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- Country profile – France
Country profile – France
Study in
France
Education and quality of academic institutions and community
France is one of the most attractive countries in terms of international mobility. It is the fourth-most popular destination for international students, after the USA, the UK and Australia and is the most popular non-English-speaking country. France’s higher education system and research, and their Grandes Ecoles, are consistently highly-ranked in international rankings such as the Times Higher Education, Financial Times, the QS and the European Union’s U-Multirank. France has been awarded thirteen Fields Medals, making France the second in the world in mathematics, as well as 65 Nobel-Prize winners, including Marie Curie, the first woman to receive a Nobel in Physics and Chemistry.
The French government and public authorities invest massively in education and research, where the State allocates over 20% of the annual budget. France welcomes over 400,000 international students every year and has no shortage of choice of where to study. With more than 3,500 public and private institutions, Universities, Grandes Ecoles and Art / Architecture schools, students can feel confident and excited in finding the right place.
Overview of France’s different higher education institutions below:
The Grandes Ecoles
Around 20% of international students choose to study in Grandes Ecoles, which encompasses ‘Ecoles normal superieures’ (ENS), institutes of political studies (IEP), engineering schools, business and management schools, and veterinary schools. The Grandes Ecoles are public or private higher education institutions recognised by the State which deliver bac+5 level diplomas, some of which can be conferred into Master level and many training courses delivered in English.Specialised schools
Around 3,000 public or private higher education institutions offer courses in specialist sectors such as health, communication, journalism, fashion and design, agronomy, and political science. These schools offer diplomas and certificates and the duration of study is typically two to five years.Universities
Around 75% of international students choose to study in universities. Universities in France are funded by the State and deliver national diplomas (Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate), which all have the same academic value. Students with baccalaureate or equivalent diplomas are eligible to apply and offer teaching and research courses in science, literature, languages, arts, humanities, health and sport.Higher schools of art and applied arts
There are 50 public art and design schools which are overseen by the Ministry of Culture. These schools offer courses in art, design and communication and are organised in two cycles of 3 or 5 years, culminating into a national diploma (some courses can be offered as a postgraduate degree). Four well known schools include the Boulle, Olivier de Serres, Duperre and Estienne. They award national diplomas in graphic design, spatial design, fashion and crafts.The National Schools of Architecture (ENSA)
A network of 20 public schools which offer three training cycles and award State-recognised national diplomas (Bachlors, Masters and Doctorate).
Tuition fees and scholarship opportunities
- €2,770 EUR per year for Bachelor’s (Licence) programmes
- €3,770 EUR per year for Master’s programmes
- €380 EUR per year for Doctorate (PhD) programmes – the same amount as for Europeans
Note that the values above refer only to public universities; the cost of tuition at private universities can be higher. They generally range from €3,000 to 20,000 EUR per year.
1 in 4 international students comes to study in France with a scholarship, demonstrating the many scholarships available to help students finance their studies. The ‘Campus Bourses’ search tool lists all financial aid issued by the State, local authorities, companies, foundations and higher education institutions. You can filter your search by nationality, field and level of study to find a scheme that matches your profile and needs.
Notable scholarships are listed below:
Scholarships from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs awards many scholarships to foreign students. 25% of these scholarships are funded directly by the Ministry as part of the Eiffel (for studies at the master’s or doctoral level) or Major (for the best foreign baccalaureate holders from French high schools abroad) programmes. The rest is covered by the French embassies abroad.
Scholarships from the Ministry of Higher Education
The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research also awards scholarships based on social criteria to certain foreign students. To be eligible, they must have resided in France for at least two years and have domiciled their tax household there. This ministry also finances doctoral contracts managed by doctoral schools.
In France, public research is shared between higher education institutions and public bodies such as the CNRS (National Centre for Scientific Research) which covers all areas of research, the IRD (Institute for Research and Development), the ADEME (Agency for the Environment and Energy Management) and the IFREMER (French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea). In partnership with the regions, these public bodies finance research grants for doctoral or postdoctoral students.
