France is home to some of the world’s most famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. It also has a vibrant culture, with a wide variety of art, music, and food.
France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, and for good reason. The country is home to a wide variety of natural beauty, from the stunning beaches of the Mediterranean coast to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps.
As far as universities are concerned, French universities are known for their rigorous academic standards, and their graduates are highly sought-after by employers around the world.
France also offers a variety of scholarships and grants to help students pay for their education. Tuition fees are very low compared to many other European alternatives.
The French Education System explained
The French education system is known for being rigorous and demanding. Students are expected to work hard and achieve high grades.
The system is also highly centralized, with the Ministry of Education setting the curriculum and standards for all schools in the country.
This is unlike the UK or the US, where universities have a lot more freedom to draw up their curriculum. The experience of a student can vary massively depending on the university in question. Rankings become a lot more important, although they should not be relied on completely.
France has several types of higher education institutions: standard universities, grande école and specialized school.
Universities in France
Universities are public institutions that offer a wide range of academic programs. They are the most common type of higher education institution in France. They have an academic focus.
Private universities such as INSEAD, Toulouse Business School, ESSEC, IESEG, etc. have a much larger proportion of English taught programs and are overall more targeted towards international students.
SciencesPo is a social sciences university based in Paris, and is probably one of the most international universities in the country. They are private and have a large list of English taught programs at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Another option that might be interesting is the University of London Institute in Paris (ULIP) – which is a private university that grants a University of London degree but is based in Paris.
Nevertheless, many public universities also offer English taught programs. Particularly at the postgraduate level.
For the most part, EU students would apply to universities via a centralized entity called Parcoursup. This is the approximate timeline for a September intake.
- Opening of the platform: 20 December
- Start and complete your registration: 18 January – 8 March
- Complete your list of academic choices before:6 April
- Launch of the main admission phase: 1 June
- End of the main admission phase: 13 July
Non-EU students may have to follow a different process called DAP (Demande d’Admission Prealable, which stands for “Preliminary request for admission”). Whether you need to follow DAP depends on your country of origin.
Also note that students applying via DAP can only choose 3 university options. This excludes some private universities which do not require DAP and/or handle applications directly.
- Registrations open on 1st October
- Registrations close on 15 December
Your application will be examined at the same time by the 3 universities you have requested.
- University response and proposals for acceptance : before 30 April
If it occurs, universities will share with you exemptions from which you may benefit. - Student response : before 31 May
If you have received several acceptance proposals, you will have to make a choice.
Attention, if you do not answer before 31 May, the absence of answer will be condidered as a refusal.
Some of the top universities in France
École Polytechnique
- Short description: A public research university that is one of the most prestigious in France. It is known for its engineering and science programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Engineering, mathematics, physics
- Fun fact: The school’s motto is “To serve France through science.”
Sorbonne University
- Short description: A public research university that is the oldest in France. It is known for its humanities and social sciences programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Literature, history, philosophy
- Fun fact: The university was founded in 1257 by Robert de Sorbon, a theologian.
École Normale Supérieure
- Short description: A public research university that is one of the most selective in France. It is known for its rigorous academic standards and its focus on research.
- Most prestigious departments: Mathematics, physics, philosophy
- Fun fact: The school’s motto is “For the glory of France and the good of humanity.”
Pierre and Marie Curie University
- Short description: A public research university that is a merger of two older universities. It is known for its science and medicine programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Physics, chemistry, biology
- Fun fact: The university is named after the two scientists who discovered radioactivity, Pierre and Marie Curie.
Paris Sciences et Lettres
- Short description: A public research university that is a consortium of several institutions. It is known for its humanities, social sciences, and science programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Literature, history, philosophy, mathematics
- Fun fact: The university is the result of a merger between the École Normale Supérieure and several other institutions.
INSEAD
- Short description: A private business school that is one of the most prestigious in the world. It is known for its MBA program.
- Most prestigious departments: Business administration, economics, finance
- Fun fact: INSEAD is the only business school in the world to have campuses in three continents: Europe, Asia, and North America.
École des Mines de Paris
- Short description: A public engineering school that is one of the most prestigious in France. It is known for its mining and metallurgy programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Mining, metallurgy, civil engineering
- Fun fact: The school’s motto is “To serve France through technology.”
Paris Dauphine University
- Short description: A public research university that is known for its business and economics programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Business administration, economics, finance
- Fun fact: The university’s motto is “Dauphine: The spirit of innovation.”
Collège de France
- Short description: A public research institution that is one of the most prestigious in France. It is known for its lectures and seminars on a wide range of topics.
- Most prestigious departments: History, philosophy, literature, science
- Fun fact: The Collège de France was founded in 1530 by King Francis I.
Aix-Marseille University
- Short description: A public research university that is the largest in France. It is known for its humanities, social sciences, and science programs.
- Most prestigious departments: Literature, history, philosophy, medicine
- Fun fact: Aix-Marseille University is the only university in France to have campuses in two cities: Aix-en-Provence and Marseille.
Grand écoles
Grandes écoles are selective institutions that offer a more specialized education. They are often considered to be the best universities in France. They are effectively comparable to universities although more demanding for students. Note that French fluency is almost always required to study at a grand école.
There are three main ways to enroll in a grande école:
- After high school: Some grandes écoles offer direct admission to high school graduates (both local and international students) who have completed a two-year preparation program. This program, known as a classe préparatoire, is very competitive and requires students to have excellent grades and test scores.
- Parallel admission: Students who have already completed two or three years of university studies can apply for parallel admission to a grande école. This is a more competitive process than direct admission, but it is an option for students who have already demonstrated their academic abilities.
- Through a specialized program: Some grandes écoles offer specialized programs for international students. These programs typically last two years and prepare students for careers in business, engineering, or other fields.
Some of the top grand écoles are:
- IPAG Business School – for business
- Ecole Centrale Paris – They offer classes in engineering, mathematics, management (including business administration and finance), and computer science. English is the primary language of instruction. Includes Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts.
- UPEC – Universite Paris Est – Development Economics, International Project Management, and the International Master in Business Management are two masters programmes offered by the institution that are taught in English.
- ECRICOME – One can enroll for Masters in Management at the French business school consortium member with a Paris location. Two years total, including a six-month internship.
Specialized schools offer training in specific fields, such as art, architecture, or business. They can be public or private institutions.
For example, students interested in Arts subject have a different portal with options to choose from. You can read more on www.campusart.org
Cost of studying in France
There are many reasons why students from all over the world choose to study in France. One reason is the low tuition costs of public schools.
For EU students, tuition for undergraduate degrees at public French universities is typically around €186 per year, and tuition for master’s degrees is around €255 per year. This is a fraction of the cost of tuition at many other universities around the world.
International students (non-EU) pay higher fees but they are generally more affordable than the UK or other top student destinations.
Note that private universities charge higher fees across the board, for local and international students.
So, is France right for you?
We would only recommend France if you already have a French nexus, speak French or really want to immerse yourself in French culture. Even if your degree is English taught. You will likely have to learn French just for getting by in the country.
The only exception might be studying in a very international school such as INSEAD or Sciences Po, where most of your social life will revolve around Paris. As Paris is the capital, English is more widely spoken.
Language considerations aside, French universities are widely respected worldwide. As long as you make the right pick, a French degree will support whatever goals you have later in life.
If you want to consider other countries beyond France, check out our other guides on the best countries to study in!