Why Study in France?

France is a top choice for students abroad because of its great schools, culture, and reasonable costs. Each year, France hosts many international students, with over 4,000 coming from the UK alone, spread across its 3,500+ colleges and universities (including 72 public universities). Whether you like the feel of Paris or the good academics in Lyon, studying in France can be a transformative experience.

• Over 400,000 international students are studying in France now.
• About 4,112 students from the UK are at French universities.
• Paris is the top choice for international students, preferred by 71% of international students.
• Almost 63% of students want to stay and work in France after graduation.
• The number of international students has gone up by 13.8% in the past five years.
• France has 35 universities that are in the QS World Rankings for 2025.

Top Reasons to Study in France

High Quality Education: France is a popular choice for education, with 79% of students choosing it for its academic excellence.

Affordable Tuition Fee:  Public universities for EU students only cost about €170-€380 yearly.

English Taught Programs: There are over 1,500 courses taught in English in many subjects.

Global Career Prospects: France is home to big companies like Airbus, L’Oreal, and Renault, which can help your career.

Cultural Richness: From the Eiffel Tower to the Riviera, France offers unmatched lifestyle perks

Government Support: Subsidized transport, rent reimbursements, and healthcare for students

Schengen Access: With a student visa, you can travel freely across 29 countries in Europe.

Post-study work options: UK students who get a master’s degree can stay and work for up to 2 years after they finish studying.

 

Eligibility for France Student Visa

If you're a UK student planning to study in France for over 90 days, you'll need to apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS).Here’s what you need:

• You must be at least 18 years old.
• Get an acceptance letter from your French school.
• Prove you have enough money to live on (at least €615 a month).
• Share your accommodation plans in France.
• Have health insurance that works in France.
• Show that you know enough English or French for your course.

France Student Visa Requirements

For UK students applying to study in France, here’s what you’ll need:

• Filled-out visa application
• A valid passport
• Passport-sized photographs
• Acceptance letter from your French university
• Proof of funds (bank statements or scholarship info)
• Health insurance coverage
• Proof of accommodation
• Flight itinerary (recommended)
• A cover letter explaining your study plans
• The visa payment receipt (€99)

France Student Visa Processing Time

• Standard Processing Time: 2 to 4 weeks.
• Peak Seasons: May take up to 6 weeks.
• Recommended Timeline: Apply at least two months before your course begins.

Top Universities in France

University Name	QS World Ranking 2025	Location	Known For
Université PSL	#28	Paris	Sciences, Humanities, Engineering
Institut Polytechnique de Paris	#41	Paris	Engineering, Technology
Université Paris-Saclay	#70	Paris	Physics, Life Sciences
Sorbonne University	#72	Paris	Humanities, Medicine
Université Grenoble Alpes	#321	Grenoble	Research, STEM
Sciences Po	#367	Paris	Political Science, Law

Top Courses to Study in France

France offers wide range of programs across various disciplines. Some well-known fields of study are:

Business & Management

• MBA, International Business, Marketing
• Top schools: HEC Paris, ESCP, INSEAD

Engineering & Technology

• Mechanical, Civil, Computer Science
• Top schools: École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec

Fashion & Design

• Fashion Management, Luxury Brand Strategy
• Top schools: IFA Paris, ESMOD

Film & Media Studies

• Cinematography, Film Production
• Top schools: Paris College of Art, ESRA

Health & Life Sciences

• Medicine, Public Health, Biotechnology
• Top schools: Sorbonne University, Université Paris Cité

Social Sciences & Humanities

• Philosophy, History, Linguistics
• Top schools: Sciences Po, Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

Cost of Studying in France

Program Type	Public Universities	Private Institutions
Bachelor’s	€2,850/year	€6,000–€18,000/year
Master’s	€3,879/year	€7,000–€20,000/year
MBA	€30,000–€100,000	Top-tier business schools

Public universities offer subsidized tuition for EU students, including UK nationals under certain agreements.

Living Costs in France

Monthly living expenses vary by city. Here’s an average breakdown:

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (€)
Accommodation	€400-€900
Food & Groceries	€200-€300
Transport	€30-€60
Utilities & Internet	€50-€100
Leisure & Personal	€100-€200

• Paris: €1,200-€1,500/month
• Lyon, Toulouse, Grenoble: €800-€1,100/month

Scholarships in France for International Students

France offers several scholarships for students from the UK and other countries:

Government Scholarships:

• Eiffel Excellence Scholarship: Master's students can receive grants up to €1,181 each month, while PhD students can get up to €1,700 each month. This covers tuition, travel, and health coverage.
• Charpak Scholarship (Specifically for Indian students): Provides a monthly allowance and waives tuition fees.

University Scholarships:

• Université Paris-Saclay Scholarships: Offers €10,000 annually, plus help with travel costs.
• Emile Boutmy Scholarship (Sciences Po): Covers full tuition and includes money for living expenses.

Other Ways to Fund Your Studies:

• Erasmus+
• Campus France Grants
• Regional scholarships (such as those in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

Steps to apply for France Student Visa

Step 1: Choose a program of your choice and submit your application. Once accepted, you get an official acceptance letter from the university.

Step 2: Create an account on the Campus France UK website and fill out your academic profile, documents, and study plan.

Step 3: Schedule and attend an interview with Campus France. You have to do this to confirm your academic plans and receive approval to proceed with the visa.

Step 4: Visit the France-Visas website and fill out the long-stay student visa form. Print the form and the checklist.

Step 5: Schedule an appointment at your nearest VFS Global visa application centre in the UK to submit your documents and biometrics.

Step 6: Attend your appointment with all the required documents. Pay the €99 visa fee and submit your biometric information.

Step 7: It usually takes 2–4 weeks to process the visa. If they approve it, they'll send your passport back with the visa sticker.

Step 8: Validate your visa within 3 months of arriving in France

Step 9: If you're staying for more than a year, or if you want to work after you graduate, apply for a residence permit at your local prefecture.

Post-Study Work Visa in France

In France, global graduates have chances for post-study work using the following options:

APS (Temporary Residence Permit)

Job search visa: Valid for 12 months

For Indian students and some non-EU students, it can be renewed once.

Maximum stay: 24 months

Who is Eligible?

• Applicants must have a master's degree or higher from a French school.
• Apply before your student visa expires.
• You will need to show proof of funds and housing.

Work Rights

• You can work up to 964 hours a year (20 hours a week).
• After finding a job, you can switch to a full work permit.

Why Choose Y-Axis?

• Professional Advice for UK Applicants: Tailored assistance for UK students submitting applications to universities in Europe.
• End-to-End Application Support: Everything under one roof, from choosing a university to applying for a visa.
• Scholarship Help: We assist you in locating and submitting applications for the top scholarships for which you qualify.
• Preparation and Review of Documents: Proper documentation is necessary to prevent application delays or rejections.
• Trusted by Thousands: More than 1 million customers have used Y-Axis to successfully complete their international education.