Why apply for a French student visa?
than 3,500 higher education institutions across the nation offering a range of programs. With a student visa from France international students can study their degrees in engineering, tourism, social work, business management, culinary arts and hotel management.
Types of student visa in France
There are 3 types of student visa available in France for students who seeking studies in bachelor degree, masters degree and various other courses
- Short stay visa: this visa issued for courses less than 90 days duration.
- Temporary long stay visa (VLS – TS) : for a course or training period of up to 3 – 6 months
- Long stay visa (student visa): this visa issued for courses over six months. The extended stay of this visa is equivalent to a residence permit. And this visa is allotted for courses like bachelor’s degree, master degree, PhD and work in France. Based on the requirement only this visa is extendable.
- 35 QS Ranking Universities
- 5 Years of Post Study Work Permit
- 8000 Indian students got French student Visa
- Tuition Fees 5,000 – 30,000 EUR/academic year
- Scholarship worth 15000€ – 25000€ per year
- Get a Visa in 4 to 6 Weeks
1. Why apply for a French student visa?
France is a very popular destination for universities offering higher education. There are more than 3,500 higher education institutions across the nation offering a range of programs. With a student visa from France international students can study their degrees in engineering, tourism, social work, business management, culinary arts and hotel management.
Types of student visa in France
There are 3 types of student visa available in France for students who seeking studies in bachelor degree, masters degree and various other courses
- Short stay visa: this visa issued for courses less than 90 days duration.
- Temporary long stay visa (VLS – TS) : for a course or training period of up to 3 – 6 months
- Long stay visa (student visa): this visa issued for courses over six months. The extended stay of this visa is equivalent to a residence permit. And this visa is allotted for courses like bachelor’s degree, master degree, PhD and work in France. Based on the requirement only this visa is extendable.
2. Why study in France?
Excellent programs are available in all disciplines and study levels within the French educational system. There are more than 3,500 higher education institutions offering a wide range of courses. If you have a student visa, you can enrol for courses in engineering, business management, tourism, social work, culinary arts and hotel management at the universities in France.
- French universities offer outstanding opportunities for R&D as well as high quality student centred higher education.
- The environment in France is favourable for young entrepreneurs for innovation and studies.
- Excellent career opportunities with post study visa options.
- According to QS the top 20 universities in France are listed among the world’s 500 best universities.
- Public universities in France have low tuition fees because of the government subsidies compared to the actual cost.
- The Grandes Ecoles system is comparable to a masters degree.
3. Top universities in France
University | QS Ranking 2024 |
Psl Universite Paris | 24 |
Institut Polytechnique De Paris | 38 |
Sorbonne University | 59 |
Université Paris-Saclay | 71 |
Ecole Normale Superieure De Lyon | 184 |
Ecole Des Ponts Paristech | 192 |
Université Paris Cité | 236 |
Université Grenoble Alpes | 294 |
Sciences Po Paris | 319 |
Pantheon-Sorbonne University | 328 |
Université De Montpellier | 382 |
Aix-Marseille University | 387 |
National Institute Of Applied Sciences In Lyon | 392 |
Université De Strasbourg | 421 |
Claude Bernard University Lyon 1 | 452 |
University Of Bordeaux | 465 |
Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III | 511 |
Université De Lille | 631 |
Université De Rennes 1 | 711 |
Universite De Lorraine | 721 |
Cy Cergy Paris University | 851 |
Universite Paris-Pantheon-Assas | 851 |
Université Toulouse 1 Capitole | 951 |
Paul Valéry University Montpellier | 1001 |
Université De Caen Normandie | 1001 |
Université De Poitiers | 1001 |
Université Lumière Lyon 2 | 1001 |
Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès | 1001 |
Jean Moulin University – Lyon 3 | 1201 |
Paris Nanterre University | 1201 |
Université De Franche-Comté | 1201 |
Université De Limoges | 1201 |
Université Paris 13 Nord | 1401 |
4. Public universities in France
French universities offer excellent education and exceptional research opportunities that focus on the needs of students. The universities provide creative and skillful education that helps to support career growth. There are more than 20 QS ranked universities in the world among the top 500 worldwide universities. Affordable education and government facilities are advantageous to international students. In France public universities provide high quality standard education at a lower cost. In addition to that public universities provide international students with fee reductions and provide scholarships.
