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Studying in France


France is one of the most popular study destinations in Europe. The ability to study without a language certificate by taking a language course in the country itself makes the path to university easier. Many public universities have very low or even free tuition fees, and students can work legally from the moment they arrive. For these reasons, medical fields in France have become particularly popular among applicants.

Student living costs: From 800 euros per month
Annual tuition: From around 400 euros per year for public universities
Student work opportunities: 20 hours per week
Post-study residency opportunity: 12 months


France’s policy to increase international students
Under the “Bienvenue en France” strategy, the French government aims to increase the number of international students to 500,000 by 2027. This plan includes facilitating visa processes, offering scholarships, and developing educational programs in French and English.

 

Why France? Advantages and Challenges

Studying in France is a valuable opportunity to experience a high-quality education, rich culture, and a multilingual environment. However, living and studying in this country can present challenges in terms of finances, language, and cultural adjustment. Overall, France is an attractive destination for international students who are prepared to face these opportunities and difficulties.

Challenges

The need for relative proficiency in French for study and daily life
Traditional and strict teaching and assessment methods
Formal communication between professor and student
High cost of living in cities like Paris
Difficult cultural integration into the local community

Benefits

Cheap education
High quality of education
Getting university admission is easy and convenient.
The existence of job search opportunities in France
Possibility of using subsistence allowance
Low-cost transportation and accommodation

French education system

Bachelor's degree

Tuition: Up to €2,770 per year for public universities
Age limit: 17 to 22 years old
Language: French language course, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 70
Minimum GPA: 14
Test: Possibility of university entrance exam
Student work permit: 25 hours per week with university permission
Companion visa:yes
Post-study work permit:1 year

Master's degree

Tuition: up to 3,770 euros per year for public universities
Age limit:None, usually up to 35 years old
Language: French language course, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80
Minimum GPA: 14
Test: Possibility of university entrance exam
Student work permit: Allowed to work 964 hours per year
Companion visa: yes
Post-study work permit:1year

School

Tuition: $10,000 to $90,000 per year
Age limit: 6 to 18 years
French, English
Minimum GPA: 12
Test:: ISEE and SSAT
Student work permit: No
Companion visa: No
Post-study work permit:Post-study work permit:

Doctorate

Tuition Annual tuition fee: of approximately 397 euros.
Age limit: None
Language: PhD mainly in French , IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90
Minimum GPA :15
Test::GRE
Student work permit: Allowed to work 964 hours per year
Companion visa: Yes
Post-study work permit: Up to 1year

 Application Period: April to June (Ordibehesht to Tir) for the fall semester and November to January (Azar to Bahman) for the winter semester

Studying in French schools
The French education system consists of three main stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. Education begins at the age of three and continues until around the age of eighteen. After completing primary and secondary education, students are granted university entrance by taking the Baccalauréat exam. Education in French universities and schools is largely state-run and free, emphasizing equality of opportunity and universal access to education.

For the children of immigrants, there is the possibility of studying in Iranian, French or international schools. The Iranian Saadi School, which operated at the Iranian embassy in Paris, is now closed, and Iranians now mostly use international schools in France . With a variety of educational methods and different tuition fees, these schools are a good option for families who want their children to study in a multicultural environment and with English or bilingual instruction.

Bachelor's degree in France

The French education system consists of three main stages: primary, secondary and tertiary. Education begins at the age of three and continues until around the age of eighteen. After completing primary and secondary education, students are granted university entrance by taking the Baccalauréat exam. Education in French universities and schools is largely state-run and free, emphasizing equality of opportunity and universal access to education.

For the children of immigrants, there is the possibility of studying in Iranian, French or international schools. The Iranian Saadi School, which operated at the Iranian embassy in Paris, is now closed, and Iranians now mostly use international schools in France . With a variety of educational methods and different tuition fees, these schools are a good option for families who want their children to study in a multicultural environment and with English or bilingual instruction.

The average cost of studying at public universities in France for international students is around €2,770 per year, and the duration of a bachelor's degree usually lasts three years. International students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week as a student, which is considered an allowance for living expenses and work experience.


Master's degree study in France
Studying an undergraduate degree in France is very affordable, especially for international students. Public universities in the country have very low tuition fees and some courses are even almost free. To enter a bachelor's degree in French, a B2 level language certificate is required; however, if you do not have this certificate, students can first attend public or private language colleges to improve their language level.

Tuition fees at most public universities in France range from €170 to €2,770 per year, while some elite universities, such as the Ecole Polytechnique or English-language courses, charge higher fees. For example, the Sorbonne, Paris, and PSL are among the cheapest and most prestigious educational institutions in the country.

