The education system in France accounts for 20% of the country’s overall budget, demonstrating the nation’s strong commitment to providing overseas students with a top-notch education.
With over 30 of the top 500 global corporations, France boasts the sixth most developed economy in the world.
Various universities in France are known for promoting research and innovative approaches to real-world problems among teachers and students.
Reasons to Choose Universities in France
France is home to some of the best universities in the world. It is a popular choice among international students, particularly Indians, looking to enrol in higher degree programs in Europe due to its marvellous history, cosmopolitan setting, and concentration of globally renowned institutions.
The QS has listed approximately 35 French universities in its 2024 ranking list based on various parameters like academic reputation, student-teacher ratio, research excellence, etc, which indicates the credibility of the universities in France.
Various universities in France are known for promoting research and innovative approaches to real-world problems among teachers and students.
The degrees provided by French universities are worldwide accepted by more than 200 industries and institutes, which shows the reliability of the global community in France.
The education system in France accounts for 20% of the country’s overall budget, demonstrating the nation’s strong commitment to providing overseas students with a top-notch education.
With over 30 of the top 500 global corporations, France boasts the sixth most developed economy in the world. It demonstrates the robustness of certification and the dependability of the French government’s economic policies for the benefit of professionals and students.
Best Universities in France
Below, we have tabulated the top 10 universities in France and their QS ranking in 2024, annual tuition fees, and popular courses.
| University | QS World University Rankings 2024 | Average Tuition Fees (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Université PSL | 24 | €3,770-5000 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 38 | €10,000-15,000 |
| Sorbonne University | 59 | €12,500-15,000 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 71 | €19,416-21,000 |
| Université Paris Cité | 236 | €170-250 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 294 | €3,770-4,000 |
| EMLYON Business School | - | €3,770-22,000 |
| ESSEC Business School | - | €12,500-13,000 |
| Universite Cote D’Azur | - | €5,000 |
| Université PSL | 24 | €3,770-5000 |
Popular Courses in Universities in France
Although international students can find various programs in all French universities, including Engineering, Management, Medicine, Law, etc., some universities are known for their expertise in providing knowledge in a specific subject area/field. For example, INSEAD, EMLyon, Skema, and ESSEC are world-renowned institutes for MBA in France. In contrast, École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, INSA Lyon, Sorbonne University, etc., are the top engineering universities in France.
Below are the top 10 courses in France that Indian students prefer to study in the country.
- Master’s of Business Administration
- Film Studies
- Luxury Brand Management
- Engineering
- Fashion Designing
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Hotel Management
- Finance
- Natural Sciences
Also read – Part-time Jobs in France
Degrees in French Universities
France is also known as the second home of Indian students after the UK because of the ever-increasing number of them yearly. More than 8,000-10,000 Indian students are pursuing their higher studies in various French universities, and by 2025, this number is expected to rise to 25,000.
This is due to the liberal policies of both Indian and French governments, such as planning to grant 30,000 more study visas to Indian students by 2030, easing the visa process, promoting student exchange programs, etc.
In France, the bachelor’s degree is known as a Licence, and its first, second, and third years are known as Licence 1, Licence 2, and Licence 3, respectively.
On the other hand, the first and second years of a master’s degree in France are known as Master 1 and Master 2, respectively.
What is Etudes En France?
Campus France is the public nodal agency of France, which provides assistance and guidance to foreign nationals who want to study in France. ‘Etudes En France’ or Study in France method is required for 67 nations, including India.
This applies to Indian students who want to get admission to a Bachelor’s or Master’s programme at a French university. Indian students must create an account on Campus France, a centralised portal for the application and visa process.
You need to use this webpage to apply to public universities in France. You can also apply directly to private institutions.
Also read – Study Visa in France
Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students
For Bachelor’s Degree Courses:-
Both countries recognize the academic qualifications and educational programs of students from France and India. Indian students who want to get a bachelor’s degree in French universities must meet the following requirements to participate in the course they want. Some courses may require a particular set of eligibility criteria, which one should consider.
