Study in France for Indian Students: Costs, Universities, Visas & More

Here are the main types of higher education institutions in France where Indian students can study.

• Grandes Écoles

France’s most selective and prestigious institutions. Admission is typically through competitive entrance exams, and they produce a large number of France’s business leaders, engineers, and politicians.

• Public universities

Government-funded universities that cover a wide range of disciplines and charge significantly lower tuition than private institutions. These are ideal if you’re looking for good academic quality at a manageable cost.

• Private universities and business schools

These institutions typically offer more flexible admissions, strong industry connections, and a higher proportion of English-taught programmes, but at a higher tuition cost.

• Pathway and foundation providers

Offers preparatory programmes to students who don’t meet the full entry requirements of degree programmes in France. This is a practical option if you’re bridging an academic gap or building subject-specific knowledge before applying to a full degree.

🧠 These categories often overlap. For example, some public and private institutions have Grandes Écoles status, while private business schools may also offer pathway or foundation programmes.

France follows the LMD (Licence–Master–Doctorat) system when awarding degrees, similar to other European countries.

• The licence, a three-year course of study, is an undergraduate degree equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in India.
• After the licence, students can complete a master, a two-year course of study equivalent to a master’s degree in India. The master can be a professional degree (master professionnel) or a research degree (master recherche).
• Students holding a research degree (master recherche) may complete an additional three years’ coursework to qualify for a doctorat.

💬 You may also hear students in France refer to their academic credentials based on how many years of study they have completed since the baccalauréat (high school diploma). For example, a master’s degree is a Bac+5 (“bac plus cinq”).

Learn more about the French Education System ➡️ Understanding the French Education System | Commission Franco-Américaine Fulbright

🧠 France uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS). One full academic year is worth 60 ECTS credits. This makes it straightforward to have your Indian qualifications assessed and credits recognised when applying.

France offers two main intakes for degree-level studies.

• September–October → Primary intake, the majority of programmes begin here
• January–February → Secondary intake, mostly available for master’s and MBA programmes

Most Indian students target the September intake, which means applications typically open 9–12 months in advance.

• Aivancity → Known for AI, cloud computing, and data science programmes, including the Grande École programme (bac+5)
• American Business School of Paris → Offers US-style undergraduate and graduate business programmes, taught in English
• École Ducasse Paris → Known for culinary and pastry arts programmes; a well-known institution in France for professional culinary education
• EM Normandie Business School → Known for international business, management, and logistics programmes; campuses in Caen, Le Havre, and Paris
• ESSCA School of Management → Offers management and business programmes across multiple French campuses; strong international student community

• Atelier Chardon Savard → Offers fashion and styling programmes specialising in creative education for careers; campuses in Paris and Nantes
• Domus Academy → Known for English-taught master’s programmes in luxury brand management, fashion, and creative business
• ESGCI, Paris → Provides specialised programmes in international commerce, marketing, and business management with a focus on practical skill development
• IESA Arts and Culture → Offers programmes that prepare students for careers in cultural project management, art markets, and heritage institutions
• Institut Culinaire de France → A professional culinary training school specialising in cuisine, pastry, and hospitality education; campus in Bordeaux

📌 Before you apply, verify the accreditation status of any institution with the French Ministry of Higher Education or Campus France. For business schools, AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA accreditation are reliable markers of quality.

• Duration → 1–2 years
• Language → Primarily English, at top business schools

• Duration → 6 months–2 years
• Language → English and French

• Duration → 1–2 years
• Language → Mostly English at master’s level

• Duration → 1–3 years (master’s to PhD)
• Language → Increasingly English at master’s level

• Duration → 1–2 years
• Language → English and French

• Duration → 1–3 years
• Language → English and French

• Duration → 2 years (master’s)
• Language → English and French (English programmes available at major universities)

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates
• Application fee acknowledgement
• CV/Resume
• Financial proof
• Language test scores
• Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
• Passport copy
• Portfolio (for arts, design, or architecture programmes)
• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

1. Research and shortlist your programmes. Check intake deadlines; applications typically open 6–9 months before the start date.
2. Take your language tests well in advance. Don’t leave these until the last minute.
3. Create your Campus France account and begin the Études en France (EEF) procedure (see below for more information).
4. Submit your application either directly through the university portal or via the EEF platform.
5. Attend your Campus France interview in India (Check the Campus France Office Locator to find the closest office to you).
6. Receive your offer letter, accept it, and then begin your visa application.

