France

Your overseas Consultant

About France

France is the most sought-after destination for higher studies, and understandably so. Brimming with art and culture, studying in France will provide you with a unique perspective of life.

The allure of France lies in its reputation for having an inspirational effect on curious minds, and of course, its world-class art, architecture, universities, gastronomy, fashion and more. It offers a wide range of courses across major fields of arts, business management, fashion, IT and engineering. An education in France enables students to seek international career opportunities because most of the world’s leading brands in fashion, luxury, and IT among others are based in France. France is the perfect destination for studies that turn into a successful career and a learning that lasts a lifetime.

Accomodation

What place is perfect for me? What’s the rent like? Where do I even start? You’ll have a lot of questions when it comes to finding the right place to call home. And at Vidyabroad, we’ve got all the answers. There are 2 types of accommodation to pick from:

On-campus: Lower rents, furnished rooms and a built-in social life are just some of the plus points of living on campus. Most students opt for the residences managed by France’s regional centers for student services, known as CROUS (Centres Régionaux des œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires). These are publicly owned and subsidised by the French government. The monthly rent is low (approx €400 in Paris, €200 elsewhere) and students qualify for housing assistance from CAF (France’s family assistance fund). Not to mention, the buildings are also close to campus. Given how advantageous they are, CROUS rooms are quite hard to find.

France also has a lot of hostels for students run by nonprofits (usually religious organisations). This would cost about €500 in Paris and €250 elsewhere.

Located in Paris, the Cité internationale universitaire de Paris (CIUP) is a sprawling estate of university residences that houses nearly 6,000 students, scholars, scientists, artists, and athletes from all over the world. Room rents vary depending on the amenities provided, the student’s age, and duration of stay. However, to live at CIUP, one must be enrolled at an institution in Paris and working on a master’s degree or above.

Privately owned and operated student buildings are a good alternative if you are unable to get a room through CROUS. The rents are often higher, but they’re competitive with other forms of student housing. Perks include furnished rooms, wi-fi, a gym, laundry facilities, etc.

Off-campus: For studios or apartments, expect to pay at least €800 in Paris and €400 elsewhere in France. As this is a much more expensive option, many students choose to rent large apartments and share them with others, a practice known as colocation. In shared rentals, the tenants split other costs as well, like, electricity, gas, and internet/telephone services.

If you want to brush up on your French, you can also live with a French family. It’s an economical solution: you get your own room in a house while enjoying the comforts of a permanent home (and French cooking!). Some families even offer students free or reduced rent in return for services such as childcare, help with homework, language lessons, etc.

Contact your Vidyabroad counsellor to help you get started on student accommodation for France.

Cost of Education

Education in France is far more affordable than it is in the UK and USA. To sweeten the deal, funding is also provided to international students.

Vidyabroad can help find the best solution for you. Like always, tuition fees make up the most of your expenses. Engineering and medicine courses cost more than arts and humanities.

Foreign students will pay more at France’s highly selective Grandes Écoles which set their own fees (about €500-600 per year, but in some cases, they can go up to €10,000 per year). At private universities, fees start at €1,500 and can go over €20,000 per year. And at business schools, regardless of the degree level, fees range between €5,000 and €30,000 a year.

Other than this, you’ll have to account for living expenses, like food costs, utilities, etc. The amount you spend every month will depend on your own way of life and living arrangements.

In case you’re leasing a condo, you will have to pay for the upkeep of the building and different offices too. The charge covers things like staircase cleaning, attendant charges, lift repair, water, and so forth. These charges will usually show up as ‘charges comprise’.

Students can also take a bus, metro and tram which costs between €17 and €33. Budgeting may not be your strong point, but guess what? It doesn’t have to be. Vidyabroad will take care of all your financial planning needs.

Safety & Indian Community

France is one of the safest metropolitan areas in Europe.

Violent crime rates are fairly low, but petty crimes like pickpocketing are not unheard of. If you are new to the country, never leave your bags or valuables unattended in the metro, bus, or other public areas.

So always take the usual precautions like studying your area, walking on well-lit streets and having someone accompany you when you’re roaming around at night. When travelling, it’s always a good idea to have your country’s embassy contact details on hand, should you run into any problems. But you’ll most likely run into fellow Indians and Indian students. There are nearly 65,000 Indian immigrants living in France at the moment. Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Toulouse and Nice are some of the places you’ll find them. And luckily, home is just a relatively short flight away. For emergencies, call the toll free number 112.

Visa

The French Student visa is a permit that lets you enter France and study for a certain period of time. They can be classified as two types:

Both of these can be issued as single-entry, double-entry, or even multiple-entries. Also, if you have to study for longer than 1 year, you must apply for the resident permit upon arrival in France. Students often pick the National Student Visa. But you must apply at least 3 months in advance before your program’s start date. Don’t let the paperwork overwhelm you, make it work for you with Vidyabroad.

Essential documents required

When applying for your student visa, you will need the following documents:

Visa application form for France National Student Visa
2 passport size photos
A valid passport and copies of your previous visas if any
Official Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment from the university in France
Evidence of monetary means for covering all expenses during the period of study
Flight reservations/tickets with the date of departure
Travel medical insurance of up to €30,000
Documents that state the arrangement for accommodation during your studies
If you have enrolled in a course taught in French, you will need proficiency certificate for the French language
Evidence of payment of visa fees
If applicable, proof of civil status

These are basic requirements, please speak with your Vidyabroad counsellor for a detailed list of documents required for your visa processing.