Finally, some higher education institutions offer scholarship programs to foreign students who join their courses. To benefit from it, contact their international relations department directly.
Local government grants
French regions and cities award scholarships to foreign students who are studying in their territory. They also award doctoral and postdoctoral allowances managed by higher education and research institutions. Regional host scholarships may also be awarded to foreign students under exchange agreements with institutions in other countries.
Erasmus+ mobility grants for foreign students
Erasmus+ is a European Union programme that supports education, training, youth and sport. Thanks to it, students can benefit from a mobility grant in Europe.The Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters offer is a study programme that awards scholarships to the best students in the world, for one or two years, regardless of their field. To take advantage of this program, these students must complete their master’s degree in at least two countries participating in the programme. Several French higher education institutions offer joint master’s degrees. Within the framework of bilateral agreements between higher education institutions, Erasmus+ also offers mobility grants to and from France. They cover the costs of installation and subsistence costs.
The France Excellence Europa Scholarship Program.
Developed by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the “France Excellence Europa” scholarship programme allows students from 26 countries of the European Union to obtain a scholarship to come and study at the Master’s level in a French higher education institution. Applications are submitted exclusively by French higher education institutions.
Cost of living
Housing prices are on average 34% less than the USA, with property tax coming in at one-tenth of rates found in North America. Eating out in France is still quite cheap even with inflation, as culture is highly focused on eating well. A farm-to-table meal can be bought for around €28 ($31). A regular meal out costs on average €14 ($15.30). Keep in mind that tipping is not customary in France.
Residents on average spend $600 per month on groceries, and all the major supermarkets-Auchan, Carrefour, Casino, E. Leclerc, and Intermarché-offer client fidelity programmes where shoppers can receive weekly discounts and cashback incentives that run throughout the year.
Public transport in France is well connected and affordable, with unlimited monthly travel passes costing around €35 ($38).Trains are efficient and easy to use, and one-way tickets for high speed trains connecting the cities cost on average €16 ($17.57).
Budget | $ (U.S.) | $ (CA) |
---|---|---|
Rent | 800-1,400 | 1,073-1,810 |
Groceries (Incl. Wine) | 600 | 805 |
Car (Insurance/Maintenance) | 75 | 100 |
Gas (Diesel/Petrol for car) | 100 | 135 |
Gas (Heating/Stove) | 59 | 79 |
Electricity | 48 | 64 |
Phone (Landline) | 21 | 28 |
Health Insurance Top Up | 29 | 39 |
Internet | 32 | 43 |
Cellphone Plan | 22 | 29 |
Lunch Out (Five Times a Month) | 200 | 268 |
Misc. (Coffee, Croissants, etc.) | 80 | 107 |
Movie Tickets | 14 | 20 |
Total: | $2,080-2,680 | $2,792-3,527 |
Student Visa and immigration policies
The long-stay student visa, ‘VLS-TS’, allows you to study in France for a period of four months to one year, when it expires you must apply for a residence permit. The VLS-TS visa allows you to:
- Travel freely to all countries in the Schengen area
- Work 964 hours a year (20 hours a week)
- Benefit from VISALE, the free student rental deposit
- Receive a housing allowance from the CAF
- Extend their stay beyond the validity period of the residence permit issued
If you live in one of the 46 countries covered by the “Studies in France” procedure and you need a visa to come and study in France, you must first apply for higher education via the “Studies in France” platform. Your visa application will be automatically forwarded to the French consular authorities in your country of residence via this platform. If you do not live in one of these countries and you need a visa to come and study in France, contact the French consular authorities in your country of residence. Check the FAQs and list of affected countries for more information.
If you wish to stay in France to continue your studies while your VLS-TS visa is about to expire, you can apply for its renewal by sending an application to the prefecture: you will apply for a multi-year residence permit. Note that everything is done in France three months before your VLS-TS visa expires.
