French higher education involves 2.5 million students. 12% of them are from abroad. All of them are benefiting from highly diversified training,and they are enrolled in every field, at every level.There are more than 3,500 public and private institutes of higher education in France 72 universities, 25 multi-institute campuses, 271 Doctoral schools, 227 engineering schools authorised to award the title of engineer, 220 business and management schools, 45 post-secondary public schools of art, 22 schools of architecture and 3,000 private schools and institutes. Detailed information about how these institutions operate can be found at campusfrance.org/fr/etablissements-enseignement-superieur-France

The universities: higher education for all

Universities receive 75% of the foreign students who choose France for their post-secondary education.These public institutes of higher education are financed by the French State. Located all around France, the universities confer national degrees (Bachelor's, Master's, Doctorate) that all have the same academic value.

Enrollment in the first year is open to anyone holding a high school diploma or an equivalent qualification. Their programs cover the full spectrum of teaching and research fields : sciences, humanities, languages, arts, social sciences, health, and even sports.

Grandes écoles: the culture of French excellence

Twenty percent of international students pursue their studies in the Grandes écoles. Écoles Normales Supérieures (ENS), Institutes of Political Studies (IEP), engineering schools, business and management schools, veterinary schools and other specialized institutions are all public or private higher education institutions recognized by the French government. They award degrees at the Bac+5 level, some of which confer the Master’s grade. Many programs are offered in English.

Admission to the Grandes écoles is highly selective. It is typically based on competitive exams after two years of preparatory classes, through qualifications, or directly after high school for schools that offer an integrated preparatory cycle. Enrollment and application fees are generally higher than at universities.

Schools of art and applied arts

In France, nearly 50 public schools of art and design are directly overseen by the Ministry of Culture. Training in art, design and communication is provided in two steps of three or five years, with national degrees awarded on successful completion. Some also offer a third level of studies. Four prestigious public schools of art are directly managed by the Ministry of Higher Education: École Boulle, École Olivier de Serres, École Duperré, and École Estienne. They award national degrees in graphic design, spatial design, fashion and arts and crafts.

Some private schools or institutions affiliated with Chambers of Commerce and Industry award their own degrees, some of which are registered here: National Register of Professional Certifications (RNCP).These higher education institutions specialized in art and applied arts have highly selective admissions processes based on applications, competitive exams, and/or interviews. Applications can be submitted online via the Campus Art platform.

National Schools of Architecture (ENSA)

The National Schools of Architecture form a network of 20 public institutions under the joint supervision of the Ministries of Culture and Higher Education, Research, and Innovation. Two additional institutions, the École Spéciale d’Architecture and the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Strasbourg, are part of this network and award equivalent degrees. Architecture schools offer three cycles of training leading to nationally recognized degrees: bachelor, master and doctorate. Applications can be submitted online via the Campus Art platform or Parcoursup.

French higher education has adopted the LMD system. Most of the degrees provide ECTS credits, which are recognized in many countries within the European Union and around the world.

The LMD system and ECTS credits

The three-cycle organization of higher education is common to most European Union countries. In France, this translates into the Bachelor-Master-Doctorate organization, or LMD system (Licence – Master – Doctorat). This system has standardized study cycles and facilitates the recognition of degrees between countries.

Graduation in the LMD system is linked to the number of semesters completed since entering higher education. Each semester allows a student to earn 30 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits, which are transferable and accumulative across countries.

A bachelor's degree requires the completion of six semesters, resulting in 180 ECTS. Add four more semesters to earn a master's degree with an additional 120 ECTS. A doctorate is awarded after 16 semesters and the validation of a total of 480 ECTS, requiring at least eight years of study since the first year of the bachelor's degree.

Degrees recognized and guaranteed by the French government

The value of a French higher education degree is guaranteed by the State when it is a national degree, a degree accredited by the Ministry of Higher Education or a title registered in the RNCP (National Register of Professional Certifications).

For some grandes écoles, business and engineering schools, the quality of education and degrees may also be guaranteed by independent organizations which award accreditations or labels.

Tuition fees: public institutions

Choosing to study in France means accessing high-quality education programs that are affordable for the greatest number of people. French university tuition fees are low because the State covers most of the cost of education provided in public institutions. This represents an average annual investment of approximately €10,000 per student.

