Study in France: The Complete Guide for International Students 2026

You’re sitting in a CROUS canteen on a campus in Lyon, a tray with a full meal in front of you for €3.30 (soup, chicken with vegetables, dessert, and a baguette). At the next table, three Erasmus students from Spain and Italy are arguing in English about whether Lyon has better cuisine than Bologna (it does). Outside, a light rain falls, and you check your phone for a transfer confirmation from CAF (the French Family Allowance Fund has just transferred €200 to cover part of your rent). This isn’t a scene from a movie about a romantic life abroad. This is a typical Tuesday for a student who pays less for an entire year of study at a public university than students in other countries pay for just one semester at a private university.

France is the third most popular country in the world among international students, after the United States and the United Kingdom. In the 2024/2025 academic year, over 400,000 international students studied at French universities, with a growing number seeking something that universities in their home countries simply don’t offer: world-class education at a fraction of the price, mandatory internships in international companies, a diploma recognized from Brussels to Buenos Aires, and daily life in a country where a €1.20 croissant is a serious philosophical matter.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the entire process, from understanding the French higher education system (which is more complicated than French grammar), through the astonishingly low tuition fees at public universities, to the admission procedure, scholarships, CAF housing aid, living costs in various cities, and a realistic comparison with the Netherlands, Germany, and the UK. If you’re interested in specific universities, check out our detailed guides on Sciences Po and Sorbonne/PSL, but first, read this article to understand the full landscape.

Why France? Compelling Reasons for International High School Graduates

Before we delve into the details of the system, admissions, and costs, let’s answer a fundamental question: why should you even consider France, when the Netherlands has more English-taught programs, and Germany offers near-zero tuition?

First, tuition fees at public universities are absurdly low. We’re talking about €170 per year for a Bachelor’s degree (Licence) and €243 for a Master’s, plus a mandatory CVEC fee of approximately €103 for student life. Together, that’s less than €300 per year. For a three-year Bachelor’s program at Sorbonne or Université Paris-Saclay, you’ll pay less in total than for one month’s tuition at LSE. This is not a mistake; it’s the French model, where the state funds higher education and believes that investing in students (including international ones) pays off in innovation, culture, and global influence.

Second, Grandes Ecoles. France has something no other country in Europe does: a parallel system of elite higher education institutions with a reputation comparable to the Ivy League. Sciences Po in political science, HEC Paris in business, Ecole Polytechnique and ENS in STEM fields – these are institutions whose diplomas open doors that remain closed to graduates of regular universities. And many of them offer programs in English.

Third, CAF, Caisse d’Allocations Familiales. The French government provides a rent subsidy to every student living in France, regardless of nationality. As an international student studying in Lyon or Bordeaux, you can receive €100–€250 per month to cover part of your rent. No other country in Europe offers something comparable so unconditionally.

Fourth, location and lifestyle. France is a central hub in Western Europe. Paris is 2 hours by train from Brussels and London (via Eurostar), 3 hours from Amsterdam, and from Lyon, you can reach Milan in 4 hours. Add to that the cuisine, culture, climate (especially in the south), and a healthcare system that is one of the best in the world.

The French Higher Education System – Universities, Grandes Ecoles, and Business Schools

The French higher education system is probably the most complex in Europe, and understanding it is absolutely crucial before you start planning your application. In simplified terms: France has three types of institutions, each with a different character, prestige level, tuition fees, and admission process.

Universities (public universities) are the equivalents of public universities in other countries, open, public, and state-funded. There are over 70 of them in France, and they admit anyone who meets the formal requirements (a high school diploma or equivalent) for most programs. Tuition fees: €170/year for a Bachelor’s (Licence), €243/year for a Master’s. Quality varies greatly, from absolute world leaders (Sorbonne/PSL, Paris-Saclay, top 15 worldwide in STEM) to local universities with moderate reputations. Classes are mainly in French, though the number of English-taught programs at the Master’s level is growing.

Grandes Ecoles are elite higher education institutions, a unique phenomenon on a global scale. Selective, prestigious, with small class sizes, a strong emphasis on career development, and an alumni network that, in the French context, is as important as the education itself. They are divided into: écoles d’ingénieurs (engineering schools like Ecole Polytechnique, CentraleSupelec, Mines Paris, ENPC), écoles normales supérieures (ENS Paris, ENS Lyon, training future scientists and intellectuals), and IEP (Institutes of Political Studies like Sciences Po). Tuition fees: from symbolic amounts in engineering schools to €10,000–€15,000/year at Sciences Po (income-based system). Admissions: separate procedures, often requiring entrance exams or pre-selection. Programs: a mix of French and English, depending on the school.

