Bachelor’s in France: Top Universities, Popular Courses & Scholarships
If you are looking forward to pursuing your undergraduate degree in a European country, then France can be a top choice for you. With the aim of increasing the number of Indian students to 30,000 by the year 2030, it is continuing to provide affordable study programs in higher degree institutions. Approximately 1,700 study programs are available in the English language.
In this blog, we have provided the complete details of pursuing a bachelor’s in France, including top universities, popular courses, scholarships, and more.
- Top Reasons to Pursue Bachelor’s in France
- Features of Bachelor’s in France
- Top Universities in France for International Students
- Popular Bachelor Courses in France
- Study Intakes in France
- Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s in France
- Documents Required
- How to Apply for Bachelor’s in France?
- Scholarships for Indian Students in France
- Student Visa of France for Indian Student
- Career Opportunities after Bachelor’s in France
- Conclusion
- FAQs
Top Reasons to Pursue Bachelor’s in France
A bachelor’s degree is the key foundation of higher education worldwide. It provides concrete basic knowledge and understanding of the subjects that students have chosen. Below are some of the reasons for Indian students why they should pursue bachelor’s in France:
Home to Top Universities: France is worldwide recognised for the quality of education it offers to international students. University of Paris, HEC Paris, ESSEC, Science Po, etc., are the most sought-after universities for their expertise in science, technology, management, arts and culture education.
Connection with Industries: French universities provide customised career support networks to Indian students. These universities have a network of 10,000 companies offering extensive career opportunities through internships, training programs, and full-time employment.
Availability of Scholarships: In 2023-24, about 146 Indian students received Erasmus scholarships. Similarly, with the aim of attracting several thousand more students to study in France in the coming years, local institutes are committed to providing scholarship opportunities.
Closer proximity to other European countries: France is located nearer to other European countries like the UK, Germany, Netherlands, Ireland, and Spain, which together constitute the building blocks of providing extensive academic, research, and job opportunities for Indian students after their bachelor’s in France.
Availability of courses in the English language: Most students might think that expertise in French language is must to study in France. However, this does not hold true because there is no such obligation, as French universities also provide several full-time bachelor courses in English.
Features of Bachelor’s in France
Before applying for the bachelor’s in France, it is important to understand some of the basic features of the bachelor’s degree in France.
- The undergraduate degree or bachelor’s in France is also known as Licence.
- The duration licence is 3 years, depending on the academic program.
- Total credits of a particular bachelor course in France is 180.
Top Universities in France for International Students
Tuition fees in France are relatively low compared with the rest of Europe. Below, we have listed the top universities in France for international students, along with their QS World University Rankings 2025 and annual tuition fees.
| University | QS World University Ranking 2025 | Total Tuition Fees (Bachelor’s Courses) |
|---|---|---|
| Université PSL | 24 | EUR 410 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 46 | EUR 56,400 |
| Sorbonne University | 63 | EUR 410 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 73 | EUR 410 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 187 | EUR 552 |
| Université Paris Cité | 302 | EUR 270 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 334 | EUR 3,770 |
| Sciences Po | 350 | EUR 14,720 |
Popular Bachelor Courses in France
Some of the popular courses in France are tabulated below, along with their most preferred universities.
- Business Studies
- Creative Writing & Literary Studies
- Fashion Designing
- Film Studies & Multimedia Arts
- Information Technology
- Law
- Life Sciences
Study Intakes in France
- Fall intake is the popular intake chosen by most international students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in France.
- It usually commences in September-October every year and provides most bachelor’s programs in French universities.
- On the other hand, spring intake is less popular and commences in January every year. It only offers diplomas and other minor courses.
| Intakes | Application Cycle | Commencement of Intake |
|---|---|---|
| Fall Intake (Rentrée d'Automne) | September 2024-January 2025 | September-October 2025 |
| Spring intake (Rentrée d'Hiver) | September-November 2024 | January 2025 |
Eligibility Criteria for Bachelor’s in France
Both Indian and French academic institutions provide recognition to each other’s educational programs. The academic requirements to study in France for Indian students are:
- A minimum of 70-80% at 10+2 level from a board recognised by the government (CBSE, state boards, ISC, etc.).
- The applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Documents Required
Following is the checklist of required documents for the Indian students to study in France.
- Academic Transcripts of senior-secondary school level (marksheets, passing certificates, other transcripts etc.)
- 2-3 passport-sized photo
- Score certificates for English language proficiency tests like
- TOEFL: Minimum score of 90-100 is required
- IELTS: Minimum band score of 6.5-7.5 is required
- PTE: Minimum score of 60-70 is required
- Duolingo: Minimum score of 80-110 is required
- French language proficiency certificate like DELF or DALF (if required).
- 2-3 Letters of Recommendation
- 1-2 Statements of Purpose
- CV/Resume
- Passport
How to Apply for Bachelor’s in France?
University application process for pursuing a bachelor’s degree course in France can be completed at the Campus France website. It is the centralised authority that receives the application on behalf of all public universities in France. To apply for private universities, students can visit their individual websites.