Universities | Programs |
Aix Marseille University | Bachelors |
Audencia Business School | Masters, MBA |
CentraleSupélec Engineering School | Btech |
Ecole Polytechnique | Btech |
EDHEC Business School | Masters, MBA |
EMLYON Business School | Masters, MBA |
EPITA Graduate School | Masters |
ESSEC Business School | MBA |
Grenoble Graduate School of Business | MBA |
Grenoble INP | Btech |
HEC Paris | MBA |
IAE Aix Marseille Graduate School | MBA |
IÉSEG | Masters, MBA |
INSA Lyon | Btech |
MBA in INSEAD | MBA |
Montpellier Business School | Masters |
Nantes University | Masters |
Paris 1 Pantheon Sorbonne University | Bachelors |
Paris College of Art | Bachelors |
Paris Saclay University | Bachelors |
Paris School of Business | Bachelors |
ParisTech | Btech |
Polytechnique Institute of Paris | Bachelors |
PSL University | Btech |
Sciences Po University | Bachelors |
SKEMA Business School | Masters |
Sorbonne Business School | Masters |
Sorbonne University | Btech, MBA |
Telecom Paris | Btech |
Toulouse Business School | Masters |
Université Paris Cité | Bachelors |
Université PSL | Bachelors |
University of Grenoble Alpes | Bachelors, Btech |
University of Paris Saclay | Btech |
5. France intakes
There are two intakes for study visas in France: spring and autumn.
Intakes | Study program | Admission deadlines |
Autumn | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | Sep and Jan |
Spring | Undergraduate and Postgraduate | Jan and Sep |
6.Intakes for graduate and master courses in France
Higher study options | Duration | Intake months | Deadline to apply |
Bachelors | 3 years | Sep (major) and Jan (minor) | 6-8 months before the intake month |
Masters (MS/MBA) | 2 years |
7. France University Fee
Public universities have less fees compared to the private universities in France. Depending on the course and level of study public universities charge between 250 and 1200 EUR/year.
While private charges:
Bachelor’s Degree: 7,000 – 40,000 EUR/academic year
Master’s Degree: 1,500 – 35,000 EUR/academic year
The cost of study includes university fees, travel expenses, visa charges, accommodation charges, living expenses and so on.
The table below shows the average cost of education fees in France.
Higher study options | Average tuition fee/year | Visa fee | Living expense for 1 year/proof of funds for 1 year | Is opening a bank account in the country required to show proof of funds? |
Bachelors | 3500 Euros and above | 50 Euros | 7,500 Euros | NA |
Masters |
8. Eligibility for student visa in France
- Applicants must be 18 years or above
- If the course is less than 3 months avail for a short stay visa
- If students pursuing over three or six months a temporary long stay visa is granted
- On arrival to France no further paperworks is needed
- If the course lasts longer than 6 months then students will be granted a long stay visa to a resident permit.
9. Requirements for France student visa
- Applicants must be above 18 years old
- Visa fee payment receipt
- Letter of acceptance from France university
- Evidence of funds which included living expense and study fees
- Flight ticket details
- Medical insurance cost up to € 900 per year
- While studying in France need proof of accommodation
- Need proficiency certificate for french language if you opted french as the medium of instruction
- Proof of civil status if required
10. Educational requirements to study in France
Higher study options | Minimum educational requirement | Minimum required percentage | IELTS/PTE/TOEFL score | Backlogs information | Other standardised test |
Bachelors | 12 years of education (10+2)/ 10+3 years of diploma | 60% | Overall 5.5 in each band | Up to 10 backlogs (some private hospital universities may accept more) | NA |
Masters (MS/MBA) | ¾ years of graduate degree | 60% | Overall 6.5 with no band less than 6 |
11. Benefits of studying in France
French universities offer high quality education and most of the universities are accredited. The cost of education is affordable compared to universities in other countries. With the most advanced technology students can get the most appropriate knowledge and education.
- French universities are also top in offering high quality standards of education especially in research and development.
- This country also has the nature of welcoming young entrepreneurs and their innovation.
