Among European nations, France is one of the most popular study abroad destinations for International students. In the academic year 2021-2022, over 4,00,000 international students chose France as their overseas education destination. Also, more than 3,500 French private and public higher education institutions offer various globally recognised study programs in Arts, Science and Technology to overseas students. So, if you are planning to pursue your higher studies in this country, here is a guide for you.
Key Highlights
- Why should you study in France?
- The latest update to benefit you immensely
- Education system in France
- Popular universities to study in France for Indian students
- Top courses to study in France
- Admission requirements for Indian students in France
- Job prospects after education in France
Why should you study in France?
- France houses some of the well-ranked universities in the world, offering globally recognised degrees. Many of them are English-taught master’s degree programs.
- International students holding valid student visas can do part-time jobs for up to 964 hours per year while studying in the country.
- Indian students studying in France believe that studying in French public universities is an affordable option. The average tuition fees for studying master’s degree programs in these universities are €1,000 to €3,500 (∼INR 90,000 to INR 3,15,000) annually. However, the tuition fees are higher in private universities but inexpensive compared to other mainstream destinations such as the US. Also, students must consider other costs, such as accommodation and living, when planning their academic journey.
- France is the third largest foreign investor in India.
The latest update to benefit you immensely
As per the recent development, you will now be given a 5-year post-study work visa, allowing you to stay back and work for 5 years after completing your master’s in France. This will open a new dimension of opportunities for you. Earlier, international students could opt for a 2-year post-study work visa.
Education system in France
Students can enrol themselves in higher educational institutions after completing their secondary education. The French higher academic institutes offer the following degrees:
Bachelor’s Degree |
It is also known as “Licence” or “Licence Professional” in France. It is a full-time degree with a duration of 3 years. |
Master’s Degree |
The program duration is 2 years. |
Doctorate Degree |
The program duration is 3-6 years. |
Popular universities to study in France for Indian students
Some of the top-ranked universities of France, along with Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings and Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings 2023, are mentioned below:
S.No. |
Name of University |
QS Rankings 2023 |
THE Rankings 2023 |
1 |
Université PSL |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Institut Polytechnique de Paris |
2 |
4 |
3 |
Sorbonne University |
3 |
2 |
4 |
Université Paris-Saclay |
4 |
3 |
5 |
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
5 |
9 |
6 |
École des Ponts ParisTech |
6 |
6 |
7 |
Université Paris Cité |
7 |
5 |
8 |
Sciences Po |
8 |
20 |
9 |
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
9 |
30 |
10 |
Université Grenoble Alpes |
10 |
13 |
Pro-Tip: Finance your education independently by applying for an education loan for France after securing a spot in any of your chosen universities, including the abovementioned varsities.
Top courses to study in France
As per interests, students can choose from diverse study programs. Some of the best courses worth studying in top-notch French universities are as follows:
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Engineering
- Fashion Designing
- Hotel Management
- Data Science
- Finance
- International Economics
- Film Studies
- Computer Science
- Luxury Brand Management
Admission requirements for Indian students in France
A step-by-step process to apply to a French university is as follows:
- Shortlist the university as well as the course that you wish to pursue.
- Visit the university’s official website to understand the course-specific eligibility criteria, documents required, and application deadlines.
- Complete your application form by filling necessary details. Attach all required documents with an application form before submission.
- Once the application is approved, you will receive a letter of acceptance. Thereafter, apply for a temporary long-stay visa (it allows you to stay and study a program that takes more than 6 months) at least 3 months before the course commencement.
Job prospects after education in France
The job outlook in France looks promising as the country is expected to create millions of jobs in various sectors soon. Some of the industries currently dominating the French job market are Health & Social care, Hospitality, Engineering, Teaching, Manufacturing, Retail and Agriculture, etc.
Aspiring professionals can build their successful careers by taking up job roles like Marketing Strategist, Project Engineer, Merchandising Manager, Senior Design Manager, etc. Being the seventh-largest economy in the world, France is home to global brands like Airbus, Sanofi, BNP Paribas, Dior, Michelin, and L’Oreal, to name a few. Thus, students can explore endless and highly rewarding job opportunities after completing their higher education in France.
So, if France is your dream destination to complete your higher studies, do not allow financial constraints to come your way. Instead, opt for an education loan for study abroad programs from Avanse Finance Services. We offer education loans to students with multiple benefits like 100% financing, quick loan sanctions, flexible repayment options etc. Contact us to know more about a loan for education.
