PhD in France for Indian Students: Benefits, Enrollment & Funding
The doctorate or PhD in France involves training through research, placing less emphasis on coursework. Approximately 270 doctoral schools and institutes in France accept students for a wide range of subjects and topics. Enrollment for the PhD degree in France is usually highly specific and intensive because the country focuses on training genuine candidates looking to solve world problems and innovate unique solutions through their research.
In this blog, we have discussed pursuing PhD in France for Indian students, including its top benefits, funding opportunities, enrollment process, and more.
Introduction of PhD in France for Indian Students
- PhD or Doctor of Philosophy is the higher level of education after a bachelor’s and master’s.Â
- In France, the doctorate is the name of the degree you obtain, and the period spent preparing the doctorate is known as a ‘thesis.’Â
- France has approximately 270 doctoral schools, each with different research laboratories covering various disciplines.
- These doctoral schools are affiliated with higher education institutions (HEIs).
- The thesis is the document that one must write and present before an examination committee to obtain a doctoral degree.Â
- The thesis is prepared under the supervision of a ‘thesis supervisor.’Â
- Before enrolling in the PhD program, you are required to select a thesis supervisor who must accept and supervise you.
Doctoral Schools in France
Doctoral schools in France supervise and teach doctoral students. The research work is conducted in association with a research laboratory and under the supervision of a thesis director or supervisor. The doctorate is a research apprenticeship for which French doctoral schools do not award ECTS credits. Some of the prestigious doctoral schools in France for Indian students are:
- Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)
- Institut Polytechnique de Paris
- Sorbonne University
- Paris-Saclay University
- University of Toulouse
- Aix-Marseille University
- Université Paris Cité
- Université Grenoble Alpes
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon
Popular Specialisations for PhD in France
- Agronomy, Biodiversity, and Ecology
- Artificial Intelligence
- Chemistry
- Earth & Space Sciences
- Engineering Science & Sustainable Development
- Health Sciences
- Information Science & Technology
- Management
- Mathematics
- Metallurgy
- Physics
Duration of PhD in France for International Students
Depending on the stream, the duration of the PhD can vary for international students, including Indians.
| Stream | Range of Duration |
|---|---|
| Natural & Technological Sciences | 3-5 Years |
| Social Sciences | 3-6 Years |
| Humanities | 3-6 Years |
Types of Doctorates in France
Single Doctorate: It is the most common way of earning a doctoral degree, and it involves conducting research activities and writing a thesis in between 3-6 years in the same research laboratory.
The Co-supervised Doctorate: If you want to do your doctorate in the framework of international collaboration, then you can enroll in the co-supervised doctorate program. You will be under the supervision of 2 thesis supervisors, one in the main lab in which you are enrolled and another one in a different establishment in France or another country.
The Joint Doctorate: It is a co-supervised doctorate, which means a doctoral student will receive a degree from each of the universities of the 2 thesis supervisors. It can be done within a French establishment and a foreign establishment.
The in-Company Doctorate (CIFRE): CIFRE stands for the Industrial Agreement for Training through Research. This agreement allows international doctoral students to complete their doctorate in a company in association with a public university. In this case, students are employed by the company, which can be a major source of research funding for them.
Things to do Before Enrolling in the Doctoral Schools of France
- To enroll in the PhD in France, Indian students should start to look for a doctorate while they are in the final year of their master’s program.
- It is advisable for Indian students desiring to pursue a doctoral degree in France to choose their specific area of study and thesis topic simultaneously.
- Students can decide on the thesis topic depending on the field of study and institution.Â
- The common ways to find a topic are by attending seminars, visiting a laboratory, consulting websites for topics posted or defended, discussing ideas with faculty and future doctoral supervisors, etc.
- After deciding the area of interest and thesis topic, students are required to find a thesis supervisor.
- Do not prepare a research project if you want a doctorate in natural and tech sciences.Â
- Instead, apply for thesis subjects published by French researchers and available on the Campus France website.
How to Find a Thesis Supervisor?
Identify Your Research Area & Doctoral Schools
- Visit the Campus France website and search for doctoral schools that are specialised in your area.
- Visit the websites of doctoral schools and find professors and researchers in your field.
- Take other relevant information, such as the cost of study, funding, duration of the research, etc.
- You can use academic databases like HAL and Google Scholar to find researchers publishing in your study area.
- These resources can be used to see which professors can supervise you actively.
Connect with Potential Supervisors
- Connect with potential supervisors by email with a concise introduction.
- Prepare and attach the research proposal summary (max. 2 pages).
- Explain why you’re interested in working with them.
- Add your contact information.
- If they are interested, they will contact you back.
- If your research proposal is accepted, engage with the researcher to refine your thesis topic.