- A minimum of 70% on a 10+2 certificate from a board recognized by the government (CBSE, state boards, ISC, etc.).
- The pupil needs to be eighteen years old.
For Master’s Degree Courses:-
Indian students who want to get a master’s degree in French universities must meet the following requirements to participate in the course they want. Some courses may require a particular set of eligibility criteria, which one should consider.
- Any field of study (engineering, sciences, business, management & economics, humanities & social sciences, law, health, political science & international relations, architecture, etc.) should require Indian students to have earned or be pursuing a minimum 3-year non-French bachelor’s degree from a reputable university or school.
- Indian students can apply to study for a 2-year master’s in France if they have completed or are pursuing a 3-year bachelor’s degree program without any prior work experience.
- Indian students can study for a one-year master’s in France if they have completed or are pursuing a four-year bachelor’s degree program without any professional experience.
- Indian students can study for a one-year master’s in France if they have completed or are pursuing a three-year bachelor’s degree program with one year of work experience.
- The student ought to have a strong sense of global orientation and leadership qualities.
- Students had to be younger than thirty-two.
For PhD Courses:-
Indian students who want to earn PhD in French universities must meet the following requirements to participate in the course they want. Some courses may require a particular set of eligibility criteria, which one should consider.
- Usually, a Master’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited university must be completed. Students with an exceptional bachelor’s degree may be admitted straight into a Ph.D. program by some programs.
- A clear research proposal that describes the goals, methodology and intended scope of your PhD project is typically required as part of the application process.
Document Checklist
The following is the checklist of required documents for the application process in universities in France. The list can vary depending on the course, institute, etc.
- Completed University Application
- All Previous Academic Transcripts
- Passport
- 2 passport-sized photo
- Score certificates for language proficiency tests like TOEFL (minimum 97-100), IELTS (minimum 6.5-7.5), etc.
- Score certificates for standardized tests like GMAT/GRE, etc.
- French language proficiency certificate like DELF or DALF (if required).
- 2-3 Letter of Recommendation
- 1-2 Statement of Purpose
- Copy of birth certificate (translated and certified in French)
- CV/Resume
- Work Experience certificate to showcase the managerial skills (if applicable)
- Non-refundable application fee of €125-€180 (if applicable)
- Identity Card
- Health Insurance
- A civil liability certificate
- You must show evidence that you have the money to fund your stay in France (615 EUR/month, i.e. 54,461 INR minimum)
- Any other required document, depending on the University
Application Process for French Universities
Despite of courses or streams, the application process for bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD are almost the same. Campus France is the official website of the Government of Ireland, which integrates the application process for public universities in France at a place.
Students are given privileges to create accounts on Campus France, research universities, shortlist universities, choose their desired program, compare courses and universities, file applications, and more!
However, the application process for private universities is different because students have to visit the individual websites of universities separately to submit their enrollment.
It should be noted that the preparation for the enrollment should begin at least 1 year before the onset of the desired intake as it takes a lot of time to arrange necessary documents and finances.
For more information, AdmitX is always available to assist you in fulfilling your dreams of studying abroad. Our qualified experts and counselors will enthusiastically guide you throughout the process.
Also read – MiM in France
Conclusion
France is a world-renowned country for pursuing higher education for international students, including Indians. The booming economy, modern technologies, presence of top global universities, availability of scholarships, and low cost of living have significantly contributed to fueling the enthusiasm of Indian students to choose France as their destination.
Also, France offers a wide variety of courses in every major field, including science, technology, mathematics, the arts, fashion, etc., attracting thousands of students each year.
FAQs
What is the acceptance rate of the University of Paris?
The acceptance rate of the University of Paris is 17%, which makes it highly competitive and selective.
What is the minimum GPA requirement for an MBA in France?
The minimum GPA requirement for getting admission into an MBA program in France is 60-70%, which may vary depending on the university.
Do French universities require TOEFL?
Those universities that provide admission to Indian students in English-taught courses require TOEFL.
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.
