Study in France for Indian Students: Costs, Scholarships, Visa and Jobs (2026-27)
Study in France costs Indian students €3,950 a year for a public Master's, €2,902 for a Bachelor's and €398 for a PhD in 2026-27. A Master's runs about Rs.4.3 lakh a year. Private Grandes Écoles charge €8,000 to €25,000 or more. Plan on €800 to €1,800 a month for living, depending on the city. The Charpak scholarship pays €860 a month and the Eiffel scholarship pays €1,200 for a Master's and €2,100 for a PhD. You apply through Campus France (Études en France) and pay Rs.20,000. Since 1 August 2026, the visa needs proof of €877.50 a month. Indian Master's graduates can stay up to 24 months to find a job and starting salaries run €36,000 to €55,000. Medicine is the exception, because public programs teach in French.
Study in France at a Glance (2026-27)
France charges low public fees, funds strong scholarships and lets you work after your degree. India sent 9,100 students in 2024-25, up 17% and France wants 30,000 by 2030.
| Item | 2026-27 figure |
|---|---|
| Public tuition (non-EU) | €2,902 Bachelor's, €3,950 Master's, €398 PhD |
| Living costs | €800 to €1,800 a month |
| Visa proof of funds | €877.50 a month |
| Campus France fee | Rs.20,000 |
| Main scholarships | Charpak, Eiffel |
| Post-study permit | 12 months, renewable once |
| Work limit while studying | 964 hours a year |
| Main intake | September to October |
Public Universities or Grandes Écoles: Which Should You Choose?
Public universities cost far less. Grandes Écoles cost more but build internships and hiring into the degree. France runs both systems side by side and each fits a different budget.
| Feature | Public university | Grande École |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Research, sciences, humanities | Engineering, business |
| Annual tuition | €2,902 to €3,950 | €8,000 to €25,000+ |
| Language | Mostly French, some English Master's | Heavy English at Master's and MiM |
| Industry link | Career centers, labs | Required internships, campus hiring |
Every degree follows one pattern. A Licence takes 3 years (180 ECTS). A Master takes 2 years (120 ECTS). A Doctorat takes 3 or more years.
Pick by budget and goal. If money is tight, choose a public MSc in Data Science, Applied Mathematics, or Engineering. If you want a business career or a job switch, look at a Master in Management (MiM). Regional cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Strasbourg cut living costs by 30% to 40% compared with Paris.
Study in France for Indian Students After 12th
Yes, you can go straight after Class 12 (CBSE, ICSE, or a State Board). Three routes exist.
Public Licence
Classes run mostly in French, so you need DELF or DALF at B2 or C1. The fee is €2,902 a year.
International foundation year (Classes Internationales)
You spend a year on intensive French and prep courses, then move into year one of your degree. Confirm that your chosen school offers this route before you apply.
Private English-taught BBA or BSc
These run 3 to 4 years and let you skip the French requirement. Schools look for about 70% in Class 12, IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 and a clear Statement of Purpose.
The Charpak Bachelor's scholarship pays €860 a month. You must be 23 or younger and admitted to a full-time undergraduate program. It also waives your visa and Campus France fees.
The language gap scares many families. Start French early. Even B1 helps you land part-time work and internships.
Masters in France for Indian Students (MS in France)
Indian students call it an MS in France. France calls it a Master or MSc. The degree lasts 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. Postgraduate study draws the largest group of Indian students in France and two tracks lead the list.
MSc or MTech equivalent. These programs teach technical skills. Popular fields include Artificial Intelligence, Data Engineering, Cybersecurity, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Luxury Brand Management.
Master in Management (MiM). This 2-year degree comes from schools such as HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, SKEMA and emlyon. Many programs offer an optional gap year (année de césure). You spend it in a long, paid internship and employers often hire from that pool.
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | Recognized 3 to 4 year degree from an accredited Indian university |
| English | IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+ |
| Tests | GMAT or GRE for competitive business programs |
| Main intake | September to October |
| Second intake | January to February, at select schools |
Public MSc programs charge €3,950 a year. Business schools charge €10,000 to €25,000 and many give merit waivers of 10% to 50%. Choose a public MSc if cost matters most and your math base is strong. Choose MiM if you want a European business career and can carry the higher fee.
