Study in France

With plenty of culture, a rich history, several highly ranking universities, and the added benefit of being able to travel all over Europe while studying, France is becoming an increasingly popular study destination in mainland Europe, but what exactly does it offer? 

Why study in France?

One of the reasons that France is considered an attractive study destination, particularly by international students is the diversity in French cities and universities. The QS Best Student City Rankings 2025 names Paris as thirteenth in the world for student mix which look at the proportion of students in the city and the number of international students at universities, reflecting its diversity. 

Another reason that international students may gravitate towards France when choosing a study destination is combination of city and countryside landscapes, offering students the best of both worlds and a wealth of experiences to embrace. 

Students also mention the social aspect of studying at a French university as a draw to study in France. France as a country has a very sociable culture with plenty of cafes, restaurants and bars available all over the country, particularly in its major cities. Students are never left without something to do and there are often plenty of opportunities for them to meet new people and expand their circle. 

Life in France

France has a thriving student community with a general population of 67.94 million and almost 3 million students according to Statistica. Of these three million students all over the country, over 400,000 were international students in 2021 to 2022 with that number constantly growing. 

France’s capital city, Paris, is one of the world’s major commercial cities. It is home to several iconic landmarks: the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame cathedral and the Louvre Museum. The city is known as a hub for the arts and famous for its architecture, museums and galleries, and culinary traditions. The business district in Paris, La Défense, is home to major companies such as L’Oreal, Google, Microsoft, Deloitte, Dior, Banque de France and others, making France a great destination for students hoping to work in the corporate world after graduation, with Paris ranking 6th in the world for employer activity in the Best Student City Rankings. 

There are several top-ranking universities to choose from in France, specialising in a range of subject areas. The top 5 from our World University Rankings 2025 are: 

#1 Université PSL 

Ranking first in the country and 24th in the world, Université PSL in Paris aims to combine different areas of knowledge, arts, humanities, science and engineering, to broaden their students’ horizons. They foster new conversations within their student community and encourage disruptive thinking to solve the challenges of the modern world. 

#2 Institut Polytechnique de Paris 

A leading university in science and technology, Institut Polytechnique de Paris has developed training programmes and produced industry-leading research which are internationally competitive and contribute to the development of engineering technology. It ranks second in the country and 46th in the world. 

#3 Sorbonne University 

Sorbonne University is a research-led university organised into three departments which teach subjects such as humanities, languages, science and engineering, and health studies. They rank third in France and joint 63rd internationally. 

#4 Université Paris-Saclay 

Université Paris-Saclay ranks 73rd in the world and offers degree programmes of all levels: both undergraduate and postgraduate. Their campus is located in the south of Paris and the institution has close ties with major companies, SMEs, start-ups, local authorities and charities to encourage real-world work experience. 

#5 École Normale Supérieur de Lyon 

A university that allows students to split their time between practical training and research, École Normale Supérieur de Lyon ranks fifth in the country and 187th globally. It offers programmes in the sciences and the humanities and is committed to producing industry leading research using their high-quality educational facilities. 

Tuition fees and visas

Tuition fees can vary depending on your programme and whether you are an international student or a student from France or another EU country. 

For French and European students, the French government will cover most of the costs. According to Campus France, the outstanding amount for students to pay will be: 

• €175 per year for the licence (bachelor) degree 

• €250 per year for a master's degree 

• €618 per year in a school of engineering 

• €391 per year for a doctoral degree 

For non-EU international students, the prices are different as they will need to pay the differentiated registration fees. According to Campus France, this will cost: 

• €2,850 per year for the licence (bachelor) degree 

• €3,879 per year for a master’s degree 

For doctorate degrees, the French government will cover the majority of the costs, even for international students. This means that the tuition price to be paid by the student is €319 per year for both domestic and international students. 

The cost of tuition for private institutions will vary as their prices are independently determined. 

For students who need financial aid, there are also scholarships available for French universities. Some scholarships are offered by universities. More information about them can be found on the university website. The French government also offers some scholarship opportunities such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarships offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Campus France has a full list of scholarship options which students can explore. Furthermore, QS also offers scholarships to students hoping to study in France. Our ImpACT Scholarships offers opportunities to a variety of students including international students. Find more information on the QS ImpACT website. 

Freedom of movement means that students from EU countries can study in France without having to worry about a visa. For non-EU international students, you can apply for a visa on the French Government Visas website. The correct visa will be different for students at different levels of study and depending on the length of their programme. 

• For bachelors and master’s students who plan to be in France for longer than three months, they must choose the long stay visa which is the equivalent of a temporary residence permit (VLS-TS). This can last four months up to one year. Students will have to renew their long stay visa every year afterwards. It is important to note that you will need to register your residence permit upon your arrival in France. 

• Doctoral students will need to apply for the ‘passeport talent’ long visa, which differs from a residence permit and does not need to be registered when arriving in France. 

To apply for either of these visas, you will need to submit the following: 

• A passport which is valid up to three months after the expiration of your visa 

• Three recently taken passport photographs 

• A dated and signed visa application form 

• A receipt from France-Visas 

• Proof of legal residency if you do not have full citizenship in your current country of residence 

Other documents that may be needed to approve your visa include a written offer to study at a French university, proof of income or scholarship to ensure that students are able to financially provide for themselves, and proof of accommodation, either a rental agreement or hotel booking, to ensure that they will have somewhere to stay after arriving in France. 

French students and international students from EU countries have no restrictions on their ability to work or bring a spouse or dependents into the country while studying at a French university. International students in France from a non-EU country have the right to work up to 964 hours per year: 20 hours per week. Non-EU students can also bring their spouse and dependent children under the conditions that they have already lived in France for 18 months, earn at least €1,329.05 and can prove that they have suitable accommodation. This applies to a family of two or three people. For larger families, conditions will vary. 

Career opportunities

After graduation, students who want to stay in France to look for work must apply for the temporary residence permit otherwise known as the APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Sejour), which allows them to remain in France for up to one year after their studies. Until a full-time work contract has been signed, for a fixed period or indefinitely, holders of the APS are able to do unskilled work for 964 hours a year or 20 hours a week, as they would have been entitled to as a student. 

France is an excellent study destination for a variety of career paths, particularly those hoping to work in the corporate business, banking, engineering, technology and medical sectors. 

Student support

Students in France, both domestic and international from within or outside of the EU, are offered different forms of support by French universities to ensure that they are able to properly settle into student life and make the most of their studies. 

Financial support is available on campus for students whose circumstances have changed while studying. Whether that means financial aid for tuition fees by exploring scholarship options or help with living expenses, students at French universities can visit the office of student support to get more information about their options. 

Support with housing is also available for students who are facing challenges with their accommodation. Some universities will offer on-campus dormitories but many students at French universities will choose to rent privately, particularly in large cities like Paris. Universities will often have someone who can aid and advise students having conversations with their landlords. 

Support is also offered for students who are struggling with mental health issues or personal issues as well as support for international students who are transitioning to a new life in France. 

To find out more about the exact support services offered by a specific university, visit their website.