Bachelor's degrees in France typically last three years, and students are allowed to work up to 20 hours a week while studying. This, combined with low tuition fees and high quality education, has made France one of the most popular study destinations in Europe for international students.

PhD study in France
With over 358,000 international students and a share of 12% of the world's student population, France is the fourth most popular country to study in after the US, UK and Australia. A PhD in France usually takes three years to complete and costs around €380-396 per year. Universities such as the Sorbonne, PSL, Montpellier and École Normale Supérieure Lyon are among the most important centres offering these courses.

PhD students in France are often formally employed through a doctoral contract (Contrat Doctoral), which is both a scholarship and a job. This contract is usually for three years, and can be extended for another year if necessary. Depending on the field and university, the salary varies between 1,200 and 2,500 euros per month, which allows the student to cover most of their living expenses.

Cost of studying in France

The cost of living in France varies depending on the city of residence, the university and the lifestyle. On average, the cost of living for a student without rent is estimated at around 850 euros per month. In large cities such as Paris, this figure reaches 1200 to 1800 euros per month, while in cities such as Lyon, Marseille or Nice, the costs are lower. Monthly expenses for food are around 250 to 300 euros, transport 30 to 75 euros and health insurance 20 to 50 euros.

Tuition fees also vary depending on the level and type of university. Tuition fees at public universities range from around €170 for a bachelor’s degree to €380 for a doctorate, while private universities and English-language courses can cost between €9,000 and €35,000 per year. Overall, by managing your expenses and taking advantage of student benefits, living and studying in France is affordable and accessible for international students.

Scholarships in France

In addition to low tuition fees, France offers a wide range of scholarships and grants for international students at various levels. These scholarships are funded by the government, universities, and cultural and research institutions and include monthly stipends, tuition coverage, and even support for living expenses.

The most important ones include the Eiffel Scholarship (for Masters and PhD), the Paris Saclay University Scholarship (up to €10,000 per year), the Sciences Po Émile Boutmy Scholarship (€3,000 to €12,000), and the Ecole Normale Supérieure Scholarship with three-year support. Specialized scholarships are also available, such as CIMI and LabEx CIMI for mathematics and computer science, and the Chateaubriand and IRCAM scholarships for humanities and arts.

French government scholarships
This group of scholarships is offered by the French government or bodies affiliated with ministries and is usually the most prestigious and competitive option:

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship:
For outstanding international students at master's and doctoral levels. Provides a living allowance of approximately €1,181 per month for master's and €1,700 for doctoral studies, and sometimes includes airfare, insurance, and incidental expenses. Does not cover university tuition fees, as studying in France is generally inexpensive.
Scholarships from the French Ministry of Higher Education and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:
These scholarships are usually awarded through embassies or through bilateral cooperation between the French government and other countries and cover living expenses, insurance, and sometimes tuition fees. Suitable for master's and doctoral students.
University scholarships

French universities and higher education institutions, especially the elite universities and “Grandes Écoles”, have their own specific support programs:

Emile Boutmy Scholarship – Sciences Po: This scholarship is for non-European students studying at Sciences Po University and offers a grant of
between 3,000 and 12,300 euros per year for undergraduate studies and around 10,000 euros for master's studies.
Université Paris-Saclay International Master's Scholarship:
For international students pursuing a master's degree. The scholarship is worth approximately €10,000 per year + a travel allowance of up to €1,000.
Grenoble INP Foundation Scholarship: Special for engineering and management
majors at the master's level, pays up to 5,000 euros per semester and is awarded based on academic merit.
Ecole Normale Supérieure (ENS) Scholarship:
This is one of the most prestigious scholarships and admission is highly competitive. Selected students receive a stipend for 3 years (around 1,000 euros per month) and, in addition to their studies, participate in research projects.
Research and artistic scholarships
These types of scholarships are designed for researchers, artists, or doctoral and postdoctoral students:

IRCAM (Institut de Recherche et Coordination Acoustique/Musique) Fellowship:
for international artists in disciplines related to music, digital arts and sound. Offers a monthly stipend of €1,200 for accommodation.
Camargo Foundation Fellowship:
For researchers, writers, and artists in the arts, humanities, and technology. This grant includes accommodation in France and up to $1,000 per month .
Chateaubriand Fellowships:
Offered in two categories:
Humanities and Social Sciences: For doctoral students, with a monthly allowance of 1,500 euros .
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM): with a monthly allowance of 1,400 euros .
These scholarships are designed for joint research projects between France and other countries.
CIMI and LabEx CIMI (Toulouse) scholarships:
for doctoral and postdoctoral studies in mathematics and computer science .
Doctorate: Full coverage of three years of tuition fees.
Postdoctoral: Salary of 2,330 euros per month for one year.

