How International Students can study in France for free?

Studying in international universities is an expensive affair. However, France is relatively an affordable country for studying abroad. In this article, we will discuss in detail about how can international students can study in France for free, the tuition fee and scholarships offered, and more.

France is the world’s fourth-largest destination for international students. It has become home to over 4,00,000 international students in the 2021-22 academic year. The country has been catching the attention of international students because studying there will allow them to witness a society that is multi-cultural. While studying in France, students will have an opportunity to experience a completely new culture and traditions. Besides the studies, France offers an extraordinary adventure of some sort. Meaning, coming to France will not be just fixed to academics, students will be able to observe high and off-the-rack fashion, exceptional wines, and different festivals.

However, when deciding to study in France, students remain worried about the tuition costs of higher education institutes. In order to study in France, by paying an affordable tuition fee, students can decide to study at some of the public higher education institutes. Students can further apply for scholarships or educational loans so as to study in France for free. This article discusses the aspects of free education in France for Indian students and other related factors that one should be aware of while deciding to study in the fashion capital of the world.

Public Universities in France for International Students

Deciding to study in France means having access to high-quality programmes that have been designed for a wide range of student interests. As per Campus France, the tuition fee is low in public higher education institutes because the French government subsidizes higher education. Some of the affordable and cheap universities in France for international students are:

Other affordable public universities in France

• University of Burgundy
• University of Orleans
• Ecole Polytechnique

Check: Top reasons to study in France

Can I study in France for free?

Note that no tuition fees, whether differentiated or not are applicable for those students who:

• Come to study in France as a part of the partnership programme between universities that provide for total exemption from enrolment fees (like the Erasmus+ programme particularly)
• Students who have been allotted a French government grant (BGF)
• Students who have been allotted a grant from their host institution, providing a total exemption from enrolment fees

Note that the partial or total exemption policy is applicable for those Non-EU students who have been granted full or partial exemption from tuition fees by their host institution in France or by French embassy in their home country.

Tuition Fee in France for International Students

According to Campus France, non-EU students are required to pay differentiated registration fees if:

• You are enrolling for the first time for a bachelor’s or master’s degree, or for an engineering degree, for the start of the 2022/23 academic year
• Within a higher education establishment that falls under within the scope of MESRI
• Given that you are permanently settled in France

In a real sense, the state will therefore cover two-thirds of the cost of your training. The total registration fee that students are required to pay is:

• At the bachelor’s level, they need to pay €2,770 per year
• At the master level, they need to pay €3,770 per year
• Non-EU doctoral students are not subject to new differentiated tuition fees

Scholarships to study in France

International students who cannot afford to study in France can apply for various scholarships. Given below is a list of the scholarships to which students can apply.

• Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence: The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship program was established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to allow French higher education institutes to attract the top foreign students to enroll in their PhD and Masters programs.
• Emile-Boutmy Scholarship: This scholarship is for international students whose profiles match the admission priorities and the requirements of course. It is offered at both bachelor’s and master’s level and covers a tuition grant that can range between €3000 to €13000 depending on the year of study programme.
• Ampere Scholarship of Excellence: The Ampere Scholarships of Excellence of the ENS De Lyon provide students an opportunity to enroll in one of the ENS De Lyon Masters programs in the Exact Sciences, the Arts or the Human and Social Sciences. The financial support offered is 1,000 Euros per month for 12 months.
• Ile-De-France Masters Scholarships: The Regional Council of Ile-De-France offers master's scholarships to international students who wish to study at a higher education institute in Ile-De-France.
• INSEAD MBA Scholarships: Three types of scholarships are available: need-based, non-need-based (awarded as per nationality, leadership abilities, professional background, or any combination of these criteria), and spot scholarships that are awarded immediately without the need for applications on the basis of exceptional admission profiles.

Read: Scholarships to study in France 

What are the other options to study in France for free?

In order to study in France for free, students should also keep the following points in mind.

• Find a part-time job: International students are allowed to work in France while studying. French law allows international students to work up to 964 hours per year. Even though you may not find tuition-fee-free universities in France to study or you may not get a scholarship, the tuition fees are still lower in France than in the U.S. So, to manage the living expenses, you can do a part-time job.
• Choices at your local embassy: In order to know about the available financial aid options, it is advised to get in touch with your local embassy, as there are agreements between governments most of the time. According to Campus France, every year, the French Embassy in India along with French companies awards scholarships totaling up to 12 crore Indian rupees to over 500 meritorious young Indian students who want to pursue their higher education in France. In all, Indian applicants with outstanding achievement records have a number of funding options for their studies in France.
• Educational loan: International students who want to study in France can also apply for educational loans from the banks. In order to make sure that the educational loan process is hassle-free, it is advised to keep the documents ready like a filled application form, identity proof, proof of residence, photographs of the applicant and co-applicant, financial statement, etc. The education loan will help you cover the expenses like fees payable, accommodation / hostel charges, other expenses like book, computer, uniforms, etc.

Related Reads:

• Cost of Living in France for Indian students
• Student Guide to France
• Student loan for studying in France