Best universities in France | Ranking | Tuition Fees | Courses (2023)

FAQs

Best universities in France | Ranking | Tuition Fees | Courses? ›

Tuition fees are low in public Higher education institutions because the French government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around €10,000 a year.

Tuition fees are low in public Higher education institutions because the French government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around €10,000 a year.

Best universities in the world

The best university in France is Paris Sciences et Lettres – PSL Research University Paris, a collegiate university formed of 25 research and higher education institutions in the Paris area and three national research institutions.

Sorbonne University

It has three faculties: arts and humanities, science and engineering, and medicine. French public universities don't typically charge tuition fees, and Sorbonne University is no exception. This is standard across domestic and international students.

College in France is Much More Affordable than in the US

In contrast to higher tuition fees in the US, the average tuition fees for a bachelor degree in Europe is just $8,000 per year for American students.

Check the average budget you would need for each large city in France: Paris: between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR/month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to live in a student hall of residence) Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR/month. Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between 800 – 1,000 EUR.

Pre-Consular and Student Visa Application

If your program of study in France for under 90 days and you are a US citizen, you will not be required to apply for a student visa or complete the Etudes en France pre-consular application.

Harvard in France constitutes a vibrant, dynamic and diverse community. We are privileged to host the second largest Harvard alumni base with more than 2100 alumni and to be among the most active clubs in Europe.

Do French citizens pay for college? ›

For both French and foreign students, the government subsidizes tuition fees in higher public institutions.

Yes, the tuition fees are low in public higher education institutes in France. This is because the French government subsidizes higher education.

There are no tuition fees at French public universities but there are modest registration fees because the State covers the majority of the cost of these education programs provided in public establishments. The real cost of studies is the same as elsewhere in the world, approximately € 10,000 per year.

France ranks regularly high in international university rankings. On the other side, the USA is full of culture that boosts intellectualism, career opportunities, and top-notch research facilities.

The USA's national index is 71.05 while the French national index is 74.14. Therefore, the cost of living is 4% higher in France than it is in the USA.

The average cost of living in France ($1451) is 34% less expensive than in the United States ($2213). France ranked 29th vs 5th for the United States in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

The average living expenses in France vary according to the cities. Paris: Somewhere around €1,200 and €1,800 per month, including accommodation in a student hall of residence. Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse or Nantes: Around €800 – €1,000 . Nice: In the vicinity of €900 and €1,400 per month.

Nordic countries are known for being the cheapest places to study abroad. Norway offers free tuition fees for both international and domestic students. Also, there are many English-taught courses available for international students to choose from.

Moving to France from the United States to enjoy the country long-term is an involved process. You'll need to secure a visa, inventory your belongings and find a place to live before you arrive. If you can't work remotely or don't already have a job, you'll need to find employment as well.

Can an American just move to France? ›

Americans who intend to stay in France for less than 90 days don't need visas. But, from November 2023, US citizens must apply for an ETIAS travel authorization to enter France. The application for ETIAS will be online and will cost €7 per person. Anyone under 18 and over 70 will be exempt from paying the fee.

In many European countries, universities are tuition-free for local, EU, or EEA citizens. Public universities are tuition-free for Americans in Norway, Iceland, Germany (some exceptions apply), and Sweden (for doctoral students)—and they may even offer classes in English.

MIT-France matches students with internships and research at leading companies, research labs, and universities in France. Internships last from 2 to 6 months and are all-expenses paid.

The best English-taught universities in France

Sorbonne University. CentraleSupélec. École Normale Supérieure de Lyon. École des Ponts Paris Tech.

The Stanford Program in Paris hosts around 100 Stanford undergraduate students every year. While students' specializations vary greatly, the academic objective of the program is to offer all students an essential tool for understanding the underpinnings of French culture, language, politics and society.

France is a major contributor to many professional and academic fields such as art, politics, philosophy, technology, fashion, science, and economics, making opportunities for a Bachelor in France plentiful.

IP Paris is the most international university in France and 34th in the world – THE. The Institut Polytechnique de Paris has made a considerable progress in the “Most International Universities in the World” 2023 ranking of the Times Higher Education (THE), moving up from 43rd to 34th ahead of MIT and Harvard.

University of Paris in France requires students to maintain a minimum GPA of 3 in order to stand a good chance to get admission into University of Paris. Students must also participate in other activities like sports, lead some projects, community services to improve chances of admission.

You must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the time of application.

Does France have GPA? ›

The GPA grading scale is becoming more and more common as well since it eases the comparison with American students. Some Grandes écoles use "exotic" systems, like Ecole Centrale de Lille, which uses a three-letter scale system: A: Excellent. S: Satisfactory (satisfaisant)

In France, the "college" school level is roughly equivalent to the United States' "middle school" level.

Is it expensive to live in France? Yes, within the EU, France is on the expensive side, especially when compared to other European countries like Italy and Spain. Its capital, Paris, ranks as the 2nd most expensive city in the world.

Low-income individuals are entitled to free or state-sponsored VHI which includes free vision and dental. Complementary insurance is provided mainly by not-for-profit, employment-based associations. Private for-profit companies offer both supplementary and complementary health insurances.