Learn French to B1 or B2 while you study. English gets you admitted. French gets you the internship.
PhD in France for Indian Students
A PhD in France is a paid job. You sign a Contrat Doctoral and work as a junior researcher. Fees run €398 a year and the higher non-EU fees for Bachelor's and Master's do not apply.
Pay
the contract carries a gross monthly stipend of about €1,800.
Where to apply
university labs and Écoles Doctorales (doctoral schools) recruit directly. Joint Franco-Indian research programs open another door.
CIFRE
this scheme lets you write your thesis inside a company's R&D team.
Extra funding
the Eiffel PhD award pays €2,100 a month. The Raman-Charpak Fellowship pays Indian doctoral students €1,500 a month for research done partly in France.
MBBS in France for Indian Students: Can You Study Medicine?
Many families search for how to study MBBS in France for Indian students. The short answer: it works only if you speak French. Indian students who want to study medicine in France can apply, but practicing in India is hard. Public medical programs teach in French and you need C1-level fluency by the clinical years.
France offers two entry paths.
| Path | What it is |
|---|---|
| PASS | A health major with a minor in another subject |
| L.AS | A major such as Biology, Chemistry, or Law with a health minor |
Both paths end with a ranked exam after year one. Only top ranks move into year two of the Diplôme d'État de Docteur en Médecine.
Then the NMC rules apply. A foreign degree counts in India only if you meet all four conditions:
- You finish the whole course and internship at one institution.
- The course meets NMC duration rules and teaches in English.
- You earn a full, unrestricted license in the host country.
- You pass NEET-UG before you enroll abroad.
Cost of Studying in France for Indian Students
A public Master's costs about Rs.4.3 lakh a year in tuition and living adds €800 to €1,800 a month. France is not free for Indian students. Only the PhD comes close.
Tuition, 2026-27 (Rs. at about 110 per euro)
| Level | Annual tuition (€) | Annual tuition (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bachelor's | 2,902 | 3.2 lakh |
| Public Master's | 3,950 | 4.3 lakh |
| Public PhD | 398 | 44,000 |
| Grandes Écoles, engineering | 8,000 to 15,000 | 8.8 to 16.5 lakh |
| Grandes Écoles, business, MiM, MSc | 10,000 to 25,000 | 11 to 27.5 lakh |
Monthly living costs
| Level | Annual tuition (€) | Annual tuition (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Public Bachelor's | 2,902 | 3.2 lakh |
| Public Master's | 3,950 | 4.3 lakh |
| Public PhD | 398 | 44,000 |
| Grandes Écoles, engineering | 8,000 to 15,000 | 8.8 to 16.5 lakh |
| Grandes Écoles, business, MiM, MSc | 10,000 to 25,000 | 11 to 27.5 lakh |
Rent is the big item. Expect €650 to €1,100 in Paris and €350 to €550 in regional cities. You also pay a mandatory campus contribution (CVEC) of €105 before you enroll.
Sample total for a 2-year public Master's
| Scenario | Total (€) | Total (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Regional city | 27,000 to 37,000 | 30 to 41 lakh |
| Paris | 37,000 to 51,000 | 41 to 56 lakh |
These totals leave out flights, one-time fees, rent aid and part-time income.
Four things lower the bill:
- Charpak's €860 a month covers roughly 70% to 100% of regional living costs.
- APL rent aid from CAF returns 20% to 40% of your rent once you hold a residence permit.
- Universities can now waive fees for at most 30% of non-EU students, so plan for the full rate.
- Validating your visa gives you national health insurance (Sécurité Sociale).
Scholarship in France for Indian Students
A scholarship in France can cut your costs sharply. Two programs lead: Charpak from the Embassy of France in India and Eiffel from the French foreign ministry. School-level aid adds more.
| Scheme | Level | Monthly amount | Key rules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charpak Master's | Master's | €860 (about Rs.94,500) | Indian citizen or OCI, 30 or younger, full-time Master's. Waives visa and Campus France fees. Gives CROUS housing priority and €1 university meals |
| Charpak Bachelor's | Bachelor's | €860 | Indian citizen or OCI, 23 or younger |
| Charpak Summer | Lab internship | €700 for up to 2 months | May to August research at a French lab |
| Eiffel | Master's, PhD | €1,200 (Master's), €2,100 (PhD) | Your French school nominates you. Tuition not covered |
| Ampere (ENS de Lyon) | Master's | €1,000 | Admission to an eligible ENS de Lyon Master's |
| Erasmus+ | Exchange | €300 to €500 | Mobility between partner schools |
| Business school merit waivers | Master's, MiM | 10% to 50% of tuition | HEC, ESSEC, EDHEC, SKEMA. Based on grades and GMAT or GRE |
You cannot apply to Eiffel on your own, because the school submits your file. Eiffel also adds airfare and health insurance and you cannot combine it with another French government scholarship.