• Academic transcripts and degree certificates (apostilled)
• Campus France interview completion proof
• Completed visa application form (via France-Visas)
• Passport-size photographs
• Proof of accommodation in France
• Proof of finances
• University offer/admission letter
• Valid health insurance
• Valid passport
• Visa fee payment receipt

1. Complete the EEF procedure
2. Receive and accept your university admission letter
3. Fill in your application at France-Visas
4. Book and attend your VFS appointment
5. Collect your visa from VFS (processing typically takes 2–4 weeks)
6. After arriving in France, validate your VLS-TS online within 3 months at Etrangers en France

• Starting the EEF procedure late. Campus France interview slots can fill up quickly during peak application periods.
• Limited financial proof. You’ll need to show France-Visas €615/month of income for living expenses.
• No confirmed accommodation. Proof of accommodation is required before your visa is issued. You can show this via CROUS booking, signed lease, or institution letter.
• Overlooking passport validity. Your passport should remain valid for the full duration of your course.
• Missing apostille requirements. Some consulates may require apostilled academic documents.

• EEF fee: EUR 165 (INR 18k)
• France student visa application fee: EUR 50 (INR 5.5k)
• VFS service fee: EUR 22 (INR 2.5k)
• Health insurance*: EUR 300–600/year (INR 33–67k)
• Flight costs*: EUR 670–900 (INR 75–100k)

*The exact cost depends on the provider.

🧠 Students under 28 years old are automatically enrolled in France’s national health system (CPAM – Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie) and receive a student social security number. This covers your basic healthcare.

Tuition fees for the academic year 2025/26:

• EUR 2,895/year (INR 3 L) at the licence (bachelor’s) level
• EUR 3,941/year (INR 4 L) at the master level

Tuition in private institutions is higher than in public institutions, ranging from EUR 6,000 to 18,000 (INR 7–20 L) per year.

Paris, the capital of France, tends to be the most expensive (EUR 1,200–1,800), and cities like Bordeaux and Grenoble have lower costs of living (EUR 800–1,200) while still housing renowned universities and a sizable international student community.

Here’s a breakdown of the average cost of living in France, including rent, transport, food, and other personal expenses.

*Estimates are based on Preparing your budget | Campus France India.

**INR value is calculated at EUR 1= ₹111.58 on 2026.05.22

🧠 If you live in eligible accommodation, you may qualify for CAF housing aid (APL, ALS, ALF), a French government benefit that can reduce your rent by EUR 80–€300/month. Apply through CAF after your arrival.

• Apply for CROUS housing early, ideally before or alongside your university application. Places fill up quickly.
• Use student transport passes like the Imagine R Student Pass to reduce monthly travel costs.
• Cook at home regularly to keep food expenses manageable. Eating out regularly can push your budget significantly.
• Check CROUS cafeteria meal plans, where student meals cost around €3.30.
• Open a French student bank account to avoid international transaction fees and make it easier to be reimbursed for healthcare expenses.

• Paris → France’s top student city, with leading universities, strong job opportunities, and a large international student community. Living costs are the highest in the country.
• Lyon → Student city known for engineering, business, and life sciences. More affordable than Paris
• Toulouse → France’s aerospace hub. Popular for engineering and aviation, with lower living costs compared to Paris and Lyon
• Bordeaux → A growing university city known for business, sustainability, and high quality of life. Much more affordable than Paris
• Grenoble → A technology and research-focused city near the French Alps. Strong for STEM subjects, with lower living costs and a large international student population

• Validate your VLT – TS (student visa) at Etrangers en France within 3 months of arrival
• Register at your university to get your student ID, library access, and institutional email
• Open a bank account in France. You’ll need identification, proof of residence, and an attestation of enrolment or a student card
• Apply for CAF housing aid if you’re living in an eligible accommodation
• Register for CPAM to get access to basic healthcare in France

Common part-time jobs for Indian students in France include:

• Restaurant and café work
• Retail and supermarkets
• University campus roles (library, admin support)
• Delivery services (flexible hours)

🧠 You don’t always need French for a part-time job. English-friendly workplaces in tourism, hospitality, and international retail exist, particularly in Paris. However, even basic conversational French will dramatically expand your options.

You can apply for this permit as soon as you graduate, through your local prefecture in France. It allows you to stay and work full-time in France for one year.

Once you secure a job offer, you can transition to a longer-term work permit, such as:

• Carte de Séjour Salarié → Standard work permit
• Passeport Talent → For highly skilled professionals meeting salary requirements

Here are a few top job roles you can pursue in France after graduation, along with their average annual salaries.

Sectors like engineering, fashion, finance and consulting, healthcare, luxury, and technology actively hire international graduates at all levels.

🧠 If you’re serious about building your career in France, consider learning the French language early. Most universities offer language courses for international students, and the DELF/DALF certifications are internationally recognised if you choose to formalise your level.