List of the Best Universities in France: Check Ranking, Programs, Admissions, and Job Outcomes

Highlights:

• Universities: Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University are among the best universities in France as per QS
• Entrance Exams: Like other study abroad destinations, admissions in France are also based on English proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and standardized tests like SAT, GRE, GMAT for undergraduate and graduate programs
• Salary: Minimum gross salary is 1,766.92 EUR per month, and gross hourly minimum wage is 11.65 EUR in jobs in France
• Scholarship opportunities: Haini Zeini Scholarships, Narotam Sekhria’s Scholarships are the most popular scholarships to study in France
• Indian Students: As reported by Campus France, the top business universities in France will have 30,000 Indian students by 2030. Currently the number is 10,003.

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Best universities in France include Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon among others. 35 of the most prestigious universities in France are featured in the QS ranking 2024. Among them, 4 top uni in France ranked within the global top 100. France is known for having lower tuition fees as the government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around 10,000 EUR per year. The difference is that in France the state government shares two thirds of that cost. Business and Management, Engineering, Computer Science are among the popular programs to study in France.

Why Study in France?

Reports say by 2030, there will be 30,000 Indian students, studying the academic programs in France. But what are the reasons behind this increasing number of students? Below, we have mentioned some of the reasons in favor of why you should choose to study in France

• France is a hub for Business & Management courses. You can also choose from a variety of courses such as MIM, MS, MBA, BBA, B.Tech and more.
• You can get any from over 500 scholarships while studying at good universities in France
• France has the world's fifth largest economy and 31 of the world's 500 most powerful companies like Airbus, Total, Orange, Sanofi, LVMH, L’Oréal and Danone
• The French student visa lets you stay in the country for 4-12 months after graduation and can be renewed according to your duration of studies
• Majority of the top universities in France allow international students to work on-campus while studying in the university and pick up part-time jobs during their term breaks.
• Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Toulouse, Grenoble, Lille, Nice, Nantes are among the cities where the top ranked universities in France are located. Some of the cities are ranked in QS Best student-friendly cities as well.
• Access to scholarships like Haini Zeini Scholarships, Narotam Sekhria’s Scholarships, and many more

Best Universities in France for International Students

Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres), Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay are the 4 good colleges in France that are ranked under top 100 globally. Refer to the table below to know more about the top universities in France for international students

Best Business Universities in France

France is known for its high-quality and affordable education. The ranking of best business schools in France says it all. 11 top b schools in France have successfully secured their place in the QS World University ranking, 2024. Global rankings and country ranking of the best b schools in France are tabulated below.

Best Colleges in France for Engineering and Technology

As per QS subject rankings 2024, 26 of France top colleges are listed for engineering and technology. Some popular top universities in Paris and France are tabulated below with their rankings. These universities also come under best universities in France for Computer Science.

Top Universities in France for MBA

The MBA in France is a 10-month to 18-month course that provides a huge boost to your career and provides multiple job opportunities. Once the course is completed, you get a chance to be hired by top companies in various sectors like Hyatt Regency, Tata Consultancy Services, Amazon, Airbus, and others. But where to study? Check out the top 10 business schools in France for MBA from the table below

Note: 1 EUR= 90.29 INR as of May 23, 2024

Best Universities in France for Masters

International Business, Corporate Strategy, MIM, and Executive masters are some of the popular business programs in France. Some of the top business universities in France that offer these programs are tabulated below

Note: 1 EUR= 90.29 INR as of May 23, 2024

Admission Requirements for the Top-Ranked Universities in France

French universities offer two intakes every year. One is January/ Spring intake and September/ Fall intake. Consider the general entry requirements mentioned below for admission to the best colleges in Paris France.

• An authorization from Campus France.
• A passport copy
• A passport-sized photo of you.
• Academic transcripts and graduation certificates.
• A copy of your EU health card (for EU students)
• Application fee.
• A civil liability certificate
• A cover letter
• Proficiency certificates in exams to study in France
• Proof of sufficient financial resources to fund your stay in France (minimum 615 EUR/ month)

Documents Required for Admission to Good Universities in Paris

For admission to good colleges in Paris you need to submit the following documents

Advantages of Working in France After Studies

French work culture is well-known for its healthy work-life balance and working conditions in France are among the best in the world. An employee has various minimum rights under the law, regardless of any contrary language in their employment agreement. Some of the advantages that may motivate you to get a job in France include the following

• A fixed work schedule of 35 hours per week
• Five weeks of paid holidays annually
• From 16 to 48 weeks of maternity leave and up to 28 days of paternity leave;
• Minimum wage of 1,766.92 EUR gross per month, and gross hourly minimum wage is 11.65 EUR
• French “13th-month” pay
• Restaurant vouchers for employees
• Health insurance as part of a permanent employment contract
• Social security benefits (for staying in France more than 3 months)
• 50% of your monthly public transportation is covered by your employer
• Family allowances and pension
• Number of employed people is estimated to 28.4 million people in 2025, indicating an overall employment rate of around 70%

Work Permit in France

There are mainly two types of work permits available in France. Apply for a work permit required by the type of your employment. The types of work permit in France are

• Temporary Residence Permit- Employee (APS) for graduates with a Master's degree or equivalent professional qualification
• Temporary Residence Permit -Temporary Worker (WIP) for students who received a job offer from a French company before their graduation

You can consider the aforementioned details while looking for the best universities in France. Some of the best engineering universities France include Universite Paris Saclay, Universite Grenoble Alpes (UGA), Institut National Polytechnique de Grenoble and others. Paris best universities charge an application fee 75-150 EUR.

FAQs

Ques: What are the best universities in France for international students?

Ques: What is the cost of studying at a top university in France?

Ques: Are there scholarships available for international students in France?

Ques: Do I need to speak French to study at a university in France?

Ques: How can I apply to a university in France?

Ques: What are the visa requirements for studying in France?

Ques: What are the accommodation options for students in France?

Ques: How is the student life and culture in France?

Ques: Can international students work while studying in France?

Ques: What are the post-graduation opportunities for international students in France?