The multi-year residence permit that will be issued to you under certain conditions will be valid for the number of years remaining in the study cycle in which you are enrolled. For example, if you have completed your first year of your bachelor’s degree in France, you can benefit from a multi-year residence permit valid for two years, i.e. until the end of the third year of your bachelor’s degree. If you are studying at a Grande Ecole, the renewal of your residence permit will be valid until you graduate.
Job opportunities (during and after studies)
Every foreign student has the right to work during their studies in France. This right concerns all students in France. If they are not a citizen of the European Union, the student must have a “student” residence permit. French law allows foreign students to work 964 hours in the year, the equivalent of 60% of the legal duration of working time. For Algerian students, they can legally work 50% of the legal duration of working time whose status is still defined by the Franco-Algerian Agreement of December 27, 1968. In the event that you exceed 964 hours, the student’s employer is obliged to apply for a provisional work permit via the website of the Ministry of the Interior. For Algerian students, the employer must apply for a Provisional Work Permit (APT) regardless of the number of hours worked.
When you work in France, student or not, a legal minimum wage is guaranteed (€11.65/hour). After deducting the compulsory social security contributions (about 20%), you take home €9.22/hour.
In France, foreign students can also work at their host institution or university. These employment contracts for students last a maximum of twelve months, from September 1 to August 31.Typical roles include welcoming students at the start of the school year, tutoring, cultural or sports activities, and supporting students with disabilities. In order to allow students to succeed in their studies and to integrate them into the workforce, the work of students at the university is adapted to the schedules and pace of their studies. For the same reason, students working in French universities cannot work more than 670 hours between September 1 and June 30 and no more than 300 hours between July 1 and August 31.
The apprenticeship contract is an employment contract of limited or indefinite duration between an employee and an employer. It allows the apprentice to follow a work-study training course in a company under the responsibility of an apprenticeship supervisor and in an apprentice training centre. Apprenticeship contracts are now open to newcomers enrolled in a Master’s degree (recognized by the State) or in one of the courses labelled by the Conférence des Grandes Ecoles listed in this list. Apart from these courses, registrations for other courses including an apprenticeship or professionalisation contract remain inaccessible to newly arrived students.
For countries implementing the Study in France procedure, applications for an apprenticeship training are made on this platform, prior to the visa application.
Safety and security
France has recently been flagged as a popular target for terrorism. Terrorism attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places visited by tourists and foreign nationals such as:
- shopping centres
- entertainment establishments and nightlife venues
- sporting and cultural events
- public transport and national and international transport hubs
- places of worship
- crowded places and public gatherings
Methods of attack have included knife attacks, shootings, bombings and vehicle attacks. Be vigilant in public places and follow the advice of local French authorities.There have been several recent high-profile terrorist attacks in France, including:
- in 2023, one person was killed in a knife and hammer attack in central Paris
- in 2023, a teacher was killed in a knife attack in a school in Arras
French authorities regularly report that they have disrupted planned attacks and made arrests.
There can be frequent industrial action across France. This can lead to disruption and delays on roads and public transport. If you’re due to travel to or within France, monitor the media, check your operator’s advice and follow the advice of the authorities.
Covering your face in public places in France is illegal. This includes balaclavas, full veils or any other garment or mask that is used to hide the face. You could get a fine of up to €150 EUR if you do not comply. Forcing someone to hide their face is also a crime and is punishable by a year’s imprisonment and a fine of up to €30,000 EUR. If the person forced to hide their face is under 18 years old, the sentence is doubled. This law also applies to tourists.
