Study in France
In 2019, 10,000 Indian students chose to pursue higher studies in France. In 2020 and 2021, France welcomed Indian students and provided special assistance to help them through the COVID situation.
Important Notice for Students under SHG group
“It has come to the attention of the Embassy of France in India, through testimonies from several students, that The Swiss Hospitality Group has repeatedly denied them the refund of the tuition fee after they were unable to acquire a student visa for France post securing admission to the following French SHG settlements: Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg, Nice. They described how they had paid the full tuition fee before joining SHG, but never got their money back after the rejection of their visa application. This message intends to warn the students.
It should be noted that higher education institutions in France do not usually demand the full tuition fee before students actually arrive on campus upon attaining a student visa: only a fraction of the tuition fees is asked in order to secure the registration process. Before making any payment to any school, please make sure you are properly informed of all the terms and conditions. Campus France in India can advise you in case you have a doubt, or if you need accurate information. Please remember that if prospective students face a financial issue with SHG group or with any other school, the French Embassy will not be able to interfere, as it falls under private litigation that can only be dealt with by criminal courts of Justice. Before taking the final call, reaching out to your regional Campus France office can really help.”
France has always been a favourite destination for scientists, managers, engineers, thinkers, artists and writers from all over the world, and many have made it their home. The rich cultural diversity and heritage experienced in everyday life, the high quality of education as also the French State’s commitment to welcoming international students make it an attractive destination for higher education.
A large number of higher education programmes available in France, which are accessible to foreign students whether they speak French or not.
Around 2.7 million students enrol for French higher education, 14% of whom are foreign students.
1- Mutual recognition of academic qualifications between France and India
The agreement was inked on 10th March 2018 during the India-France Knowledge Summit, the first high-level summit for university, scientific and technological cooperation held by the two countries. This is India’s first such intergovernmental agreement.
As per the signed agreement, the Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degrees as well as All India Senior School Certificate Examination (AISSCE) (CBSE, state boards, pre-university (PU) or any equivalent qualification recognised by the Government of India) are now recognised by the French government.
Reciprocally, the French Baccalauréat, License, Master and Doctorat (equivalent of PhD) are recognised by the Indian government.
2- Find a course with Campus France
Campus France, the national agency for the promotion of French higher education abroad, is here to guide and assist you. Now with a gamut of government scholarships and corporate backing, and personalized counselling services, it is a great way to explore the world for personal and professional growth. You can find Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes online!
12 Campus France offices are established in 12 major Indian cities. Drop in at the office nearest to you:
Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Pune - Get in touch with your nearest desk.
Campus France India’s website provides extensive information on how to study in France (including information on applications and student visas), French degrees and training programmes, a searchable directory of the 1600 courses and programmes taught in English, as well as a wide array of useful tips.
Campus France frequently organizes live events and education fairs for direct interactions between students, teachers, and representatives from French institutions: PhD Tour and Choose France Tour.
3- Scholarships
The French government spends over 1.3 milliion euros (11 crores) in financial assistance to Indian students every year through government and co-financed scholarships.
The French government scholarship programme in India is called Charpak and it aims at supporting existing cooperation between French and Indian institutions of higher education. It provides funding to the students for Master’s degrees, research internships and exchange semesters, and allows them to study at undergraduate or postgraduate levels in public and private institutions in France.
The French Embassy in India also promotes other scholarship schemes co-financed with private and public, industrial or academic partners at various levels and in different fields of study, such as arts, engineering, management, etc.
The Raman-Charpak Fellowship is a scholarship programme implemented and offered by the French Embassy in India and Department of Science and Technology to PhD research students who intend to pursue part of their research at a French institution for 2–6 months.
The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs also awards scholarships under specific programmes (Eiffel scholarship of Excellence, MOPGA) to Indian students who wish to pursue their higher education in France. The scholarship programme funds master’s courses (for 12 to 36 months) and offers funding for PhD students to spend 10 months in France.
Franco-Indian Education Trust Scholarship: The Franco-Indian Education Trust, a not-for-profit organization, was established in August 2017. With the support of the French Embassy in India, the Trust funds (through grants, scholarships, fellowships) the mobility of students, faculty, researchers, scholars, and professionals between France and India for long-term or short-term training or academic programmes.
Visit Campus France website for more information:
4- Visa application procedure
Different types of visas are required depending on your situation. See more details here.
The visa procedures are presented in a simple and easy manner for all the students, regardless of their programme level.
If you wish to pursue your studies in a higher education institution for a period exceeding 3 months, you must apply for a long-stay visa for studies. It is recommended to apply well in advance and make sure that your passport is valid for a sufficiently long period when you submit the application.
Campus France India also walks you step by step through the visa application procedure.
5- France-Alumni worldwide network
The France Alumni programme, launched by Campus France, with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to build an engaging and supporting alumni network.
The India chapter was launched in September 2016. It is a platform that enables Indian students, who studied in French higher education institutions, to network, get together, organize events and share experiences. The network also provides support in work placements to help students launch their careers and continue to develop knowledge of professional links between the two countries.
France Alumni – India assists former students in acquiring key industry knowledge, discovering exciting career opportunities, and gaining valuable insights on the economic and professional world.
The France Alumni portal enables Indian alumni to keep abreast of upcoming events, contests and job opportunities. The 2020-2021 schedule includes: job fairs, networking sessions, webinars and seminars on topical issues, mentorship programmes and participation in philanthropic activities. (France Alumni portal – India chapter)