Why Study in FRANCE?

Studying abroad is a massive aspiration for many students, but deciding on the right place becomes a perplexing task at times. One country that has attracted an enormous number of international students is France. It is a European Union nation and is the world’s fourth-largest study abroad destination for international students. Various academic streams such as biology, pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, automobile, aviation, fashion, art, etc., and so forth are immensely robust in France. In 2020, France will welcome more than 350000 students from across the world. France is a fantastic destination for studying abroad because

Popular Student Friendly Cities in France

Paris

Toulouse

Montpellier

Lyon

Nice

Grenoble

Lille

Rennes

Bordeaux

Popular Universities in the France

Education system in France

Among the 1.5 million students that France educates every year, a whopping 10 percent are international students from all over the globe. The higher education system of France is called the Bologna System. The system eases the mobility of international students as the degrees of most European Union nations are valid in France, as well. The undergraduate degrees of France are locally named as ‘licence’ and ‘Licence Professionnelle’ degrees, followed by Master’s programs and Ph.D. programs. France has a credit-based system of education wherein each module within a course contains specific amounts of European Credits (ECTS), which are transferable. Once a student acquires 180 ECTS, they can earn a ‘Licence’ or a Bachelor’s degree. On top of the 180 ECTS, a student needs 120 ECTS to attain a Master’s degree. In case you are on the hunt for in-depth information on the French educational system or the Bologna system, Get in touch with consultants at Divine EAC who can help you with the process.

Choosing A Course And University in France

The first thing to remember while opting for a French university is that you should opt for an institution with a lower ROI rank. It would help if you looked for the course, its details, and the relevance of the system within the university that you are targeting. Tuition fees, living expenses, scholarships, etc., are preliminary aspects that you should consider beforehand. France is an excellent option to study postgraduate programs from abroad. Therefore, make full use of the ample opportunities and choose your university and course wisely. Few of the critical aspects that you should not miss while looking for a course and a university in France include –

  • Researching on the course and its content
  • Understanding the duration of the course
  • Going through every module of the course
  • Understanding your interest in the course
  • Identifying and recognizing the employability skills associated with your course

Study Abroad Programs in France

Some of the famous and upcoming study abroad programs that you can opt for in French universities include

  • Masters in Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Visual Computer

  • Masters in Innovation and Management

  • Masters in Cyber Security

  • Masters in Energy Environment: Science, Technology, and Management (STEM)

  • Masters in Social Anthropology

  • Masters in Geography

Southern France is an excellent place if you want to study management. Various top management or MBA offering institutes of France include –

In addition to the courses mentioned above, France is a great option to study undergraduate from abroad. Lessons in Fashion, Sustainability, Nuclear Energy, Automobile, and so forth are excellent in France. 

To pursue any of these top courses, ensure to get in touch with overseas consultants at Divine EAC for more relevant information.

Admission Process to Study in France

Before deciding on the University of France for higher education, it is essential that you do your research and examine various factors such as your preferred courses, tuition fee, living cost, availability of study abroad scholarships, and so forth.

List of Documents

The various documents required to apply for a study abroad French university include –

● Two letters of recommendation
● A statement of purpose
● Copy of passport
● Filling the application form online on the CampusFrance website
● Transcripts

Visa Process

It is essential to apply for a student visa as early as possible, as it may take around eight weeks for the visa to arrive. But, CampusFrance makes the visa application process much more accessible by helping you understand the documents required and serves as a mediating platform between you and the French government.

Flight & Accommodation

Though the former two are inevitable sources of expenditure for students, this factor can be managed. Travel usually takes up to CHF 150 per month, based on personal preferences and distance between the university and where you stay. Moreover, standard ticket charges and visa fees for the journey to and back from Switzerland can be esteemed as per your home country.

Cost of Attendance in France

The tuition fees at the public universities of France range from EUR 190 per year for a bachelor’s degree. The tuition fee for a master’s course is around EUR 260 per year, and for a Ph.D., the tuition fee is approximately EUR 396 per year. Engineering courses have a higher cost which may increase up to EUR 620 per academic year. Moreover, the fees for Medicine students can be around EUR 450 per year. Certain specialized degrees may have a higher fee. Furthermore, you also have to pay EUR 90 as a compulsory contribution to the campus. The cost of books and stationery comes down to EUR 50 per month.

