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France is one of the most popular study-abroad destinations for international students, boasting about 100 world-class universities. There are various top universities in France, including the University of PSL, the Institute Polytechnic de Paris, and the Sorbonne University, all of which are ranked among the best universities in the world.
France currently hosts over 400,000 international students, the most significant growth rate in 15 years. As part of a significant move to expand educational links between the two countries, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will welcome 30,000 Indian students to its colleges by 2030.
But before enrolling in France institutes, one must know about the best universities in France, so let’s explore that.
Below, you can check some important highlights related to studying in France.
|
Parameter |
Statistics |
|
Number of universities in France |
100+ |
|
Tuition fees of universities in France |
Up to INR 10L: 57 Up to INR 40L: 74 |
|
Top streams in France |
MIM, BBA, MS, MBA/PGDM |
|
English language exams required |
IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo |
|
Entrance exams required |
GMAT/GRE |
France is an attractive destination for international students because it is home to several world-renowned universities. It is a business and management education hub that is well-known around the world. Medicine, Law, IT Professions, Engineering, Teaching, and Research are the most popular job fields among overseas students in France. Apart from education, the country is a lucrative destination for tourist attractions. It is a beautiful destination to explore, enjoy, and make the most out of your student life.
France grants all overseas students a one-year stay-back permit as a post-study employment permit. During this work permit, international students can find jobs and gain work experience in a related field. However, it can not be renewed. Students who hold a bachelor's or master's degree are eligible for a post-work permit.
The France student visa allows international students to work part-time for 964 hours every year, or 20 hours per week. Most French institutions enable international students to work on campus while studying and part-time during term breaks. However, you can also find various off-campus part-time options like a retailer, tour guide, hotel worker, cashier, etc. The minimum hourly compensation for part-time jobs is approximately EUR 7.61. Therefore, a student can earn up to EUR 7,900 each year.
France hosts some of the best universities in the world, which are highly ranked by various ranking organisations. Here is a list of some of the best universities in France, along with their rankings.
|
University Name |
QS World University Rankings 2025 |
THE Rankings 2024 |
|
Université PSL |
24 |
40 |
|
Institut Polytechnique de Paris |
46 |
71 |
|
Sorbonne University |
63 |
75 |
|
Université Paris-Saclay |
73 |
58 |
|
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
187 |
301-350 |
|
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech |
205 |
- |
|
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
283 |
- |
|
Université Paris Cité |
302 |
152 |
|
Université Grenoble Alpes |
334 |
301-350 |
|
Sciences Po |
350 |
- |
France universities are highly known for their Arts & Humanities courses. You can easily find courses related to this field to support your dream career. Below, we have mentioned the list of top universities in France for pursuing Arts & Humanities courses.
|
University name |
QS Ranking |
|
Sorbonne University |
16 |
|
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
19 |
|
Université PSL |
60 |
|
Aix-Marseille University |
235 |
|
Sciences Po |
273 |
|
Université Paris Cité |
273 |
|
Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3 |
273 |
|
Université Grenoble Alpes |
288 |
|
Université Paris-Saclay |
302 |
|
Université Paris-Nanterre |
330 |
To explore the top 10 universities in France for Engineering and Technology, students can check the table below:
|
University Name |
QS Ranking |
|
Institut Polytechnique de Paris |
34 |
|
Université Paris-Saclay |
35 |
|
Université PSL |
55 |
|
Sorbonne University |
68 |
|
Grenoble INP, Grenoble Institute of Technology |
122 |
|
Université Grenoble Alpes |
149 |
|
IMT Atlantique |
200 |
|
Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA) |
200 |
|
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech |
212 |
|
Ecole Centrale de Lyon |
264 |
According to QS rankings, some of the top ranking universities in France are the Sorbonne University, the Université Paris-Saclay, Université Paris Cité, and the Université de Montpellier. Below, we have included the list of the best universities in France for Life Sciences and Medicine courses.
|
University Name |
QS Ranking |
|
Sorbonne University |
48 |
|
Université Paris-Saclay |
58 |
|
Université Paris Cité |
78 |
|
Université de Montpellier |
123 |
|
Université PSL |
135 |
|
Aix-Marseille University |
157 |
|
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 |
176 |
|
University of Bordeaux |
192 |
|
Université de Strasbourg |
214 |
|
Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III |
228 |
According to the QS Ranking organisation, some of the best universities in France to pursue social science and management studies are listed below.
|
University Name |
QS Ranking |
|
Sorbonne University |
13 |
|
Université PSL |
15 |
|
Université Paris-Saclay |
18 |
|
Institut Polytechnique de Paris |
40 |
|
Université Grenoble Alpes |
61 |
|
Université Paris Cité |
100 |
|
Université de Strasbourg |
123 |
|
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon |
129 |
|
Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III |
144 |
|
Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 |
166 |
French universities also offer various courses related to social sciences and management. Here is the list of some of the best universities in France for social sciences and management, ranked by the QS Rankings.
|
University Name |
QS Ranking |
|
INSEAD (France) |
36 |
|
HEC Paris |
45 |
|
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne |
54 |
|
Sciences Po |
79 |
|
Université PSL |
85 |
|
ESSEC Business School, Paris |
123 |
|
Sorbonne University |
143 |
|
ESCP Europe |
227 |
|
Université Paris-Saclay |
232 |
|
EMLYON Business School |
238 |
France is a fantastic destination for making the most of your student life. You can enjoy and chill at various sites, amusement parks, bars, and clubs. Also, it is a safe place to live. According to QS Rankings, below are some of the best student cities in France.
|
Cities |
QS Best cities Ranking 2025 |
|
Paris |
7 |
|
Lyon |
47 |
|
Toulouse |
97 |
|
Montpellier |
138 |
The universities in France offer an array of courses to support your dream career. Below are some of the popular courses that international students choose to pursue in France, along with the number of universities offering them.
|
Courses |
Number of universities |
|
Business |
11 |
|
Fashion Design |
6 |
|
Medicine |
37 |
|
Computer Science |
25 |
|
Engineering |
16 |
Every international student dreams of enrolling in a top-ranked university in France. Moreover, every country has its own criteria for enrolling international students, and institutions in France also have their criteria, although the essential eligibility criteria to enrol in French universities remain the same.
