France offers low-fee public universities, well-known business and engineering schools, and over 1,600 English-taught programmes. Planning your course, budget and Campus France steps together is what makes it work.
Last reviewed: September 2026
France gives Indian students an unusual mix: low-fee public universities, highly selective grandes écoles and internationally known business schools. More than 1,600 programmes are taught fully or partly in English. France hosted about 443,500 international students in 2024–25 across roughly 3,500 higher education institutions.
The system rewards planning. Fees run from a few thousand euros a year at public universities to over €30,000 at top business schools. Most Indian students complete the Campus France (Études en France) procedure before applying for a visa, and some French makes daily life, internships and job hunting much easier.
Public universities, grandes écoles, engineering schools and specialist institutes let you choose by budget and career goal instead of fitting one model.
France is a leading destination for master’s degrees in management, finance, luxury and hospitality, from schools that global employers know well.
Public university fees for non-EU students stay far below typical UK or US levels, and some institutions reduce them further.
Many programmes include internships, applied projects or alternance (work-study), so you graduate with real work experience.
The Charpak programme is designed for Indian students, and Eiffel and institution-level awards are available alongside it.
Subsidised meals and transport discounts help with daily costs, and cities such as Lyon, Toulouse and Grenoble cost less than the capital.
France is strongest in the areas where its industries lead: management, luxury, aerospace and research-driven science. English-taught options are widest at master’s level and in business schools.
| Course Area | Why France | Typical Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Business & Management (MiM) | Grande école business schools with close corporate links and a strong internship culture. | Consultant, business analyst, management trainee |
| Finance | Paris is a major European financial centre, and specialised finance master’s are a French strength. | Financial analyst, risk analyst, corporate finance associate |
| Luxury, Fashion & Hospitality | France is home to major luxury groups and has a global reputation in hospitality management. | Brand manager, retail manager, hospitality operations manager |
| Computer Science, AI & Data | A growing AI and startup scene in Paris, Lyon, Grenoble and Lille. | Software engineer, data scientist, AI engineer |
| Aerospace & Engineering | Toulouse is a leading European aerospace hub, and France is also strong in transport, energy and manufacturing. | Aerospace engineer, systems engineer, design engineer |
| Supply Chain & Operations | Business schools run specialist programmes linked to Europe’s logistics networks. | Supply chain analyst, procurement analyst, operations planner |
| Life Sciences & Public Health | Research-heavy universities and a large pharmaceutical sector. | Research assistant, regulatory affairs associate, public health analyst |
| Design, Animation & Creative Industries | Well-regarded design and animation schools, mostly private and based in Paris. | UX designer, animator, design manager |
France’s top institutions include public universities, elite grandes écoles and business schools, and their fees are very different. Business schools don’t appear in the overall QS table, but they are key options for Indian students.
| University | City | Ranking | Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSL University | Paris | QS 2027: 34 | Research-intensive group of elite schools |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | Palaiseau (Paris region) | QS 2027: 43 | Engineering and science grandes écoles |
| Sorbonne University | Paris | QS 2027: 73 | Sciences, medicine and humanities |
| Université Paris-Saclay | Paris region | QS 2027: 76 | Science, maths and engineering research |
| Université Paris Cité | Paris | QS 2027: 303 | Health, life sciences and social sciences |
| Sciences Po | Paris | QS 2027: 354 | Politics, international affairs, public policy |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | Grenoble | QS 2027: 387 | Engineering and tech in an affordable city |
| INSA Lyon | Lyon | Public engineering school with moderate fees | |
| HEC Paris | Jouy-en-Josas (Paris region) | Top business school for management and finance | |
| ESSEC Business School | Cergy (Paris region) | Management, luxury and analytics |
Rankings change yearly (QS 2027 shown) and business schools are ranked separately; match programme, fees and internships to your goal.
French tuition depends heavily on the type of institution, so compare programme fees rather than national averages. Living costs are highest in Paris and noticeably lower in regional cities.
Figures are indicative for 2026–27; school fees and visa-related amounts change, so confirm on official and institution websites.
France has government scholarships designed with Indian students in mind, plus many merit awards from individual schools. Most are competitive, so apply early and keep a backup funding plan.
| Scholarship | Typical Support | Best Suited For |
|---|---|---|
| Charpak Master’s Scholarship | Monthly allowance (around €860), visa and Campus France fee waiver, insurance support | Indian students joining a full-time master’s in France |
| Charpak Bachelor’s Scholarship | Similar monthly allowance and fee waivers | Indian students joining a full-time bachelor’s programme |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | About €1,181 / month for master’s, €1,700 / month for PhD, plus extras | High achievers nominated by their French institution |
| Campus Bourses | Search tool, not a single award | Comparing scholarships by level, field and nationality |
| University and business-school awards | Partial fee waivers or merit grants; amounts vary | Admitted students at schools that offer merit aid |
Main intake, with the widest choice and most scholarships
Mostly business schools and selected master’s programmes
Limited; mainly language, short and some private programmes
Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS)
Courses longer than 90 days need a long-stay student visa. From India, you first complete the Campus France (Études en France) procedure, then apply through France-Visas and the visa application centre.
Shortlist courses and check that each qualification is officially recognised. Also check whether the school takes applications through Études en France or its own portal.
Secure an admission or registration letter that shows the programme, its duration, the intake and the fees.
Create your Études en France account, upload your documents and pay the processing fee.
Explain your academic background, course choice and future plans clearly and consistently.
Show funding for tuition plus at least €877.50 a month for living costs, along with confirmed housing for your first months.
Fill in the online form, book your visa centre appointment, and submit your biometrics and documents.
Validate your VLS-TS online within three months of arriving in France.
You can work part-time during your studies, and internships or alternance often add paid experience. After graduation, eligible students can stay on to look for work or start a business.
| Stage | What Applies |
|---|---|
| During studies | Eligible students can work up to 964 hours a year, roughly 20 hours a week. |
| Internships | Many programmes include internships, and longer placements normally come with a monthly stipend. |
| Alternance (work-study) | Apprenticeship or professionalisation contracts combine study with paid work; eligibility depends on the programme and contract type. |
| After graduation | Eligible graduates, usually at master’s level, can get a 12-month permit to look for work or set up a business. |
| Indian master’s graduates | Under the India–France mobility arrangement, eligible Indian graduates can apply for a one-year post-study visa that can be renewed once, subject to current rules. |
The widest choice of universities, grandes écoles and business schools, with the most internships and jobs. It also has the highest rents.
A major student city strong in business, engineering and life sciences, with living costs well below Paris.
A leading European aerospace hub that suits aeronautics and engineering students, with a relaxed, affordable lifestyle.
A tech and research city in the Alps, known for engineering, physics and innovation-focused management programmes.
Close to Paris, Brussels and London, with good business schools and lower living costs.
Not sure which course or university in France fits your marks and budget? Our online student profiler asks about your study level, academics, budget and preferences, then suggests courses and universities that fit.
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Fees, fund requirements, visa rules and work rights on this page are indicative, based on publicly available information as of September 2026. They change often — always confirm with the university and the official immigration website before you apply, or ask our counsellors to check the latest position for you.
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