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Study in France

Culture, innovation, and globally ranked institutions across France.

France welcomes over 400,000 international students each year. From Grandes Écoles to public universities, explore programs, funding, and the practical steps to study in one of Europe's leading education destinations.

Why France?

World-class Institutions

Home to Sorbonne, Sciences Po, and globally ranked engineering schools.

Low Public Tuition

State universities charge modest fees for EU and often similar rates for international students.

French & English

Thousands of English-taught programs, especially at master's level.

Career Hub

Strong links to luxury, aerospace, tech, and EU institutions in Paris and Lyon.

Culture & Lifestyle

Art, cuisine, and student discounts on transport and museums nationwide.

EU Gateway

Schengen access and Erasmus+ opportunities across Europe.

Quality Education

The French higher education system blends universities, Grandes Écoles, and specialized institutes with rigorous academic standards.

  • Universities

    Public universities offer bachelor's through doctorate with research excellence.

  • Grandes Écoles

    Elite schools in engineering, business, and public administration.

  • Bologna Process

    LMD system (Licence, Master, Doctorat) aligned with European standards.

  • Campus France

    Central platform guiding international applicants through the process.

  • Diverse Campuses

    Large international cohorts in Paris, Toulouse, Lille, and Bordeaux.

  • Innovation

    Leading research in AI, energy, aerospace, and life sciences.

Leading French Institutions

  • Sorbonne University
  • Sciences Po
  • École Polytechnique
  • HEC Paris
  • Université Paris-Saclay
  • Université de Lyon
  • Grenoble INP
  • University of Bordeaux
  • Aix-Marseille University

Admission Procedure & Requirements

Licence (Bachelor) Requirements

Requirements

  • Baccalaureate or equivalent secondary diploma
  • Academic transcripts
  • French B2 or English proficiency (program-dependent)
  • Campus France application (Etudes en France procedure where applicable)

Timeline

  1. 1
    Campus France (Jan–Mar)

    Create account and submit study project.

  2. 2
    University Application (Mar–Apr)

    Apply via Parcoursup or direct institutional portals.

  3. 3
    Interview (Apr–May)

    Attend Campus France academic interview if required.

  4. 4
    Enrollment (Jun–Sep)

    Confirm admission and complete registration.

Campus France Support

LetsTern helps you navigate Etudes en France, document legalization, and university shortlisting.

Fee Structure

Public Universities

Licence & Master

€170 – €3,770

per year (varies by level & nationality)

Grandes Écoles

Engineering & business

€8,000 – €18,000

per year

Business Schools

MBA & specialized MSc

€15,000 – €45,000

per year

Payment & Financial Proof

Payment Methods

  • Bank transfer to university
  • Online student portals
  • SEPA direct debit
  • CAF housing aid (after arrival)

Visa Financial Requirements

Proof of resources for one year:

  • Minimum ~€615/month (€7,380/year)
  • Blocked account or sponsor letter accepted
  • Scholarship award letter reduces required amount

Scholarships in France

Eiffel Excellence, Charpak, and regional grants for international students.

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Université de Bordeaux Scholarships

PhD,Masters France EUR 1,181

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is a prestigious national programme supporting the brightest international candidates pursuing Master’s or PhD degrees in France. The University of Bordeaux centrally manages applications, reviews based on eligibility (age, field, nationality), and submits nominations to Campus France. Only eligible applications submitted via Bordeaux are considered. Université de Bordeaux

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Université de Strasbourg Scholarships

Masters France EUR 1,181

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship supports elite international students pursuing Master’s or engineering studies at Université de Strasbourg. It’s managed locally in line with national standards, offering academic prestige and financial support. Selections are overseen by faculties and Strasbourg’s International Relations department.

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Université Paris-Dauphine Excellence Scholarships

Masters France EUR 1,200

o Université Paris-Dauphine offers these excellence grants to attract top-tier students to its advanced Master’s programmes in Computer Science and Mathematics. o Each grant covers €1,200/month for 10 months; the amount considers tuition, which students still pay separately upon administrative registration. o Open to both French and international students, but cannot be combined with most other funding sources (except some embassy or institute partnerships).

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Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) International Scholarships

PhD,Masters France EUR 5,000

The Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) offers scholarships to attract top international students into its Master’s and PhD programs. These scholarships aim to promote academic excellence and global collaboration in research and innovation. Funding is offered mainly for outstanding international candidates enrolling in select programs across sciences, engineering, humanities, and social sciences. UGA is recognized as one of France’s leading research universities, particularly strong in physics, computer science, nanotechnology, and life sciences. Through these scholarships, the university supports international students in covering part of their living expenses, thus encouraging mobility and diversity in higher education

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École Normale Supérieure (ENS) International Selection Scholarships

Bachelor,Masters France EUR 1,000

o A prestigious competitive admission and scholarship for outstanding international students in Sciences and Arts & Humanities. o ENS admits 20 international students annually—10 in Sciences and 10 in Arts & Humanities—into Bachelor’s (Licence 3) or Master’s (M1) with rigorous training alongside high-level researchers. Awarded students earn both a Master’s degree and ENS diploma.

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Visa Process

Non-EU students need a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS étudiant) validated upon arrival.

Student visa steps

  1. 1
    Campus France Procedure

    Complete academic file and interview where required.

  2. 2
    University Admission

    Receive official acceptance or registration certificate.

  3. 3
    Visa Application

    Apply via France-Visas and TLS/VFS center with financial proof.

  4. 4
    Arrival Validation

    Validate VLS-TS online within 3 months of entering France.

  5. 5
    Residence Permit Renewal

    Renew annually through prefecture if staying beyond visa validity.

Part-time Work

Students may work up to 964 hours per year (roughly 20 hrs/week) on a valid student residence permit.

Common student roles

Role Hourly (€) Notes
Restaurant / café €11 – €13 SMIC minimum wage applies
Retail €11 – €12 Paris pays slightly higher
Tutoring (English) €15 – €25 High demand in major cities
Internship (stages) €500 – €1,200/mo Often required for Grandes Écoles

Obtain a French social security number and déclaration préalable for employment.

Monthly Expenditures

Paris is costly; Lyon, Toulouse, and Lille offer lower rents with strong student life.

Select a city

Monthly expenses in Paris

Typical student budget (excluding tuition)

  • Student housing (CROUS)
    €250 – €450
  • Private shared flat
    €600 – €900
  • Groceries
    €200 – €280
  • Navigo transport pass
    €42
  • Health & misc
    €80 – €120

Estimated total: €900 – €1,400 / month

After Graduation

France offers pathways to stay and work after your studies.

  • APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — 12-month job-search visa for master's+ graduates.
  • Talent Passport for qualified workers and researchers.
  • EU Blue Card for high-skill employment contracts.

Courses in France

Search programs across French universities and schools by field and level.

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Universities in France

Connect with French institutions verified on LetsTern.

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Ready to study in France?

Start your application journey with LetsTern — from Campus France to enrollment.

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