Studying in France from India means enrolling in a recognised French higher-education institution as an international student. Indian students can choose from universities, engineering schools, business schools, specialised institutions and other higher-education providers.

Why consider Study in France from India in 2027?

France is no longer considered only a destination for fashion, hospitality or arts education. France offers universities, engineering schools, business schools and specialised institutions. Its study options span management, engineering, artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, finance, international business, luxury management, hospitality, tourism, sustainability, sciences, design and social sciences.

9,100 Indian students were studying in France in 2025, making India the country’s 11th-largest source of international students, with Indian enrolments increasing 17% in one year. France had approximately 443,500 foreign students in higher education during 2024–25, representing about 15% of the student population.

Choose a course and institution carefully

Begin with the career you want to pursue and work backwards to the programme. Compare curriculum, accreditation, internship opportunities, industry partnerships, graduate outcomes, location, tuition fees, teaching language and recognition in India. Do not choose an institution based on rankings alone.

• Engineering and technology
• Artificial intelligence, data science and computer science
• Business analytics, finance and international business
• Management and MBA programmes
• Luxury and fashion management
• Hospitality and tourism
• Renewable energy and sustainability
• Sciences, design and social sciences
• Supply Chain Management

In the 2026 Shanghai Ranking, France had 27 institutions ranked among the world’s top 1,000, placing France 10th globally by number of institutions. Université Paris-Saclay was France’s highest-ranked institution at 13th globally.

Students should therefore look beyond university rankings alone and compare:

• Programme curriculum
• Accreditation
• Internship opportunities
• Industry partnerships
• Graduate outcomes
• Location
• Tuition fees
• Teaching language
• Recognition in India
• Career relevance

Understand tuition fees and the total budget

France should not automatically be treated as a low-cost destination. Public higher education can be comparatively affordable, but private institutions, Grandes Écoles and some specialised schools may charge considerably more. Campus France states that the actual cost of education can be approximately €10,000 to more than €15,000 per student per year, with a significant portion funded by the French government.

For standard non-EU students in 2026–27, the differentiated registration fees are:

• Bachelor’s: €2,902/year
• Master’s: €3,950/year
• Doctorate: €398/year

These figures apply to relevant public institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education framework; private institutions and some specialised schools can charge different amounts

Budget for more than tuition. Include accommodation, food, local transport, insurance, study materials, travel and personal expenses. The indicative living costs of around €1,000 per month in Paris and €800 elsewhere; actual costs vary by city, accommodation and lifestyle.

Language requirements: IELTS and French

There is no universal IELTS requirement for every French university. English-taught programmes may accept IELTS, TOEFL, PTE or another approved form of English-language proof. Some institutions may accept evidence of prior English-medium education, depending on their policy. Check the exact programme requirements before applying.

French is not always required for an English-taught degree, but learning French can help with daily communication, internships, networking, part-time work and long-term career development.

Scholarships and funding

Indian applicants can investigate the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship, French Embassy scholarships, Campus Bourses, university scholarships, co-financed schemes, Erasmus Mundus and institution-specific tuition waivers. Scholarship coverage varies: some awards support living costs rather than covering all tuition and expenses. Confirm eligibility, application route, deadlines and benefits from the official scholarship provider.

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

The Eiffel programme is a French government scholarship aimed at attracting high-performing international students to Master’s and PhD programmes. For the 2026 campaign, the age limits listed by Campus France were:

• Master’s: up to 29 years
• PhD: up to 35 years

The application is submitted by the French higher-education institution rather than directly by the student.

Other scholarships

Indian students can also investigate:

• Campus Bourses
• French Embassy scholarships
• Co-financed scholarships
• University scholarships
• Erasmus Mundus scholarships
• Institution-specific tuition waivers

Never assume that a scholarship automatically covers full tuition. Some scholarships primarily support living expenses or provide partial benefits. Always check:

• Tuition coverage
• Living allowance
• Travel allowance
• Insurance
• Visa benefits
• Accommodation assistance
• Scholarship duration

Application and visa process

• Select a course and institution that match your academic background and career plans.
• Check entry requirements, language proof, deadlines and tuition fees on the official programme page.
• Prepare academic records, passport and other documents required by the institution.
• Follow the applicable admission route, including Études en France where required, and complete the Campus France process for your case.
• After receiving admission, follow the relevant France-Visas instructions and applicable VFS process for the student visa.
• Plan accommodation and finances before travelling.

Can students work during or after their studies?

Eligible foreign students can generally work up to 964 hours per year, subject to the applicable rules. Part-time work should be treated as supplementary income, not as the primary plan for paying tuition and living costs.

Can Students Stay in France After Graduation?

Eligible graduates may have options to remain in France to seek employment or create a business, subject to residence-status and other conditions.

For eligible graduates, the job-search/business-creation residence status can allow a stay of up to one year for seeking employment or creating a business related to the student’s studies or research, subject to the applicable eligibility requirements. For qualifying employment under that status, the job must be related to the studies/research and meet the applicable salary condition.

Final checklist before choosing France

• Confirm the programme is appropriate for your career goal.
• Calculate the full annual budget, not just tuition.
• Check the language of instruction and accepted language tests.
• Verify scholarship requirements and what each award covers.
• Understand the Campus France, admission and visa steps that apply to you.
• Start career preparation early through internships, projects, networking and French-language learning.

Frequently Asked Questions

The post Study in France from India: Complete Guide for Indian Students appeared first on Dream Overseas Education.