Top reasons to study in France

Along with being a top tourist destination, France is also a well-known study destination. The country, famous for the Eiffel Tower, Louvre Museum, Côte d'Azur, and the French Alps, is also well known for courses in business management, performing arts, Agriculture and politics.

The 643,000-square-km country has about 39 universities ranked by the QS. Five French universities feature in the top 200 universities, led by Ecole normale supérieure, Paris at 43^rd position. The French universities also feature among the top 10 in many subject rankings as well. INSEAD and HEC Paris School of Management feature in the third and the ninth positions for business and management-related courses. Agro, ParisTech holds the ninth position in the world for agriculture and forestry courses. Sciences Po stands at the 4^th rank for politics. The top two universities in France are also among the top 35 in the world for studying mathematics.

Study in France for Indian Students: Key Highlights

Top 25 Universities of France (QS World Ranking)

Sl.no	University	Rank 2018	Rank 2017
1	Ecole normale supérieure, Paris	43	33
2	Ecole Polytechnique	59	53
3	Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC)	131	141
4	École Normale Supérieure de Lyon	157	177
5	CentraleSupélec	177	164
7	Université Grenoble-Alpes	236	206
8	Université Paris-Sud	242	241
9	Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne	269	228
10	Ecole des Ponts ParisTech	270	268
11	Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV)	293	221
12	Université de Strasbourg	303	260
13	Université Paris Diderot, Paris 7	305	262
14	Ecole Normale Supérieure de Cachan	330	264
15	Université Paris Dauphine	355	356
16	Université de Montpellier	381	327
17	Aix-Marseille University	411-420	411-420
18	Université Paris Descartes	441-450	377
19	Institut National des Sciences Appliquées de Lyon (INSA)	451-460	421-430
20	Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1	501-550	501-550
21	University of Bordeaux	501-550	501-550
22	Université Paul Sabatier Toulouse III	501-550	461-470
23	Université Lille 1, Sciences et Technologies	551-600	501-550
24	Université Panthéon-Assas (Paris 2)	551-600	551-600
25	Université Nice Sophia Antipolis	601-650	601-650

Source QS Ranking

Why do students choose France as a study abroad destination?

Quality Education: France provides world-class education to international students and is known for its high-quality education system. So, why study in France for international students? Universities in France offer various programs in different fields, including sciences, business, engineering and arts.

Multicultural Environment: France is a multicultural country and has a large population of international students. While studying in France, Indian students get exposed to many cultures and backgrounds and also get the opportunity to interact with different individuals.

Affordability: This is one of the advantages that France has in terms of studying. If we look at the cost of living and studying in France, it is low compared to the United Kingdom and the United States.

Language learning opportunities: French is an important language that is widely spoken in France. Studying in France allows Indian students to learn the language and improve their fluency in French.

Career Opportunities: The companies in France are very strong globally. After getting a degree from a university in France, Indian students can enjoy international career opportunities in different sectors, which is one of the reasons why they choose France for study.

Rich Culture and History: France boasts a rich cultural and historical identity. Indian students can experience the country's food, music, architecture and arts while they study in France.

World-Class Universities: France boasts of the best universities and colleges in the world. With a choice to study in France, students ensure themselves a quality education combined with practical experience at top-ranked universities across the country. Graduating with a globally recognised degree after completion from France will also give candidates more excellent job prospects within France as well as within the global jobs market.

Triple Accreditation of B-Schools in France: Various business schools in France received Triple Accreditation. The triple accreditation is known as the triple crown, which is a quality guarantee obtained for certain study programs or within a certain time. Accreditation is the guarantee of an independent entity that examines the academic excellence of a particular study programme or institution. The Triple Accreditation attributed to French business schools signifies that three such organisations: AMBA, The Association of MBAs (based in London, United Kingdom), AACSB, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (based in Tampa, Florida, USA) and EFMD (European Foundation for Management Development) (based in Brussels, Belgium) have their EQUIS accreditation.

Wide Range of English Taught Programmes: Along with the top universities, France also offers a wide range of courses for students interested in pursuing higher education. There are more than 1400 higher education courses in French universities that are taught in English as per Campus France (a national agency for the promotion of higher students in France).

Cost of Studying in France: By studying in France, one has a quality education relatively at a cheaper cost since the French Government subsidises higher education. Indian students have to pay differentiated registration fees while the state pays only two-thirds of the cost of your training. The tuition fee for a bachelor's degree is approximately Rs. 2,50,000, and a master's degree is Rs. 3,50,000. However, the fee for PhD is Rs. 35,000. The tuition fees for private institutions are significantly steeper compared to the ones at public institutions. The tuition fees vary from Rs. 2,70,000 to Rs. 9,00,000 per year.

Cost of Living in France: The cost of living in France depends upon where you live, what programme you choose, and what type of accommodation you select. In general, most students need Rs. 60,000 to Rs. 1,30,000 each month to cover the basic expenses of food, transport, and accommodation. The living cost in France on average will be Rs. 8,20,000.

Scholarships to Study in France: French companies and the French Embassy in India offer scholarships to over 500 students who intend to pursue higher education in France; they amount to a whopping total of up to Rs. 11 crores. There are multiple scholarships available for Indian students pursuing education in France who have outstanding academic records. Some of the popular scholarships for Indian students who are looking forward to pursuing higher education are the Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence, the Charpak Scholarship Programme, La Femis, Raman Charpak Fellowship (PhD), Legrand Scholarship Program, Make Our Planet Great Again (MOPGA), etc.