There have been several cases of serious assault on the RER line B, which serves:
- Paris Charles de Gaulle airport
- Orly Airport
- Paris Gare du Nord Eurostar terminus
There have also been serious assaults on RER line D, which serves the Stade de France. Be alert to the possible use of ‘date rape’ and other drugs including GHB and liquid ecstasy. Buy your own drinks and always keep them in sight to avoid them being spiked. Alcohol and drugs can reduce your vigilance, making you less in control, so always be aware of your limit if you drink. Drinks served in bars in France are often stronger than those in the UK or USA.
Language requirements
Pursuing higher education in a French or French-speaking university requires international students to have sufficient mastery of French. For registration in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, a B1 or B2 level in French is desirable, according to the criteria set by the CEFR – common European framework of reference for languages. The B1 level indicates a basic use of French language necessary to student daily life in France. If most French universities only require a B1 or B2 level to admit international students, including in the field of human and social sciences, some establishments however require a C1 level – i.e. the level of an experienced user according to the criteria of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Attesting to a C1 level in French guarantees a deep understanding of the language which allows you to follow courses effectively, participate actively in academic discussions, pass exams and fully integrate into French university and cultural life. Students who wish to justify a B1 or B2 level can choose to take the French language studies diploma (DELF), while the C1 level requires an advanced diploma in French language (DALF).
Social, Cultural lifestyle and activities
France is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world, with world-famous cuisine and picturesque scenery. The wealth of social and cultural activities from the big cities to quaint countryside villages means there is always something to do with friends and on your own. France is focused on achieving a healthy work-life balance and wants its citizens and visitors to move at a much slower, relaxed pace than those in other Western countries. French culture lives with a fairly strict set of rules outlining common courtesy and politeness. Although it is recommended to learn some basic phrases in French, it’s increasingly common for the French to try out their English nowadays, and there are English-speaking expat communities all around the country if you want to ease into language learning. Noteworthy events that take place in France are Mardi Gras, vineyard and wine tasting tours, Grand Prix, Tour De France.
Rouen boasts a vibrant social and cultural lifestyle with its historic charm and modern activities. Known as the “City of a Hundred Spires,” it offers stunning Gothic architecture, bustling markets, and cultural festivals like Armada, celebrating maritime heritage. Students and visitors enjoy lively cafés, theatres, and museums, including the Joan of Arc History Museum. The Seine River adds a scenic touch, perfect for strolls and events throughout the year. Rouen blends rich history with contemporary French culture, creating a dynamic atmosphere for students and residents alike.
Accommodation availability and options
There are many options available to you for accommodation during your studies in France. You will have the choice between accommodation in the public or private sector, in a student residence or in an apartment, alone or in a shared flat, in a room with a host or in independent accommodation. In any case, we recommend that you start your search as soon as possible. Some institutions, in particular the Grandes Ecoles, have their own housing or a platform for finding accommodation reserved for their students.
To facilitate your search, we have distinguished two ways of housing for students in France:
- Accommodation in residences or hostels. This has several advantages: moderate rents, already furnished rooms, and a community life that is very popular with students.
- Finding accommodation in the private real estate stock through a real estate agency or with a private individual. It is in these accommodations that you can share a flat with other students or “stay with the locals” by renting a room in an apartment.
The CROUS university residences
The CROUS residences are public and subsidised by the State. It is the most sought-after accommodation by students. It has many advantages: the rent is low (€450 EUR in Paris, €350 EUR in other regions on average) with the possibility of benefiting from housing benefits from the CAF (Family Allowances Fund). To make a request to book accommodation in a university residence managed by the CROUS, international students must go directly through the trouverunlogement.lescrous.fr website.
You do not need to apply for CROUS if:
- You are a student in exchange programmes or in mobility as part of an Erasmus+ programme
- You are a scholarship holder
Private student residences
The rates for private residences are often higher than those of the CROUS, but they remain competitive on the student housing market, you can consult the websites of the following organisations: PARME, UXCO, Les Estudines, NEXITY Studéa, Cardinal Campus, Néoresid, Kley, Student Factory, YOU FIRST Campus, Studapart, LIVIN-France.
