France has become one of the popular destinations for Indian students who want to study abroad in recent years. France is a country renowned for its exceptional education, culture, business, and government provisions for international students, which means that it has an international infrastructure that offers high-quality living and high academic standards. The number of Indian students studying in France is expected to exceed 10,000 in 2024, and is projected to grow significantly in 2025 and beyond.
What is the actual impetus behind this trend? What is so special about France that it is becoming the most preferred destination over the more conventional destinations such as the US, the UK or Australia? This blog goes to the bottom of why Indians are now flooding to France to realise their dreams of higher education.
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1. World-Class Universities and Academic Excellence
France has one of the best institutions of higher studies in the World. It harbours more than 3,500 private and government universities, business schools, and engineering schools. Famous higher education institutions such as Université PSL, École Polytechnique, HEC Paris, INSEAD, and Sorbonne University are always top of the world university ranking.
The French school system stresses academic rigour as well as innovativeness. French institutions are successful in engineering, management, hospitality, arts, fashion design, data science, and international relations, just to mention a few. French universities’ grants are globally acknowledged and recognised by employers and other learning institutions all over the world.
Key Features:
- Multilingual programs (French and English)
- Research-driven curriculum
- High-quality faculty and state-of-the-art labs
- Internship-integrated courses
2. Affordable Tuition Fees Compared to Other Countries
Among the largest benefits of studying in France is that the education is cheap, especially in public institutions. The French government subsidizes high tuition fees charged at public institutions, even to international students. This makes France an economical country of study as compared to the United States, the UK, or Canada for Indian students.
Average Tuition Fees (Public Universities):
- Bachelor’s: €2,770/year
- Master’s: €3,770/year
- PhD: €380/year
In contrast, private institutions (especially business schools) may have higher fees, ranging from €10,000 to €30,000 per year. However, the ROI (return on investment) remains strong due to the reputation and global network of these institutions.
3. Wide Range of English-Taught Programs
One of the greatest misunderstandings by Indian students is that it is a necessity that one speaks French in France to study. Although learning French will indeed enrich the experience, France hosts more than 1,600 English-speaking programs, particularly at the postgraduate level. These programs are made to serve international students and they advance in various courses including business administration, computer science, fashion, artificial intelligence, hospitality, biotechnology, among others.
Popular English-Taught Programs:
- MSc in Data Science
- MBA in International Business
- Master’s in Engineering
- Bachelor’s in Fashion & Luxury Management
- MSc in Artificial Intelligence
4. Scholarship Opportunities for Indian Students
The French government, institutions, and other organizations offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options for Indian students. These scholarships can cover tuition, living expenses, and even travel costs in some cases.
Notable Scholarships:
- Charpak Scholarship – Offered by the French Embassy in India for bachelor’s and master’s programs
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship – Offered by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
- Emile Boutmy Scholarship – Offered by Sciences Po for international students
- Erasmus+ Scholarships – For students studying in joint programs across European universities
These scholarships significantly reduce the financial burden and make studying in France a more accessible dream for Indian students.
5. Strong Career Opportunities and Post-Study Work Visas
France has the 7th largest economy in the world and hosts some of the largest MNCs such as Airbus, Dassault Systèmes, L’Oral, Renault, BNP Paribas, and Total Energies. The country has a wide range of sectors, such as technology, AI, fashion, tourism, and engineering industries, to unleash vast opportunities for international graduates.
In addition to this, France permits foreign students to remain in the country as well as the ability to work up to a period of two years upon graduation (in cases of the master’s degree holders). This work visa after study will enable the students to attain great experience as a foreign worker and even become permanent employees or residents.
6. France’s Global Role in Art, Fashion, and Innovation
France unquestionably is the capital of fashion, art and luxury goods. An Academy such as ESMOD, IFM, and Institut Francais de la mode draws people to become designers everywhere in the world and those who are creative.
Meanwhile, France is not a single-dimensional country in terms of technology and innovation as investment in the field of AI, robotics, renewable energy, and fintech is also increasing. The city of Paris is, specifically, fast becoming a European Silicon Valley, which is why it is the breeding ground of tech graduates and entrepreneurs.
The combination of tradition and innovation in this curricular fusion is also of interest to Indian students of all academic backgrounds: whether engineering, design, business, or liberal arts.
7. France’s Student-Friendly Visa and Immigration Policies
France has been proactive in attracting Indian students through various bilateral initiatives. Under the India-France Knowledge Summit and agreements like the Bienvenue en France program, France is aiming to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030.
Some key visa benefits include:
- Simplified visa processing for students
- Two-year post-study work permit for master’s graduates
- Renewable residence permit options for jobseekers
- Dependent visa options for spouses and children (for certain visa types)
Such policies demonstrate that France is not just inviting students for education, but is also invested in their long-term future.
8. Rich Culture, Lifestyle, and Travel Opportunities
Studying in France is more than just academics—it’s about experiencing life in one of the most culturally vibrant countries in the world. Indian students are drawn to France’s:
- World-class museums (Louvre, Musée d’Orsay)
- Historic architecture (cathedrals, castles, châteaux)
- Culinary delights (croissants, cheese, wine)
- Fashion-forward cities (Paris, Lyon, Nice)
France is also centrally located in Europe, making it easy for students to travel to nearby countries like Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Spain on a student budget. The lifestyle is a perfect mix of leisure, art, travel, and personal growth.
9. Strong Indian Student Community and Support Networks
A rising number of Indian immigrants (diaspora) and students in France guarantees that new students are not left alone. Indian students’ associations in larger universities evolve to give support in academics, accommodation, festivals, and networking.
Furthermore, the France Alumni Network also brings together thousands of foreign graduates, who want to use it to drive their careers, social and academic life. The French Embassy in India, Campus France, and local Indian bodies also have initiatives that assist Indian students to make a smooth transition to life in France.
10. Opportunities to Learn a Global Language: French
Although a lot of the courses are presented in English, the Indian students get an opportunity to study French, which is the fifth most spoken language in the world. With knowledge of French, you have greater opportunities in your career, not only in France, but in some 29 Francophone nations and in multinational organizations that have operations throughout Europe, Canada, and Africa.
It is through the provision of subsidized or free French language classes to the international students in most universities that makes the international students globally competitive professionals.
Final Thoughts
France is more than just a tourist destination, but rather a country full of innovations, prospects, and culture at a discount price. Through English-taught courses, numerous scholarships, work opportunities after studies, and a friendly academic setup, France provides Indian students a rich education experience with a lifelong career benefit.
Regardless of whether you want to become a software engineer, a fashion designer, a data scientist, or an entrepreneur, France is a place where your global aspirations can be fulfilled with the right platform, prestige, and promise.
Ready to Begin Your Journey to France?
At Cliftons Study Abroad, we’re here to help Indian students like you explore, apply, and succeed in your dream program in France. From free counselling and admission assistance to visa support and post-landing help, we’ve got you covered.