Annual tuition fees for French students, nationals of a European Union country, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland are:

• €175 per year in a bachelor’s program (Licence)

• €250 per year in a master’s program

• €618 per year in an engineering school (with some exceptions)

• €391 per year in a doctorate program

For non EU-students

You will be required to pay differentiated registration fees if:

1. You are enrolling for the 1st time for a Bachelor's or Master's degree, or for an engineering programme, for the start of the 2024/2025 academic year;

2. Within a higher education establishment that falls within the scope of the MESR;

3. Provided that you are not permanently settled in France.

The state will thus cover two thirds of the cost of your training. The total registration fee that you will be required to pay will be:

• €2,850 per year at the (bachelor) level

• €3,879 per year at the master level

You can find the full details of tuition fees for all programs offered in French public institutions on the website etudiant.gouv.fr.

Tuition fees: private institutions

Tuition fees in private institutions, particularly in business schools, are significantly higher than in public institutions. Generally, they range from €3,000 to €25,000 per year. Check the website of each institution to find the exact tuition fees for your program.

If you are enrolled in a program taught in English, proficiency in French may not be required, even though the institution may test your level of English. However, if you are taking courses in French, you must provide documentation attesting to your French level. This can be obtained by taking an official French language exam or test, such as the DELF, DALF, TCF, or TEF. International students who have earned a French baccalaureate from an AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) institution are exempt from this requirement.

A B2 level is desirable for undergraduate (Licence). However, some French higher education institutions and master’s level studies may require a higher level, such as C1 or C2, for specific programs.

European students wishing to enroll in the first year of a bachelor’s level program (Licence) in French higher education must apply through the "Parcoursup" platform. This application process is mandatory for most programs offered by higher education institutions. Applications for the first year of a Licence program via Parcoursup will open on January 15, 2025.

Note that some institutions, such as grandes écoles (e.g., Sciences Po, engineering schools), may have separate admission procedures for international students, including Europeans. To ensure that you follow the correct application process, visit the institution’s website under the "Admissions" section.

→ Check Parcoursup 2025 Calendar.

If you hold (or are in the process of obtaining) a national Bachelor’s degree or another qualification granting access to a master’s program, you will need to apply via the new national application platform Mon Master, starting on February 26, 2025. During the application phase in March 2024, you can submit up to 15 applications. Additionally, you will have a separate quota of 15 applications for work-study programs. Applying for several courses within the same master's program, at the same institution, will only count as one application.

Admission to the first year of a master’s program is not automatic. Institutions may require an evaluation of your application, an interview, or success in a competitive exam.

Please note that certain applicants are not covered by the new national application platform, including:

• International applicants (excluding nationals of the European Economic Area, Andorra, Switzerland, or Monaco) residing in a country covered by the Études en France system; these applicants will continue to apply for master’s programs through that system.

• Students authorized to repeat their first year of a master’s program.

• Applicants seeking admission to the first year of a master’s program through a Validation of Higher Education Studies (VES); similarly, applications through Validationof Professional Experience (VAP) are not managed by the platform.

• Students already enrolled in programs that automatically include admission to a master’s program, such as those enrolled in an Engineering Master’s track (CMI).

Finally, a few programs, particularly some international master’s programs, will not use the national platform for first-year admissions. For these programs, you will need to contact the respective institutions directly to apply.

Applying during a bachelor's degree (2nd or 3rd year), master's degree (2nd year), or doctorate

There is no specific procedure for enrolling in the 2nd or 3rd year of a Bachelor's degree, the 2nd year of a Master's degree, or doctoral studies. You need to directly contact the institution that interest you. Refer to the Campus France catalogs to obtain the contact details of the institutions you are interested in. To increase your chances of being admitted, it is recommended to apply to at least three different institutions. Responses are usually sent to applicants between June 15 and September 15 for courses starting in October of the same year.

