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France — study abroad destination

Study permit · France

Study in France

A unique blend of prestigious academic institutions, affordable public education and unparalleled cultural exposure in the heart of Europe.

English programs
1,500+
Public master's
€3,770 / year
Work rights
964 hours / year

Why France

Why choose France?

France is globally recognised for its unique Grandes Écoles system — specialised elite schools for business and engineering — and its robust public university network.

Campus in France
Study in France
  • World-class education

    Home to prestigious Grandes Écoles and top-ranked public universities.

  • Affordable tuition

    Public universities offer highly subsidised tuition fees for international students.

  • Rich culture

    Experience the art, history and culinary excellence of Europe's cultural hub.

Academic opportunities

Popular study areas

  • Luxury Brand Management
  • Fashion & Design
  • Business & MBA
  • Engineering & Technology
  • Culinary Arts
  • Hospitality Management

Academic excellence

France offers over 1,500 programs taught entirely in English — you don't need to speak French to study in France.

  • Public universities

    Funded by the French government with highly subsidised fees.

  • Grandes Écoles & private schools

    Business, engineering and art schools with strong industry links.

Student life in France

Admission

Entry requirements

France works through the Campus France process for most applicants.

  • English-taught programs

    IELTS (typically 6.0 – 6.5), TOEFL iBT or PTE Academic. Some private schools accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter.

  • French-taught programs

    DELF / DALF (typically B2), TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) or TEF.

Language

English language requirements

Accepted language tests depend on whether your program is taught in English or French.

  • IELTS (6.0 – 6.5)
  • TOEFL iBT · PTE
  • DELF / DALF (B2)
  • TCF · TEF

Plan your budget

Tuition & living costs

Understanding the difference between public and private institutions is key to budgeting.

Tuition

Public universities — funded by the French government.

Public bachelor's
€2,770 / year
Public master's
€3,770 / year
Private institutions
€5k – €20k+ / year

Living expenses

Private Grandes Écoles cost more but offer excellent ROI and strong industry connections.

Good to know · Some universities offer exemptions, bringing fees down to €170 / €243 for international students.

Step by step

Your journey to France

The application process with VisaBridge International.

  1. 01

    Campus France

    Create an account on the Études en France portal (mandatory for most countries).

  2. 02

    Program Selection

    Choose up to 7 programs (public universities) or apply directly to private Grandes Écoles.

  3. 03

    Language Test

    Submit TCF / DELF for French programs, or IELTS / TOEFL for English-taught degrees.

  4. 04

    Interview

    Complete the academic interview with a Campus France advisor.

  5. 05

    Student Visa

    Apply for your long-stay student visa.

Passport and travel documents on a world map

Visa / study permit

Long-stay student visa

After Campus France approval and admission, you'll typically need:

  • Campus France approval
  • Admission letter
  • Valid passport
  • Proof of financial resources
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Language test results

After graduation

Work & career prospects

  • Work while you study

    International students may work 964 hours per year (60% of full-time) to support themselves.

  • Post-study work (APS)

    After a master's, apply for a 1 to 2-year job search visa — a pathway to the EU Blue Card and the Schengen job market.

Free profile assessment

Start your journey to France

Get a free, comprehensive profile assessment from our experts to find out your eligibility and the best options for your profile.

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