France is an incredible study abroad destination as it is home to over 3,500 academic institutions offering quality education. Moreover, Indian students can choose to pursue English-taught master’s degree programs in France. So if you want to know about the top universities in France and other exciting information, this guide can help you.

Key Highlights

• Best universities in France
• Université PSL
• Institut Polytechnique de Paris
• Université Paris-Saclay
• École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
• Université Grenoble Alps

• Types of universities
• Public universities in France
• Private universities in France

• Best MBA colleges in France
• Colleges in Paris
• Eligibility criteria to study in colleges in France

Best universities in France
Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres University): Université PSL is one of the most popular academic institutions committed to excellence in education, training, and research. It offers 18 graduate programs in streams such as Engineering, Mathematics and Applications, Computer Science, etc. It has over 17,000 students, out of which 20% are international students.

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Rankings 2023	1
Times Higher Education (THE) Rankings 2023	1

 

Institut Polytechnique de Paris: Institut Polytechnique de Paris is famous for combining learning and research through its 14 streams, such as Economics, Nuclear Energy, Sociology, etc. The academic institute houses 8,200+ students and offers job-oriented master’s degree programs.

QS Rankings 2023	2
THE Rankings 2023	4

 

Université Paris-Saclay: It is one of the leading universities in Europe that offers master’s, PhD, and other courses in streams like Life Sciences & Health, Science, Engineering, Social Sciences and Humanities. Out of the total student population of ~48,000,~12,000 are enrolled in master’s courses.

QS Rankings 2023	4
THE Rankings 2023	3

 

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon: Founded in 1880, it is an elite French university that supports quality research through its series of master’s, PhD, and double degree programs. The university houses ~2,400 students and ~550 teachers & researchers.

QS Rankings 2023	5
THE Rankings 2023	9

 

Université Grenoble Alps: Established in 1339, Université Grenoble Alps is one of the oldest universities in France. Out of the total population of ~59,500 students, 10,000+ international students are studying a variety of master’s, doctoral, and other study programs.

QS Rankings 2023	10
THE Rankings 2023	13

 

Types of universities
Public universities in France: Public universities are state-funded universities operating on a non-profit basis. Factors like an impeccable education system and affordable fee structure make French public universities popular among foreign students. On average, the annual tuition fee for Indian students ranges from €1,000 to €3,500 (∼INR 90,000 to ~INR 3,15,000).
Popular public universities for studying abroad in France

• Université PSL
• École Polytechnique
• Sciences Po
• Sorbonne University
• Ecole des Ponts ParisTech

Private universities in France: Private universities are individually managed and financed by donors, alumni, and private organisations. On average, the annual tuition fee of private universities ranges from €5,000 to €15,000 (∼INR 4,50,000 to ~INR 13,00,000). Besides tuition fees, the overall cost of studying in France also includes accommodation, travelling and other related costs, which can be around €6,000 to € 18,000 (∼INR 5,00,000 to ~INR 16,00,000) annually.
Some reputed private universities

• KEDGE Business School
• ESSEC Business School
• Emlyon Business School
• Catholic University of Paris
• American University of Paris

Best MBA colleges in France

MBA is one of the most sought-after courses in France as it houses many top B-schools in the world. Students can unlock innumerable job opportunities after studying MBA from the following B-schools:

• INSEAD Paris
• HEC Paris
• EDHEC Business School, Lille
• ESCP Business School, Lyon
• Toulouse Business School, Toulouse

 

Colleges in Paris

Paris is one of the most student-friendly and liveable cities in Europe. Fashion, Management, Engineering, Architecture, etc., are some of the popular courses to study in France for Indian students.

Some popular colleges in Paris

• University of London Institute in Paris
• Paris School of Economics
• INSEAD Paris
• Paris College of Art
• International Fashion Academy (IFA)

 

Eligibility criteria to study in colleges in France

• Academic transcripts (bachelor’s degree and other certificates)
• Proof of English or French language proficiency. For the English language, submit the score report of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). If you are planning to study a course in the French language, then submit the test scores of  Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) and Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF)
• Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scorecard
• Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• Curriculum Vitae

 

If you secure a spot in any of the reputed universities in France, do not allow financial-related worries to stop you from commencing your academic journey. At Avanse Financial Services, we offer a loan for education with multiple benefits like 100% financing and more. Feel free to connect with us if you want to know about the documentation process or education loan rate of interest.