There is no specific procedure for enrolling in the 2nd or 3rd year of a Bachelor's degree, the 2nd year of a Master's degree, or doctoral studies. You need to directly contact the institution that interest you. Refer to the Campus France catalogs to obtain the contact details of the institutions you are interested in. To increase your chances of being admitted, it is recommended to apply to at least three different institutions. Responses are usually sent to applicants between June 15 and September 15 for courses starting in October of the same year.

The CampusArt platform is a network of French institutions offering university level programs in the fields of art and architecture, led by Campus France with the support of the French Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Research, Europe and Foreign Affairs, Culture.

CampusArt brings together nearly 140 institutions (both public and private) offering programs in the following fields: visual arts, architecture, cinema, heritage, design, visual communication, fashion, music, interior architecture, and 3D animation. The CampusArt application portal is accessible worldwide. A single application file is sufficient to apply to multiple institutions or programs simultaneously. Application fees are only charged if you are admitted. Applications open in November and close in February of the following year.

Applying for the first year of a bachelor's degree (L1)

Students residing in Europe without the nationality of a European country who wish to enroll in the first year of a Bachelor's program at a French university must submit a Preliminary Admission Application (Demande d’Admission Préalable, or DAP). This application must be made between October and December preceding the academic year during which they wish to begin their studies in France. In Cyprus, we process:

• White forms for applications to the first year of a Bachelor's degree at a university (dossiers blancs);
• Yello forms for applications to the first year of architecture school (dossiers jaunes).

Preliminary Admission Application (DAP) timeline for french higher education enrollment in 2026/2027

Candidates may select up to three program choices, either within the same university or at different universities.

• Start of applications: October 1, 2025
• Deadline for applications: December 15, 2025 (The French Institute in Cyprus will not accept any applications after this date).
• University responses and acceptance offers: April 30, 2026
  Universities may also inform you of potential tuition fee waivers, if applicable.
• Student response deadline: Before May 31, 2026
  If you receive multiple acceptance offers, you must make a choice. Note that failure to respond by May 31 will be considered a refusal.

Procedure

• Download the guide
• Download the white form

Where to submit the application?

The application must be submitted to the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department (Service de Coopération et d’Action Culturelle) of the French Embassy in your country of residence by December 15, 2025, at the latest. Applications cannot be sent directly to universities. In Cyprus, your application should be sent or submitted to the following address:

Institut français de Chypre – SCAC
59 Strovolou Avenue
2018 STROVOLOS

In France, the academic year begins in September or October, depending on the institution and program. It is punctuated by breaks, including a two-week vacation during the end-of-year holiday season. Summer vacation begins in May or June and typically lasts for at least two months.

Students admitted to a French higher education institution are required to pay the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC). The CVEC was established to improve the quality of student life and ensure academic success. In practice, this means that institutions can implement additional measures in areas such as:

• Access to healthcare,
• Social support for students,
• Sports activities,
• Access to arts and culture,
• Student services and welcoming initiatives.

The CVEC fee for 2025 is €103. It will be reassessed annually. The fee is paid only once per year, even if students are enrolled in multiple programs during the same year.

Finding accommodation

For your stay in France, you have many housing options. You can choose to live in student residences and hostels, or to rent a room or an apartment on the real-estate market. Discover all your options on the Campus France website. Don’t forget to ask the staff at your educational institution if they can help: some institutions maintain a stock of housing or have a system for connecting their students with housing providers.

Health insurance and social security.

How to benefit from social (health) coverage? In France, healthcare is almost free, but the National Health Insurance does not fully reimburse consultations. To cover the remaining costs, students can subscribe to a complementary health insurance plan of their choice through traditional general or student mutual insurance companies, as well as classic insurance companies or even banks. Student mutual insurance companies, which then act as "complementary health insurance providers," also carry out prevention and information campaigns in collaboration with the health services of higher education institutions. In most universities, there is a University or Inter-University Service for Preventive Medicine and Health Promotion where students can receive consultations, which are generally free of charge.

What steps should international students take? If you have a European Health Insurance Card, you don’t need to take any additional steps. You can continue using it to access healthcare services in France. You are already covered regardless of when you enrolled in a French higher education institution. If you do not have a European Health Insurance Card, you need to register for the National Health Insurance via the dedicated website etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr. This process is free of charge. International students do not pay to register for French social security.