Tuition fees in France

Public universities charge both EU and non-EU students between 170 and 650 EUR/year, depending on the discipline and the level of study (Bachelor's, Master's or PhD). French private universities charge annual tuition costs between: 5,000 – 30,000 EUR/academic year for Bachelor's programmes.

The average public university in France charges €170 per year for a bachelor's degree, €243 for a master's degree, €380 for a PhD and €601 to attend an engineering school. For international undergraduate students the fees would be €2,770 Euros per year, €3,770 for postgraduate study and €380 Euros per year for a PhD.

3. Which countries give full scholarships to foreign students? Germany, Greece, Japan, China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Korea, are among the nations that offer full scholarships to international students. Make sure the scholarship is accepted at the school you want to attend.

Sorbonne University is proud to offer a range of world class master's programs taught entirely in English. Currently, no undergraduate degrees are offered in English.

Paris Sorbonne University in France requires students to maintain a minimum GPA of 3 in order to stand a good chance to get admission into Paris Sorbonne University.

The majority of courses at Sorbonne University are taught in French. A sufficient level of French is required if you're planning to integrate into full degrees or regular classes.

Is knowing French useful in USA? ›

French is the second most useful language in the world for business. Studying French makes you smarter. French is one of the top ten majors most likely to lead to less unemployment and higher earnings. Studying in a French-speaking region makes you more creative.

Tuition fees are low in public Higher education institutions because the French government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around €10,000 a year. The difference is that in France the government assumes a large share of that cost.

I would say that the French assignments are harder than the American ones. My grades here are higher than in France and I work less than during past years. The other difference is in grading. Unlike the American system and its letters, every assignment in France is on a 20-point scale.

Some perks to living in France as an American include access to stellar healthcare, proximity to other European countries, and stunning landscapes. The climate, (especially in the south), and walkability in many cities and towns are a couple more reasons why Americans have decided to make France their home.

Here's an indication of the average monthly rent in Paris based on our rental index 2022. Furnished Private Room with utilities (best for students): €789. Furnished Studio with utilities (best for singles, couples, or new graduates): €1,101. Unfurnished Apartment with utilities (best for couples or families): €1,978.

U.S. citizens planning to enter and visit France as tourists do not require a visa. Citizens are permitted to remain in the country a maximum of 90 days.

France is a country with a healthy work-life balance. The average French worker is entitled to five weeks of paid vacation per year, and they get an additional nine or eleven paid holidays. In addition, they receive paid sick leave at 100% of their wages, as well as parental leave until the child is three years old.

What is average wage in France? Average Wages in France increased to 3321 EUR/ Month (3562.158 USD/Month) in 2021. The maximum rate of average wage for employees was 3137 EUR/ Month and minimum was 1752 EUR/ Month. Data published Yearly by National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies.

They can start at about 500-600 EUR/year, but in some cases, they can lead up to 10,000 EUR/year. Generally, you can find more affordable Masters than Bachelors to study in France.

Is it expensive to live in France as a student? ›

The average living expenses in France vary according to the cities. Paris: Somewhere around €1,200 and €1,800 per month, including accommodation in a student hall of residence. Bordeaux, Lyon, Toulouse or Nantes: Around €800 – €1,000 . Nice: In the vicinity of €900 and €1,400 per month.

Cost of living in France: Student Accommodation

For international students, the average monthly cost of living in France is 400 to 1,200 EUR. (35,000 to 1.05 lakhs INR). The monthly rent in Paris starts from 400 EUR (35,000 INR) while in other cities it stands at around 200 EUR (17,500 INR).

Study in France for free (or at low cost)

Although technically university fees do exist at public universities in France, they're just a fraction of those charged in most countries, amounting to just €170 (~US$190) per year at undergraduate level for EU/EEA/Swiss students.

Tuition fees in France

Public universities charge both EU and non-EU students between 170 and 650 EUR/year, depending on the discipline and the level of study (Bachelor's, Master's or PhD). French private universities charge annual tuition costs between: 5,000 – 30,000 EUR/academic year for Bachelor's programmes.

Choosing to study abroad in France will put extra value on your resume, as France maintains the status of a European and global center of philosophy, arts, culture and science for centuries and is currently a global business and technology and tourism center.

The USA's national index is 71.05 while the French national index is 74.14. Therefore, the cost of living is 4% higher in France than it is in the USA.

A family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,879.5$ (3,614.1€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 1,091.0$ (1,016.4€) without rent. Paris is 22.1% less expensive than New York (without rent).

Reports estimate around 3,500+ institutions for higher education in France, amongst which 32 have been listed as the best universities in the QS University World Rankings 2023. These universities offer access to some of the top courses and specializations in bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.

To put it simply, the French higher education system is one of the best in the world. It is also one of the most accessible ones. With low tuition fees, studying in France is more economical for international students. French universities are near the top of renowned university rankings each year.

What is the average rent in Paris for students? ›

The average price of a one-bedroom apartment in the city center is €1,100 – 1,800 per month. This can also vary depending on which arrondissement (Parisian districts) you choose to live in – for example, the Latin Quarter and Eiffel Tower districts are pricier than most.

There are no free universities in France for international students but one can still make their education affordable in France.

The best way to study in France for free is by having a proper scholarship in your desired institution. Numerous scholarships are provided from both universities and the French government.