Study in France

Who this applies to

International (foreign) students at French universities & grandes écoles. Public fees are low and nationally set; the system splits into public universities (open-ish) and selective grandes écoles.

Governing authority

Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche. International gateway: Campus France ('Études en France' procedure).

Degree system

Licence (Bachelor) 3 yrs · Master 2 yrs · Doctorat (PhD) 3 yrs. Grandes écoles: 2-yr CPGE prépa → competitive concours → 3-yr engineering/business diplôme (master-level).

Admission

Undergraduate

EU & some others apply via Parcoursup. Most non-EU students from ~70 countries must use the Campus France 'Études en France' (EEF) procedure (DAP for L1). Grandes écoles select via competitive exams (concours) or dedicated international admissions.

Graduate

Apply via Campus France / directly; recognized bachelor; master programs increasingly in English.

Language Requirements

French Taught

DELF/DALF (commonly B2) or TCF/TEF.

English Taught

IELTS/TOEFL for the growing number of English-taught Master's (esp. grandes écoles, PSL, Polytechnique, Sciences Po).

Tuition Per Year Eur

Public Non Eu

Differentiated fees (since 2019): Licence ~€2,770, Master ~€3,770, PhD ~€380 — BUT many universities waive these and charge the EU rate, and grandes écoles set their own.

Public Eu

~€175 (Licence) / €250 (Master) / €380 (PhD) — the standard low national fee.

Grandes Ecoles Private Business

€10,000–€20,000+/yr (e.g. HEC, INSEAD); public grandes écoles (Polytechnique, ENS) lower or salaried for some.

Source

Campus France; Times Higher Education

Student visa & residence permit

Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS valant titre de séjour) for non-EU, obtained after the Campus France procedure; validated online after arrival.

Scholarships

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, French Government (BGF) scholarships, Erasmus+, regional/university scholarships.

Sources & references

• application/Campus France — https://www.usa.campusfrance.org/applying-to-a-french-institution (2026-06-10)
• tuition — https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/advice/everything-international-students-need-know-about-studying-france (2026-06-10)