How to subscribe to a health insurance plan? Choosing to subscribe to a health insurance plan to complement your healthcare reimbursements is entirely up to you. It is not mandatory but highly recommended. It’s your responsibility to take the necessary steps. First, request a quote and compare offers. You can do this with:

• Traditional student mutual insurance providers,
• Insurance companies,
• Banks.

Home and civil liability insurance

These two types of insurance are mandatory.

Home insurance: when moving in, make sure with your landlord that the lease includes affiliation with an insurance organization. If not, you will need to register for one yourself. This insurance is mandatory: as a tenant, you are responsible to the property owner for any damages (fire, water damage, etc.) caused to the apartment during your rental period. Home insurance also covers belongings inside your residence.

Civil liability insurance: this insurance protects against damage you might cause to others in daily life. It may be included in your home insurance policy or your health insurance plan. Again, make sure you are covered!

France Excellence Cyprus Scholarships

More information to come

French Language Teacher Training Scholarships

More information to come

France Excellence Major Scholarships

The French government, through the AEFE and the MEAE (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), supports student mobility with the France Excellence Major scholarships. These scholarships enable the best foreign high school graduates from French international schools around the world to pursue high-level studies in French higher education. More information here.

France Excellence Europa Scholarships

Developed by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, the "France Excellence Europa" scholarship program allows students from 26 European Union countries to obtain a scholarship to pursue a Master's degree at a French higher education institution. More information here.

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarships

The France Excellence Eiffel scholarship program is a tool developed by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to enable French higher education institutions to attract the best foreign students to degree programs at the Master's and Doctoral levels. It aims to train future foreign decision-makers from the private and public sectors in priority fields of study.
→ 2025 Campaign

MOPGA 2025: Research Stay Scholarships for Young Researchers

France, as a key player in the fight against climate change and a guarantor of the spirit of the Paris Agreement, is launching a new MOPGA scholarship program for research stays aimed at young researchers to strengthen scientific contributions to the climate change challenges addressed by the COP conferences.

This eighth call for projects under the Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA) program, funded by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR) and implemented by Campus France, will host at least 60 young researchers wishing to conduct their research in France. More information here

Scholarships based on social criteria (CROUS)

The Social Criteria Scholarship (BCS) is available to students who have completed at least one year of higher education and meet specific social criteria. For more information, visit the website www.etudiant.gouv.fr/fr.

More information here.

Good news: it’s possible to receive assistance to pay for your rent! The CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales) can provide housing aid in the form of Social Housing Allowance (ALS), Personalized Housing Assistance (APL), or Family Housing Allowance (ALF). Many international students benefit from this assistance.

Everything is done online, so don’t hesitate to run an online simulation to check your eligibility and determine the amount you could receive each month.

Present in over 130 countries, the France Alumni platform includes more than 470,000 students and alumni of French higher education (June 2024). It helps them maintain a strong connection with France by publishing articles and organizing events worldwide.

The France Alumni directory functions like a professional social network. It allows you to find contacts within companies you’re interested in, showcasing your French degrees and experience. You can create a profile, fill in your personal information, and connect with former classmates or any other members of the network.

France Alumni supports your career development by providing numerous internship and job offers, both in France and abroad. You’ll also benefit from advice and testimonials from alumni who leveraged their French experience to achieve professional success.

Higher education institutions, companies, and institutional partners have dedicated spaces on France Alumni to communicate easily with alumni. Follow them to stay updated on their latest news and never miss an opportunity.

On the France Alumni platform, thematic groups bring graduates together around various interests. These groups help you create or maintain connections. Start conversations and expand your professional opportunities.

Stay connected to France by browsing the France Alumni website. You’ll find a cultural calendar, articles about the French language, and ideas for tourist activities to prepare for your next trip to France.

To expand the global family of alumni from French education and celebrate the unique bond that unites them, we invite you every year in spring to the “France Alumni Day”: a grand celebration led worldwide by the French diplomatic network, institutions, and alumni associations. These groups come together to honor graduates of French higher education and their achievements across all five continents.

All around the world, events pay tribute to these alumni and what brings them together: a lasting connection with France. In France, institutions and alumni associations are involved in the programming.

More information here