UNI STUDENT
Choosing to study in France gives international students access to one of Europe’s most diverse and prestigious higher education systems. France is home to public universities, world-renowned Grandes Écoles, specialized engineering and business schools, as well as academies for art, architecture, and fashion.
Students can pursue bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, business management, international relations, medicine, fashion, and luxury management. While French is integral to daily life and cultural integration, France also offers over 1,500 programs taught entirely in English.
UNI Student provides comprehensive guidance to help you select suitable universities, navigate the mandatory Campus France Études en France application procedure, assemble your file, and secure your long-stay student visa.
France offers several distinct academic, financial, and cultural advantages for international students:
An extensive network of public universities, selective Grandes Écoles, engineering institutes, business schools, and specialized arts academies.
The French government funds a major portion of higher education costs at public universities, keeping tuition fees highly competitive for non-EU students.
Degrees fully aligned with the European ECTS credit transfer framework, alongside hundreds of degrees taught entirely in English.
Access to prestigious grants including France Excellence Eiffel scholarships, institutional fee waivers, and Erasmus+ mobility awards.
Legal permission to work up to 964 hours per year (60% of annual full-time work) and access to paid corporate internships (gratification de stage).
1-year RECE Job Search or Business Creation residence permits for Master’s graduates and visa-free travel throughout 29 Schengen countries.
Unrivalled exposure to leading international industries in luxury branding, aerospace, artificial intelligence, gastronomy, and fashion.
Student discounts for public transport, cultural landmarks, healthcare access through French Social Security, and CROUS subsidized dining.
France follows the European LMD structure (Licence, Master, Doctorat) based on ECTS credit accumulation
Undergraduate academic degrees awarded by public universities or professional bachelor’s (Licence Professionnelle) qualifications from specialized schools. Degree verification ensures national recognition (grade de licence).
Postgraduate study completed across two years (Master 1 and Master 2). Programs include research master’s (Master Recherche) and professional master’s (Master Professionnel) across management, engineering, and arts.
Advanced research degree requiring a thesis defense, supervised within a doctoral school (École Doctorale). Applicants require a master’s degree, research proposal, and supervisor confirmation.
Diverse academic environments tailored to research, engineering, business, and creative arts
Enrol over 75% of international students. Award national degrees in science, medicine, law, economics, languages, humanities, and social sciences with government-subsidized tuition.
Prestigious, highly selective institutions for engineering, business management, political science (Sciences Po), and public administration. Entry is competitive via preparatory classes (CPGE) or international dossier selection.
Deliver the coveted Diplôme d’Ingénieur (master’s status degree). Entry is available post-high school, after CPGE prep classes, or via credit transfer.
Top-ranked global programs in management, finance, marketing, and luxury brand management. Many programs are 100% English-taught with direct corporate ties.
Specialist academies for fine arts, design, fashion, film, and architecture (ENSA). Applications often utilize the CampusArt portal alongside portfolio submissions.
France offers more than 1,500 degree programs taught entirely or partially in English, particularly at Master’s level, in Business Schools, Grandes Écoles, and Engineering institutes.
Applicants may demonstrate English proficiency via:
Tip: Learning conversational French is strongly advised for everyday living, internships, and networking in France.
Degrees taught in French generally require applicants to hold official proof of French language proficiency, typically at B2 level (or C1 for competitive humanities, law, and medical programs).
Accepted French qualifications include:
Students needing language preparation can enrol in university FLE (Français Langue Étrangère) language centers before starting their main degree.
French institutions excel across key academic and professional disciplines
France is the global epicenter for luxury brands like LVMH, Kering, and Hermès. Top business schools offer specialized Master in Management (MiM) and MBA programs in luxury marketing, brand strategy, international finance, and entrepreneurship.
French engineering schools deliver world-class training in software engineering, robotics, cybersecurity, aeronautics (Airbus hub in Toulouse), and clean energy. Graduates hold coveted engineering credentials recognized globally.
Mandatory application procedures for international students
Students residing in countries subject to the mandatory Études en France (Campus France) procedure (including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, etc.) must complete these pre-consular steps:
Select degree level, field, and preferred language of instruction.
Search accredited French programs via Campus France catalogues.
Verify admission deadlines, prerequisites, and platform route.
Prepare certified translations and take required language tests.
Submit application via Études en France, Parcoursup, or direct portal.
Complete required Campus France interview or institution entrance exam.
Accept official admission offer and obtain enrolment certificate.
Prepare financial evidence (€877.50/mo minimum threshold) and budget.
Apply for VLS-TS student visa on official France-Visas portal.
Pay CVEC contribution (€105), book accommodation, and validate visa upon arrival.
Official financial standards for the academic year in France
Vibrant urban destinations combining top academic prestige and cultural richness
Global capital for universities, international affairs, business, fashion, culture, and networking.
Major hub for business, science, engineering, gastronomy, and vibrant student life.
European capital of aerospace, aviation (Airbus HQ), and technology research.
Leading scientific & engineering center set against the majestic French Alps.
Crossroads of Northern Europe with renowned universities and business schools.
Prestigious programs in business, politics, science, wine management, and tourism.
Dynamic coastal city with a massive student population & rich medical history.
Legal requirements for studying, working, and remaining in France after graduation
Non-EU students enrolling for over 90 days receive a VLS-TS étudiant (visa equivalent to a residence permit). Within 3 months of arrival, students must validate the visa online and pay the required tax.
Students are legally authorized to work up to 964 hours per year (60% of standard full-time annual hours). Mandatory academic internships (gratification de stage) provide additional practical experience and remuneration.
International graduates earning a French Master’s degree or equivalent can apply for a temporary residence permit known as RECE (Recherche d’emploi ou création d’entreprise).
This permit authorizes graduates to remain in France for 1 year to search for qualifying employment or launch a business, transitioning later to a full work permit or Talent Passport visa.
Complete guidance from course selection to your arrival in France
Identify public universities, Grandes Écoles, or business schools matching your academic background, budget, and language choice.
Step-by-step assistance with dossier creation, document translations, Campus France interview preparation, and application tracking.
Expert guidance for France-Visas financial evidence, CROUS accommodation booking, CVEC registration, and VLS-TS online validation.
Essential answers about studying, living, and applying to study in France
Yes. France offers over 1,500 degree programs taught entirely or partly in English, particularly at Master’s level and in business, engineering, science, and management.
It depends on the program. English-taught programs do not require French language certificates for admission. However, learning conversational French is highly recommended for daily life, internships, and career opportunities.
A French Licence (Bachelor’s degree) normally takes 3 years and represents 180 ECTS credits. Master's degrees take 2 additional years (120 ECTS credits).
Non-EU tuition fees at public universities are €2,902 per year for Bachelor’s (Licence), €3,950 per year for Master’s, and €398 per year for Doctorate programs. Exemptions may apply depending on institution waivers.
The CVEC (Contribution de vie étudiante et de campus) is a mandatory campus life contribution of €105 per year for higher education students. Exemption certificates are issued to scholarship recipients.
Yes. Students residing in countries covered by Campus France (including the UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, etc.) must use the official Études en France online portal for dossier review and visa pre-consular evaluation.
France-Visas requires proof of at least €877.50 per month in financial resources (via bank statements, sponsor financial guarantee letters, or official scholarship certificates).
Yes. Eligible graduates earning a Master’s degree or equivalent can apply for a Job Search or Business Creation (RECE) residence permit to remain in France for 1 year while seeking qualifying employment.
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