The country of France is home to a 60 million people. France is one of Europe’s largest countries. Seen as the most popular tourist destination, France is adored for its beauty, climate, landscapes, museums, galleries, and food. The French love to cook. France can also be described as the fashion capital.

There are 22 regions located in France; each region is further divided into departments.

Why study in France?

• A student is offered a breadth of courses to pursue across undergraduate and postgraduate studies.
• France is the best destination for academic prosperity as one can find some of the most reputed universities here offering top-grade education. Most of them are open for admission to students from all across the world.
• An Indian student can apply for over 20 French universities from the comfort of their homes by filling one application form.
• There are over 3,500 institutions of higher education in France which include –
• Publicly-funded universities
• Parallel Grandes Ecoles system
• Schools of architecture
• Institutions offering specialized courses in hotel management, tourism, culinary arts, etc.

Top Universities of France

The education provided in France is among the best in Europe. French Universities continually occupy admirable positions globally; mentioned are some of the best universities –

• IDRAC
• QS Quacquarelli Symonds Limited
• Istituto of Marangoni

42 French universities are placed in the QS World University Rankings, and 10 are in the global top 300.

Top courses in France

France is known for the education it imparts to its students. Universities of France welcome international students; this is a reason why its university campuses ooze with diversity. La Sorbonne, Frances’ first university received students from around Europe to pursue education in theology, medicine and law.

• Data Analytics
• Big Data
• International Law
• Business Studies (MiM, MSc, MBA)
• Hospitality & Tourism Management
• IT & Computer Science
• Aerospace Engineering
• Life & Biomedical Sciences

Are the most pursued courses by Indian students studying in France

French universities excel in their nuclear, space and aviation curriculum. France also receives large populations of international students pursuing language, art, medicine and law.

International Law, and Economics are courses that are most studied by international students. These courses are of superior quality and are known to be as sophisticated as taught in European countries

Language courses

Apart from taking up French language courses, an Indian student in France can learn Italian, Spanish, German, and English.

Job Opportunities

A graduate Indian student in France being a non-EU citizen must have an employment offer- earning them a remuneration of at least EUR 2,220 a month. Students that do not possess an employment offer may request for an Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS – temporary resident permit). The APS is non- renewable and is valid for a period of 12 months.

• To apply for an APS- the Indian students must have a professional Bachelor’s degree or a Master’s degree earned through the education institutions of France, or is in process of starting a business venture.
• A temporary residence permit also called the “Master” – issued to Indian citizens. This permit is valid for 12 months and can be renewed once.

Work while studying in the France

As a part of the non-EU group, an Indian student studying in France is permitted to contribute 964 hours over a period of a year. Students studying in a 6-month program can work for 472 hours.

This is however, based on the following conditions-

• The student should have a valid residency permit
• The university should hold no objection to the type of employment in pursue

An Indian student need not apply for an APT as provisions for the same are made in the residency permit.

Working on Campus

Students can seek a one year contractual employment on campus; with the maximum of 670 hours in part-time employment, and 300 hours in full-time employment.

• Earnings from part-time work

A student has the potential to earn EUR 9.76 per hour- EUR 7.61 per hour with deductions. Part-time employment is open to all Indian students, from their first university year to language courses.

Scholarships for Indian students studying in France

Indian students can access quality education though scholarships. Scholarships are made available through the Government of France and Individual institutions.

Mentioned are French scholarships for Indian students to study in France

• French Government Scholarship – Awarded to students pursing masters and doctoral degrees in France.
• Charpak Scholarship – Is a popular scholarship among Indian students pursuing study in France, and is issued by the Embassy of France in India. The scholarship covers bachelor’s and master’s programs.
• Franco Indian Education Trust – The Franco Indian Education Trust scholarships covers two other scholarships.
• UGAM Legrand Scholarships – this scholarship is given to Indian students with family incomes under INR 10, 00,000. An eligible candidate can avail a fee waiver of up to EUR 10,000.
• Amba-Dalmia Scholarship Programm – Awarded to Indian women pursuing music, theater, sports, arts, sculpture, cinema, opera, ballet, painting, photography and culinary arts in France.
• Erasmus + – Is a scholarship programs awarded to the best international students; irrespective of their field of study.
• Early Bird Scholarships – Awarded to students that apply 6 to 7 months before course commencement.
• Eiffel Scholarship Program Of Excellence – Awarded to candidates from developing countries of age up to 25 years for pursuing masters programs; and to students from industrialized countries of age up to 30 years pursuing Ph.D.

