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🇫🇷France

Study & Work in France

World-class education at affordable prices. France offers prestigious Grandes Écoles, low tuition at public universities, and excellent post-study work opportunities.

€170

Min Tuition (Public)

370K+

International Students

1-2 Years

Post-Study Visa

1,500+

English Programs

Why Choose France?

Affordable Tuition

Public universities from €170-380/year for EU, €2,770 for non-EU

CAF Housing Subsidy

€100-300/month housing benefit for all students

Top Business Schools

HEC, INSEAD, ESSEC - among world's best MBAs

Post-Study Work

1-2 year visa to find work after graduation

Student Discounts

Up to 50% off transport, museums, restaurants

EU Gateway

Schengen area access, easy Europe travel

Visa Types & Work Authorization

Student Visa (VLS-TS)

Long-stay student visa validated as residence permit

Duration: Duration of study (renewable annually)
Work Rights: 964 hrs/year (~20 hrs/week)
Pathway: Post-Study Visa → Talent Passport → Long-term

Post-Study Visa (APS)

Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour for job search

Duration: 1 year after Master's, 2 years after PhD
Work Rights: Unlimited work rights
Pathway: Find job → Change status → Talent Passport

Talent Passport

Multi-year visa for skilled workers

Duration: 4 years, renewable
Work Rights: Full work rights
Pathway: Long-term residence after 5 years

Long-term EU Residence

Permanent residence after 5 years

Duration: Permanent
Work Rights: Unrestricted
Pathway: French citizenship option after 5 years

Cost of Studying in France (EUR)

Tuition Fees

Public (EU)€170 - €380/year (License/Master)
Public (Non-EU)€2,770 - €3,770/year
Grandes Écoles€10,000 - €50,000/year

Living Expenses

Paris€12,000 - €18,000/year
Lyon€10,000 - €14,000/year
Other Cities€8,000 - €12,000/year

Other Costs & Benefits

Health (CVEC)€20-50/month (CVEC: €100/year)
Visa Fee€99
CAF SubsidyCAF subsidy available (€100-300/month)

Total Estimated Cost: €10,000 - €18,000/year (after CAF subsidy)

Top Universities & Grandes Écoles

HEC Paris

Grande École

Paris

#1 Business School

Programs: MBA, Management, Finance

École Polytechnique

Grande École

Paris

#1 Engineering

Programs: Engineering, Sciences, Math

Sciences Po

Grande École

Paris

Top Political Science

Programs: Political Science, IR, Economics

INSEAD

Business School

Fontainebleau

#1 MBA globally

Programs: MBA, Executive Education

Paris-Saclay University

Public

Paris

#1 France (QS)

Programs: Sciences, Engineering, Medicine

Sorbonne University

Public

Paris

Top 50 globally

Programs: Arts, Sciences, Medicine

ESSEC Business School

Grande École

Paris

Top 10 MBA Europe

Programs: Business, Management

CentraleSupélec

Grande École

Paris

Top 3 Engineering

Programs: Engineering, AI, Data Science

Scholarships for International Students

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship

Amount: €1,181/month (Master) + travel + housing
Eligibility: Non-French students for Master/PhD
Deadline: January (via institution)

Campus France Scholarships

Amount: Varies by program
Eligibility: Based on country of origin
Deadline: Varies

Erasmus+ (for EU students)

Amount: €250 - €700/month
Eligibility: EU students for exchange
Deadline: Varies by home university

Regional Scholarships

Amount: €200 - €600/month
Eligibility: Based on region of study
Deadline: September

Salary Expectations (EUR)

RoleEntry LevelMid Level (5+ years)
Software Engineer€38,000 - €50,000€55,000 - €80,000
Data Scientist€40,000 - €50,000€55,000 - €85,000
Consultant€42,000 - €55,000€65,000 - €100,000
Financial Analyst€38,000 - €48,000€55,000 - €80,000
Marketing Manager€35,000 - €45,000€50,000 - €70,000
Engineer (Industry)€38,000 - €48,000€55,000 - €80,000

Frequently Asked Questions

How affordable is studying in France?

France offers some of the most affordable higher education in the developed world. Public university fees are €170-380/year for EU students and €2,770-3,770/year for non-EU. Plus, students get access to subsidized housing (CAF), cheap transport, and student discounts.

What is Campus France?

Campus France is the official agency for French higher education promotion. Most non-EU students must apply through the "Études en France" portal on Campus France. They help with university selection, application, and visa process.

Do I need to speak French to study in France?

Not necessarily. Over 1,500 programs are taught entirely in English, especially at business schools and for Master's programs. However, learning French (A2-B1) significantly improves daily life and job prospects.

What is a Grande École?

Grandes Écoles are prestigious French institutions specializing in business, engineering, or political science. They're highly selective, offer excellent career prospects, but have higher tuition than public universities. Examples: HEC, Polytechnique, Sciences Po.

How long can I stay after graduation?

France offers a post-study visa (APS) for 1 year after Master's and 2 years after PhD, allowing you to work while searching for a job. Once employed, you can switch to a Talent Passport valid for 4 years.

What is CAF housing subsidy?

CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) provides housing benefits to students in France, typically €100-300/month depending on rent and location. All students, including international students, are eligible. Apply online after arrival.

Useful Tools for Your France Journey