Study in France 2024 | Study Abroad in France For Indian Students

Study in France

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Study Abroad in France

Study in France

Studying abroad is a massive aspiration for many students, but deciding on the right place becomes a perplexing task at times. One country that has attracted an enormous number of international students is France, making it a top choice for those looking to study in France.  It is a European Union nation and is the world’s fourth-largest study abroad destination for international students. Various academic streams such as biology, pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy, automobile, aviation, fashion, art, etc., and so forth are immensely robust in France. In 2020, France welcomed more than 350,000 students from across the world, solidifying its reputation as a fantastic destination for studying abroad in France. 

Here are some key reasons why Study in France is an excellent study abroad destination:

1. Quality Education:

A fascinating aspect of French universities is that they are traditionally smaller than their Asian and European counterparts. Hence, the education quality automatically improves as the number of students becomes less. The emphasis of French universities is on quality rather than quantity. Various massive conglomerations of universities have appeared in recent times, and they are undoubtedly the future of education. 

We can trace France’s high-quality education provision from the fact that it has the world’s fourth-highest number of Nobel laureates. Thirty-five universities of France were in QS World University Rankings, proving the country’s academic competency and making France an excellent for those looking to study in France.

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    2. Affordability:

    The state sponsored public universities of France are affordable, making it an attractive option for those considering studying in France. As such, students do not have to bear extravagant costs to acquire premium education. There are no tuition fees in French state universities. Instead, the French universities merely expect students to pay a nominal registration fee and contribute to CVEC. As such, French is one of the most affordable places to study abroad. The cost of registering in France is EUR 3770 for a Master’s and EUR 2770 for a bachelor’s degree. A small number of universities are exempted from the differential fee system as well. Now that we have scrutinized the basics of study in France, let us move towards the education system prevalent in the country.

    3. Lower Living Cost:

    Apart from the absence of tuition fees, France is also a very affordable place for students to live in vis-à-vis other OECD nations, making it an attractive choice for those thinking about studying in France. The family allocation fund (CAF) helps subside and reduce the rent of every registered international and national student in France. Moreover, direct payment is also made to the bank account of each student. The best part is that there exist multiple student discounts on public transports, cinemas, museums, and restaurants all across the country.

    4. The Utility of English:

    Although France is a non-English speaking European country, the country offers a myriad of study abroad programs in English, expanding the options for those considering studying in France. By the end of 2020, more than 1500 programs comprising Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Diplomas in France were taught entirely in English. No prior knowledge of French is needed to enroll in these programs. As such, international students have a range of academic options to choose from when deciding to study in France.

    5. Fantastic Student Life:

    Life as a student in France is excellent and a unique experience. Affordable education coupled with a manageable living cost implies that international students have a lot of scope and financial freedom to explore the country. The country is the perfect amalgamation of natural beauty, historical monuments, and active city life. Therefore, student life in France is a one-of-a-kind adventure for those who decide to study in France.

    6. Immense Post-education Scope:

    Study in France is not only academically heavy but is also skill-oriented. Almost all the courses offered by French universities cater to industry needs and demands. An internship is a mandatory part of nearly all the study abroad programs of French universities. It is noteworthy to mention that 40 percent of doctoral students in France are international students, ensuring that the research aspect of France benefits from a multicultural and diverse perspective. Likewise, the French government also supports its international alumni by creating an alumni-specific visa that enables Master’s or Ph.D. students to apply for a five-year multiple-entry visa post their study in France. Lastly, international students also get a one-year visa extension after finishing their programs to find gainful employment.

    7. Other Benefits:

    The French government also offers medical insurance to all students, including international students under 28. For students above 28, the government expects a minimal health insurance fee of EUR 211 per year. Furthermore, the country is a hub of lucrative schemes as the state allows international students to work for 20 hours per week. The students may get employed in any job, and the minimum wage is EUR 9.61 per hour. The average expenses required by an average student to sustain in France for a month ranges from EUR 600 to 650. A part-time job should be able to cover these expenses seamlessly, without any hassles. If you are seriously considering studying in France, take assistance from free counseling sites like Gateway International.

    Therefore, we can safely assert that France as a study abroad destination is excellent and one of the best in the world for those looking to study in France. 

