France is not only the most visited country in the world, but also the fourth most popular country to study abroad after the USA, England, and Australia. And with good reason! When you study in France, you can expect a first-class university education at a relatively low cost, coupled with a diverse cultural and natural landscape. Curious? Then find out everything you need to know about studying abroad in France here. We'll take you to the “land of fine arts”!
With over 3,500 public and private educational institutions, France's higher education landscape is very diverse. It is characterized by a wide variety of different types of higher education institutions. The three most important are the Universités (universities), Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (IUT) and the Grandes Écoles / Écoles Supérieures.
The nearly 80 French universities offer a wide range of subjects and are freely accessible without major admission restrictions. Formally affiliated with the universities but largely independent in their activities are the Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (IUT). They offer two-year short courses (filières courtes) in the service and industrial sectors, which are linked to companies and very practice-oriented. In addition to the universities, there are the Grandes Écoles – France's elite institutions for future leaders, which underscore the high value placed on promoting the elite in France. They are limited to one or two fields of study and offer first-class, practice-oriented, and internationally focused education. If you want to study at a Grande École in France, you must pass a rigorous selection process (concours). In addition to these three types of higher education institutions, you will find specialized universities for subjects such as medicine or art (écoles spécialisées), practice-oriented Instituts Universitaires Professionalisés (similar to universities of applied sciences), business schools, and numerous private and church-run institutions.
In 2024, approximately 3 million people studied in France, more than 43,000 (14%) of whom came from abroad – an extremely high figure. Due to the linguistic proximity, studying in France is particularly popular with students from Morocco, Algeria, Italy, Senegal, but also from China. In France, however, you can study not only in French but also in English. There are over 1,600 English-language degree programs in total. This means that you can fulfill your dream of studying abroad in France even if you don't speak French perfectly. German-speaking students will also be interested in the almost 200 German-French degree programs, which lead to sought-after double or triple degrees.
Munich Business School collaborates with selected universities in France that are renowned for their high academic standards and international environment. Here you will find the most important information about our partner universities. Discover your options for a semester abroad or a dual degree program in France.
Are you already excited about studying in France, or do you feel anxious about leaving your comfort zone? That's understandable; it's definitely a big step. But let us tell you: it's worth it! If you take a closer look, you'll quickly see that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages. We've listed five reasons why studying abroad in France is worthwhile – pretty convincing, right?
Studies in France are divided into three main sections (cycles), which roughly correspond to the German division into basic, main, and advanced studies. As in other European countries, three standardised degrees are awarded when studying in France: the Licence after three years of study (equivalent to a bachelor's degree), the master's after a further two years of study and the Doctorat after a three-year doctoral programme. Because of these three degrees, the system in France is also known as the LMD system (Licence-Master-Doctorat).
In addition to these traditional degrees, there are also various short courses within the first cycle of study, known as fillières courtes. These last two years, impart job-specific and practical knowledge, and are suitable for people who want to start working quickly after studying in France. At the same time, they can form the basis for further postgraduate studies.
Since studies in France can be completed at different times with different degrees, the notation bac (high school diploma) + [number of years of study] is also commonly used for better orientation. A master's degree, for example, is referred to as bac + 5, as it requires five years of study in France after high school.
In France, the academic year lasts nine months, from September/October to May/June. Although the year is formally divided into two semesters, terms such as summer and winter semesters, as used in Germany, for example, are not common. Students always enroll for a full academic year. There is no provision for starting studies in February – the “summer semester” – in France, with exceptions for Erasmus students. There are two exam periods within the academic year: one in mid-January and the other in May or early June.
Studying in France is somewhat more school-like than in other countries. Many degree programs follow a fixed schedule with compulsary modules and attendance requirements. Especially in the first semesters, lecture-style teaching is the norm – independent work and choosing areas of focus only become more important as you progress through your studies.
There are two types of courses in France: cours magistraux and travaux dirigés or travaux pratiques. Cours magistraux are equivalent to lectures and usually take place in large lecture halls, while travaux dirigés are more like seminars and include discussions, group work, and exercises. Which type of course dominates your timetable when studying abroad in France depends on your subject and the university you attend.
Another typical feature of studying in France is continuous assessment. In addition to final exams, tests, presentations, and assignments are also included in the final grade for a course. If you study in France, consistent participation is therefore more important than cramming at the end of the semester. Most degree programs in France do not have a numerus clausus (NC) and, provided you meet the formal requirements, you can enroll relatively easily without a complicated application process. However, open access does not automatically mean that you will be able to complete your studies. In France, selection does not take place before, but during your studies. This is particularly evident in master's programs. In order to be admitted to the second year of a master's program and thus to the third stage of their studies, students often have to reapply. The universities decide individually who is eligible to continue their studies, based on factors such as their grades in the first year of their master's program, their motivation, and the available capacity.
When studying in France, a grading system with scores from 0 to 20 is used. As a rule, at least 10 points are required to pass an exam. 16 to 20 points are considered “very good”. However, very few students achieve a score above 18. This is considered an exceptionally good performance and explains why there is such a wide range for the grade 1 in the French grading system.
