Study in France
FIND YOUR PROGRAMME OF STUDIES
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:
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;
Within a higher education establishment that falls within the scope of the MESR;
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.