Business Schools (écoles de commerce) form the third pillar: private business schools with a global reputation. HEC Paris (#1 in Europe in many rankings), ESSEC, ESCP (the oldest business school in the world, founded in 1819), EDHEC, EM Lyon, INSEAD (MBA). Tuition fees: €10,000–€45,000/year, making this by far the most expensive segment of French higher education. But for this price, you get a business education comparable to London Business School or Wharton, mandatory internships at companies like L’Oréal, LVMH, McKinsey, or Goldman Sachs, and an alumni network dominating French and European business.

For an international high school graduate, the key question is: are you aiming for openness and low costs (public university), prestige and selectivity (Grande Ecole), or business ambitions and a willingness to invest (business school)? Each of these paths leads to a different experience and different career prospects.

English-Taught Programs – A Growing Offer

Traditionally, France was associated with the requirement of fluent French, and this is still the case at many public universities, especially at the Bachelor’s (Licence) level. But the situation is changing dynamically, and in 2026, the English-taught offer is larger than ever.

At the Master’s level, the situation is best, with over 1,500 programs taught entirely in English. Almost every university in the top 20 in France offers at least a few English-taught pathways at the Master’s level, especially in: management and business, engineering, natural sciences, international relations, and economics.

At the Bachelor’s (Licence) level, the offer is more modest but growing. Key English-taught options include:

• Sciences Po – campuses in Reims and Le Havre offer full 3-year programs 100% in English. This is by far the most extensive English-taught Bachelor’s offer among the Grandes Ecoles.
• Ecole Polytechnique – Bachelor of Science (3-year) taught in English, with a focus on mathematics, physics, computer science, and economics. Tuition fees: €17,700/year for EU citizens (but a scholarship system can cover up to 100%).
• Université Paris-Saclay – a growing number of English-taught Bachelor’s programs in STEM fields.
• Business Schools – ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC offer English-taught BBA (Bachelor in Business Administration) programs. ESCP has a unique multi-campus model: you start in Paris, then rotate to London, Berlin, Turin, or Madrid. Tuition fees: €15,000–€20,000/year.
• Toulouse School of Economics (TSE) – one of the strongest economics departments in Europe, with English-taught programs at the Master’s level.

If you don’t speak French and are aiming for Bachelor’s studies, your realistic options are Sciences Po (English-speaking campuses), Ecole Polytechnique, and private business schools. For Master’s studies, the choice is much wider. But honestly? If you plan to spend 3–5 years in France, learning French is not a cost, it’s an investment that will open doors to hundreds of additional programs and thousands of additional career opportunities.

Top French Universities – What You Need to Know

French universities dominate many world rankings, although their positions are sometimes underestimated due to the specific nature of the Grandes Ecoles system (small institutions lose out on scale-dependent indicators). Here’s an overview of the most important institutions:

Sciences Po Paris – #2 in the world in QS Politics & International Relations. An absolute leader in political science, international relations, and European law. Seven campuses, English-taught programs, tuition fees dependent on family income (€0–€14,900/year, typical for many international families: €2,000–€7,000). Mandatory year abroad at a partner university (Columbia, Oxford, LSE). Details in our guide to Sciences Po.

Sorbonne/PSL (Université PSL) – top 25 in the world in QS, combining the tradition of Sorbonne with the elite PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres) format. PSL includes Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS), Dauphine, Mines Paris, ESPCI, and several other institutions. Tuition fees: €170–€380/year at public universities within PSL. Strengths: STEM, humanities, mathematics, physics.

HEC Paris – #1 in Europe in the Financial Times Global MBA Ranking and #1 in Masters in Management. An absolute world leader in business education. The Master in Management (Grande Ecole) program is a gateway to McKinsey, Goldman Sachs, LVMH, and L’Oréal. Tuition fees: approx. €20,500/year for the Grande Ecole program. Campus in Jouy-en-Josas near Paris, a closed, American-style campus model.

ESSEC Business School – top 5 in Europe, strong in finance, consulting, and luxury brands. The BBA program (4-year Bachelor’s in English) is one of the best English-taught Bachelor’s programs in France. BBA tuition fees: approx. €16,600/year.

