Higher education in France for international students

France has gained global recognition given its long-standing tradition of excellence in education. No matter where a university is located, whether it is Paris, Nice, Bordeaux, Cannes, or in provincial settings, students are provided with high-quality courses. The teaching is conducted by qualified teachers who focus on the comprehensive development of students. The educational process also places an emphasis on academic preparation and on building such personal qualities as responsibility and critical thinking.

Simplified Admission Process

One of the advantages of higher education in France is its relatively straightforward admission system. Students can usually enter after high school without the need for passing entrance exams. Additionally, France recognizes diplomas from foreign universities, facilitating easier admission to postgraduate programs.

Higher Education in France Fees: A Range of Options

France hosts both public and private universities, each with its own fee structure. At public universities, EU, EEA, and Swiss students pay only a nominal annual fee — around €178 per year for a Bachelor's program and €254 per year for a Master's program. Non-EU students pay differentiated rates for the 2025–2026 academic year of €2,895 per year for a Bachelor's program and €3,941 per year for a Master's program, while a Doctoral (PhD) program stays at €397 per year and is exempt from the differentiated fees. These amounts remain modest because a significant share of the actual cost — typically between €10,000 and more than €15,000 per student per year — is funded by the French government. Studying at private universities is more expensive, offering added advantages such as smaller class sizes and state-of-the-art facilities. Thus, the cost of higher education in France varies depending on your choice of institution.

Innovative Teaching Approaches

Universities in France adopt modern teaching methods, often employing discussion-based lectures that encourage active participation and dialog between students and teachers. This interactive style contributes to a deeper understanding of the discipline.

Post-Graduation Opportunities

Graduates of higher education institutions in France have excellent career prospects. French university diplomas are highly respected by European employers, allowing many graduates to find employment easily or proceed to further studies in specialized graduate programs. Fields such as fashion, design, tourism, and management are particularly in demand.

Sam Jones

Recruitment Director for Partnership with INTO Universities (Europe and Central Asia)

What firstly should be considered when choosing a university?

It depends on the student - everyone determines the most important criteria for himself. I would advise you to take several rankings and compare them with each other, plus take into account the cost of the course, the location of the university and its scale, the percentage of graduates' employment. See where graduates continue their studies or where they go to work.

The higher education system in France aligns with the Bologna system but retains national nomenclature. Degrees are classified into License (Bachelor's), Master (Master's), and Doctorat (Doctoral) levels.

English-Taught Programs in France

It is possible to study in English in France, with more than 1,600 higher education courses, primarily in engineering, science, management, and business, available entirely in English. However, programs in the humanities, arts, and design are more commonly taught in French.

Affordability and Quality: The Best of Both Worlds

For international students, the cost of higher education in France is generally lower than in other top-tier European countries like the UK, Switzerland, and Germany. Despite the affordability, academic programs meet the high educational standards prevalent in Europe.

It's worth noting that France has a high attrition rate, with only 23% of students completing their degrees on the first attempt. This statistic reflects the rigorous academic expectations and stringent knowledge assessment methods employed by French universities.

Work and Scholarship Opportunities

Foreign students are permitted to work while studying up to 964 hours per year, equivalent to 60% of the maximum legal working time, and can apply for scholarship programs, provided they maintain good academic standing. A notable 87% of university graduates find employment within the first year of completing their degree, particularly those in the fields of medicine, sciences, and technology.

Master's degrees in France are highly popular among international students for several reasons:

• They focus more on practical aspects compared to undergraduate programs, making students job-ready.

• Local students view Master's degrees not as an optional addition but as an essential next step in their educational journey.

• A wide array of Master's programs are available in English.

Master's programs are divided into research and applied streams, each lasting two years. The primary emphasis is on independent work and lectures, culminating in a comprehensive thesis at the end of each academic year.

Gaining admission to universities in France is relatively uncomplicated. There are no entrance tests, and scholarships are often available. Strict admission guidelines set by the Ministry of Education help international applicants minimize errors when submitting their documents, streamlining the process.

By offering a combination of quality education, a range of fees, and a plethora of opportunities post-graduation, France stands as an attractive destination for international students seeking higher education.

Visa requirements for higher education in France depend on nationality and the duration of the planned stay. Nationals of the European Economic Area (the EU plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland do not need a student visa to study or take an internship in France, though they must hold sickness and maternity insurance and have sufficient financial resources for the duration of their studies.

Students from outside the EEA and Switzerland who plan to stay longer than 3 months must obtain a long-term student visa. For stays of up to 3 months a short-stay visa applies — either the «short stay for studies» visa or the «student in competition» visa — while nationals of certain countries are exempt for stays not exceeding 90 days.

The long-stay visa serving as a residence permit (VLS-TS) comes in three types. The student VLS-TS covers studies at Bachelor's and Master's level, the Talent Passport VLS-TS applies to doctoral studies and beyond, and the internship VLS-TS covers internships. The student VLS-TS allows study in France for a period of four months to one year and must be validated online within 3 months of arrival, after which a multi-annual residence permit can be requested.

Applicants residing in one of the 46 countries subject to the «Études en France» procedure must first enter a higher education institution through the Études en France platform, which automatically forwards the visa application to the French consular authorities. France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr) is the official portal for visa applications and lets eligible long-stay student applicants upload digital copies of their supporting documents online.

A VLS-TS holder may travel freely throughout the Schengen Area, use VISALE (the free rental guarantee service for students) and receive a housing subsidy from the CAF.

France has one of the largest higher education systems in Europe. Around 18 million pupils and students — about a quarter of the country's population — are enrolled across all levels of the education system. Of these, more than 2.9 million study at the higher education level in universities, grandes écoles and specialized institutions.

International students account for 14% of all students in French higher education, making France a major destination for study abroad. This share reflects the country's strong reputation for academic quality and the wide range of Bachelor's and Master's programs open to foreign applicants.

France allows international graduates to remain in the country and search for employment after completing their studies. Non-EU students who wish to stay in France to look for work can apply for a temporary residence permit known as the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour). This permit allows graduates to remain in France for up to one year after their studies, giving them time to find a job that matches their qualifications and to begin building an international career.

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