Study in France

The Foreign Ministry of France offers various scholarships in France for Indian students as well as to the best International Students from all over the world. One fourth of the total Scholarships are aided directly by the Ministry for the Masters and Doctoral study programs.

If you're dreaming of studying in France, you have to realize that there are different sets of requirements to study in France concerning qualifications and eligibility criteria for undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programs.

The Universities in France deliver a broad variety of educational sources to choose from. Engineering to Architectural design, the colleges, and the faculty are equipped with knowledge and resources to deliver the finest of education. College De Paris, Normandy business school, Schiller international university are some of the best colleges to study in France.

France offers a range of opportunities for aspiring international students, with prestigious educational institutions and rich cultural heritage. With the help of study abroad consultants based in Hyderabad, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, and Delhi, you can make the perfect choice of being a part of this rich educational destination and sport the French hat with panache.

Students from thirty-three countries are required to apply to France Universities simply by sending an email to info@studiumgroup.in or apply on Studium Group, the best study abroad consultants in India by filling our enquiry form.

This covers both university and visa applications. Students from other countries, following the procedure outlined on the official website, can apply directly to the institutions they are interested in.

1. One long-stay application form (More than 90 days stay in France) duly filled and signed.
2. 2 recent passport size photos within 3 months follow set requirements – one must be attached to the application form (Size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, with transparent background).
3. Passport: a full national private passport or official travel document with a minimum of three months validity beyond the validity of the requested visa, two blank visa pages with the wording "visa" to affix the visa sticker. The passport is due to be issued less than ten years ago.
4. A passport copy referring to personal identification and validity extension information, "note on remarks" page and all pages containing Schengen visas.
5. Old passports or more previous passports in case if you have, you need to carry them with you.
6. A print out of your ID issued by the Campus France (Camps France NOC letter).
7. A letter of registration from a French Academic Institution or a certificate testifying that you will follow a European Union Training Programme or proof of scholarship.
8. Cover letter explaining the study project and your motivation, including a short curriculum vitae.
9. Proof of Funding available such as tuition fees plus proof of living expenses with a minimum of 615 Euros per month by the number of months of stay. In the case of a family member or a friend financing your studies, an agreement must be properly signed on plain paper along with financial supporting documents. Past three months' bank statement (of the individual sponsored and student’s bank statements the account in students' names). If you are being sponsored by a family in France, an “Attestation d’accueil” provided by the family (The draft of this document may be downloaded from http://vosdroits.service-public.fr/particuliers/R10751.xhtml). In such a situation you will need to display money for your living expenses for a total of 300 Euros per month.
10. A certificate stating the volume and length of the scholarship is only required
11. Proof of medical insurance with coverage valid for France if you are attending a school or university for a stay which is less than 6 months, or If you are 28 years of age no matter the length of your studies. You'll have to show the policy duration when studying with a letter from your medical insurance in France.
12. One copy of your round-trip ticket if you are studying six months or less or a one-way ticket only if you are studying in France for more than six months.
13. The “Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration” OFII form duly filled and signed. Download the OFII form on the www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/IMG/pdf/LS-01d_formulaire_ofii.pdf
14. Accommodation duration for the first three months of the stay. Photocopy of the Proof of residency in France such as a lease agreement, electricity bill, title of the property, etc. for a minimum of three months. Accommodation is given by an individual: "attestation d'accueil" or certificate issued by a solemn undertaking (in this case, copies of the identification card and electricity bill and receipt for rent payment or property title are required). Accommodation in an institution or provided by an establishment: attestation by the establishment of the institution.
15. As part of the process, a processing fee of INR 12500 (free movers) and INR 4000 (exchange students) will be charged. (Scholarship holders do not need to pay the processing fee) The processing fee for Campus France is not payable online. You would need to make the payment in cash at the nearest BNP Paribas branch.

Student Visa Fee: 50 Euros towards the student visa application fees at the time of applying.

There is a separate additional visa fee to be paid at the VFS France at the time of submission of original passport and all other supporting documents. For more details, please visit - www.vfs-france.co.in

Time process: Minimum 2 to 3 weeks. Maximum depends upon the embassy. Embassy of France in New Delhi, 2/50-E, Shantipath, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi - 110021
Tel: 011 4319 6100

Students outside of the EU and EEA countries need a student visa to study in France. Those from elsewhere will need to apply for an extended-stay visa with residency permit (VLS-TS), either via the CEF process or from their nearest French embassy.

While considering applications for a visa, officials are required to consider the academic background, preparation level, study plans and French language skills of the applicants. Applicants are also asked to show they have sufficient financial resources – around EUR 615 (USD670) per month, the equivalent of a base-rate monthly governmental scholarship.

International students are free to pursue part-time work while studying in France without any restrictions. Those from other countries can work up to 965 hours per year (equivalent to 60% of a full working year), as part of the permissions granted with the VLS-TS visa and residency permit.

Internship work during studies is not counted as full-time work being considered as a part of the study program in France.s

You will need to apply for a change of citizenship status to live on and work in France after graduation; this can be achieved via the local prefecture once a job offer has been obtained and accepted.

Additionally, foreign students who graduate at or above the Master's level may seek permission to extend their residence permits for up to one year.

They will work for up to 60 percent of the legal workweek during this period without filing for a change of status, unless their earnings reach 150 percent of the minimum wage (Euros 9.61 per hour as of January 2015); if this is the case, they must apply for full-time employment status.

Got more questions about studying in France? Log on to our country guide or comments below for more details.