Studying in France is no longer a niche dream; it’s a realistic option for many Indian families. The country offers world‑class education, a vibrant cultural scene, and a growing English‑taught portfolio. But the decision hinges on visa rules, tuition structures, scholarship availability, and timing. We’ll cut through the hype and give you the facts you need to decide.
Written by: Pinakin Content Advisory Team · Supervised by: Preetesh Shirwaiker, Lead Counsellor
What “Study in France” Actually Means for You
If you plan to study in France, your first administrative step runs through Campus France: India is one of the countries covered by the “Etudes en France” procedure, and Indian students submit their enrolment request — and later the visa application — through its online platform. 6 You must also be over 18 years of age to apply for a student visa. 2 For courses longer than three months, France issues a long‑stay visa linked to a residence permit; the exact document depends on the length of your stay, as explained in the Visa section below. 2
Where to Find French Programs Taught in English
France is no longer just a French‑language destination. The “Taught in English” portal lists 1 257 programs taught entirely in English, while the broader Campus France catalogue shows more than 1 600 programs taught entirely or partly in English. 45 These span business, engineering, arts, and even specialized fields like aerospace project management offered by ENAC‑Toulouse. 4
Beyond traditional degrees, Campus France also curates art and architecture programs (CampusArt), doctoral schools (Research portal), short summer schools (over 150 sport and cultural activities), and over 600 online master‑level courses. 5
Admission Pathways and Eligibility Rules
For first-year bachelor’s programs, students holding a French or European Baccalauréat or Indian A‑levels apply via the Parcoursup portal; other candidates submit a Demande d’Admission Préalable (DAP). 6 If you aim for the second or third year of a Bachelor, or any master’s program, you continue with the “Etudes en France” workflow right up to the visa stage. 6 Doctoral admissions generally run outside this procedure: contact the doctoral school directly, and note that the applicable visa route — which may be the talent passport route — depends on your individual situation.
For the 2026/27 cycle, concrete dates are already published: Parcoursup opened on 17 December 2025 with the main admission phase ending 11 July 2026, while DAP registrations ran from 1 October 2025 to 15 December 2025, with university responses due before 30 April 2026 and student responses before 31 May 2026. 6
Tuition, Fees and Financial Proof Requirements
French public-university tuition for non‑EU students is set by degree level for 2026/27: €2 902 per year for a Bachelor’s, €3 950 for a Master’s, and €398 for a Doctorate. Certain engineering schools overseen by specific ministries charge different rates from the standard fees at public institutions, so always confirm the figure for your exact program. 7 Students on a French government scholarship or covered by a reciprocal full‑waiver agreement may be exempt from these fees. 7
Separately, from 1 August 2026 Indian applicants must show minimum financial resources of €877.50 per month — roughly ₹81,000 per month at recent exchange rates (verify the current rate when you apply). 3 Applicants must provide evidence of sufficient resources meeting this threshold; an insufficient file may lead to refusal, so prepare this evidence early and carefully.
Application Timelines and Intake Dates
The Bachelor and Master program catalogs are refreshed twice a year, in April and October — but a catalogue refresh is not an application deadline. 5 Work backwards from the real procedure dates instead: for 2026/27, DAP files closed in mid‑December 2025 and Parcoursup’s main phase ran into July 2026, which means serious preparation starts the previous autumn. 6
Scholarships and Funding Options
Start with the broad public schemes. French public institutions and the Erasmus+ program offer many awards for foreign students, and Erasmus+ mobility bursaries specifically cover travel and accommodation costs. 8 The French Foreign Ministry funds many scholarships — a quarter of them directly through the France Excellence Eiffel or Major programs — while the Ministry of Higher Education and Research awards need‑based scholarships to select international candidates. 8
For Indian applicants specifically, the landscape is strong: the French Embassy and partners award scholarships each year to more than 500 meritorious Indian students, the France Excellence Charpak program offers four funding types for Bachelor’s and Master’s study, and the Eiffel Scholarship pays a monthly stipend of €1,181 for Master’s and €1,700 for PhD awardees. 9 At research level, the MOPGA fellowship is strictly postdoctoral while the Raman‑Charpak fellowship funds joint Indo‑French PhD research stays — different levels, different applications. 9 Most of these opportunities are searchable on the Campus Bourses portal. 10
Scholarships are competitive, and eligibility varies by degree level. Check the deadline and what each award actually covers before including it in your budget.
Visa Process and Post‑Study Stay
The first step is the Etudes en France online form and payment of the application fee; only after this can you schedule a visa appointment. 1 Indian applicants generally pay the €50 visa fee applicable in EEF countries (other nationalities pay €99) — confirm the current fee before you apply. 2
For studies longer than three months, you need a long‑stay student visa (VLS‑TS), which serves as a residence permit valid for one year without a separate card. 11 Two timing rules matter: for mobility of up to 12 months, validate the VLS‑TS within three months of arrival; for stays exceeding 12 months, request the residence permit within two months of arrival. 2 You will need your establishment’s admission or enrolment attestation plus the financial evidence described above.