ESCP Business School – the oldest business school in the world (1819). Unique feature: campuses in Paris, London, Berlin, Turin, Madrid, and Warsaw. Bachelor’s program in English with mandatory rotation between campuses. Tuition fees: approx. €18,900/year.

Ecole Polytechnique (l’X) – the most prestigious French école d’ingénieurs, equivalent to MIT. Rankings: top 50 QS in engineering and STEM. Graduates dominate French industry, technology, and administration. English-taught Bachelor of Science (3-year): €17,700/year (EU), but merit-based scholarships can cover up to 100%.

ENS (Ecole Normale Supérieure) – the most elite academic institution in France, training future scientists and intellectuals. 14 Nobel laureates and 11 Fields medalists. Ultra-selective (admits approx. 200 students per year). Students receive a salary during their studies (~€1,400/month). Classes in French.

Université Paris-Dauphine (PSL) – specialization: economics, finance, management, applied mathematics. The only French university with selective admissions. Tuition fees: income-dependent (€0–€5,500/year).

Tuition and Costs – Why France is So Affordable

This is the section where France begins to look like an anomaly on the map of European higher education. Let’s compare annual tuition fees for EU students:

For context: annual tuition at Sorbonne (€170 + CVEC) is less than the cost of one academic textbook at many Anglo-Saxon universities. At Cambridge, you’ll pay over £30,000/year. At Dutch universities – ~€2,530/year. Even KU Leuven in Belgium costs ~€1,000/year. The French public system is cheaper than practically anything in Western Europe.

Living costs – here, France is more varied. Paris is expensive, but the provinces can be surprisingly affordable:

Paris: accommodation €600–€1,200/month (room in a shared apartment or studio), food €250–€350 (with CROUS canteens at €3.30/meal – significantly less), transport €40/month (Navigo pass with student discount Imagine R: ~€350/year), entertainment €100–€200. Total: €1,100–€1,500/month.

Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Strasbourg: accommodation €400–€700, food €200–€300, transport €20–€40, entertainment €80–€150. Total: €750–€1,100/month.

Smaller cities (Dijon, Poitiers, Clermont-Ferrand, Rennes): accommodation €300–€550, food €180–€280, transport €15–€30, entertainment €60–€120. Total: €600–€900/month.

The total annual cost of studying in France (public tuition + living expenses) is €8,000–€18,500. For a three-year Bachelor’s program at a public university, you’ll spend a total of €24,000–€55,000. Compare this to the Netherlands (€38,000–€60,000 for 3 years) or the UK (over £100,000 for 3 years at a Russell Group university).

CAF – How the French Government Subsidizes Your Housing

CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) is probably the best news for any student planning to study in France – and something most international applicants don’t know about. The French government offers a rent subsidy (APL – Aide Personnalisée au Logement or ALS – Allocation de Logement Sociale) to every student living in France, regardless of nationality.

How does it work? After moving to France, you apply on caf.fr. You provide your rent amount, type of accommodation, and income. Based on this, CAF calculates the subsidy amount, which is transferred directly to your account (or deducted from your rent by the landlord). A typical amount for a student in Paris: €150–€250/month. In smaller cities: €100–€200/month. With a rent of €500 in Lyon and a CAF subsidy of €180, your real housing cost drops to €320. This makes a huge difference to your budget.

Conditions: you must have a legal lease agreement (bail), the accommodation must meet minimum standards (area, equipment), and you must be registered in the French system. As an EU citizen, registration is simple – you don’t need a visa or residence permit. You apply online, and the subsidy starts flowing within 2–3 months of application (with retroactive payment).

CAF is one of the main reasons why the real cost of living in France is lower than rent rates alone would suggest. No other country in Western Europe offers such widespread and unconditional housing assistance for students.

Admissions – How to Apply to French Universities

The admission process in France depends on the type of institution and whether you’re applying for Bachelor’s or Master’s studies.

For public universities (Licence) – the Parcoursup platform (parcoursup.fr). This is the French equivalent of the UK’s UCAS, a centralized application system for all public universities at the Bachelor’s level. As an EU candidate with an international high school diploma (such as the Polish Matura, A-Levels, IB, etc.), you have the right to apply via Parcoursup. Calendar: registration and application submission from January to March, results from June. For most programs (excluding medicine, STAPS/sport, and the most popular programs), admission is automatic upon meeting formal requirements – no selection. For selective programs (e.g., STEM at Paris-Saclay, law at Pantheon-Assas) – document evaluation.