    Education System For Study in France

    Among the 1.5 million students that France educates every year, a whopping 10 percent are international students from all over the globe, highlighting the country’s appeal as a study in France destination. The higher education system of France is called the Bologna System. The system eases the mobility of international students as the degrees of most European Union nations are valid in France, as well. The undergraduate degrees of France are locally named as ‘licence’ and ‘Licence Professionnelle’ degrees, followed by Master’s programs and Ph.D. programs. France has a credit-based system of education wherein each module within a course contains specific amounts of European Credits (ECTS), which are transferable. Once a student acquires 180 ECTS, they can earn a ‘Licence’ or a Bachelor’s degree. On top of the 180 ECTS, a student needs 120 ECTS to attain a Master’s degree. In case you are on the hunt for in-depth information on the French educational system or the Bologna system while planning to study in France, it’s advisable to browse thoroughly on study abroad in France consulting websites to gather valuable insights and guidance.

    Choosing A Course And University in France

    The first thing to remember while opting for a French university is that you should opt for an institution with a lower ROI rank. It would help if you looked for the course, its details, and the relevance of the system within the university that you are targeting. Tuition fees, living expenses, scholarships, etc., are preliminary aspects that you should consider beforehand. France is an excellent option to study postgraduate programs from abroad. Therefore, make full use of the ample opportunities and choose your university and course wisely. Few of the critical aspects that you should not miss while looking for a course and a university in France include:

    • Researching on the course and its content
    • Understanding the duration of the course
    • Going through every module of the course
    • Understanding your interest in the course
    • Identifying and recognizing the employability skills associated with your course

    It is essential to highlight that changing or repeating courses in France can become a highly pricey affair. Therefore, you must do your research by browsing through the internet and make an informed decision. You can go for Gateway International signup and get detailed information on the courses and universities of France and grasp their nitty-gritty. There are various other steps that you should take to make an informed decision about your course and university. To begin with, you should ask around and find peers and seniors who have taken up a similar course as your area of interest. Talk to them and ask them relevant questions to extract as much information as possible. You can also look for community pages and LinkedIn profiles of people studying courses you are interested in and contact them for leads. The more your doubts will be clear, the better your prospects of study in France will be.

    Top Universities to Study Abroad in France

    France comprises three universities that are among the top 100 universities of the world. You can find a large chunk of the universities in and around Paris – the French capital.

    Top Courses to Study in France

    Some of the famous and upcoming study abroad programs that you can opt for in French universities include –

    • Masters in Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Visual Computer
    • Masters in Innovation and Management
    • Masters in Cyber Security
    • Masters in Energy Environment: Science, Technology, and Management (STEM)
    • Masters in Social Anthropology
    • Masters in Geography

    Southern France is an excellent place if you want to study management. Various top management or MBA offering institutes of France include –

    • INSEAD
    • HEC Paris
    • ESSEC Business School
    • Grenoble Graduate School of Business
    • EDHEC Business School

    In addition to the courses mentioned above, France is a great option to study undergraduate from abroad. Lessons in Fashion, Sustainability, Nuclear Energy, Automobile, and so forth are excellent in France. If you want more information on French universities’ diverse range of courses, opt for an online consultancy for study abroad.

    Admission Process To Studying Abroad in France

    Before deciding on the University of France for higher education, it is essential that you do your research and examine various factors such as your preferred courses, tuition fee, living cost, availability of study abroad scholarships in France, and so forth.

    List Of Documents

    The various documents required to apply for a study abroad French university include –

    ● Two letters of recommendation
    ● A statement of purpose
    ● Copy of passport
    ● Filling the application form online on the Campus France website
    ● Transcripts

    For further information on Study in France as a study abroad destination, you can take assistance from websites such as Gateway International.

    Visa Process

    It is essential to apply for a student visa as early as possible, as it may take around eight weeks for the visa to arrive. But, CampusFrance makes the visa application process much more accessible by helping you understand the documents required and serves as a mediating platform between you and the French government.

    Flight And Accommodation

    Though the former two are inevitable sources of expenditure for students, this factor can be managed. Travel usually takes up to CHF 150 per month, based on personal preferences and distance between the university and where you stay. Moreover, standard ticket charges and visa fees for the journey to and back from Switzerland can be esteemed as per your home country.