If your course is under three months, a short‑stay student visa is the correct route — it is simply not designed for a normal degree that lasts a full year, so do not plan a full academic year on one. 211 Medical students are issued a long‑stay visa equivalent to a residence permit for their studies. 2
After graduation, the route for eligible non‑European graduates is the “recherche d’emploi / création d’entreprise” residence permit (or VLS‑TS): it lets you stay for one year to find qualifying work or start a company, and it is not renewable. 13 It is open only to eligible graduates — you need a French professional licence, Specialized Master, MSc (Conférence des Grandes Écoles) or equivalent master’s‑level degree obtained within the last 12 months, and the job or company must relate to your studies. 13 Not every graduate qualifies, so verify your eligibility before counting on this route.
Before booking your appointment, recheck the current document checklist on France‑Visas — requirements and fees change, and the consulate decides on the file you submit.
Key France Figures at a Glance
| Item | Figure for Indian applicants | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Public tuition, Bachelor (non‑EU, 2026/27) | €2 902/yr | Campus France fee schedule |
| Public tuition, Master (non‑EU, 2026/27) | €3 950/yr | Campus France fee schedule |
| Public tuition, Doctorate (non‑EU, 2026/27) | €398/yr | Campus France fee schedule |
| Financial proof from 1 Aug 2026 | €877.50/mo (≈₹81 k) | Campus France India |
| Student work allowance | 964 hrs/yr | France‑Visas |
| Post‑study route | 1‑yr “recherche d’emploi / création d’entreprise”, non‑renewable; eligibility required | Service‑Public.fr |
| Student visa fee (EEF countries) | €50 | France‑Visas |
Common Pitfalls Indian Applicants Should Avoid
- Skipping the Campus France portal – without a completed “Etudes en France” form you cannot book a visa appointment. 1
- Underestimating the financial proof – the €877.50/month minimum applies from August 2026, and your file must evidence sufficient resources; assemble that evidence early. 3
- Confusing catalogue refreshes with deadlines – April/October catalogue updates are not application deadlines; the binding dates are procedure dates like the DAP and Parcoursup calendars. 56
- Planning a full degree on a short‑stay visa – short‑stay visas cover stays under three months and are not the route for a degree that lasts a full year. 211
- Assuming scholarships are guaranteed – most awards are competitive and tied to a specific degree level, so treat them as supplemental funding and check each scheme’s terms. 9
Our Recommendation
What this means for your planning:
- Budget by degree level, not by headline. A non‑EU Bachelor at €2 902/yr costs very differently from a Master’s at €3 950/yr — confirm your program’s exact fee, then add living costs above the €877.50/month visa minimum. 37
- Start the “Etudes en France” file the previous autumn. DAP and Parcoursup calendars close months before intake; complete the online form, assemble financial evidence, and book the visa interview early. 16
- Match scholarships to your level. Charpak and Eiffel fit Bachelor’s/Master’s plans, Raman‑Charpak fits PhD mobility, MOPGA fits postdoctoral researchers — apply to the right ones on Campus Bourses rather than everywhere at once. 910
Take the Next Step with Pinakin Education
Book your session now: visit https://pinakin.education/contact-us/ or email connect@pinakin.education with “France Consultation” in the subject line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to know French to study in France?
Not for the >1 600 English-taught programs listed on Campus France. That said, everyday French helps enormously with housing, administration, and part‑time job hunting — though the legal right to work comes from your visa status and its 964‑hour annual allowance, not from language skills.
How much money should I set aside for living expenses?
The visa file must evidence at least €877.50 per month from August 2026 (≈₹81 k at recent rates) — treat that threshold as the floor for your own budget, since real spending varies sharply by city.
Can I work while studying?
Yes. Student status allows up to 964 hours of work per year — roughly 60% of full‑time work. Spread your hours across term and holidays rather than assuming a fixed weekly entitlement.
What if my visa is rejected?
Read the refusal notice carefully — the most common causes are insufficient financial evidence or missing documents. Correct the specific shortcoming and reapply with a complete file; consider a Pinakin document review before the second attempt.
How does the post‑study stay work?
Eligible graduates can seek the “recherche d’emploi / création d’entreprise” permit — valid for one year and non‑renewable — but only with a qualifying French master’s degree (or equivalent) from the last 12 months and a job or project linked to their studies, so check your eligibility early rather than assuming it.
Sources
- Application Overview | Campus France USA
- Student – France-Visas
- Campus France India
- Taught in English | Campus France
- Finding the programme for you | Campus France
- “Studying in France” procedure | Campus France
- Low cost of studies in France | Campus France
- Bursaries for foreign students | Campus France
- Scholarships for Indian Students | Campus France India
- Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships | Campus France USA
- The different types of student visas | Campus France
- Student Visa Guide | Campus France USA
- Carte de séjour / VLS-TS – Recherche d’emploi/création d’entreprise | Service-Public.fr
Every French study plan is unique. A focused 30‑minute Pinakin consultation will map your profile to suitable programs, verify your financial file against the current threshold, and build your scholarship and visa timeline. Start here: https://pinakin.education/contact-us/ — or call +91 9372531177 / +91 9769370963.