In order to assess international students’ academic abilities on common grounds, universities in France require scores of standardised admission tests. Below, we have mentioned some of the commonly accepted standardised admission tests and the number of universities accepting them.
All overseas students must demonstrate competency in the English language to be admitted to a university in France. Most French colleges accept IELTS/ TOEFL/ PTE/ Duolingo scores to fulfil these requirements.
Here is a list of important documents required to apply to a France university and for a student visa:
|
Criteria |
Undergraduate |
Postgraduate |
|
10th and 12th standard academic transcript |
10th and 12th standard academic transcript along with bachelor’s degree certificate |
|
|
A minimum IELTS score of 5.5 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test |
A minimum IELTS score of 6.0 bands or equivalent in any other proficiency test |
|
|
1 from an academic institution |
2 (1 from an academic institution and 1 from employer) |
|
|
Required |
Required |
|
|
Certificates |
Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted |
Relevant certificates of extra-curricular activities are accepted |
Here are some other documents you might require when applying for the France student visa.
Identity card
Passport (must be valid till your course completion date)
Birth certificate (a translated and certified copy)
Driving licence (if you are planning on driving in France)
Proof of enrolment in your institute
The printed reservation of your accommodation
The list and contact information for your contacts in France
In France, universities typically have two main student intakes: Fall (September) and Spring (January).
Fall Intake in France - This usually begins in September or October. It's the primary intake in France. Almost all universities accept applications for most undergraduate and graduate programs during this Fall intake. Students who start in the fall can take advantage of the full academic year, participating in orientation activities and settling into campus life during this season.
Spring Intake in France - This starts around January or February. While less common than the fall intake, it still offers opportunities for students to begin their studies. Spring intake is suitable for those who may have missed the fall deadline or for international students who align their academic schedules differently. Since the number of applications during this intake is less, the chances of securing admission to the university increase.
Studying in France is inexpensive compared to other popular study-abroad destinations for Indian students. Many of France's universities have annual tuition fees of less than INR 10L, making France an excellent choice for overseas students. Below, we have mentioned the number of universities available in France according to the tuition fee range.
|
First-Year Tuition Fee Range |
Count of Universities |
|
Up to INR 10L |
57 |
|
INR 10L – 20L |
16 |
|
INR 20L – 40L |
1 |
|
INR 40L+ |
6 |
The cost of living in any country includes accommodation, travel, meals, utilities, and other personal expenses. In France, the average monthly cost of living for Indian students is roughly between 800 EUR and 1500 EUR, depending upon your lifestyle and the city you choose to live in.
|
Expenses |
Cost |
|
Accommodation |
200 EUR – 500 EUR per month |
|
Food |
250 EUR – 500 EUR per month |
|
Transportation |
30 EUR - 75 EUR per month |
|
Miscellaneous Expenses |
30 EUR - 75 EUR per month |
All international applicants must obtain a long-stay French visa to study for a degree in France. Such visas allow students to stay in the nation for 4-12 months and can be renewed based on the duration of their study. Visas in France typically cost around INR 7,000 for Indian students.
In past years, France has seen significant growth in its economy and job sectors. Below, we have mentioned some of the best job opportunities available in France and their average salary.
|
Top Job Roles |
Average Salaries |
|
Physician |
116,000 EUR per year |
|
Dentist |
117,000 EUR per year |
|
Lawyer |
90,600 EUR per year |
|
Pilot |
80,300 EUR per year |
|
Allied Healthcare Professional |
74,000 EUR per year |
|
Financial Analyst |
61,900 EUR per year |
|
IT Professionals |
49,800 EUR per year |
|
Teacher |
34,800 EUR per year |
|
Electrician |
22,800 EUR per year |
Opting to study abroad is a significant step in a student's career, and managing expenses such as tuition and living costs is an important aspect of this decision. Scholarships come into play here, assisting students in attending their dream college by reducing some of their fees. Many colleges in France and private organisations offer scholarships to international students, as mentioned below.
|
Scholarship name |
Value |
Eligibility |
|
EIFFEL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM OF EXCELLENCE |
awardees receive 1,181 euros (master's degree) and 1,400 euros (PhD) per month, plus additional allowance for life expenditures |
application 2025 will start in October 2024 |
|
Erasmus + Scholarship |
Benefits inTuition fees and books Living Allowance Travel Health Insurance |
merit and education qualifications of candidates are the basis of their evaluation |
|
Rennes Business school |
covers a tuition grant that can vary between 1000 to 5000 |
Merit-based |
|
Ampere Scholarships by ENS de Lyon |
1000 per month for 12 months (renewable under conditions) |
Applicants should justify holding an L3 degree (Bachelor's degree) |
Contact MOEC Experts for Study Abroad Guidance!
