Grandes écoles
Specialist schools in business (HEC, INSEAD, ESSEC), engineering (Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec), and sciences.
All destinations 
Country guide
Country guide Study in France
France blends grandes écoles excellence with affordable public universities and a strong post-study residence option — a top choice for business, sciences, and the arts.
Why France
Grandes écoles, value, lifestyle
Where elite specialist schools meet large, affordable public universities.
Affordable public tuition
Most public universities charge only a few hundred euros per year for bachelor and master programs.
English-taught options
Strong English-medium offering in business, sciences, and international relations.
2-year post-study residence
APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) lets master’s graduates stay 2 years to find a job.
Universities
Top universities & schools in France
A shortlist across public universities and grandes écoles.
Université PSL
Paris Sciences et Lettres — collegiate group including ENS, Dauphine, MINES Paris.
Sorbonne University
Major Paris research university spanning humanities, sciences, and medicine.
École Polytechnique
France’s flagship engineering grande école — deep math, physics, and applied sciences.
HEC Paris
Top European business school for MBA, MiM, and specialised finance master’s.
INSEAD (Fontainebleau)
Global one-year MBA with French and Singapore campuses.
Sciences Po
Leading political science, public affairs, and international relations institution.
ESSEC Business School
Selective business school with MBA, MiM, and specialised programs.
Université Paris-Saclay
Comprehensive research university with leading mathematics and physics programs.
Grandes Écoles & world heritage
Heritage of academia. Industries of the future.
Sorbonne, HEC, INSEAD, Polytechnique — backed by 1,500+ English-taught programs and an APS post-study work visa.
€3kPublic tuition
APSStay-back
1500+English programs
EUMember state
Programs
Popular programs
Where France’s strengths align most with international demand.
Business & MBA Engineering Finance & Economics Culinary Arts Fashion & Luxury International Relations Computer Science & AI Sustainability & Energy
Costs
Tuition and cost of living
Public universities are very affordable; grandes écoles sit higher.
Public bachelor€170–€2,770Per year · non-EU rate at public universities.
Public master€243–€3,770Per year · specialist programs may charge more.
Grandes écoles tuition€5,000–€25,000Per year · MBA, MiM, and engineering schools.
Living — Paris/other cities€800–€1,500Per month · Paris highest, regional cities ~€800.
Funding & visa
Scholarships, funding & the France visa
Two parallel tracks — how to fund the degree, and how to secure your stay.
Scholarships & funding
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship for international master’s and PhD students.
- Charpak Scholarship for Indian students (Campus France).
- French Government Scholarships via embassies.
- University and grande école merit awards.
- CAF housing allowance can offset rent costs.
Student visa snapshot
- Visa name: VLS-TS étudiant (long-stay study visa equivalent to a residence permit).
- Apply through Campus France — mandatory for most countries.
- Proof of funds: ~€615/month for the duration of study.
- Validate the visa online within 3 months of arrival.
- Work allowance: up to 964 hours/year (~20 hours/week).
Timeline
Application timeline
A typical 10–14 month roadmap for a September intake.
Profile review & shortlist
12–14 months out: public vs. grande école choice, language plan.
Tests & documents
8–12 months out: IELTS/TOEFL; GRE/GMAT for grandes écoles; French B1/B2 where required.
Campus France & applications
October–February: Etudes en France procedure, parallel direct applications.
Interviews & admits
March–May: Campus France interview, offer confirmations.
VLS-TS visa
June–August: book visa appointment, biometrics, attend interview.
Arrival & OFII validation
Within 3 months: online VLS-TS validation, accommodation, CAF, social security.
Plan your France application with us
From Campus France to grande école essays, Voyage maps each step.
What you’ll get
A 30-minute counselor-led session, free of cost.
- Public vs. grande école fit
- Eiffel & Charpak signal
- APS & PR pathway