Cost of Studying in France

The government of France makes higher education affordable to students; these benefits are extended to international students as well. Tuition cost varies with university and city. Higher education bodies in France are state funded.

International students from countries other than the European Union, the EEA, Andorra, or Switzerland pay higher tuition fees.

Cost of studying in France for Indian students per year as of September 2019, is:

• Bachelor’s programmes – EUR 2,770
• Master’s programmes – EUR 3,770
• Doctorate (PhD) programmes – EUR 380 per year. Fees at this level of study are the same for European students.

The mentioned fees refer only to public universities in France.

• Autonomous Universities of France have the liberty to set tuition fees without the jurisdiction of the French Government. Fees for undergraduate studies are set by the Ministry of Education; postgraduate and doctorate studies are set to the liberty of autonomous bodies.
• Tuitions fees for Higher Education Institutions are higher than public universities. These institutions require students to clear entry examinations in order to seek admission.
• Private Institutions have fees ranging from EUR 3,000 to EUR 10,000 per year

Education System of France

• Secondary education in France is broadly divided into
• The collège (middle school) – Students are required to contribute four years of study to earn brevet des colleges on completion.
• The lycée (high school) – Students graduate with baccalauréat (high school diploma) after four years of study.
• Higher education gives Indian students the freedom to pursue education through a vocational institutions or academic institutions.
• Vocational diplomas:
  • High schools offer BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) A student spends two years pursuing this education to earn a BTS degree.
  • The DUT (diplôme universitaire de technologie) degrees courses run for two years; DUT are awarded by universities.

Students graduating with a DUT or BTS have an additional year of study earning them a “licence professionnelle”.

• Academic diplomas:

These are academic degrees in France are earned through three education bodies: Universities, Grandes école, and specialized schools.

• Universities

Academic, professional and technical degrees are earned through French Universities. French Universities are public educational bodies imparting higher education to students with baccalauréat degrees or their international equivalent.

A student can graduate through a French University with either – Licence, Master or Doctorate degrees

• Grandes écoles

Grandes écoles are similar to universities except they offer specialized courses through private and public institutions. Course at Grandes écoles are tenured for three years educating students in business, engineering, and administration.

A student with a baccalauréat is required to clear a competitive exam to seek admission to a Grandes écoles.  Students from these institution graduate with a master’s degree.

• Specialized schools

Through Specialized schools students are educated in fields of music, art, architecture, travel and tourism, social work. Graduates from these schools may have licence and master degrees.  Specialized schools can be public or privately run institutions.

The LMD Framework or The License Master Doctorate Framework

• The Licence (bachelor) – is an undergraduate degree that is earned after completing three years of study.
• The Master – This is a professional degree (master professionnel) earned in law, business, or engineering. Students also graduate with a degree in research (master recherche). A degree in Research takes a student a step closer towards a doctoral degree. Master programs in France are two years.
• The Doctorate – A student after three additional years of study qualifies for a doctoral degree.

Visa Application Process

• Short-Stay Visa – Awarded to students pursuing training programs of duration less than or equal to three months
• Long-Stay Visa – Students pursuing courses of duration over three months to six months should apply for a Long-Stay Visa
• Long-Stay Visa equivalent to a residence permit – Students training for over six months are issued with Long-stay visas. These visas hold equivalence to a residence permit.

Post Study Work Permit

Post-graduate and higher degree holding Indian students can stay and work in France for two years with a post study work visa.