Admission requirements to study in France – France is one of the most attractive destinations for foreign students to pursue their higher education. A recent survey conducted by Campus France, the main organization in charge of promoting French education worldwide, has shown that 64% of international students chose France as the second most attractive country to study in. It also mentions that France has set itself the target of welcoming 500,000 international students by 2027. This mirrors the hospitality, funding measures and ease of application that French universities resort to.
If you dream to study further in France, you must know that there are separate sets of requirements and eligibility criteria for graduate, post-graduate and doctoral programs. This article seeks to help you understand the various educational requirements to gain admission in a French institution after you have short-listed your choice of courses and institutes to seek admission in. Some other prerequisites like those of funding, visa and cost of living are also discussed below.
Latest article on France – What are post-study work visa types in France for international students? Know more in Post study work permit France article here.
Admission requirements to study in France – Educational Requirements
Undergraduate study
While most of the French institutes begin their academic year from mid-September until the end of June the following year, some also have enrolments throughout the year as well. If you have decided on an institution, you should preferably submit an application two months in advance of the start date of your chosen course. In order to attend an undergraduate course, you need:
- to have a French baccalaureate, the equivalent of which in our country is 10+2.
- to pass specific entrance exams required for the institution of your choosing.
Post-graduate study
There are two types of post-graduate programs in France:
- Taught Masters (MAs/MScs/MEng)
- Research Masters (MRes/MA by Research)
Taught Masters are courses with similar patterns as undergraduate studies while Research Masters are often seen as prerequisites for entering into a doctorate or PhD program. Students in Research Masters are required to research and produce a dissertation or final project at the end of their study term. The application process for a postgraduate program in the country is the same as a graduate program. Do remember that the international students who wish to attend a French college or university need their passports available when completing the application process.
Doctorate Study
Doctoral programs in France are delivered in French with language requirements being set individually by each institution. Candidates looking to move beyond a masters degree are required to sit for a French proficiency test unless you have studied French academically or have an equivalent proficiency certificate. All other application processes are handled through the Campus France portal. Many institutes also conduct Skype interviews with prospective international candidates.
Admission requirements to study in France – Documentation Requirements
Different institutes have different criteria for admissions and require different documents but some of the most common requirements are:
- Attested copies of all academic transcripts from secondary school level
- Evidence of English language proficiency like IELTS, TOEFL etc
- GMAT, GRE etc test results where applicable
- Academic references
- Passport size photographs
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Resume/CV
- Portfolio (applicable for design courses)
Admission Requirements to study in France – Visa Requirements
There are 3 types of visas available for international students looking to study in France:
- Visa de court sjour pour etudes(Schengen short-stay student visa): This visa allows you to come into the country and stay for a period of 3 months. Its a good option for those going for short term courses.
- Visa de long sjour temporaire pour etudes(temporary long-stay visa): This visa allows you to stay and study in the country for a period of 6 months or less.
- Visa de long sjour etudes(long-stay visa): This visa provides the longest duration of stay for international students and allows you to study in long-term courses for a duration of 3 years or more.
Admission requirements to study in France Tuition Fee Requirements
Many universities in France, especially the public universities used to have lower tuition fees compared to many other European countries. However, since September 2019, international students in France will have to pay a slightly increased tuition fee. A general overview of the new costs is shown below:
- Bachelors courses: EUR 2,770 per annum
- Masters courses: EUR 3,770 per annum
- Doctoral courses: EUR 380 per annum
Compared to many other institutions in France and other EU nations, these costs are considerably less.
For more detailed information, check out Study in France article here.
Admission requirements to study in France Cost of Living Requirements
Living in France is generally more expensive as the cost of living is very high. The following table is a general breakdown of the different expenses to help you understand the financial requirements for living and studying in France.
| Particulars | Monthly Expenses |
| Accommodation | 200-700 EUR |
| Food | 130-150 EUR |
| Healthcare | 380-750 EUR |
| Miscellaneous | 100 EUR |
Please note – Students looking to move to France should keep in mind that the expenses above are an approximation and not an accurate reflection of all the costs. If you would like more information on scholarships and other financial aids for students, look at Buddy4Study page for guidance.
What kind of jobs you can do while pursuing a degree course in France? Know more in Working while studying in France article here.
Admission Requirements for Study in France FAQs
Q. What languages do I need to learn to study in France?
Most courses in France are taught in English and French, however specific universities and institutions have their own sets of requirements that you will need to research before you decide to apply.
Q. What is the admission process for courses in France?
Different courses have different steps that make up the processes. Refer to the article above for a level-by-level breakdown of the application processes.
Q. What are the visa requirements for admission?
The visa requirements are based on the course duration depending on how long you will be residing in France. Hence, you might have to apply for a Schengen short-stay student visa, temporary long-stay or long-stay visa based on the duration of your course.
Q. How many documents will I need to provide for study in France?
Different universities require different documents but some of the common requirements are attested copies of all academic transcripts, evidence of English language proficiency, statement of purpose etc. Refer to the article above for a more detailed description, or head over to Buddy4Studys page for a step-by-step guide to studying in France.
Q. Are there scholarships for Indian students looking to study in France?
Indian students have a number of scholarships available to them like the Charpak Scholarship, Erasmus+ program, the Merit Scholarships of the Eiffel Excellence Program and a host of other programs. The full listing of all the scholarship programs available for Indian students can be found here.
