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 Paris.

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 Paris

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