For Grandes Ecoles – separate admission procedures. Sciences Po has its own application portal (sciencespo.fr/admissions), with a deadline usually in February–March. Ecole Polytechnique – online application, with a math test and an interview. ENS, a competitive exam (concours), is extremely selective. Each Grande Ecole has its own requirements and deadlines.

For Business Schools – apply via the university’s platform or systems like SAI (Service des Admissions Internationales) for several schools simultaneously. ESSEC BBA, ESCP Bachelor – online application with essays, a test, and an interview. HEC Grande Ecole – after completing classes préparatoires (a 2-year preparatory program) or based on an international application.

For Master’s studies (Master), apply directly to the university or via the MonMaster platform (trouvermonmaster.gouv.fr) for public universities. For Grandes Ecoles and Business Schools, separate procedures.

Required documents (typical):

• High school diploma with certified translation into French or English
• Academic transcripts (grades from the last three years of high school)
• Language certificate: DELF B2 or C1 for French-taught programs, IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+ for English-taught programs
• Motivation letter (lettre de motivation)
• CV
• Letters of recommendation (usually 1–2, depending on the university)

Important information: Your country is in the EU, so you do not need a student visa or the Campus France procedure (which applies to non-EU students). You have the full right to study, work, and reside in France under the same conditions as French citizens. This eliminates a lot of bureaucracy experienced by students from outside the EU.

Check our application timeline for studying abroad to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines.

Language Requirements – DELF, IELTS, TOEFL

The choice of language exam depends on the language of the program you are applying for.

French-taught programs usually require DELF B2 (Diplôme d’Études en Langue Française) or DALF C1 for more prestigious universities. DELF B2 confirms the ability to communicate fluently in academic and professional contexts. The exam consists of four parts: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written production, and oral production. Cost: approx. €90–€115. It can be taken at French Institutes in major cities.

English-taught programs require IELTS Academic (minimum 6.0–7.0, depending on the university) or TOEFL iBT (minimum 80–100). Sciences Po requires B2 in English, which corresponds to IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 85–90. HEC and ESSEC expect higher scores, IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL 100+.

Prepare for IELTS or TOEFL with prepclass.io – the platform offers full practice tests with AI feedback that analyzes your answers and identifies areas for improvement. If you are also considering the SAT as an additional element to strengthen your application, practice with okiro.io.

Also, check our guide on converting your high school diploma results to foreign systems – it explains how your grades translate to French university requirements.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The French scholarship system offers several realistic options for international students – though let’s be honest, it’s not as generous as the Danish SU or the Dutch DUO.

CROUS Scholarship (bourse sur critères sociaux) – a social scholarship awarded based on family income. As an EU citizen, you can apply if you work in France for at least 60 hours/month or have lived in France for at least 2 years. Amount: €0–€600/month, depending on the échelon (income level). Plus: automatic exemption from tuition fees and CVEC.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program – a prestigious scholarship program from the French government for outstanding international students. Coverage: €1,181/month (Master’s) or €1,700/month (PhD) + flight tickets + health insurance. Note: mainly available at Master’s and PhD levels, not for Bachelor’s. Application is through the university, which nominates the candidate; you cannot apply independently.

University scholarships – each Grande Ecole and Business School has its own scholarship programs. Ecole Polytechnique offers scholarships covering up to 100% of tuition fees. Sciences Po has a social system integrated into its tuition fees. HEC offers merit-based scholarships covering 30–100% of tuition fees.

NAWA Scholarships – The Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) offers the “Polish Mobile Student” program with funding up to €1,200/month for Polish students going to study abroad. Check current deadlines on nawa.gov.pl.

European scholarships – Erasmus+ is available as an exchange (semester or year-long) with an amount of €270–€520/month. If you want to try France first as an Erasmus student and then decide on full studies, this is an excellent strategy.

Student work – as an EU citizen, you have the full right to work in France. The maximum limit is 964 hours per year (approx. 20 hours/week), but as an EU citizen, you don’t need additional permission. The minimum wage (SMIC) is approx. €11.88/hour gross (2026). Popular options: English tutoring, hospitality work, internships (stages) in companies, university work as an assistant, babysitting.