France abolished tuition fees at public universities in 2011. This means that as an EU student, you can study in France almost free of charge. You only have to pay an enrollment fee once a year and a one-time contribution to the student services organization. The enrollment fee is set by the French government for all public universities and currently amounts to €170 for a bachelor's degree, €234 for a master's degree, and €380 for a doctorate. The mandatory contribution to student life and campus infrastructure (Contribution Vie Etudiante et de Campus, CVEC) is currently €100. Studying in France is also a comparatively affordable option for studying abroad for students from outside the EU: tuition fees for international students at public universities range between €3,000 and €4,000 per year. By comparison, studying in the US, Australia, or England often costs five to ten times as much! It is also interesting to note that many French universities voluntarily waive the increased fees for non-EU students. In practice, this means that over 60% of international students from outside the EU still only pay the lower EU rate.
If you want to study at a private university, business school, or even a Grande École in France, you can only dream of these low fees. You can expect costs of between a few thousand and up to €15,000 per year, depending on your degree program, field of study, and institution. With tuition fees of up to €20,000 per year, the Grande Écoles are the most expensive higher education institutions in France. The concours, the entrance exam for the Grande École, alone costs €1,000 or more.
If you want to study abroad in France, you should bear in mind not only the tuition fees but also the cost of living. Students estimate a guideline figure of between €800 and €1,300 per month. However, the actual costs depend heavily on the place of study, lifestyle, and living situation. Paris, Lyon, and Nice are the most expensive cities in France.
One way to study in France more cheaply is to not opt for a full bachelor's or master's degree, but instead to spend a semester abroad in France. If you only study in France for a short period of time, you will naturally have lower living and accommodation costs. If you choose an Erasmus partner university for your semester abroad in France, you will also be exempt from enrollment fees and tuition fees. You can find out more about the various external funding options for international students in the next section. Your dream of studying abroad in France should not be thwarted by tuition fees or living costs! Contact the International Office at your university to find out about the options for studying in France as part of a semester abroad.
Don't want to miss out on a degree from a prestigious Grande École? Then the Dual Degree program of Munich Business School might be right for you. You will first study for two semesters in a master's program at Munich Business School and then spend two more semesters at Skema Business School – either in Lille, Paris, or Sophia Antipolis. After successfully completing your studies with a master's thesis, you will have two degrees: a French Master of Science from SKEMA Business School and a German Master of Arts from Munich Business School!
With Munich Business School (MBS), your dream of studying abroad in France can come true! At MBS, stays abroad are an integral part of the bachelor's and master's programs. Here, internationality is not only taught, but also lived. Of course, France is also represented in MBS's global network of partner universities. Get an overview of the universities in France where you can study with MBS.
Studying abroad usually involves higher costs than studying in your home country. At the same time, there are a number of ways you can finance your studies in France, including any tuition fees and living expenses. Here are a few ideas:
If you want to study in France, you need to know more than just how to finance your studies. There are also a few things to keep in mind when it comes to applying and admission – from study requirements to legal basics. To help you be as prepared as possible, we have compiled the most important information here:
You know you want to study abroad, but where should you go? The whole world is at your feet and you are spoiled for choice. North or south? A prestigious university that will give your career a real boost, or a semester abroad that feels more like a vacation than hard work? Ideally, you want it all. How can you possibly decide?
Our info pages will help you find the right destination and university for your study abroad adventure – whether in Europe, the US, or overseas:
Studying in France is a dream for many young adults – and with good reason! At the same time, studying abroad in France is a big step that needs to be well planned and financed. To provide you with the best possible support in organizing your stay, this FAQ section provides answers to frequently asked questions about studying in France.
France has around 70 state universities and several hundred other higher education institutions, including elite universities (Grandes Écoles), business schools, and specialized colleges. All in all, France has more than 3,500 higher education institutions.
France is home to a large number of renowned universities. No fewer than 50 French universities were listed in the Times Higher Education global university rankings in 2025. The Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) tops the national list in 42nd place. Which university is considered the best in a country depends on which criteria are examined and deemed important. This means that different rankings can produce different results. In addition to universities, France is also home to a number of outstanding business schools, such as HEC Paris, EDHEC Business School, EM Lyon, and SKEMA Business School – many of which are partner universities of Munich Business School, making it easy for you to spend your study abroad program or semester abroad in France.
The cost of studying in France depends on whether you are enrolled at a public or private university. Tuition fees were abolished at public universities in France in 2011. This means that, apart from a small enrollment fee and a one-time contribution to the student services organization, you can study almost free of charge. The situation is different at private universities and the prestigious Grande Écoles. Here, you can expect to pay between a few thousand and up to €15,000 per year, depending on your degree program, field of study, and institution. With tuition fees of up to €20,000 per year, the Grande Écoles are the most expensive higher education institutions in France. It is generally cheaper to study in France for a semester or a year than to complete an entire study. If your home university has a partnership with a university in France and both participate in the Erasmus+ program, you will even be exempt from paying tuition fees (if applicable).
Studying in Paris is generally more expensive than in other parts of France, but this is not due to tuition fees, but rather to the higher cost of living. Rent alone is often twice as high in Paris as in other French cities.
The Erasmus+ grant for studying abroad is based on the cost of living in the destination country. According to the Erasmus Guide, France belongs to Country Group 1, i.e. countries with a high cost of living. Students receive €600 per month, plus a possible €250 social top-up per month for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, plus a travel allowance depending on distance and mode of travel (as of 2024/25).
Bac is the short form of the French word baccalauréat. The baccalauréat is the highest French school leaving certificate. Since the baccalauréat is the basic requirement for studying in France and there are many different degrees with different lengths of study in France, the notation bac + [number of years of study] is often found in the context of studying. This indicates how many years of study are required after the bac in order to obtain a specific degree or be accepted into a specific study program. For example, a master's degree is also referred to as bac+5.
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