Campus Life Across France
From Paris's Grandes Écoles to regional business schools with strong industry ties, French campuses combine academic rigour with a genuinely international student mix.
Why Students Choose France
France is home to some of the world's most respected business schools, alongside public universities charging a fraction of UK or US tuition. A growing post-study visa scheme now makes it far easier to stay on and work after graduating.
Elite Business Schools
Home to HEC Paris, INSEAD and other globally ranked programs.
Affordable Public Tuition
Public universities charge a fraction of UK/US fees.
Post-Study APS Visa
Stay back to search for work after your master's.
Central Travel Hub
Fast rail links across the rest of Europe.
How Higher Education Works In France
France runs a distinct system alongside the standard Licence (bachelor's, 3 years) and Master (2 years): Grandes Écoles offer highly selective, industry-linked business and engineering programs that sit outside the traditional university structure.
In-Demand Programs In France
Where To Apply In France
| University | Location | Popular Programs | Approx. Ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Paris | Paris | MBA, Finance, Management | Top business school in Europe |
| Sorbonne University | Paris | Sciences, Humanities, Medicine | Top 100 globally |
| Sciences Po | Paris | International Relations, Law | Leading social sciences school |
| Université PSL | Paris | Sciences, Engineering, Arts | Top 50 globally |
| EDHEC Business School | Lille / Nice | Finance, Business Analytics | Top European business school |
Admission Requirements
10+2+4 or equivalent, with strong academics expected for Grandes Écoles admission.
IELTS 6.0–6.5 for English-taught programs, or French B2 for French-taught courses.
Most applicants must complete the Campus France "Études en France" procedure before applying for a visa.
Typically two academic or professional references.
Evidence of at least €615 per month (around €7,400 per year) in available funds.
Cost Of Studying & Living
| Cost of Studying (per year) | |
|---|---|
| Public university tuition | €170 – 3,770 |
| Grandes Écoles / private tuition | €10,000 – 30,000 |
| Application fees | €0 – 100 per application |
| Cost of Living (per month) | |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €500 – 900 |
| Food | €250 – 400 |
| Transport & misc. | €100 – 180 |
Scholarships In France
Eiffel Excellence scholarships and school-specific merit awards cover tuition and a living stipend for strong candidates, particularly at master's level in engineering, economics and business.
Explore Scholarships
Visa Information
Most students need a VLS-TS long-stay student visa, applied for after completing the Campus France procedure and receiving an admission letter. Processing typically takes 2–4 weeks once documents are submitted.
Career Opportunities
Master's graduates can apply for an Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS), giving up to 12 months (longer for graduates of certain top-ranked programs) to find a job or launch a business before switching to a work permit.
Common Questions About France
Not for the growing number of English-taught master's and business school programs, though French helps significantly with daily life and part-time work.
It's the mandatory application and visa pre-clearance platform most international students must use before applying to French institutions.
At public universities, most students budget €10,000–15,000 per year; Grandes Écoles students should budget significantly more for tuition.
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