Student and youth hostels
Managed by associations, sometimes religious, the hostels offer accommodation to young people aged between 18 and 25. Hostels can be reserved in single gender or mixed rooms. Priority is given to young workers (apprentices, work-study programmes) and students on internships. The price of rooms will be lower than that of private residences (approx. €600 EUR in Paris; €400 EUR in the regions). For more information, you can consult the websites of the National Union of Student Houses, the Association of Youth Residences and Centres, and the National Union for Youth Housing.
Private apartments and shared accommodation
The prices are those of the real estate market (approx. €800 EUR in Paris and €400 EUR in the regions).You can consult the websites Se Loger or, for Paris only, Lodgis. To rent an apartment from a private individual (without going through an agency), consult the ads on the websites De Particulier à Particulier or Le Bon Coin.
Alternatively, you can choose to rent larger apartments and flatshare to save on utility costs. You can find ads for flatshares on the websites Living France, appartager, roomlala, immojeune, or the map of roommates.
Understanding classified ads
The number of rooms indicated in classified ads corresponds to the number of “living rooms” (bedrooms, living room, dining room); It does not include the kitchen, bathroom or hallways. For example, a “two-room” means that the unit will include a bedroom and living room as well as a kitchen and bathroom.
Here are the most common names and abbreviations:
- Studio: unique room with a kitchen area
- T2 or F2: two-room apartment
- T3 or F3: three-room apartment
- Bathroom: bathroom (with a bathtub)
- Shower room: bathroom (with a shower)
- Appt. :apartment
- Ground floor: Ground floor
- Csa. :lift
- TBE: very good condition
- CC: charges included. Charges are the costs to be added to the rent price for the maintenance of the building and the services common to all its inhabitants (cleaning of the common areas, collection of rubbish, etc.)
Healthcare system and student insurance
Healthcare prices are fixed no matter where in France you go for treatment. An annual fee of €25 EUR ($27) for doctor’s appointments will be reimbursed at 70% – leaving an out-of-pocket charge at around $9. These fees have not increased in the last 10+ years, with no sign of changes in the future, as France is a social welfare state concerned with making sure all citizens and foreign residents have access to low-cost quality healthcare.
Climate and weather conditions
France generally enjoys cool winters and mild summers except along the Mediterranean where mild winters and hot summers are the norm. Average winter temperatures range from 0°C to 8°C and average summer temperatures from 16°C to 24°C.
Wildfires can start anywhere in France during the summer months, particularly along the Mediterranean coast and in Corsica. The French weather service has launched a fire alert map for travellers to check. Fires have become more frequent because of drought and high temperatures. French authorities may evacuate areas and close roads for safety reasons.
If you’re staying in a high-risk area:
- Check the local safety and emergency procedures
- Be vigilant
- Follow the advice of local authorities
If you are caught in, or witness, a wildfire call the emergency services on 18 (fire) or 112 (emergency services).
Connectivity to home country (flights and travel costs)
France’s most serviced international airport is Charles de Gaulle, just outside of Paris. Domestic and charter flights generally depart from Orly airport just south of Paris. Trains connecting you to nearly every destination in France and Europe leave from a number of Paris’ centrally located gares (train stations). On average return flights to France from the USA cost $1,000 USD.
Recognition of degrees internationally
include the mode of study (such as online or in-person programmes) and the specific list of approved universities and degree programmes as outlined by a country’s Ministry of Education or relevant authority. Therefore, students should ensure that the degree they pursue is recognised both in their home country and in any other regions where they might plan to work or further their education.
Students with foreign academic or professional qualifications can apply online for an ‘attestation de comparabilité’ to help employers and educational bodies understand the equivalent French qualification. These attestations are not legally binding but they are useful and some firms and universities do ask for them.They are obtained via the website of France Education International, the French arm of an international network of centres called Enic-Naric. The process costs €70 EUR.