5 Things You Need to Know About Studying in France as an International Student

Considering a Masters or PhD in France?

There’s a lot to keep track of when it comes to embarking on a postgraduate degree abroad. To make things easier, we’ve picked out the top five things every prospective student should know about studying in France!

#1 You’ll (probably) study at a university – but there are a few other types of institution to choose from!

France has a complex higher education system, with several types of institutions offering postgraduate degrees. Most international students (around 75%) study at a university. These are state-funded institutions conducting research across all disciplines, that confer internationally recognised degrees.

Less common (and more competitive) are Grandes Écoles, a network of elite schools specialising in a single discipline. Common specialisations include Engineering, Business and Management and Public Policy. Grandes Écoles occasionally award Masters degrees, and very rarely PhDs. They tend to charge higher fees and have a rigorous selection process.

Other specialised institutions include Schools of Art and Applied Arts and National Schools of Architecture, both of which are overseen by the French government.

#5 The application process will depend on your nationality

The application process for French universities can be slightly confusing, especially since it will vary depending on your nationality!

If you’re an EU or EEA student, you’ll apply for a Masters or PhD in the same way as French students. This is usually directly to your chosen university.

If you’re from one of 67 countries that are part of the Études en France initiative, you’ll apply through the Campus France online platform.

If you’re an international student from any other country, you should check with your university to find out what process applies to you.