Why study in France?
France is one of Europe’s most popular destinations for international students, offering world-class education, rich culture, and a high quality of life.
Affordable, high-quality education: French universities are known for their academic excellence and diverse program offerings. Additionally, the French government funds a significant portion of higher education costs, making it a very low-cost option for UK students.
Top-ranked universities: France is home to globally recognised universities such as Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) and others offering top-notch programs in business, engineering, fashion, and other fields.
English taught programs: France is a French-speaking country, which can create a language barrier for UK citizens. But French universities offer a wide range of courses taught in English, making it easy for UK students to study in France.
Strategic location: You can explore 29 Schengen countries with a French study visa.
Career opportunities: France hosts global brands like L'Oréal, Airbus, and Louis Vuitton, which offer post-study opportunities for international students.
Which study programmes are most popular for UK students?
Note: Many programmes at the Master's level are now taught entirely in English, particularly at business schools and international-facing grandes écoles. This means you don't necessarily need to be fluent in French before you arrive.
French university rankings
Université PSL: Ranked 28th globally
Institut Polytechnique de Paris: Ranked 41st
Université Paris-Saclay: Ranked 70th
Sorbonne University: Ranked 72nd
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon: Ranked 205th
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne: Ranked 257th
Université Paris Cité: Ranked 300th
Université Grenoble Alpes: Ranked 321st
Sciences Po: Ranked 367th
INSA Lyon: Ranked 406th
Rankings are sourced from the QS World University Rankings.
Types of higher education institutions in France
You can apply to study in France's public, private and elite institutions. Here is a summary of what each offers:
Public universities: These universities offer the widest range of programmes at the most affordable prices. They are government-funded institutions with heavily subsidised tuition, making them the default choice for most international students on a budget. Examples include Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay and Université PSL.
Grandes Écoles: These are France's elite institutions, and roughly equivalent to Oxbridge or the Ivy League in terms of reputation and selectiveness. Entry is highly competitive and typically requires completion of a preparatory programme or an entrance exam (concours). Some examples include Sciences Po, HEC Paris, and the Polytechnique.
Private institutions: Most of France's leading business and art schools fall under this category. They are more expensive with fees ranging from €10,000 - €20,000 per year. However, they also have strong industry connections and international campuses. Some examples include ESSEC Business School and the Commission des titres d'ingénieur (CTI).
Scholarships and financial aid for UK students
French institutions and the French government still offer meaningful scholarship routes for international students. Here’s a list of options you can explore:
Government scholarships: These scholarships are funded by the French Foreign Ministry for top-performing graduating students at schools overseas, such as the UK. The France Excellence Eiffel caters to Master's or Doctoral-level studies, while the France Excellence Major is for students who graduated from French high schools abroad.
The French Ministry of Higher Education: This scholarship is available to international students who have been residing in France for at least 2 years and are paying taxes in France.
Institutes of higher education: Université Paris-Saclay, ENS de Lyon, HEC Paris, and others, offer scholarships of up to $25,000 to international students. The scholarship often covers tuition, travel and visa expenses.
Regional scholarship: Some French regions offer scholarships for international students enrolled in programs in that region. The scholarship is available for doctoral and postdoctoral grants.
What are the requirements to study in France?
UK students must meet the following admission and visa-related requirements when applying to French institutions:
Academic qualifications: You must provide official transcripts, diplomas, and any program-specific paperwork. These documents must be in English or French. If they aren’t, you need to provide a certified translation.
Language proficiency: For English-taught programmes, you'll need to provide an IELTS or TOEFL certificate. If you apply for a French-taught program, universities often accept the DELF, DALF, or TCF qualifications.
Supporting documents: You need motivation letters, letters of recommendation, and entrance exam results for French applications. Motivation letters are essential at grandes écoles, where they are a core part of the selection process.
Études en France registration (mandatory): You must register via the Études en France platform before submitting your long‑stay visa application. This pre‑consular step is compulsory, as Campus France must assess your admissibility and generate an EEF file for your visa application. As a UK applicant going through the EEF procedure, your visa application fee is reduced to €50 rather than the standard €99.
France student visa options for UK citizens: which one do you need?
UK students are treated as non-EU nationals and require a student visa to study in France. Here are the available visa options:
Short-Stay Visa (Schengen Student Visa)
Duration: Up to 90 days (approximately 3 months)
Purpose: Short courses, language programs, exams, or campus visits
No validation or additional formalities needed upon arrival
Temporary Long‑Stay Visa (VLS‑T – Visa de long séjour temporaire pour études)
Duration: Over 3 months and up to 6 months
Ideal for intermediate-length study programs (e.g., semester exchanges)
No residence permit required upon arrival; no further formalities needed
Long‑Stay Student Visa (VLS‑TS – Visa de long séjour pour études, equivalent to a residence permit)
Duration: Over 6 months (typically up to 1 year, renewable annually)
Suited for full degree programs (bachelor’s, master’s, PhD)
Functions as a residence permit and requires validation with OFII upon arrival.