- The country also has enormous career opportunities.
- Top 20 QS ranked universities in the 500 global top universities list.
- Less tuition and more subsidies offered by government gives a minimal cost of study in France
- A Grandes Ecoles system comparable to a Master’s degree
12. How to apply for student visa in France
Step 1: Check your eligibility whether you qualified for French visa
Step 2: Collect all necessary document and get ready
Step 3: Fill out online visa application for France
Step 4: Waiting for the approval status
Step 5: Take a plane to France to continue your education
13. France student visa cost
To pursue bachelors and masters degree programs the cost of a long term visa to France is between € 100 to € 250. The cost of the visa may change depending on the new government regulations. The visa application fee remains unchanged even if you applied for a dual course application.
14. Student visa processing time in France
For student visa processing it will take around 2 to 10 weeks. The processing time can also change depending on the type of student visa, courses and country. You can track the student visa status after applying for the visa.
15. Scholarships to study in France
Name of the Scholarship | Amount (Per Year) |
Walter Jensen Scholarship | $2,000 – $4000 |
ISA Diversity Scholarship for American Students | $1,000 – $2,000 |
Campus France Scholarship | $1,000 – $4,500 |
Fulbright Scholarship | $1000 – $2500 |
Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence | $1000 – $2316 |
Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarship | $4000 – $6210 |
The Chateaubriand Fellowship | $1,230 – $2,000 |
Alexandre Yersin Scholarships | $8,000 – $10,808 |
16. Working during studies
International students holding student visas are permitted to work in France a total of 964 hours a year or 60% of regular hours. While doing part time jobs it is considered a supplement and it would not be sufficient to pay for all expenses.
17. Work authorization for students
According to the law in France the international students are allowed only to work up to 964 hours annually or 60% of the country’s regular working hours if they are on student visa. Part time job is considered as an additional source of income and while part time work would not be sufficient to meet all necessary expenses.
Options for post study visas
After completing their studies in France students who have completed bachelor degree can only stay if they have a work visa. Students who have completed masters degree can apply and receive temporary residency permit APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour) for 24 months.
If you have a degree such as a master’s, PhD or post-graduate degree from a French university they can get a two year Schengen visa extension.
A student can apply for a work permit as the first step towards getting a European Union Blue Card (permanent residency) if they can find a job that pays more than 1.5 times of the minimum salary.
18. Working in France during your studies
According to the law in France the international students are allowed only to work up to 964 hours annually or 60% of the country’s regular working hours if they are on student visa. Part time job is considered as an additional source of income and while part time work would not be sufficient to meet all necessary expenses.
Options for post study visas
After completing their studies in France students who have completed bachelor degree can only stay if they have a work visa. Students who have completed masters degree can apply and receive temporary residency permit APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour) for 24 months.
If you have a degree such as a master’s, PhD or post-graduate degree from a French university they can get a two year Schengen visa extension.
A student can apply for a work permit as the first step towards getting a European Union Blue Card (permanent residency) if they can find a job that pays more than 1.5 times of the minimum salary.
19. Working in France during your studies
The law in France permits international students who have student visas to work in France for 964 hours a year or 60% of the regular working hours in France (with the exception of Algerian nationals who are only permitted to work 50% of the regular working hours in France). Your expense will not be fully covered by your part time jobs so it should be viewed as a supplement source of income.
20. After you graduate
- After completing studies in France students who hold a bachelors degree can stay in France only if they have a work permit. Students who are studying masters degree can apply and get a temporary residence permit APS (Autorisation Provisioire de Séjour) for 24 months.
- Students who hold visas such as master, PhD or post graduate degree programs from one of the universities in France can get 2 years of extension Schengen visa.
- If a student can find employment that pays more than 1.5 times the minimum salary then they can apply for a work permit as the first step towards getting a European Union blue card (Permanent residency)
Higher Study Options | Part time work duration allowed | Post study work permit | Can departments work full time? | Is schooling free for department children | PR option available for post study and work |
Bachelors | 20 hours per week | 6 months – 24 months depending upon the university or employment contract | No | Yes (the education system supports students who speak other foreign languages) | No |
Masters (MS/MBA) | 20 hours per week |