Top universities in France

France has 14 universities ranked below 500 in the QS World University Rankings 2025. There are over 80 public universities in France that receive government funding and do not charge students much tuition. The language of instruction at public universities is French and they include technical and engineering, medicine, basic sciences, and humanities.

 Application Period:
Studying at universities approved by the Iranian Ministry of Science in France and universities approved by the Iranian Ministry of Health in France gives the individual the assurance that after completing their studies, they can return to the country and have their degree recognized without any problems .

you should note that the application process for admission is different for each university. For example, some universities may ask you to take the GRE , GMAT , or LSAT (these are internationally used tests that prepare applicants for the challenges of studying).

France is also known for its business schools. Although these schools do not rank highly in world rankings, they have high international reputations. Notable examples of these educational institutions include ESCP Europe, ESSEC Business School, HEC Paris, and INSEAD .

If you plan to study or work in France, taking French language courses and learning the language can open the doors to success for you! In recent years, applicants have increasingly embraced the student exchange program to France .

Steps for studying in Finland

1
Free initial consultation
Via call, online chat on the site or social networks
2
Method selection
Dedicated consultation and detailed review of methods by an immigration expert.
3
Contract conclusion
Increase your immigration chances by considering multiple countries in one file.
4
Start the process
Assigning a case follow-up force alongside the research and development team to accompany you.
5
Reviewing options and choosing
Providing you with all possible opportunities and guidance for making the final decision.
6
Collecting and completing documents
Guidance for collecting documents, translating, participating in interviews, and more.

Requirements and documents required to study in France


The general qualifications required to study in France may vary slightly depending on the level and type of university, but usually include the following:

  • Previous educational qualification : Official copy of high school diploma (for undergraduate) or bachelor’s degree (for master’s) along with an official translation into English, Finnish or Swedish.
  • official and stamped translation of transcripts in French or English
  • Language certificate: French (TCF, DELF, DALF) for French-language courses, English ( TOEFL or IELTS ) for English-language courses
  • Resume (CV)
  • Motivation Letter / Statement of Purpose
    Research Proposal:
  • For doctoral degrees or research projects
  • Identity documents
  • Recommendation Letter
  • Financial and scholarship documents (if needed)
  • Personal photo and completed university forms according to the requirements of each university

The requirements for studying in France are that to study in France, you must first obtain a study visa and, if necessary, provide French or English language certificates.

French language proficiency requirement
Many courses are offered in French and proficiency in the language is essential for entry. Some universities have special French language courses for international students. Some universities, especially at the master's and doctoral levels, also offer courses in English. These courses are designed specifically for international students.

To be accepted into technical and engineering fields, a minimum B1 language score must be provided, and humanities and social sciences fields must provide a minimum B2 French language score.

Entrance exam requirement

In general, entrance exams to French universities are not held for non-medical majors; however, to be sure, it is best to check the requirements of the destination university specifically.

Of course, students who intend to be admitted to a master's degree program are required to take the TCF exam , which is held by the French Embassy in Tehran. In addition, one of the important criteria for admission to French universities is the GRE score .

Applicants for medical-related fields, such as medicine, must take entrance exams. In fact, after submitting documents and receiving admission from French universities, students must spend the first year of study doing pre-medical and health studies. After that, they must take an entrance exam and if they get a passing score, they can officially begin their medical education.

Prerequisite: Having a certificate from previous courses
To enter French universities, you will normally need a high school diploma (Baccalauréat) or its equivalent from your home country. Some universities may require an entrance exam or interview for international students from foreign universities. A bachelor's degree or its equivalent is required for admission to these programs. In addition, you may be required to provide letters of recommendation, French or English language certificates (such as TOEFL or IELTS), and proof of financial means to prove your ability to pay.

Age requirement
There is no official age requirement for studying in France. University admissions are determined more based on academic records, grades, and language skills than on the age of the applicant.

