FRANCE

Why Study in France

Many options for international students

Of the 2.5 million students studying in France every year, around 12% come from abroad, giving campus life a distinctly international flavor. Thousands of courses are taught in English, although students studying courses taught in French will need to pass a language test such as the DELF.
When it comes to finding the right course, international students are spoilt for choice. France has more than 3,500 public and private learning institutes, including 72 universities, 25 multi-institute campuses, 271 doctoral schools, and 220 business and management schools. What's more, it has a host of specialist universities, such as 22 schools of architecture and over 227 engineering schools.

A great place for scientists

France is also an excellent destination for science graduates interested in careers in research and development. It has a long history of producing some of the most influential scientists of the 20th century, including the founder of bacteriology and microbiology, Louis Pasteur, and Marie Curie, the physicist and chemist who became the first woman to receive a Nobel Prize. Today, many of the country's leading minds are based at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), a public research organization with an annual budget of €3.3 billion. That supports more than 33,000 researchers dedicated to breaking new ground in biology, engineering, physics, sustainability, and the humanities.

Education System

An American high school diploma sometimes qualifies the student to enter an institution of higher education in France. The institution will rate its equivalency on a case-by-case basis.

An American associate degree often qualifies the student to enter during the first or second year at a French institution. The institution will rate its equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An American bachelor's degree may be rated as equivalent to a license. Certain institutions consider it equivalent to two or three years' study towards a DUT, BTS, or license. This may, in turn, qualify the student for application to a master's degree program in a French institution. The institution will rate its equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An American master’s degree qualifies the student to begin a second master's degree program in Europe or a doctoral degree program. The institution will rate its equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An American doctoral degree (PhD) is considered equivalent to a French doctorate. The degree qualifies the researcher to begin a postdoctoral program or to teach in French institutions of higher education.

Requirements to Study in FRANCE

Visa Requirements

There are different types of student visas for France:

short-stay student visa: You can come to France and study for up to three months on this visa, without the need for a separate residence visa. This is suitable for those enrolling on a language course or short-term programs.
temporary long-stay visa: This visa allows you to study in France for between three and six months without the need for a residence permit. It is non-renewable.
long-stay visa: If you want to study for longer than six months, then you need to apply for this visa. This type of study visa lasts for the duration of your course in France i.e. three years for bachelors, two years for masters, and four years for a Phd. Long-stay visas act as residence permits and are called VLT-TS.
Submission of Visa application and collection of passports can be done only by the applicant himself or through a travel agent authorized by the Embassy of France, New Delhi. The French Student Visa has two distinct stages of application. One at the Campus France and the other at the embassy. The set of documents can vary for both of them. You would be required to submit originals at Campus France and Photo-copies at the embassy/ consulate/ Visa Application Centres.

Documents

You should provide two sets of application photocopies containing the following documents:

Long stay application form for the duration of more than 90 days.
Two passport size photographs.
A copy of Passport.
A print out of your CampusFrance NOC.
Letter of registration from the academic Institution.
Cover letter explaining the study project and a CV/Resume.
Proof of funds - tuition fees + a minimum of 615 Euros/month, for the complete academic term.
Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid in France.
Copy of your round-trip airline ticket (if you are studying for six months or less) or a one-way ticket if you are studying in France for more than six months).
OFII form (Office Français de Immigration et de Integration).
Proof of residency in France such as a lease, electricity bill, title of property, etc. for a minimum of three months or a hotel reservation.
Copy of the CV.
Copies of the degree and academic diplomas, certificates.

Criteria to enrol in a French University

If you want to enrol in a French university, you will typically need the following documents:

ID photo or driver’s license.
High school transcripts (or relevant equivalent).
Copy of passport.
A passport sized photo.
Proof that you can support yourself financially.
Copy of birth certificate.
Certified translation of the birthplace of your parents.
Essay (if asked).
English proficiency results (TOEFL, IELTS, Duo lingo etc.).
Application fee (if asked).
Any other required document depending on the University.

Cost of Studying in France for Indian Students

There are 3500 public and private organizations which offer phenomenal projects and training. Education costs less in France than the US and UK, and that is one of the benefits of studying in France. Funding is also provided to international students.

Tuition Fees in France for International Students

There are 83 Universities in France. They are supported by the national government. They give incredible education at moderate cost to understudies. Cost of study in France differs depending upon the specific program you choose.

Public Universities in France for international students

From 2019, the tuition fees at private universities are 2,770 Euros/Year for Bachelors and 3,770 Euros/Year for Masters in France.

Cost of Studying in France for Indian Students

The cost of studying in France for Indian students will stay the same as the international students coming from outside of EU territories. There are also a number of French Scholarships for Indian Students, along with the hike in the fees, to attract more and more international students.

As a non-EU/EEA student, you will be required to pay different fees from European students if:
You are enrolling for the 1st time for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or for an engineering programme, for the start of the 2020/2021 academic year.
Within a higher education establishment that falls within the scope of the MESRI.
Provided that you are not permanently settled in France.
The state will then cover two thirds of your tuition cost. In total you will be required to pay:
Bachelor: €2,770 per year.
Master: €3,770 per year.
Doctorate: €380 per year.

Living Expenses

Accommodation

Accommodation in France is cheaper than in other European countries, but this will depend on which city you end up living in. Students have several options when it comes to living: student halls of residence, a shared apartment or a homestay.
The average rental price of a studio apartment (for one or two people) is €575 per month and €660 for a one-bedroom apartment.
A homestay is €200-€800 depending on the location – which includes at least one meal a day.
French universities offer accommodation called cités-U cheaply (some as little as €120 per month outside of Paris) and they are managed by CROUS, the regional branch of CNOUS, the national student service agency. The demand is very high and is given out based on social criteria or for students on an exchange or with a scholarship. There are also several other private organisations that offer good value student residences, such as Résidences Estudines, CLEF and ADELE.
Students can apply for a grant from the local Caisse d’Allocation Familiale (CAF) to receive a student rebate for part of their rent. You may not always be eligible for it but it costs nothing to apply and students can receive up to 35 per cent of their rent back monthly.

Cost of Food in France

On an average of 200-250 EUR/month is required for basic supplies in Paris. The normal cost for a dinner is in the vicinity of 15-20 EUR. The bistros, brasseries and crepe stands are the more reasonable choices for having dinner in France.

Transportation in France

There are various modes of transportation like buses, tram, taxes, bikes, metro etc. Students can take a pass to bus, metro and tram which costs between 17 and 33 EUR. Taxis can cost 1.25 EUR/km which is economical in Paris. One can lease a bike through the Vélib bicycle rental programme. One can also utilize the TGV for travelling in different cities and it costs around 20-25 EUR per trip.

Healthcare and Insurance

It is mandatory for every citizen in France to have a Medical Insurance to cover medical expenses when needed. Students can take any of the Public and Private health insurance plans for themselves. International Medical Plans are not allowed.

France provides a Universal Healthcare Coverage plan for the students to cover their medical expenses. To be eligible for a national health insurance program, students in France need to be:

Under 28 years of age on October 1st of the current University Year.

Scholarship to Study in France

With so many Indian students applying to France institutions, different facilities and exemptions have been made available to help them. These scholarships assist Indian and foreign students in decreasing the expenditure and cost to study in France. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, academic performance, or potential abilities. Interested students must contact our consultants for applying in the scholarship program.