France is one of Europe’s leading destinations for international education. It offers globally recognised universities, Grandes Écoles, research institutions and specialised schools in business, engineering, fashion, hospitality, arts and design.
For Indian students, France offers several advantages, including competitive tuition at many public institutions, English-taught programmes, strong academic partnerships between India and France, and access to European industries.
Students can choose from undergraduate degrees, master’s programmes, MBAs, engineering courses, research degrees and specialised programmes. Popular study areas include technology, business, data science, aerospace, energy, healthcare, luxury management, design and sustainability.
Many French programmes also offer internships, research projects, company projects, apprenticeships or professional placements. These opportunities can help students gain practical experience during their studies.
At LetzStudy, we help students compare French universities and schools based on course suitability, admission requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, language requirements, Campus France procedures and career goals.
Globally recognised universities and Grandes Écoles
Competitive tuition fees at many public institutions
More than 1,600 partly or fully English-taught programmes listed through Campus France
Strong courses in business, engineering, AI, data science, aerospace and hospitality
Access to European companies, research laboratories and innovation ecosystems
Internationally recognised Licence, Master and Doctorate degrees
Opportunity for eligible international students to work part-time
Scholarships such as France Excellence Charpak and France Excellence Eiffel
Post-study opportunities for eligible Indian graduates
Opportunity to learn French and improve career prospects
France combines academic tradition with strong links to modern industries. French is not required for every programme, particularly at master’s level, where many courses are taught in English. However, learning French can improve daily communication, internship opportunities and long-term career prospects.
French institutions offer programmes across many academic fields. Popular areas for international and Indian students include artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data science, engineering, aerospace, renewable energy, business, finance, luxury management, design and hospitality.
MBA
Master in Management
International Business
Finance
Marketing and Digital Marketing
Business Analytics
Supply Chain and Operations Management
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
Luxury Brand Management
Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Civil Engineering
Automotive and Mobility Engineering
Robotics and Automation
Energy Engineering
Nuclear Engineering
Industrial Engineering
Materials Science
Artificial Intelligence
Machine Learning
Computer Science
Data Science and Analytics
Cybersecurity
Cloud Computing
Software Engineering
Internet of Things
Digital Transformation
Human-Computer Interaction
Biotechnology
Bioinformatics
Public Health
Biomedical Engineering
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Neuroscience
Life Sciences
Food Science and Nutrition
Fashion Design
Luxury Management
Hospitality and Tourism
Architecture and Urban Planning
Economics
International Relations
Political Science
Law
Arts and Design
Film and Animation
Sustainability and Environmental Science
Culinary Arts
Wine and Food Business
Indian students who have completed Class 12 can apply for undergraduate programmes in France. Options include three-year Licence degrees, bachelor’s programmes, business-school courses, engineering pathways, design and art programmes, and selected BUT programmes.
Admission requirements vary by institution and course. Some applications may use Études en France or Parcoursup, while other institutions may accept direct applications.
Bachelor or Licence in Computer Science
Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence or Data Science
Bachelor in Business Administration
Bachelor in International Business
Bachelor in Engineering
Bachelor in Economics
Bachelor in Finance
Bachelor in Fashion Design
Bachelor in Luxury Management
Bachelor in Hospitality Management
Bachelor in Architecture or Design
Licence in Life Sciences
Bachelor in International Relations
A standard Licence normally takes three years. Engineering qualifications and specialised schools may follow different structures. Students should check the degree awarded, accreditation, language of instruction and internship requirements before applying.
French public universities offer Licence, Master and Doctorate degrees across many disciplines. Grandes Écoles are generally more selective and often specialise in areas such as engineering, business and public affairs.
Engineering schools may award the Diplôme d’Ingénieur, while business schools may offer Master in Management, specialised MSc programmes, MBAs and bachelor’s degrees.
The institution type can affect tuition fees, admission requirements, application platforms, teaching language and career support.
Some leading French institutions include:
Université PSL
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Université Paris-Saclay
Sorbonne Université
Université Paris Cité
Université Grenoble Alpes
Sciences Po
HEC Paris
CentraleSupélec
École Polytechnique
INSA Lyon
The best university depends on your course, academic profile, budget, preferred city, language preference and career goals. Students should compare the specific programme rather than choosing only based on university rankings.
Tuition fees in France vary depending on the institution and programme. Public universities generally have lower tuition fees than private institutions, Grandes Écoles and specialised business schools.
For 2026–2027, the content lists differentiated public-university tuition of €2,902 per year for many non-EU bachelor’s students and €3,950 per year for many non-EU master’s students, unless an exemption applies.
Engineering schools, Grandes Écoles and private institutions may charge significantly higher fees. Students should also consider application fees, CVEC, insurance, accommodation deposits and other academic expenses when preparing their budget.
Living expenses depend on the city and type of accommodation. Paris is generally more expensive than cities such as Grenoble, Toulouse and Lille.
