Top universities in France Known around the world as a great learning destination, France has a rich heritage of history, literature, arts, research and education. This European country also boasts of producing several Nobel laureates in the fields of Literature, Physics and Medicine. Students flock to France in large numbers every year to pursue higher education from top universities in France which provide diversity and volume when it comes to educational programmes. Students can choose from a vast array of programmes at different levels of study. The French education system is credit-based in which every module of study amounts for certain European credits (ECTS). 180 ECTS helps students earn a Licence (Bachelors degree) and an extra 120 ECTS is needed to earn a Masters degree.
Here in France, students have the option to pursue higher education from either a public university or a private university. What they must know before going ahead with the application process to get into a French university is that the tuition fees in public universities are relatively lower than that of private French educational institutions.
We have listed the names of top universities in France along with details like their world rankings, popular courses, average tuition fees and scholarships. 
Top Universities in France World University Rankings 2019
France has been a land of great thinkers and innovators like Voltaire, Pascal, Salmasius, Marie Curie and Frdric Ozanam. The educational institutions of this European country which include universities, Grandes Ecoles and schools of art & architecture impart students with knowledge under interactive and creative study setting. Several universities of France have found their way into the QS and THE world university rankings because of their quality education. Some of the top universities of France are listed below.
List of top universities in France
| Name of University | QS World University Rankings 2019 | THE World University Rankings 2019 |
| Paris Sciences et Lettres PSL Research University Paris | 50 | 41 |
| Sorbonne University | 75 | 73 |
| cole Polytechnique | 65 | 108 |
| cole Normale Suprieure de Lyon | 153 | 201-250 |
| CentraleSuplec | 137 | 401-500 |
Top Universities in France Popular Courses
Well-known for its cutting-edge technology and research studies, France is a perfect place to give boost to a students career. The universities in France offer a vast array of subjects across different disciplines for students to choose from. Students are provided the best learning opportunities under the programmes selected by them to give them best possible start to flourish in their career.
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Highlighted below are some popular courses that international students opt for when they come to France to pursue higher education.
Popular courses offered by top universities in France
| S.No. | University Name | Popular Courses |
| 1. | (Universit PSL) Paris Sciences et Lettres PSL Research University Paris |
Universit PSL is known for its academic excellence in the fields of arts, science and engineering. Given below is a list of some popular courses preferred by international students.
Mathematics Computer Science & Information Systems Chemical Engineering Mineral & Mining Engineering Philosophy Materials Science Accounting & Finance History Statistics & Operational Research |
| 2. | Sorbonne University |
Varied courses are offered for study at Sorbonne University. Some of them are which are popular among students are listed below:
Classics & Ancient History Modern Languages Philosophy Anatomy & Physiology Biological Sciences Medicine Chemistry Environmental Sciences Mathematics |
| 3. | cole Polytechnique |
One of the famous educational institutions of France, cole Polytechnique offers several courses for students to choose from. Some of its famous programmes are as follows:
Physics and Astronomy Economics & Econometrics Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering Materials Science Mathematics |
| 4. | cole Normale Suprieure de Lyon |
cole Normale Suprieure de Lyon is mostly known for courses related to humanities and sciences.
Earth & Marine Sciences Biological Sciences Natural Sciences Arts & Humanities |
| 5. | CentraleSuplec |
CentraleSuplec is famous around the world for research-driven engineering and science courses. The most-sought after courses of this institution is as follows:
Electrical & Electronics Engineering Mechanical Engineering Modern Languages Civil & Structural Engineering Mathematics Engineering & Technology |
Beside the institutions mentioned above for providing specialisation in various subjects, there are few others like INSEAD, HEC Paris School of Management, ESSEC Business School and Emlyon Business School that are ranked quite high in world rankings for providing management courses.
Top Universities in France Average Tuition Fees in College
International students who wish to study in France need to know that the public institutions of France are a lot cheaper than the private ones. The public institutions providing higher education are funded by French government which reduces the cost of degree programmes considerably for students. The French government subsidises higher education and bears two thirds of the cost tuition fees. Given below is a brief account about the cost of higher education in French universities.
- For Non-EU students wishing to pursue a bachelors level of study, the tuition fees costs EUR 2,770 per annum.
- The tuition fees for masters level of studies at public institutions is EUR 3,770 per year.
- The tuition fees for doctoral level studies is as low as EUR 380 per annum for both EU and non-EU students.
As for private institutions of France, the tuition fees can start from EUR 3,000 and go up as high as EUR 20,000 depending on the types of programme students opt for.
Top Universities in France How to apply for French universities
Theres a very simple way to apply to a desired institution of France for Indian students. Since India falls under the Etudes en France (Studying in France) procedure, students residing in India can follow a single online service to apply for an institution of higher education in France. They just need to create their electronic file and follow the instruction to complete their enrolment process. Follow the instruction given below to apply for a university programme in France.
- Indian students can complete Etudes en France procedure through Campus France India webpage which can be accessed through Campus France website. Click on Countries Sites given on the top corner of the website to go to the site for Indian students.
- Students need to register on the Etudes en France whose link is available on Campus France India. Upon registration, students can use the registered username and password to login to their account and apply for the institution they want to study in.
- Students must pay the processing fee of INR 15,000 to complete the application process.
Students need to keep track of their profile on regular basis for further updates and instructions.
Top Universities in France Scholarship for International Students
There are a number of government, private and other scholarships available to attract international students to study in France. Given below are a few scholarships that Indian students can apply for.
List of scholarships to study in France
| S.No. | Name of Scholarship | Award Details |
| 1. | Charpak Masterβs Program, France | Tuition fee waiver upto EUR 5000 and other benefits |
| 2. | French Academic Cooperation and Excellence (FACE) Scholarship | Up to EUR 5000 |
| 3. | HFSP Post Doctoral Fellowship, France | Living allowance, relocation, research & travel allowances and other benefits |
| 4. | INSEAD Diversity Scholarships | EUR 13,000 |
| 5. | Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence | A monthly allowance of EUR 1,031 and other benefits |
