France, the 6th largest economy in the world, and among the largest host countries for international students. In 2020, France welcomed 358,000 students from across the world, with a substantial number being from India.
What makes Studying in France an attractive and lucrative option for international students?
We break down the factors!
High-Quality Education to Study in France
French Universities are traditionally smaller than their Asian or American counterparts with a high degree of specialization, the emphasis being on quality rather than quantity. The past decade has seen a spate of mergers amongst universities in France, with a few large conglomerations of universities now emerging, such as Paris Saclay or the University of Paris.
The quality of French education is reflected in the statistics: France is 4th in the league tables for Nobel Prizes and 2nd in the ranking for the number of Fields Medals, behind only the US.
Unique to France is a large number of world-renowned specialized schools teaching niche subjects. Education in French gastronomic tradition for example is imparted by institutions like Le Cordon Bleu or Ferrandi Paris that have no equivalent in the rest of the world. Similarly, French animation schools such as ArtFX and International Institute De L'image Et Du Son (3is), and acting school La Femis are amongst the most revered institutions in their domain.
The strong artistic and academic tradition is continued in France, this is reflected in the investment made by the country in research and education. This investment is well reflected in the QS World University Rankings, where 35 French universities mark their presence.
For those who wish to attend high-quality institutions offering state-of-art technologies at an affordable price, studying in France can be one of the best options.
Cheaper Education for International Students Studying in France
Public Universities in France are taxpayer-funded where students are almost never required to bear the full cost of education. There are no tuition fees in French state universities, rather students are expected to pay a nominal registration fee and a student life (CVEC) contribution. This is one of the major contributing factors to why international students are choosing to study in France.
From 2019 onwards, the registration for foreign students has been set at 3770 EUR for Masters and 2770 EUR for Bachelor studies. A small number of French universities are exempt from the differential fee regime as well.
Supplementing the lower cost of education, students studying in France also benefit from a lower cost of living as compared to other OECD countries. The family allocation fund (CAF) subsidizes the rent of every registered student in France (domestic or foreign) with a benefit paid directly into their bank accounts every month. There also exists student-specific discounts on public transport, cinemas, museums, and restaurants across the country.
Study in France in English
An increasing number of French universities now teach courses in English. No knowledge of French is required to enrol in these courses. At the end of 2020, 1500+ programs are available taught completely in English, comprising Bachelors, Masters, and short term programs, offering international students a pool of options to choose from when planning to study in France. The French Government maintains a catalog of English taught courses accessible here taughtie.campusfrance.org
Student Life in France
The lifestyle and standard of living in France are remarkably high, which ensures that for international students studying in France becomes a life changing experience. Catering to needs and palettes of all kinds, France is not only the hub for cheese and wine enthusiasts, but also for those who like exploring outdoor cafes.
The cities offer bustling urban environments, quiet mountains, or the relaxed atmosphere on the Mediterranean shore all in one place. Where Marseille and Montpellier are directly off the Mediterranean coast (summer beaches included), Paris offers a unique metropolitan vibe in a charming environment. Rennes or Nantes is close to the rougher Atlantic coasts and from Grenoble or Lyon, the Alps are within reach.
Post Study Scope in France
University degrees in France are always tailored to the needs of the industry. Most courses offered to international students studying in France include an internship as a mandatory component. For English-taught programs, French is taught as a separate module ensuring that students who graduate have a working knowledge of French and can integrate easily in the workforce.
The student cohort in France is incredibly multicultural and caters to every taste and need. At the PhD level, for example, 40% of doctoral students in France are international students, ensuring that the research domain benefits from diverse viewpoints.
The French government supports international alumni by creating an alumni specific visa, which enables Masters or Ph.D. students to apply for a 5-year multiple entry visa after their studies in France. International applicants studying in France can also benefit from a one-year visa extension scheme which enables them to find suitable employment after their course ends. For Indian students, this benefit is applicable up to an additional one year, making this one of the most attractive visa regimes for post-study work experience.
Extensive Scholarships to Study in France
The French Embassy in India through the Institut Français en Inde sponsors more than 500 scholarships exclusively for Indian students each year. The flagship Charpak Program, named after Nobel laureate Georges Charpak, covers tuition fees and living expenses for departing Indian students studying Masters or exchange programs in France.
From time to time, new domain-specific scholarships are also introduced by the newly created Franco-India Education Trust.
To find up-to-date information on the scholarships in France for Indian Students at Institut Francais
A scholarship search engine is also maintained by the French government at campusbourses.campusfrance.org
Campus France
Campus France is a government agency created for the promotion of the French Education system. In India, Campus France operates under the aegis of the French Embassy in India. With offices in 12 cities across the country, Campus France assists students in applying to French universities and accompanies them in each step of their journey, right up to the visa application.
Get in touch with your nearest Campus France office, here
Campus France routinely organizes the flagship Choose France Tour which is a unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with 40+ French universities and specialized schools. For 2021, the Choose France Tour is back in an all-new online avatar.
Register for the next Choose France Tour, scheduled for February 26 and 27th, completely free at cft.ifindia.in
Rising up the ladder of popular destinations for international students, France is among those few study abroad countries offering a high quality of education at remarkably low tuition fees and an enjoyable French way of life.
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