A realistic funding strategy: low public tuition + CAF + part-time work + potential scholarship. With tuition of €273/year, CAF of €180/month, and working 15h/week at SMIC, a large part of your living costs will be covered.

Best Student Cities in France

France is not just Paris – and honestly, for many students, provincial cities offer a better quality of life-to-cost ratio than the capital. Here’s an overview of the best options:

Paris – the obvious number one choice, but also the most expensive. Sciences Po, Sorbonne/PSL, HEC (near Paris), ENS, Dauphine, Paris-Saclay – this is where the best universities are concentrated. Cultural life is unparalleled by any other city in Europe. But housing is painful – finding a room for less than €700 in a decent location is almost impossible. Student districts: 5th (Quartier Latin), 6th (Saint-Germain), 13th (Butte-aux-Cailles), 20th (Belleville, Ménilmontant), and suburbs with metro lines (Saint-Denis, Montreuil, Ivry).

Lyon – France’s second-largest city and the official capital of gastronomy (confirmed by Michelin and Bocuse). Strong universities: Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Université Lyon 1 (STEM, top 100 in ARWU), EM Lyon (business school). Living costs are 30–40% lower than in Paris. TGV to Paris: 2 hours. Atmosphere: warmer than Paris (literally and figuratively), with traboules (secret passages between buildings) and bouchons lyonnais (traditional Lyonnaise restaurants).

Toulouse – the capital of the European aerospace industry (Airbus, CNES) and one of the warmest cities in mainland France. Strong universities: Toulouse School of Economics (top 10 in Europe for economics), ISAE-SUPAERO (best aerospace university in France), Université Toulouse 1 (law). Low living costs – a room for €350–€500. Large student community (over 130,000 students – France’s third-largest student city).

Bordeaux – wine, UNESCO architecture, the Garonne river, and Atlantic beaches an hour away. Université de Bordeaux (strong in biology, medicine, chemistry), KEDGE Business School. Moderate living costs. One of France’s fastest-growing cities since the opening of the TGV line to Paris (2h).

Strasbourg – home to the European Parliament, on the border with Germany. Université de Strasbourg (3 Nobel laureates), EM Strasbourg (business school). Excellent location for those interested in European institutions and EU law. Culture: a mix of French and German (Alsace), Christmas markets, flammekueche, and croustillant.

Marseille, Nice, Montpellier – Southern France: sun, sea, lower living costs, but universities with a slightly weaker international reputation (with the exception of Aix-Marseille University, which is in the top 150 QS). An ideal choice if climate and quality of life are priorities.

Student Life and International Student Communities in France

Student life in France has its unique character – and it differs from what you might know from other countries like the Netherlands or the UK.

CROUS canteens are a cornerstone of daily life. The CROUS network manages student canteens (restaurants universitaires, colloquially “restos U”) throughout France. A full meal – starter, main course, dessert – costs €3.30 (students on scholarship: €1). Quality varies, but in many places, it’s surprisingly good – France is still France, even in a canteen. Locations: at every university campus, in student city centers. When cooking at home, Lidl, Aldi, and Carrefour offer reasonable prices – a baguette for €0.30, cheese for €2, wine (yes, wine is a food item here, not a luxury) for €3–€5.

Academic culture in France is more formal than in the Netherlands or Scandinavia. At public universities, lectures can be held in large amphitheaters (amphis) for 300+ students, with limited contact with professors. At Grandes Ecoles, groups are smaller (20–40 people), and the relationship with professors is closer. Grading system: a 0–20 scale, with a culture where 14/20 is an excellent score, and 20/20 is theoretically achievable but practically impossible (French perfectionism, “il n’y a que Dieu qui a 20”).

International student communities in France are vibrant and diverse. The number of international students, including those from Poland, is growing at universities. For example, at Sciences Po, there’s a Polish Society, and many universities have Polish groups within the Erasmus Student Network. In France, you’ll find various international communities and resources. For example, the Polish community has Polish shops (e.g., in Paris – 11th and 20th arrondissements, Lyon – Part-Dieu), Polish churches (e.g., Paris – Mission Catholique Polonaise, 263 bis Rue Saint-Honoré), and cultural events (e.g., book fairs featuring Polish authors, Polish film screenings at Centre Pompidou).