See more information about the French student visa.
Documents required for a long-stay student visa application
Valid UK passport with at least 6 months' validity beyond your intended stay
Proof of university admission or an acceptance letter from a French institution
Études en France (EEF) certificate with your reference number
Proof of accommodation in France, like a university halls confirmation, a rental agreement, or a host family letter
Proof of financial means, a minimum of €615 per month, demonstrated via bank statements or a scholarship letter.
Health insurance covering your full period of stay
Certified translations of any official documents not already in French or English. Common documents requiring a certified translation include birth certificates, academic transcripts, and criminal record certificates, if requested.
Notarised parental authorisation letter (for applicants under 18)
Note: Applications are submitted through France-Visas.
Step-by-step: how to apply to study in France as a UK student
If you are applying to study in France, every step in the process is important. Here are the steps for UK citizens.
Choose your course and institution
Research the different programmes in France, including language of instruction, entry requirements, and the type of institution that fits your study needs. You can find information about the institution on its official website.
Verify admission requirements and deadlines
When you’ve identified your top choices, you should send an email to confirm the admission requirements and deadlines. This also helps you ask questions about requirements that are unclear or unique to your situation.
Take language proficiency tests if needed
Book and sit your IELTS, TOEFL, DELF, or DALF well in advance of application deadlines. The results typically take 2 - 4 weeks to arrive, and some programmes won't consider your application without them.
Register on Études en France and prepare your documents
Complete your EEF profile and upload your supporting documents to generate your EEF reference number, which is mandatory for your visa application. You should also gather any documents that require translation and prepare them for submission.
Apply to your chosen university
Submit your application via the EEF platform or directly to the institution, depending on the route that applies. For grandes écoles, you might have to sit an entrance exam. Ensure you confirm the requirements and prepare early using the resources on the institution's website.
Apply for your student visa once accepted
If your admission is granted, book your TLScontact appointment in London, Edinburgh, or Manchester, and submit your full document pack. Apply at least 3 months before your course starts.
When UK students need certified translations
UK students applying to study in France must provide certified translations for any documents not originally in French or English. For example, if you had your birth certificate or academic degree from Germany, you must provide a French translation of the documents. Common documents that require certified translation include a birth certificate, academic documents, medical records, a passport and reference letters if required.
Translayte provides certified translations that meet the French consulate and universities' submission standards. Each translation is performed by a sworn translator in France and includes a sworn statement of accuracy, the translator's qualifications, an official stamp, and signature.
Our turnaround time for documents is 12 - 24 hours, with pricing starting at $25 per page. All sworn translations are delivered in PDF format via email, and you can also request hard copies, which will be couriered to your location. Request a free quote to get accurate pricing.
How much is it to study in France?
The cost of studying in France ranges from €200 to €5000 for tuition and application fees. Monthly expenses range from €600 to €1,800.
Tuition fees
Public University: Bachelor's - €2,770/year and Master's - €3,770/year.
Private business/art school: €5,000 - €20,000+/year.
Application and visa costs
Visa fee (via EEF procedure): €50
Visa fee (standard, without EEF): €99
OFII validation fee on arrival: €50
Document translation (if needed): From $25/page
Health insurance: €400 - €800/year
Monthly living costs
Rent: €300 - €700
Food: €150 - €250
Transport: €20 - €50
Mobile & Internet: €10 - €30
Leisure, books, miscellaneous: €100 - €200
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
When applying for university admission and a study visa in France, everything must be in order and comply with the requirements. Here are some mistakes that can derail your application process:
Submitting documents without checking translation requirements
Missing a certified translation of a birth certificate or a foreign transcript will delay applications, as they will be considered incomplete. Ensure you check with both your target university and the French consulate about exactly which documents need to be translated and in what format.
Underestimating the financial proof requirements
The French consulate requires evidence of at least €615 per month for the duration of your stay. Bank statements need to show this clearly, and a balance that dips below this threshold in recent months can trigger a request for additional evidence or, in some cases, a refusal.
Writing a weak motivation letter
Your motivation letter is an important part of the selection process, especially for grandes écoles. Ensure your letter isn’t generic and addresses why you've chosen the specific programme, in France, at that institution.
Booking a visa appointment without a complete document pack
TLScontact will not process an incomplete application, and scheduling a second appointment can add weeks to your timeline. You should prepare all your documents and ensure they meet the requirements before booking