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Higher Education in France:

The French higher education contains four types of organisations:

1. Public universities

2. Grandes Écoles

3. Schools of Art, Design and Architecture

4. Specialized Schools

Public universities

Most French students attend public universities. There are 77 public universities funded by the French government. They offer courses for all degree levels and disciplines. The tuition fee at public universities is funded by the French government, and hence a very nominal amount in the range of €183–€388 is charged.

Grandes Écoles

The Grandes Écoles are specialised centres of learning that engage in training students in engineering, management, higher education and research, and public administration, etc. Schools of management and engineering are the largest groups of Grandes Écoles.

Schools of Art, Design and Architecture

France, being the hub of arts and culture, also possesses arts schools and architecture schools. There are a total of 80 public fine arts schools and 20 schools of architecture all over France.

Specialized Schools

About 3000 public and private institutions called specialised schools provide training and degrees in a variety of areas such as nursing, journalism, social work, fashion, design, and tourism to name a few.

Reputed Universities in France

A total of 39 French universities are ranked by QS rankings. French universities also feature in the top 100 universities in a number of course groups as well as courses, making it an important reason to study in France. CentraleSupélec has been ranked at number nine in the Top 50 under 50 category. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne is placed at the 23^rd position in the world for archaeology and 26^th in law and legal studies. Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) is ranked at 18^th position in the world for Modern Languages.

In Arts and Humanities, Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV) ranks 26^th in the world. The other universities in this category are:

Top Universities in France for Arts and Humanities France

Rank	Universities
26	Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV)
61	Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
114	Ecole normale supérieure, Paris
122	Université Sorbonne Nouvelle Paris 3
154	Sciences Po
278	Université de Strasbourg
315	Université Paris Ouest Nanterre La Défense
321	Université Lumière Lyon 2
332	Université de Toulouse II-Le Mirail

Ecole Polytechnique and CentraleSupélec lead the French universities in engineering and technology. The other French universities are:

Top Universities in France for Engineering and Technology

Rank	Universities
74	Ecole Polytechnique
79	CentraleSupélec
159	Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC)
172	Mines, ParisTech
177	Institut polytechnique de Grenoble—Grenoble Institute of Technology

There are six universities in France that feature among the top 200 for life sciences and medicine. In France, the Medical School is governed by the Unités de formation et de recherche de médecine (UFR). The course takes nine years to complete after the baccalauréat. Diplôme d'études spécialisées (DES) is awarded to those who complete the programme successfully.

Top Universities in France for Life sciences and Medicine

Rank	Universities
94	Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC)
121	Université Paris Descartes
154	Université de Montpellier
170	Université Paris-Sud
186	Université Paris Diderot - Paris 7
191	Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

Natural Sciences include Chemistry, Earth & Marine Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Geography, Materials Science, Mathematics and Physics & Astronomy. Ecole Polytechnique is 28^th in Physics and Astronomy and is among the top 45 universities in the world for Mathematics.

Top Universities in France for Natural Sciences

Rank	Universities
34	Ecole Polytechnique
55	Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC)
108	Ecole normale supérieure, Paris
108	Université Paris-Sud
131	Université Grenoble-Alpes
135	Université Paris Diderot, Paris 7
141	Université de Strasbourg
174	Université de Montpellier

In social sciences and management, French universities are among the top 50 universities. One of the reasons to study in France is the presence of three top 100 business schools in the world. Two of the three business schools, INSEAD and HEC Paris, feature at 3^rd and 12^th rank, while ESSEC business school is ranked between 51 and 100. A few of the subjects that feature in social sciences and management are accounting & finance, anthropology, communication & media studies, development studies, hospitality & leisure management, Law and statistics & operational research.

Top Schools for Social Sciences and Management in France

Rank	Universities
32	INSEAD
55	HEC Paris School of Management
62	Sciences Po
67	Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
159	Université Paris-Sorbonne (Paris IV)
169	ESSEC Business School

Tuition Fees of Top Universities of France

An important reason to study in France is the affordable tuition fee. The tuition fees charged by French universities are affordable as compared to the institutions anywhere else. The tuition fees of public universities are borne by the government; hence, a very nominal fee is charged to the students, ranging from €183 – €388. The tuition fees of the top five French institutions are:

Work opportunities during study in France

All enrolled students in French universities, irrespective of nationality, have the right to work during their studies. The institution should be participating in the national student health-care plan by the government. The students, if not European nationals, should have a French resident permit. All students, irrespective of the level of education enrolled in or the year of the course currently pursuing, are eligible for work during studies. International students are allowed to work for 964 hours per year.

Enrolled students are not required to apply for temporary employment authorisation or APT (Autorisation Provisoire de Travail) to work during studies.

Best student cities of France

Another reason to study in France is the presence of the best student cities. Paris, holding the number two position in the world, has 18 universities. Though the cost of living in Paris is considered to be high, the relatively low tuition fee balances it. Lyon, the second-best student city in France, is also known as the gastronomic capital of France. It is situated at the confluence of the Rhône and Saône rivers. Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, as the name suggests, is in Lyon. France has five cities in the top 100 in the world. They are:

French Culture and Geography

The rich culture with the vast international exposure is also a prime reason to study in France. Historical events and the geographical position have massively affected the French culture, which in turn has impacted fashion, cuisine, literature, technology and science. Geographically, flanked on two sides by the ocean, Mediterranean sea and Atlantic Ocean, France has been the bridge between Northern and Southern Europe.

Also, read:

World University Rankings 2018 Published by Times Higher Education

Top Universities for Social Sciences courses

Top Scholarships in France for Indian students