Destination guide
France
Grandes Écoles, low public tuition, and a 5-year Talent Passport.
France hosts 3,500+ Grandes Écoles and public universities. Public tuition is heavily subsidised, and English-taught masters are common in business, engineering and luxury management.
Top universities
- • PSLApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • SorbonneApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • École PolytechniqueApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • HEC ParisApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • INSEADApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • Sciences PoApply Now via Partner Counselor
Popular programmes
- • Master in ManagementApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • MSc EngineeringApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • MSc Luxury Brand ManagementApply Now via Partner Counselor
- • MS Data ScienceApply Now via Partner Counselor
Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Application timeline
- 1Register on Campus France 'Études en France' portal
- 2Apply to up to 7 institutions via Parcoursup or direct
- 3Attend Campus France interview (academic + motivation)
- 4Show EUR 615/month proof of funds + CAF housing aid eligibility
- 5Apply for VLS-TS at VFS France
- 6Validate visa online within 3 months of arrival
Insider tips
- Public uni tuition for non-EU = EUR 2,770 (Bachelors) / EUR 3,770 (Masters).
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship covers masters and PhD — apply by January.
- Pre-master French course can boost selection chances at Grandes Écoles.
- Use CROUS housing — much cheaper than private studios in Paris.
Tests accepted
Official resources
Cost of studying in France
Tuition, monthly living costs, visa fees and a rupee funding-gap calculator.
Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) document checklist
Every document you need, as a tickable list you can save.
Studying in France — FAQs
How much does it cost to study in France?＋
Tuition typically runs EUR 2,770 – 25,000 / year, and living costs come to roughly €1,160 per month in a mid-range city — about ₹17.0 lakh for a typical first year including living costs. Use the France cost calculator to model your own numbers.
What visa do I need to study in France?＋
You need the Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS). The application fee is EUR 99 + EUR 50 OFII fee and processing usually takes 2–6 weeks via Campus France. Start Études en France in the autumn before your intake; visa slots open after admission.
Can I work while studying in France?＋
964 hrs/year (~20 hrs/week) After graduating: 12-month APS (job-search) → Talent Passport
Which tests do universities in France accept?＋
Commonly accepted tests are IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT (business), GRE (some), DELF/DALF (French). Requirements vary by university and programme, so always confirm on the programme page.
When are the intakes for France?＋
September primary · January limited Applications generally open 9-12 months before the intake starts.
How much money do I need to show for a France student visa?＋
About €615 per month of resources for the visa application.