- You need to have a funding source before admission if the doctoral school requires it.
Funding for PhD in France
- In the natural and tech sciences, such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, biology, and engineering, funding is required to conduct research work for a PhD.
- In some cases, you can enroll in the social sciences and humanities without funding.
- The funding requirement differs depending on the doctoral school.
- Funding is required to bear living expenses in France.Â
- A large number of doctorates are funded by French universities in the form of doctoral fellowships.
- A doctoral fellowship is a work contract that lasts 3 years, during which funding is offered by a doctoral school, host establishment, company, or research institute (CNES, CNRS, CEA, etc.)
- The work contract can be renewed for two additional 1-year terms.
- The minimum monthly funding for a doctoral fellowship is between EUR 1,000-1,500 or INR 88,000-1.32 Lakhs.
Eligibility Criteria for PhD in France
The following are the general eligibility criteria for pursuing a PhD in France.
Academic Requirements
The Indian students must have
- Master’s degree from a recognised Indian university in the relevant field of study with a minimum 60-65% or equivalent CGPA.
- Degrees should be recognised by the French Embassy/Campus France.
- All academic documents need to be translated into French or English by certified translators.
Language Proficiency Requirements
For natural and tech sciences, there is no requirement for having proficiency in the French language. However, it is required for social sciences, humanities, and arts programs.
English Language Proficiency Requirements
| Tests | Minimum Score Range |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 90-110 |
| IELTS Academic | 6.5-7.0 |
| PTE | 63-70 |
French Language Proficiency Requirements
TCF/DELF/DALF certification is required for social sciences, humanities, and arts programs.
Documents Checklist for PhD in France
- Certified copies of academic documents (undergraduate and master’s)
- All mark sheets
- Passing certificates
- Degree certificates
- College/university leaving certificates
- Transfer certificates
- Proof of English language proficiency (TOEFL iBT/IELTS Academics/PTE)
- Proof of French language proficiency (TCF/DELF/DALF)
- Research proposal
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- 1-2 statements of purpose/essays
- 1 CV/resume
- Passport
- Copies of published work
- Proof of funding
- Letter of acceptance from supervisor
- Certificate for extracurricular activities (if any)
How to Apply for a PhD in France?
- To apply for a PhD in France, follow the steps below.
- PhD programs commence in September or October of every year.Â
- Application periods generally open in the preceding academic year, often around January.
- The application deadlines range from April to May.Â
- However, specific timelines can vary by institution and program.
- Begin preparation early, before the commencement of the application window
- Gather the important documents required for the application that we have listed above
- Depending on the doctoral school, visit their official website and start applying when the application window opens.
- Fill out the application form and submit the documents.
- If applicable, the institute will contact you for an in-person or virtual interview.
- Following the interview, the institute will inform of their decision.
- If accepted, you will receive an offer letter detailing the terms of your PhD program.
- You are required to complete the process by paying tuition fees and submitting additional documents if required.
Benefits of Pursuing a PhD in France
As of 2024, France is the 4th leading country worldwide in receiving the Nobel Prizes. It also ranks in the top 10 globally for several scientific publications. This demonstrates France’s strong commitment to research and innovation.
France stands out in transportation, nanotechnologies, fine organic chemistry, engines, pumps, and turbines, construction and public works, pharmaceuticals, and metallurgy. It ranked 4th in the world in the European Patent System.
Key Takeaways by AdmitX
With respect to research, France has never lost its charm. It maintains its credibility and position in top research and innovation-driven countries, after the USA, UK, and Germany. 41% of the doctoral candidates in France are foreigners.
Doctoral students can work as teaching assistants, assistant professors, lab supervisors, etc., while working on the thesis. This allows them to receive several employee perks from the employer, such as a university, industry, or corporate company.
FAQs
Are PhD students in France paid?
Yes, PhD students in France are paid by the institute or company to which they have a doctoral contract for funding. The doctoral contract provides all types of social benefits of a traditional public sector employment contract.Â
What is the cost of pursuing a PhD in France?
The annual tuition fee for a PhD in France is EUR 391 or INR 34,500, as the French government covers a major portion of education and research at public institutes. For private schools, the average tuition fee is around EUR 3,000-10,000 or INR 2 Lakhs-8 Lakhs per year.
How to find a Doctoral school in France?
You can visit the official website of Campus France to get details on doctoral schools in France that are in line with your area of interest. The details are available under the ‘research’ tab on the website.
Do I need to complete a master’s internship to pursue a PhD in France?
There is no requirement to complete a master’s internship to pursue a PhD in France for Indian students.
Can I do my Doctorate in France without speaking French?
International students, including Indians, must be proficient in French to pursue a doctorate in arts, social sciences, or management courses.
