Indian students apply through the Campus France “Études en France” procedure, which brings the academic application and visa process together.
Why Indian students consider France
- Public universities with regulated tuition
- Internationally known business and engineering schools
- English-taught master’s and MBA options
- Part-time work allowance for students
Popular fields of study
- Business and management
- Luxury and fashion management
- Engineering
- Hospitality and culinary arts
- Data science
- Aerospace
Common qualifications
- Licence (bachelor’s, 3 years)
- Master (2 years)
- Programme Grande École
- MBA and MSc programmes at business schools
- Doctorate
Entry and English language requirements
Academic entry requirements
Requirements depend on the institution. Business schools often consider academic results, interviews and sometimes GMAT/GRE; public universities assess academic fit with the programme.
English language requirements
English-taught programmes usually accept IELTS or TOEFL. French-taught programmes require a French test such as DELF/DALF or TCF.
Intakes and application timeline
September is the main intake. Some business schools also run January intakes.
- 110–12 months before: shortlist programmes and create your Campus France account
- 26–9 months before: apply to institutions (via Études en France where applicable)
- 3Attend the Campus France interview
- 4After acceptance: apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS)
- 5After arrival: validate your VLS-TS online
Tuition fees and living costs
Fees at public universities are set nationally, while business and engineering schools set their own fees. Paris is considerably more expensive to live in than most other cities.
- Indicative tuition (our database)
- €2,800 – €15,000/year
- Indicative living costs (our database)
- €10,000 – €14,000/year
Indicative ranges only. Check each university’s fee page and the official visa funds requirement.
Scholarships
The French Embassy in India and Campus France promote scholarship programmes for Indian students, and many schools offer merit scholarships.
Browse all scholarshipsStudent visa overview
Students typically apply for the long-stay student visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) after completing the Campus France procedure. Applications are submitted through France-Visas.
Working while you study
Students holding a valid student residence permit may work part-time up to an annual hour limit (around 60% of normal full-time working hours). Check the current rule on official French sites.
After graduation
Graduates of eligible master’s-level programmes can apply for a temporary residence permit to look for work or start a business. Conditions are set by French authorities.
Popular student cities
- Paris
- Lyon
- Toulouse
- Lille
- Grenoble
- Nice
Choosing a course and university
- Check whether a programme is state-recognised (for example, a diplôme visé or grade de master)
- Learn basic French even for English-taught programmes
- Compare business-school fees and scholarship availability carefully
Studying in France: common questions
Can I study in France in English?
Yes. Many master’s, MSc and MBA programmes are fully taught in English.
What is Campus France?
Campus France is the French agency that promotes higher education and manages the application procedure for students from India.
Are French public universities free?
They are not free for non-EU students, but fees are regulated and generally lower than at private schools.