Typical monthly expenses may include:
Accommodation: €300–€1,100+
Food and groceries: €200–€350
Public transport: €25–€90
Utilities: €40–€120
Mobile phone: €10–€30
Health or personal insurance: €20–€60+
Personal and study expenses: €120–€300
Students can reduce expenses by choosing CROUS accommodation, sharing an apartment, using student restaurants and taking advantage of student transport options.
Paris offers a wide choice of universities and is particularly strong for business, finance, AI, luxury, consulting and research. However, accommodation costs are generally higher.
Lyon is known for engineering, business, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and digital industries. It also has a large student community.
Grenoble is a strong choice for engineering, physics, microelectronics, AI, energy and research. It can be more affordable than Paris.
Toulouse is particularly attractive for aerospace, aviation, space technology and engineering.
Lille is a major student city with business, engineering and health programmes. It also offers convenient connections to other European cities.
Bordeaux offers opportunities in business, digital industries, life sciences, tourism and wine-related programmes.
Strasbourg is a good option for European studies, law, political science, chemistry and life sciences.
France offers scholarships through the French government, Embassy of France in India, Campus France, universities, Grandes Écoles, regional authorities and other organisations.
Popular scholarship options include:
France Excellence Charpak Scholarship
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
University and Grande École scholarships
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master scholarships
Research and doctoral funding
Regional scholarships
Business-school and engineering-school merit scholarships
Scholarships may provide tuition support, living allowances, accommodation assistance, travel support, insurance benefits or other financial assistance, depending on the award.
The Charpak programme offers different scholarship categories for Indian students, including master’s, exchange and short-term research opportunities. Scholarship availability and eligibility can change each year.
The Eiffel Scholarship is a French government scholarship for international students at master’s and doctoral levels in selected fields. French higher-education institutions submit applications for candidates they choose to support.
Students should apply early and check the official scholarship requirements and deadlines for each application cycle.
Students applying after Class 12 may generally need:
Class 12 certificate from a recognised board
Academic transcripts
Required subject qualifications
English proficiency for English-taught programmes where required
French proficiency for French-taught programmes
Passport and identity documents
Statement of Purpose or motivation letter where required
Portfolio for selected arts, design or architecture courses
Entrance tests or interviews for selected institutions
Students applying for master’s programmes generally need:
Bachelor’s degree from a recognised university
Academic transcripts and degree certificate
English proficiency where required
French proficiency for French-taught programmes
Updated CV or résumé
Statement of Purpose or motivation letter
Letters of recommendation for selected programmes
GMAT or GRE for selected programmes
Portfolio for creative programmes where required
Research proposal for research degrees
Professional experience for selected MBA or executive programmes
Competitive programmes may have additional academic, test, interview or professional requirements.
Language requirements depend on the university and programme.
Many English-taught programmes accept IELTS, TOEFL or another approved English test. Some institutions may accept previous English-medium education, but this is not universal.
French-taught programmes generally require French proficiency. Students should always check the exact language requirement for their chosen programme.
Eligible international students in France are generally allowed to work up to 964 hours per year. Part-time employment can provide work experience and supplementary income.
However, students should not depend on part-time work to finance their entire education and living expenses. Common student jobs include hospitality, retail, tutoring, customer service, administration and campus support.
France provides post-study options depending on nationality, qualification and employment status.
Eligible Indian graduates with a French qualification equivalent to at least a master’s degree may benefit from the India-France APS “Master” arrangement. The content states that this can provide up to 24 months for job search or professional development, subject to eligibility and current immigration rules.
French language skills, internships, technical abilities and professional networking can improve employment opportunities after graduation.
Graduates can explore career opportunities in sectors such as:
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
Cybersecurity and Digital Trust
Software Engineering and Cloud
Aerospace and Space Technology
Automotive and Mobility
Energy and Renewable Technology
Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing
Banking and FinTech
Business Analytics and Consulting
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology
Luxury, Fashion and Retail
Hospitality and Tourism
Supply Chain and Logistics
Sustainability and Climate Technology
Research and Deep Tech
The autumn intake is the main intake for public universities and most Grandes Écoles. It usually offers the widest range of programmes.
Some business schools, engineering schools and private institutions offer January or February intakes. Programme availability is more limited than the autumn intake.
Research and PhD start dates can vary depending on the doctoral school, supervisor and funding availability.
Students should check the exact intake and application deadline for their chosen programme.
Whether you are planning a bachelor’s degree after Class 12, a master’s programme, MBA, engineering course, specialised business programme or research qualification, LetzStudy can help you compare French institutions.
Our counsellors can help you shortlist universities and courses, understand tuition fees, explore scholarships, prepare applications, complete Campus France procedures, organise visa documents and plan your study-abroad journey.
Start your journey to study in France with LetzStudy.
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