Top Universities and Colleges in France - Courses, Fees, Scholarships, Admission Requirements & Grades

Home to about 100 top-class universities, France is one of the most popular study-abroad options for overseas students. It comprises several renowned universities such as the University PSL, Institute Polytechnic de Paris, and Sorbonne University, which are ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. Some of the most pursued majors in France include MIM, BBA, MS, MBA and more.

In order to get into these French universities, all aspiring candidates must appear for at least one of the following English proficiency exam(s): IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo English Test. Several universities in France also require another entrance exam like GMAT/GRE scores.

Currently, France is hosting more than 400,000 international students, which has been observed as the highest growth in 15 years.

As part of a major initiative to strengthen educational ties between the two nations, President Emmanuel Macron declared that France is committed to accepting 30,000 Indian students to its universities by 2030. He emphasized his determination to see this goal through to completion. 

Universities in France: Highlights

Why study in France?

France is a very favourable destination for overseas students, as it is home to several globally renowned universities. It is a hub for Business & Management courses and is known worldwide for the same. Prospective students can also choose from a variety of courses such as MIM, MS, MBA, BBA, B.Tech and more. Some of the top job sectors in France for international students consist of Medicine, Law, IT Professions, Engineering, Teaching and Research.

All international applicants require a long-stay French visa to pursue a degree course in France as a student. Such visas let students stay in the country for 4 - 12 months and can be renewed according to the student’s duration of studies. Usually, the cost of a visa in France sums up to about INR 7 K for Indian students.

Most French universities allow international students to work on-campus while studying at the university and pick up part-time jobs during their term breaks. France also provides a one-year stay-back permit to all international students as a post-study work permit. However, this cannot be renewed. To be eligible, students must hold a bachelor’s/master’s degree.

Here’s all you need to know about studying in France.

Top Universities in France

As per the table listed below, it can be observed that the University PSL, Institute Polytechnic de Paris, Sorbonne University as well as the University Paris-Saclay are some of the top-ranked universities in France and are also part of the top 100 universities in the world.

Here’s detailed information about top-ranked universities in France:

Best Business & Management Universities in France:

As per the QS World University Business & Management rankings, the top universities in France are:

Best Engineering Universities in France:

As per the QS World University Engineering & Technology rankings, the top universities in France are:

Read more:

Top Cities in France to Study in

Paris is not only one of the most popular tourist destinations but also a hub of globally renowned universities and is a favourable location for international students looking for study abroad options. According to the QS Best Student City Rankings 2025, Paris stands tall at position #7. Apart from this, most of the popular French universities are situated in the cities of Lyon, Montpellier, Toulouse, Grenoble, Lille, Nice, Nantes and more.

Top Courses in France

France is known for its Business & Management centred universities and the most pursued course in this country is MIM. BBA, MS as well as MBA are some of the popular courses for international students in France.

Admission Requirements in France

Entrance exams accepted by universities in France:

Several universities in France require GMAT/GRE scores as an entry requirement and international students must fulfill this criterion to secure admission.

English language requirements by universities in France:

To get into a university in France, all international students are required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language, as an admission requirement. Most of the French universities accept IELTS/TOEFL/PTE/Duolingo score(s) for their English language requirements.

Cost of Studying in France

On average, the cost of studying in France is relatively affordable as compared to other popular study-abroad options for Indian students. Additionally, the annual tuition fee of a major chunk of universities in France stands below INR 10 L, making France an ideal choice for international students.

Cost of Living in France

On average, the cost of living in any country is inclusive of accommodation facilities, meals, travelling as well as the cost of utilities, and personal expenses. When it comes to France, the cost of living for Indian students is usually around INR 70 K per month. However, the expenses are very subjective, depending on the lifestyle and purchasing power of the student residing and pursuing a degree course in France.

Scholarships Offered by Universities in France

Opting to study abroad is a major step that students take for their career and managing the expenses including the tuition fee and living costs play a deciding factor in this decision. Here is where scholarships dive in and help students study in their dream college by cutting down a portion of their expenses. A lot of universities in France, such as HEC Paris, Montpellier Business School, Rennes School of Business and more offer scholarships to their international students.

Jobs in France

Business & Management is one of the most popular education as well as job sectors in France. Other popular job industries for international students in France are Medicine, Law, IT Professions, Engineering, Teaching, and Research.

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