Study in France: Student Visa, Universities, Costs & Scholarships (2026)

France student visa snapshot (2026)

Why study in France?

France hosts some of the world's most prestigious institutions — from the Sorbonne and Sciences Po to Grandes Écoles like École Polytechnique and HEC Paris. Public university tuition for international students remains far below Anglo-American levels, while degrees carry strong global recognition, especially in engineering, business, fashion, hospitality and the arts.

Paris is a global student city, but Lyon, Toulouse, Grenoble, Lille and Montpellier offer excellent programmes at lower living costs. France's central position in Europe and its Francophone network open career doors across the EU, Africa and international organisations.

• Public university tuition from approximately €170–€4,000 per year for most programmes — among the lowest in Western Europe.
• Grandes Écoles and business schools (HEC, ESSEC, INSEAD) for elite engineering and MBA pathways.
• Growing number of English-taught master's programmes — over 1,600 across France.
• One-year APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) after graduation for job search and skilled employment.
• Rich scholarship landscape: Eiffel Excellence, Charpak, BGF and university-specific awards for Asian students.

France student visa for Asian students

The French long-stay student visa is the VLS-TS Étudiant (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour). It is valid for stays exceeding 90 days and, once validated in France within three months of arrival, functions as your residence permit for the duration of your studies.

For most Asian nationals — including applicants from the Philippines, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan — the Campus France procedure is mandatory before you can submit a visa application. Campus France reviews your academic profile, conducts an interview at some centres, and issues an attestation that the embassy requires.

You apply for the VLS-TS at the French embassy or consulate in your country of residence, or through the France-Visas online portal. TLScontact or VFS Global handle appointments in many Asian countries.

France student visa requirements (2026)

Visa officers assess academic credibility, financial capacity and genuine study intent. Incomplete Campus France files or inconsistent financial documents are the leading causes of delays — not grades alone.

• Campus France attestation (Procédure Études en France) — mandatory for nationals of most Asian countries.
• Letter of admission or pre-registration from a recognised French institution (university, Grandes Écoles or accredited school).
• Proof of funds: minimum €615 per month for the full academic year (€7,380 for 12 months) plus tuition. Bank statements, sponsor letters or scholarship award letters are accepted.
• Valid passport with at least two blank pages and validity covering your stay plus three months.
• Campus France / France-Visas application form and OFII (Office Français de l'Immigration et de l'Intégration) form.
• Language proficiency: DELF B2 or TCF for French-taught programmes; IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80+ for English-taught programmes.
• Academic transcripts, diplomas and certified translations into French where required.
• CV and cover letter explaining your study plan and career goals.
• Proof of accommodation in France — university housing, rental contract or host attestation.
• Health insurance covering your entire stay (€30,000 minimum medical coverage; often arranged through Campus France or your institution).
• Passport photos meeting France-Visas specifications.
• Visa fee (approximately €99 for long-stay student visa; verify current rate).

France student visa application process

1. 1

   Create your Campus France account

   Register on the Campus France portal for your country (Etudes en France platform). Complete your academic profile, upload transcripts and select up to seven programmes. Pay the Campus France processing fee.

2. 2

   Apply to French universities

   Submit applications through Campus France (for DAP white/green procedures where applicable) or directly to Grandes Écoles and private institutions. Track responses and accept your final offer.

3. 3

   Attend Campus France interview

   Some centres require an academic interview to assess motivation and language ability. Prepare to explain your programme choice, career plan and ties to your home country.

4. 4

   Obtain Campus France attestation

   Once your file is complete and admission confirmed, Campus France issues the attestation required for your visa application. This can take 2–4 weeks after your interview.

5. 5

   Apply for VLS-TS Étudiant

   Complete the France-Visas online form, upload documents including financial proof (€615/month), accommodation proof and your admission letter. Book a biometric appointment at the embassy or TLScontact/VFS centre.

6. 6

   Travel and validate your visa

   Enter France with your VLS-TS. Within three months, validate your visa online via the ANEF portal (or complete OFII formalities if instructed). This converts your visa into an active residence permit.

France student visa processing time for Asian applicants

French education system: universities vs Grandes Écoles

France's higher education landscape has two parallel tracks. Knowing which you are applying to shapes your admission path, costs and career outcomes.

Public universities (universités) offer licence (bachelor's, 3 years), master's (2 years) and doctoral programmes across all disciplines. The Sorbonne, Université Paris-Saclay and Université Grenoble Alpes are examples. Tuition is low by international standards.

Grandes Écoles are selective elite institutions — often requiring competitive entrance exams (concours) or outstanding academic records. École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, Sciences Po and HEC Paris fall in this category. They dominate French corporate and government leadership pipelines.

Specialised schools (écoles spécialisées) cover art, architecture, fashion and hospitality. Many offer English-taught programmes designed for international students.

Top universities in France for international students

Popular courses to study in France

Cost to study in France: tuition by level

Cost of living in France for international students

Scholarships to study in France

France offers substantial funding for international students through government programmes, Campus France and individual institutions. Most awards require a separate application — often before or alongside your admission.

• Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — fully funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs for master's and PhD students. Covers monthly stipend (€1,181 master's / €1,700 PhD), travel, health insurance and cultural activities. Highly competitive; apply through your French institution.
• Charpak Scholarship (India) — tuition fee waiver, monthly stipend and visa fee waiver for Indian students at bachelor's and master's level.
• BGF Scholarship (Philippines) — French government grant for Filipino students covering tuition and living costs at selected programmes.
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's — full tuition plus €1,400/month for multi-country European programmes with French partner universities.
• Campus France grants — regional awards (e.g. for Southeast Asia) covering partial tuition and living support.
• University-specific merit scholarships — Sciences Po, HEC, Université Paris-Saclay and others offer partial to full tuition waivers based on academic excellence.

Work while studying and after graduation

International students with a valid VLS-TS Étudiant may work up to 964 hours per year (roughly 20 hours per week) without a separate work permit. On-campus student jobs (jobs d'étudiants) at your institution are exempt from the hourly cap at some universities.

After completing a recognised degree in France, graduates can apply for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — a one-year temporary residence authorisation for job search. You must hold at least a master's-level qualification (or equivalent) from a French institution.

Once you secure skilled employment meeting salary thresholds, you can transition to a salarié (employee) residence permit or the Talent Passport for high-skilled workers — both lead toward long-term residence and citizenship eligibility.