Tuition Fees At Other Types Of Institutions

  • Students have to pay a higher fee of about 500 to 600 per year at France’s selective grandes Ecoles and grands etablissements. At times, the fee may extend up to EUR 10000 per year.
  • The tuition fees in private universities of France range from EUR 1500 to EUR 20000 per year.
  • The fees in all business schools of France range from EUR 5000 to EUR 7000.

Most Affordable Universities Of France

University NameAverage Tuition Fees
University Lille Sciences et Technologies261 EUR/year
Université de Lyon500 EUR/year
Université du Maine500 EUR/year
Grenoble INP Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes261 EUR/year
University of Burgundy500 EUR/year

Average Living Costs in French Cities And Towns

The cost of living in France depends mainly on the lifestyle. The average amount required to survive in France while attending college is around EUR 430 per month. It is a bare minimum amount, and the upper limit can extend up to any rate. The French laws enable international students to work in France for more than 20 hours per week.

Average Budget To Live In Larger Cities Of France

Paris: between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR per month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to reside in a hall of residence);
Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR per month;
Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between and 800 – 1.000 EUR
For the rest of France, you can manage with smaller amounts (at least 650 EUR).
Accommodation
Accommodation prices are usually above the international average of 200 – 300 EUR per month.

Housing Options For Students In France

  • Student halls of residence – EUR 150 to 600 per month
  • Rent or shared apartment – EUR 400 to 700 per month
  • Utility bills – EUR 300
  • Host family – EUR 200 per month to 800 per month in Paris

The availability of student rent deposits makes finding accommodation easy for international students in France, making the university one of the best places to study abroad.

Food Costs

  • Average expenses on groceries per month – EUR 250 to 300
  • The approximate meal cost budget-friendly eatery – EUR 10 to 15
  • Lunch at university cafeteria – EUR 3

Transportation In France

A monthly pass for a bus, train, or tram in France costs about EUR 30. Students of French universities also prefer to rent a bike or cycle. You can use the TGV to visit other French cities at around EUR 30 per trip. Youth and student travel cards are also helpful in getting discounts. To know more about France’s living, transportation, and food costs as an international student, you can take the aid of consultants at Divine EAC.

VISA Process To Study Abroad in France

The visa process for France is straightforward. You can visit the CampusFrance website and easily understand the process of acquiring a student visa. The availability of CampusFrance makes France an excellent study abroad destination. The fee taken by CampusFrance is Rs 8500. 

The various documents required to apply for a student visa in France are –

Top Scholarships in France

International students in France are offered full tertiary study abroad scholarships each year for undergraduate and postgraduate studies. You must explain what knowledge and skills you need to learn and why these are necessary for the development of your country. We have provided a list of universities, government agencies, and third parties that offer scholarship opportunities for international students.

  • The Eiffel Scholarships

  • Erasmus Mundus Scholarships

  • Ile-de-France Masters Scholarships

  • Centrale Nantes

  • The Ecole Centrale Paris Graduate Fellowship

  • SciencesPo Emile-Boutmy Scholarship

  • HEC Paris

  • ISM Global Leadership Scholarship

  • INSEAD

Work Opportunities in France

International students can rightfully work in France for 20 hours per week. The minimum wage is around EUR 9.76 per hour. Mandatory internships are a part of the coursework associated with various study abroad programs in France. It is noteworthy to mention that if the internship lasts for more than two months, you must be paid EUR 577.50 per month. After completing your master’s degree, you can ask for a six months visa extension to find gainful employment in the country. Furthermore, it is essential to highlight that although English is acceptable in France, you must learn French to work in your area of employment amicably.

Frequently asked Questions

Is it mandatory to know French to study in France?

No, knowing French is not mandatory to study in France. There exist various management, engineering, medicine, and fashion programs that are taught in English.

Which tests are essential to apply to French universities as a study abroad student?

GMAT and GRE are mandatory to pursue management courses in France.

Which free counseling website can I use to ease my application process to a French university?

Divine EAC is an excellent website that will help you in the process of applying to a French university. 

Does France offer study abroad scholarships?

Yes, France provides various scholarships for international students.