Top business schools
HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP and others are globally ranked.
🇫🇷 Study in France
Study in France: Grandes écoles, Campus France & Charpak scholarships
France combines affordable public universities with world-renowned business and engineering schools, many with English-taught programs. Indian graduates of French master's programs also benefit from favourable post-study and mobility arrangements.
- Public universities & grandes écoles
- Campus France process
- Charpak & Eiffel scholarships
- Visa interview prep
Plan your France application
Checklist and next steps on WhatsApp
Key highlights
Study in France at a glance
The essentials Indian students ask about first. Figures are indicative for 2026–27 intakes.
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa | VLS-TS long-stay student visa |
| Pre-visa step | Campus France 'Études en France' application |
| Main intake | September; some January |
| Public tuition (non-EU) | ≈ €2,895 bachelor's / €3,941 master's per year (waivers common) |
| Business / engineering schools | €10,000 – €40,000 per year |
| Work during study | Up to 964 hours per year |
| Post-study | Indian master's graduates: residence permit of up to 2 years to work |
Tuition
€2.9k – €40k / yr
Visa
VLS-TS · 2–4 wks
Post-study work
Up to 2 yrs (Indian master's grads)
Why France
Why do Indian students choose France?
Affordable public universities
State-regulated fees with many waivers for international students.
India–France mobility
Favourable post-study permissions and Schengen visas for Indian alumni.
Scholarships
Charpak (for Indian students) and Eiffel Excellence scholarships.
Planning to study in France? Get a personalised plan
In a 30-minute call a senior counsellor reviews your profile and shares France universities you can realistically get into, total cost and loan options.
₹355 15 min₹755 30 min₹1,155 45–60 min
Education system
Understanding the France education system
France follows the LMD system: Licence (bachelor's, 3 years), Master (2 years), Doctorat (3 years). Grandes écoles offer selective business and engineering programs.
| Qualification | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | 3 years | Bachelor's |
| Master | 2 years | Many English-taught at grandes écoles |
| MSc / MBA (schools) | 1–2 years | Business schools |
| Doctorat | 3 years | PhD |
Intakes and application windows
| Intake | When to apply | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| September | Applications Oct – Mar | Main |
| January | Applications Jun – Sep | Selected programs |
Universities
Top universities in France for Indian students
Selected for academic reputation, program range and outcomes. Tuition is approximate per year for international students.
| University | City | Known for | Approx. tuition / yr |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Paris | Jouy-en-Josas | Management, MBA, finance | €45,000+ (MSc/MBA) |
| ESSEC Business School | Cergy / Paris | Management, luxury, finance | €25,000 – €45,000 |
| ESCP Business School | Paris | Multi-campus management programs | €20,000 – €45,000 |
| École Polytechnique | Palaiseau | Engineering, sciences | €15,000 – €25,000 |
| Sorbonne University | Paris | Sciences, humanities | ≈ €2,895 – €3,941 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | Paris region | Physics, mathematics, engineering | ≈ €2,895 – €3,941 |
Courses
Popular courses to study in France
| Course | Why it's popular | Typical roles |
|---|---|---|
| Management / MIM | Grandes écoles | Consultant |
| Luxury & Fashion Management | Paris | Brand manager |
| Engineering | Écoles d'ingénieurs | Engineer |
| Data Science / AI | Growing tech scene | Data scientist |
Costs
Cost of studying in France
Proof of funds for the visa is about €615 per month.
Tuition fees
| Program | Approx. tuition |
|---|---|
| Public university | ≈ €2,895 – €3,941 per year |
| Business schools (MSc) | €15,000 – €40,000 |
| Engineering schools | €3,000 – €20,000 per year |
Living expenses
| Expense | Approx. cost |
|---|---|
| Paris | €1,100 – €1,500 / month |
| Other cities | €700 – €1,000 / month |
| CAF housing aid | Eligible students can claim rent support |
Need a full France budget and loan plan with your parents?
The premium strategy session covers your shortlist with costs, loan route, visa and application timeline — with a written plan.
₹355 15 min₹755 30 min₹1,155 45–60 min
Eligibility
Admission requirements for France
English-taught programs need IELTS/TOEFL; French-taught programs need DELF B2 or similar.
Undergraduate (bachelor's)
- Class 12
- IELTS 6.0+ for English programs or French DELF/DALF for French programs
Postgraduate (master's / MBA)
- Bachelor's degree
- IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL 90
- GMAT/GRE for some business schools
- SOP, CV, references
Student visa
VLS-TS Student Visa: process and documents
Indian students complete the Campus France procedure (online application and interview) before applying for the VLS-TS visa via VFS.
Documents checklist
- Campus France clearance
- Admission letter
- Proof of funds (≈ €615/month)
- Accommodation proof
- Passport
- Academic documents
| Visa detail | Current information |
|---|---|
| Visa fee | ≈ €50 |
| Campus France fee | Payable in India |
| Processing | Often 2–4 weeks |
Step-by-step visa process
- 01
Campus France registration
Create your 'Études en France' file.
- 02
Campus France interview
Discuss your study plan and choices.
- 03
Visa application at VFS
Submit documents and biometrics.
- 04
Validate your VLS-TS online
Within 3 months of arrival in France.
Work rights
Working in France during and after your studies
While you study
Up to 964 hours per year (about 60% of full-time).
After graduation
Indian master's graduates can obtain a residence permit of up to 2 years to look for work or start a business, and eligible alumni can receive long-validity Schengen visas.
- Learning French (B1+) helps with job prospects.
Funding
Scholarships to study in France
| Scholarship | Who it's for | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Charpak Master's Scholarship | Indian students | Monthly stipend + benefits |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | Master's & PhD | Monthly allowance + benefits |
| School scholarships | Business & engineering schools | Partial tuition |
How we help
How Visa Edu Loans helps you study in France
- 01
Profile evaluation
We review academics, test scores, work experience and budget to set realistic targets.
- 02
University shortlist
A balanced list of ambitious, target and safe options that fit your goals and finances.
- 03
Applications & SOP
SOP, LOR and resume guidance, application filing and deadline tracking.
- 04
Loan & funds planning
Education loan comparison and a proof-of-funds plan that matches visa rules.
- 05
Visa file & interview
Document checklist, file review and mock interviews before you apply.
- 06
Pre-departure
Accommodation, forex, insurance and arrival checklist so you land prepared.
Popular searches
study in Francestudy in France for Indian studentsCampus France IndiaFrance student visaCharpak scholarshipEiffel scholarshipgrandes écolesmasters in France
FAQs
Study in France: frequently asked questions
Yes, Indian students applying to most French institutions must complete the Campus France procedure before the visa.
Yes, especially at business and engineering schools and for many master's programs.
We shortlist schools, guide the Campus France process and prepare your visa file.
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Planning to study in France?
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