Finish your university applications between August and November. Selection cycles close early in the calendar year, so late files miss out. Check current-year deadlines on the Campus France India site before you plan.
How to Apply: Campus France, Visa and Proof of Funds
Indian applicants must complete the Études en France (EEF) procedure through Campus France India for any course longer than 90 days. Six steps take you from choice to arrival.
- 1
Pick programs from the Campus France catalogue, or apply straight to a school's portal.
- 2
Create an Études en France account once you hold an offer.
- 3
Attend the Campus France interview. Advisors ask about your grades, language level, career plan and why you chose France.
- 4
Apply for the long-stay visa (VLS-TS) through VFS Global.
- 5
Give your biometrics and documents at the appointment.
- 6
Validate your visa online on the ANEF portal within 3 months of arrival.
| Cost item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Campus France (EEF) fee | Rs.20,000 from 1 August 2026 |
| Long-stay visa fee | About €50 for EEF applicants (confirm on France-Visas) |
| VFS service charge | Varies |
| Validation tax after arrival | Set by the government (confirm before you travel) |
The visa needs proof of one year of tuition plus €877.50 a month. That comes to about €10,530 a year, or Rs.11.6 lakh, for living costs. Accepted proof includes bank statements, education loan sanction letters from recognized Indian banks and scholarship award letters.
Treat €877.50 as a floor. Your real budget runs higher, especially in Paris.
Job Opportunities for International Students in France
During your degree. With a valid VLS-TS, you can work up to 964 hours a year, about 20 hours a week. Pay follows the national minimum wage (SMIC). Common jobs include university assistantships, language tutoring, customer service and retail.
After your degree. The RECE permit (Recherche d'Emploi ou Création d'Entreprise) lets you stay and search for work. Indian Master's graduates get 12 months and can renew once, for up to 24 months. You can work full-time on it. When you land an offer, you switch to a work permit:
Salarié
a contract that matches your degree, paying at least 1.5 times SMIC (about €2,800 gross a month).
Passeport Talent (Salarié Qualifié)
a contract of 3 months or more, paying at least €39,582 gross a year.
EU Blue Card
a contract of 6 months or more, paying at least €59,373 gross a year. It also lets you move within the EU.
Indicative gross starting salaries (Rs. at about 110 per euro)
| Sector | Annual (€) | Annual (Rs.) |
|---|---|---|
| Technology and AI | 40,000 to 50,000 | 44 to 55 lakh |
| Engineering and aerospace | 38,000 to 46,000 | 42 to 51 lakh |
| Finance and consulting | 40,000 to 55,000+ | 44 to 60 lakh |
| Data analytics | 38,000 to 48,000 | 42 to 53 lakh |
| Luxury and brand management | 36,000 to 45,000 | 40 to 50 lakh |
Employers include Airbus, Safran, Thales, BNP Paribas, Société Générale, LVMH and L'Oréal. Hiring hubs include Paris, Lyon, Rennes, Toulouse and Bordeaux. Top MiM programs report starting pay of €45,000 to €75,000 or more.
Alumni with a Master's or higher and at least one semester in France can apply for a 5-year multiple-entry Schengen circulation visa. You can stay 90 days in any 180. It allows travel only, not work.
One year of a €40,000 salary roughly equals the whole cost of a 2-year regional public Master's. You can recover your spending in about 12 to 24 months of full-time work, before tax.
Next Steps
- Pick your level and a city tier. A regional city saves 30% to 40% on living costs.
- Check the NMC rules first if you plan to study medicine.
- Compile a list of 4-6 programs and record their respective deadlines.
- Budget with the sample table, then add flights and one-time fees.
- Create your Études en France account as soon as an offer arrives.