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Study in France

France is one of the leading study destinations for Arab students, especially from the Maghreb, Lebanon and Egypt. It offers long-established public universities with low fees compared with English-speaking countries, Grandes Écoles in engineering and management, and many programmes in French with a growing number in English. Key scholarships include the French Foreign Ministry’s Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, university master’s scholarships (IdEx) and funded doctoral contracts. Students may work up to 964 hours a year and stay one year after a master’s to look for a job.

14
universities listed
13
scholarships & discounts
2
government programmes
French, English
teaching languages
September
academic year starts

Government scholarships & national programmes

Scholarships funded by the state or its official bodies for international students.

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program

Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program

Partially Funded1 scholarship

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program is funded by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs to attract top international students to master's and PhD programs at French higher-education institutions. It usually includes a monthly allowance, an international return ticket, health insurance and help with housing, but does not cover tuition fees. Students cannot apply directly: they are nominated by the French institution to which they have applied.

French Civic Service Agency (Service Civique)

French Civic Service Agency (Service Civique)

Fully Funded1 scholarship

The French Civic Service (Service Civique) is a French government program enabling youth aged 16-25 to engage in 6-12 month volunteer missions with approved French associations and public entities, offering a monthly state indemnity (~€620), social security, and long-stay visa support.

Universities (14)

Fees for international students and the highest discount or scholarship available, from each university’s official sources.

Grenoble Alpes University

Grenoble Alpes University

جامعة غرونوبل الألب

GrenobleState university

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Paris Cité University

Paris Cité University

جامعة مدينة باريس

Paris regionState university

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University

جامعة السوربون

Paris regionState universityScholarships up to 100%

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Université Côte d'Azur

Université Côte d'Azur

جامعة كوت دازور

NiceState university

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Université de Tours

Université de Tours

جامعة تور

ToursState universityUp to 94% off

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Université Paris-Saclay Scholarship

Université Paris-Saclay Scholarship

منحة جامعة باريس-ساكلي

Paris regionState university

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

1 scholarshipDetails
Higher Normal School of Lyon

Higher Normal School of Lyon

المدرسة العليا للأساتذة في ليون

LyonState university
1 scholarshipDetails
Inria (French National Research Institute for Digital Science)

Inria (French National Research Institute for Digital Science)

المعهد الوطني الفرنسي للبحوث في علوم الرقميات (إنريا)

State university
1 scholarshipDetails
Paris Sciences et Lettres University

Paris Sciences et Lettres University

جامعة باريس للعلوم والآداب

Paris regionState university
1 scholarshipDetails
Polytechnic Institute of Paris

Polytechnic Institute of Paris

معهد باريس للبوليتكنيك

Paris regionState university
1 scholarshipDetails
Sciences Po Paris

Sciences Po Paris

معهد العلوم السياسية بباريس (Sciences Po Paris)

Paris regionState university
1 scholarshipDetails
Panthéon-Sorbonne University

Panthéon-Sorbonne University

جامعة بانتيون - السوربون

Paris regionState university

€2,902 – €3,950 per year

Details
National Institute of Applied Sciences

National Institute of Applied Sciences

المعهد الوطني للعلوم التطبيقية

LyonState university
Details
Paris School of Business

Paris School of Business

كلية باريس للأعمال

Paris regionPrivate (foundation) university
Details

All scholarships & discounts (13)

Filter by funding type and study level.

Study guide

The study system

French higher education follows the European LMD system: • Licence (bachelor’s): 3 years after the baccalaureate; also professional licences and the BUT at university institutes of technology. • Master’s: 2 years (M1 and M2). • Doctorate: about 3 years, usually with a funded doctoral contract. • Grandes Écoles in engineering, management and political science, usually entered after two preparatory years (CPGE) or through direct admission for international students. Most programmes are taught in French, and universities usually require level B2 (DELF or TCF); there are English-taught programmes, especially at master’s level. The academic year starts in September.

How to get admitted

1) Études en France procedure (Campus France): mandatory for students from over 70 countries, including Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Online applications open around 1 October; the deadline for first-year licence (DAP) is around 15 December, and for second/third-year licence and master’s around 15 January (dates vary slightly by country). You can choose up to 7 programmes, followed by an interview with Campus France. 2) Master’s: also via the MonMaster platform for residents in France, or directly for some programmes. 3) Language: DELF B2, DALF or TCF for French-taught programmes; IELTS or TOEFL for English-taught ones. 4) Scholarships: Eiffel (applied for through the French institution, internal deadlines usually November–January), university master’s scholarships and French embassy scholarships in some countries — all listed below.

Fees and living costs

Public university fees for 2026–2027 (national diplomas): • Non-EU students (differentiated fees): €2,902 a year for a licence and €3,950 for a master’s. • National rate (EU students and exempted students): €178 for a licence and €255 for a master’s. • Doctorate at the national rate for everyone (about €397). • Exemption: since the decree of 19 May 2026, granted on individual request according to personal and financial circumstances, up to 30% of non-EU students in 2026–2027 (then 25% and 20%). French government and CROUS scholarship holders are exempt automatically. Some universities, such as Sorbonne Université and Tours, have announced exemption policies for 2026–2027. • Student life contribution (CVEC): €105 a year. • Private Grandes Écoles and business schools cost much more (often several thousand to over €15,000 a year). Living: about €877.50 a month must be shown for the visa since 1 August 2026 (47% of the gross minimum wage, up from €615). A student room costs about €300–550 a month (more in Paris), food €215–300, transport €20–85, and a university restaurant meal about €3.30.

Visa, residence permit and health insurance

1) After admission and your Campus France certificate, apply for the visa on France-Visas and book an appointment at the visa centre (such as TLS or VFS) in your country. 2) You receive a long-stay student visa that acts as a residence permit (VLS-TS) for one academic year. 3) After arrival, validate it online with the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII) within 3 months and pay the fee. 4) Before it expires, renew your residence permit on the ANEF portal. Usually required: a valid passport, the admission letter, proof of resources of about €877.50 a month for the whole stay (since 1 August 2026), proof of accommodation, and health cover until you register with French social security.

Working while studying

International students may work up to 964 hours a year (about 60% of full time) without prior authorisation; the employer must declare the hiring beforehand. Algerian students have a separate regime that requires a work permit. Study-related internships (stages) are allowed and must be paid if longer than two months. After graduation: holders of a master’s degree or equivalent can get a one-year residence permit to look for a job or start a business (APS), then switch to a work permit once they find a suitable job.

Information last verified: October 13, 2026Official source

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Key questions and answers regarding eligibility, documents, and application steps for 2026 / 2027.

Not free, but relatively cheap at public universities: €2,902 a year for a licence and €3,950 for a master’s for non-EU students in 2026–2027, and an exemption can bring this down to just €178 or €255. Doctorates are at the national rate for everyone.

After enrolling, submit an exemption request to the university with proof of your financial and personal situation. Since the decree of 19 May 2026, exemptions cannot exceed 30% of non-EU students at each university, and each university sets its own policy. French government scholarship holders (such as Eiffel) are exempt automatically.