    Cost of Attendance in France
    Books

    The tuition fees at the public universities of France range from EUR 190 per year for a bachelor’s degree. The tuition fee for a master’s course is around EUR 260 per year, and for a Ph.D., the tuition fee is approximately EUR 396 per year. Engineering courses have a higher cost which may increase up to EUR 620 per academic year. Moreover, the fees for Medicine students can be around EUR 450 per year. Certain specialized degrees may have a higher fee. Furthermore, you also have to pay EUR 90 as a compulsory contribution to the campus. The cost of books and stationery comes down to EUR 50 per month.

    Tuition Fees At Other Types Of Instituitions

    • Students have to pay a higher fee of about 500 to 600 per year at France’s selective grandes Ecoles and grands etablissements. At times, the fee may extend up to EUR 10000 per year.
    • The tuition fees in private universities of France range from EUR 1500 to EUR 20000 per year.
    • The fees in all business schools of France range from EUR 5000 to EUR 7000.

    Average Living Costs in French Cities And Towns

    The cost of living in France depends mainly on the lifestyle. The average amount required to survive in France while attending college is around EUR 430 per month. It is a bare minimum amount, and the upper limit can extend up to any rate. The French laws enable international students to work in France for more than 20 hours per week.

    Average Budget To Live In Larger Cities Of France

    Paris: between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR per month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to reside in a hall of residence);
    Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR per month;
    Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between and 800 – 1.000 EUR
    For the rest of France, you can manage with smaller amounts (at least 650 EUR).
    Accommodation
    Accommodation prices are usually above the international average of 200 – 300 EUR per month.

    Housing Options For Students In France

    • Student halls of residence – EUR 150 to 600 per month
    • Rent or shared apartment – EUR 400 to 700 per month
    • Utility bills – EUR 300
    • Host family – EUR 200 per month to 800 per month in Paris

    The availability of student rent deposits makes finding accommodation easy for international students study in France, making the university one of the best places to study abroad.

    Food Costs

    • Average expenses on groceries per month – EUR 250 to 300
    • The approximate meal cost budget-friendly eatery – EUR 10 to 15
    • Lunch at university cafeteria – EUR 3

    Transportation In France

    A monthly pass for a bus, train, or tram in France costs about EUR 30. Students of French universities also prefer to rent a bike or cycle. You can use the TGV to visit other French cities at around EUR 30 per trip. Youth and student travel cards are also helpful in getting discounts. To know more about France’s living, transportation, and food costs as an international student, you can take the aid of free counseling websites like Gateway International.

    Best Student Cities Of France
    • Paris
    • Lyon
    • Toulouse
    • Nice
    • Montpellier
    • Grenoble
    • Lille
    • Rennes
    • Bordeaux

    VISA Process

    The visa process for France is straight forward. You can visit the Campus France website and easily understand the process of acquiring a student visa. The availability of Campus France makes France an excellent study abroad destination. The fee taken by Campus France is Rs 8500. The various documents required to apply for a student visa in France are:

    The various documents required to apply for a student visa in France are:

    • Application fee of EUR 50 in Indian currency
    • A CampusFrance account
    • Two passport size photographs
    • Passport
    • Identity documents
    • A registration letter from a French Academic Institution
    • CV
    • Proof of resources
    • Proof of medical insurance
    • OFFI application
    • Proof of residency for a minimum of three months

    Top Study Abroad Scholarships

    • The Eiffel Scholarships
    • Erasmus Mundus Scholarships
    • Ile-de-France Masters Scholarships
    • Centrale Nantes
    • The Ecole Centrale Paris Graduate Fellowship
    • SciencesPo Emile-Boutmy Scholarship
    • HEC Paris
    • INSEAD
    • ISM Global Leadership Scholarship

    Work Opportunities

    International students can rightfully work in France for 20 hours per week. The minimum wage is around EUR 9.76 per hour. Mandatory internships are a part of the coursework associated with various study abroad programs in France. It is noteworthy to mention that if the internship lasts for more than two months, you must be paid EUR 577.50 per month. After completing your master’s degree, you can ask for a six months visa extension to find gainful employment in the country. Furthermore, it is essential to highlight that although English is acceptable in France, you must learn French to work in your area of employment amicably.

    People Also Ask

    No, knowing French is not mandatory to study in France. There exist various management, engineering, medicine, and fashion programs that are taught in English.

    GMAT and GRE are mandatory to pursue management courses in France.

    Edysor is an excellent website that will help you in the process of applying to a French university.

    Yes, France provides various scholarships for international students.