Cities suitable for studying in France


In 2025, the French magazine L’Étudiant, in collaboration with Campus France, published the latest ranking of the “Best Student Cities” in France. The ranking was based on 12 main criteria in five key areas:

  • Educational diversity: : including universities and specialized schools.
  • Quality of life : : urban and welfare facilities
  • Student experience :social and cultural activities.
  • Job opportunities and economic dynamism: : The possibility of employment and economic growth.
  • Public appeal : : Ability to attract international students and growth in the student population over the past decade.
  • The ranking assessed 47 French cities with more than 8,000 students. Toulouse , Besançon and Montpellier came in first to third place, respectively.Toulouse, with 120,000 students, returned to the top of the table due to improvements in all criteria.Besançon, with 23,000 students, took second place thanks to improvements in the areas of health and transport.Montpellier, with 80,000 students, remained in joint second place, despite falling one place compared to last year.In a separate ranking based on a survey of 15,000 students, Angers , Strasbourg and Toulouse came in first to third place, respectively. The ranking was based on more personal criteria such as the cost of living, quality of housing and the general atmosphere of the city.

     

Student dormitories and residences in France

Banking and financial services for French students, medical facilities for French students, housing allowance in France (CAF organization) , and French student dormitories are among the French student facilities. There are various types of dormitories in France offering a variety of services.

  • Student accommodation : costs an average of €200 per month ( Paris €400 per month). Around 13% of international students live in student residences. This is one of the most popular accommodation options among students. However, demand far exceeds supply.
  • Renting/sharing an apartment : It costs between 400 and 700 euros per month (800 euros per month in Paris), although in smaller cities in France you can rent a small apartment for around 300 euros per month.
  • If you live with your partner or child , the rental price will be from 700 to 1000 euros per month, and if you choose an apartment in the city center, you will need to pay more. Building costs (electricity, water, internet) are around 200 euros per month.
  • Host family: To live with French families in Paris (for example, retirees who want to live next to students), you should pay around 200 to 800 euros per month .

Student work in France

It is possible for students to work while studying in France , and students can work 20 hours a week and earn about 868 euros per month. Sufficient proficiency in French is very effective in finding work in this country, and it is recommended that students make learning this language a priority.

Conditions for residence in France through study

After graduation, if you find a job, you can get French residency. Two months before graduation, you must apply for residency in France. The most important condition for obtaining French residency after graduation is finding a job. The residency card is renewable for 10 years and factors such as financial capacity, type of work, etc. are effective in obtaining this card. It should be noted that if a person is outside France for 2 years after obtaining this card, he loses his residency.

Successful experiences studying in France

BIA2EU Immigration Agency, over the years of its activity in the field of immigration, is today proud to represent the Stralong Institute of France . Over the years of its activity, BIA2EU Institute has many successful cases in the field of study visas in France and in addition to obtaining admission, visa and carrying out your immigration work, it welcomes you in France and carries out your residency work.

Comparing France with other countries

if you are looking for a way to study cheaply and even for free, France is the best destination! If not having a language certificate is an obstacle to your immigration, don’t worry, because studying in France without a language certificate is possible. You can apply for French language courses without a language certificate and after learning the language in the environment, apply to continue your studies at various university levels. In English-speaking countries, having a TOEFL or IELTS certificate is usually a requirement for entry, and language courses are limited and expensive.
Studying in French in this country is free, and in addition to being free, the French government offers a housing allowance (CAF) to all students at any level (even while studying language courses). Add to all these advantages the existence of French study scholarships
. Many other countries have scholarships, but they are more limited and are usually for outstanding students or postgraduate students. You can also apply for a companion visa for your spouse and children under 18 by studying in France. In many other countries, this possibility is limited or complicated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it possible to study for free in France?
Yes, the cost of studying in France in French and at French public universities is low and almost free.

is it possible to obtain a companion visa for the spouse and children of the person applying to study in France?

Yes, you can apply for a companion visa for your spouse and children under 18 years of age while studying in France.

Is it possible to take a French language course in France?
Yes, one of the best ways to study in France is to take French language courses.

How can I apply for a French government scholarship?
Scholarship applications accepted by the French government are registered in the "Cultural Services" section of the French embassy in the country of residence, and these scholarships are generally awarded to master's or doctoral students.

How much does it cost to study in France?
The cost of studying in France is not high, as the government covers a significant portion of students' registration and living expenses. For example, most universities charge international students €2,770 per year for a bachelor's degree and €3,770 for a master's degree.

How much does it cost to live in France?
To live in France, a monthly budget of 600 to 800 euros is needed to cover food, transportation, and housing costs. This amount varies depending on where or how the student lives.

Is a student allowed to work while studying?
Every international student can work 20 hours a week once they are enrolled in a university that is entitled to the "Student Social Security Scheme".

How long does it take to study for a PhD?
Studying at this level takes three to six years.

What is the start and end date of the school year in France?
The school year begins in September and ends in late August. Educational institutions are generally closed in July and August.