Travel – France is an excellent base for exploring. Paris – Brussels: 1.5h TGV. Paris – London: 2.5h Eurostar. Lyon – Milan: 4h by train. Bordeaux – San Sebastian (Spain): 3h by car. Strasbourg – Freiburg (Germany): 1h by train. Nice – Monaco: 20 minutes by train. Within France: the TGV network connects all major cities, and cheap tickets (Ouigo from €10) allow you to travel for very little if you book early. A student card offers discounts on SNCF.

Work – as an EU citizen, you have the right to work up to 964 hours per year. Popular options for international students: English tutoring (€15–€25/h in Paris), hospitality work (SMIC ~€11.88/h), internships in companies (mandatory gratification: approx. €4.35/h net for internships longer than 2 months), university work (moniteur), babysitting.

Need help planning your application? Contact College Council – we help international students with the admission process to universities in France and across Europe.

France vs. Netherlands vs. Germany – A Comparison for International Students

If you’re weighing your options between several European countries, here’s a hard comparison:

Verdict: France wins if you want the lowest tuition in Western Europe (public universities), elite Grandes Ecoles, CAF housing aid, and life in a country with exceptional culture. You might face a language barrier (French is harder to master than Dutch or German for daily use) and a smaller offer of English-taught Bachelor’s programs. If you’re looking for the maximum number of English-taught programs, the Netherlands wins. If zero tuition and engineering are priorities, Germany is a strong contender.

Post-Graduation Prospects – Work and Career

The French job market is one of the largest in Europe – the world’s fifth-largest economy, home to 31 Fortune Global 500 companies (third after the USA and China), the European capital of luxury (LVMH, Kering, Hermès), aerospace (Airbus, Safran, Dassault), energy (TotalEnergies, EDF, Engie), and pharmaceuticals (Sanofi, Servier).

As a graduate of a French university with a Master’s degree, you are entitled to an Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) – a one-year temporary residence permit to seek employment. However, as an EU citizen, you do not need an APS, meaning you have an automatic right to work in France without any restrictions. This is one of the biggest advantages of being an EU citizen studying in France compared to peers from outside the EU.

Average graduate salary after completing a Grande Ecole: €38,000–€50,000 gross per year. HEC Paris: median €65,000. Sciences Po: median €42,000. Public universities: strongly depends on the field and location – from €28,000 (humanities in the provinces) to €45,000 (engineering in Paris).

Sectors with the strongest demand for graduates: technology (Station F, Europe’s largest startup incubator, 1,000+ startups in Paris), luxury and fashion (Paris is the global capital of luxury), consulting and finance (Paris offices of McKinsey, BCG, Goldman Sachs, BNP Paribas, Société Générale), European and international institutions (OECD in Paris, UNESCO, ESA in Toulouse), aerospace industry (Airbus in Toulouse, 130,000 employees in Europe).

Knowledge of French is crucial in the local job market; without at least a B2 level, chances of working outside the technology sector and international corporations are limited. But if you speak your native language, English, and French, you are an extremely attractive candidate for any company with operations in Central and Western Europe.

Read Also

• Study Abroad – A Comprehensive Guide for Future Students
• Study at Sciences Po Paris – The Complete Guide 2026
• Study at Sorbonne/PSL – The Complete Guide 2026
• Scholarships for Studying in Europe – A Guide
• Motivation Letter for Studies in Europe – How to Write One

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Studying in France

Summary and Next Steps

France is a country that offers something you won’t find anywhere else in Europe: a combination of absurdly low tuition fees at public universities, elite Grandes Ecoles with a reputation comparable to the Ivy League, government housing aid, world-class cuisine and culture, and a central location from which all of Europe is within reach. The language barrier is real, but for someone willing to invest in learning French, the reward is access to one of the most fascinating countries on the planet and a job market where trilingualism (your native language + English + French) makes you an incredibly valuable candidate.

Next steps:

1. Decide whether you’re aiming for a public university, Grande Ecole, or Business School – this is a fundamental decision that determines tuition fees, the admission process, and prospects.
2. Take a language exam – DELF B2 for French-taught programs, IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught programs. Prepare with prepclass.io.
3. Check if your high school diploma meets the requirements – our guide to converting results will help.
4. Write a motivation letter – check our guide to writing a motivation letter.
5. Register on Parcoursup (public universities) or submit an application to your chosen Grande Ecole / Business School.
6. Plan your budget – remember CAF and check European scholarships.
7. Contact College Council – we help international students with applications to French universities.

Bonne chance et bon courage dans tes études en France!