فرنسا is the third most populous country in Europe after Russia and
Ukraine, with nearly 66 million people within its borders and another approximately 3 million in overseas territories. Besides croissants, fashion, and rich culture, it also boasts highly prestigious universities at affordable prices, both public and private. With tuition fees of only
€170 for undergraduate and
€243 for master’s degrees in most public universities,
فرنسا ranks among the most budget-friendly options for higher education abroad. Unfortunately, full English-language programs are mainly available in private higher education institutions called “Ecole.”
اقتصاد
فرنسا has one of the most developed economies in the world (ranked 7th) and is among the top three in Europe, alongside
ألمانيا and the
المملكة المتحدة. The most advanced sectors are tourism, finance, and real estate, which significantly contribute to the country’s economic stability and growth. Other key industries include automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and the luxury goods segment, where leading brands such as
LVMH (
Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton),
Chanel, and
Hermès stand out with global presence and prestige.
فرنسا is also a world leader in wine production and wine exports.
المؤسسات التعليمية
The largest cities—
Paris,
Marseille,
Lyon,
Nice,
Nantes,
Montpellier,
Strasbourg,
Bordeaux, and
Lille—are also home to the most prestigious universities in
فرنسا. The list of universities is undoubtedly long, but here are some notable examples:
Private universities offering programs in English include:
PROGRAMS & SPECIALITIES
Apart from the prestigious universities,
فرنسا is one of the few countries where you can combine two completely different majors and study them at the undergraduate level, through what are called “mentions” and “parcours” (or pathways). Of course, this depends on the university, but you can combine, for example, biology with pedagogy, law with business, economics with communications and linguistics, and many more. Among the most popular undergraduate majors in the past year were law and medicine, followed by sports sciences, psychology, economics and business, and mathematics. Naturally, these are programs taught entirely in French. English-language programs at public universities are rare.
DURATION OF DEGREES
Bachelor’s degree – 3 years
Master’s degree – 2 years
APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS
In French public universities, the application process is centralized, with the main application portal
Parcoursup opening in December. The entire process spans several periods and steps from December to April. At first, the portal is open for browsing programs, and after selecting your universities and majors, you need to fill in your personal data and upload the necessary documents. The standard documents required by French public universities include:
- Grades so far from year 9 onwards
- Language certificate
- Motivation letter (for each university separately)
- Recommendations (unlike in other countries, here the principle is “the more, the better”) — a section called Fiche Avenir, similar to a CV, which is also required in other countries.
Of course, as in almost all countries, the French also require a certificate to prove language proficiency. Do not be fooled by the false information claiming that B1 is sufficient for application; it might be acceptable in less prestigious schools, but the standard minimum is B2, and depending on the university and program, C1 is often required. For French language certificates, the most popular are
DELF B2 and
DALF C1.
For English, the minimum requirements are:
TUITION FEES
he annual tuition fee for public universities in
فرنسا is fixed at €170. Unlike almost all other European countries, public universities in
فرنسا do not charge an application fee.
ACCOMMODATION & HOUSING
Just like in much of Western Europe and in
فرنسا, there are specific considerations when it comes to accommodation. You have several options — a rented apartment, a student residence, or a dormitory. In no case should you rely on a university dormitory from the first year. The “résidence universitaire” is a perfect option, as in most cases, these are new, furnished rooms with their own bathroom and kitchenette. Unlike most apartments, where rooms might be just on bare walls, this setup will undoubtedly save you a lot of stress and expenses. However, whichever accommodation you plan to rent, you will need a guarantor who resides in
فرنسا. Don’t worry if you don’t have relatives or close contacts; it’s also possible to rent such a guarantor.
We can divide accommodation costs into two main categories:
Paris and other cities.
- €1,000 – €2,000 for a one-bedroom apartment or studio in Paris or its suburbs
- €500 – €800 for a room in a shared apartment in Paris or nearby
Of course, in the suburbs, you can find much cheaper options, so don’t exclude
Paris simply because you’ve heard it’s expensive. The opportunities there are much greater, just like in any cosmopolitan city. For comparison, in
Bordeaux,
Lyon, and
Montpellier, the price for a shared room ranges from
€350 to €600, while a one-bedroom apartment costs approximately between €900 and €1,400. Nice, being a popular tourist city, has prices similar to
Paris.
LIFE OF AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IN FRANCE – TIPS AND INFORMATION FOR PERSPECTIVE STUDENTS
Administrative Requirements — Register with the local authorities and obtain a residence permit. This is necessary for legal stay, access to health services, and opening a bank account.
Health Insurance — If you are from the EU, carry your European Health Insurance Card, which grants you the right to free or low-cost medical services in France. For non-EU students, it is advisable to purchase private health insurance or register with the national healthcare system after your arrival.
French Language — Even if you study at a private university in English, daily life outside the university will be conducted entirely in French. Most French people are nationalists and prefer to speak their native language, even if they know English. Therefore, it’s beneficial to learn some basic phrases and expressions in French before you leave—this will help you navigate and adapt more easily.
WORK DURING STUDIES IN FRANCE
EU students have the right to work up to 20 hours per week without a permit. Typically, students can earn between 10 and 15 euros per hour. The most popular positions for students are in supermarkets, restaurants, or university administration. Don’t expect to find part-time work if you don’t know French.
SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND STUDENT LOANS
In
فرنسا, the main forms of financial assistance for covering expenses such as accommodation and transportation are social benefits provided through
CAF, for which you must already be registered as a resident in France.
Besides CAF, the French government offers the “
France Excellence” scholarship — a prestigious award intended for a limited number of exceptional international students with outstanding academic achievements and talent. This program is highly competitive and one of the most prestigious international scholarships for studying in France. The financial aid varies but often covers the entire tuition fee (for public universities) as well as additional costs, such as travel, mentorship, and talent development.
EXCHANGE PROGRAMS
1. Sorbonne University
2. University of Lyon
3. University of Strasbourg
4. University of Bordeaux
5. University of Nice Sophia Antipolis
Leading Private Universities and Their International Partnerships
1. جامعة الدراسات العليا لإدارة الأعمال في باريس
2. كلية إيسيك لإدارة الأعمال
3. إدهيك