Candidature
- Visit the official website of Campus France.
- Log on to Etudes En France.
- Create your account and log in.
- Fill your personal information, academic details, language skills etc.
- Upload the required documents.
- Visit the online catalogue of Campus France to understand and choose the number of programs
- You can select two architecture and three bachelor’s courses that you want to study in France.
- Apply and wait for response from Campus France.
Academic Interview
- After the successful submission, Campus France will give you an appointment date for an interview anytime between October and February.
- You are required to attend the interview in person, either online or offline.
- Carry all the mandatory documents (original+1 set of photocopies), along with the Campus France fee payment receipt of INR 18,000/-.
- After successfully verifying the documents, files will be returned to you along with the interview completion certificate.
Post Interview
- After successful validation of the file, you will get offers from universities.
- Depending on the acceptance of the specific university, you will get an offer letter.
- After getting an acceptance letter, you can now proceed with the visa application.
Scholarships for Indian Students in France
To pursue a bachelor’s in France, Indian students need several types of assistance that can make their journey smoother. There are few scholarship programs available in France that provide a diverse range of benefits to Indian students, some of which are tabulated below:
LivinFrance Scholarship
LivinFrance scholarship programs are available to Indian students pursuing bachelor’s degree programs in French universities.
| Benefits | Tuition fee assistance worth €1000 is awarded Personalised assistance get accommodation Visa support service Support for CVEC, CAF, French health insurance, validation of the visa, residence permit |
| Eligibility Criteria | Minor applicant should be represented by their valid guardian |
| Application Process | Application process can be completed through website.livin-france website |
| Deadline | To be announced for 2024-25 |
France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship
France Excellence Charpak Bachelor Scholarship program is offered to Indian students desiring to pursue a bachelor’s course in France.
| Benefits | Monthly living allowance of EUR 860 or INR 79,350 Student visa waiver Campus France application fee reimbursement Accommodation assistance |
| Eligibility Criteria | Citizenship of India Maximum age limit- 23 years Holder of senior secondary school certificate |
| Application Process | To apply, visit here |
| Deadline | To be announced for 2024-25 |
Student Visa of France for Indian Student
The application process for getting a student visa for France can be completed at https://france-visas.gouv.fr/ by uploading the required documents listed and making an appointment for VFS.
Career Opportunities after Bachelor’s in France
- To stay in France after completing the study program, a student needs to have a work contract.
- The work must pay one and a half times the minimum wage, e.g., EUR 2,220 or INR 2 Lakh per month.
- An international student can apply for an APS or Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour, a temporary residency permit given after bachelor’s.
- The residence permit is provided for a maximum duration of 2 years.
- If the permit is granted for 1 year, students can renew their residence permit for another year, for a maximum of 2 years.
- Another way of staying in France is through a Blue Card.
- After completing a bachelor course, the average salary is around EUR 42,000-45,000 or 38 Lakh-41 Lakh per month.
| University | QS World University Ranking 2025 | Total Tuition Fees (Bachelor’s Courses) |
|---|---|---|
| Université PSL | 24 | EUR 410 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 46 | EUR 56,400 |
| Sorbonne University | 63 | EUR 410 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 73 | EUR 410 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | 187 | EUR 552 |
| Université Paris Cité | 302 | EUR 270 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 334 | EUR 3,770 |
| Sciences Po | 350 | EUR 14,720 |
Conclusion
A bachelor’s course in France is 3 years, which provides foundational knowledge of the specialised fields of study, such as science, engineering, management, arts, etc. France is the leading European country known for its expertise in providing academic and research opportunities to international students. Due to its proximity to countries like the UK, Germany, Spain, etc., Indian students do not have to worry about their careers if they are anchored to a strong foundation of knowledge and skills.
Study expenses of international students in public universities in France are borne by the government, whereas students are required to pay full study costs in private institutions.
FAQs
Can an Indian student pursue part-time work while studying in France?
Yes, they can pursue part-time jobs in France while studying any course. However, students can work up to only 964 hours a year in various roles such as content writer, translator, library assistant, dog walker, etc.
Is any entrance exam required for getting admission into a bachelor's degree program in France?
To get admission into a French public university for bachelor’s degree courses, international applicants are not required to appear for any entrance exam. However, some private universities may conduct their entrance test to check the expertise of the applicants before granting them admission.
Do universities in France accept gap years?
France typically accepts a study gap of up to 2 years, which can vary based on the institution and course.
What is the cost of living in France?
The living expenses in France for Indian students are around EUR 600-800 or INR 55,000-73,000 per month. It depends on the city, location, living standards, etc.
Is IELTS mandatory in France?
IELTS is not mandatory in France as universities generally conduct English language proficiency through evaluation of academic transcripts and interview process. However, having an IELTS band score can add weight to the application process.
If you are an aspirant looking to study at your dream university, book an appointment with AdmitX today and start your applications early to avail yourself of all the benefits.
