Indian students in France rise 17 Percent in 2024–25 - Campus France

Indian students are among the fastest-growing international cohorts in France, with Campus France reporting that India now has 9,100 students in France in 2024–25, up 17% year-on-year. The update positions India as the 11th largest country of origin for international students in France, according to figures attributed to France’s higher education statistics unit (MESR/SIES).

Key Data Announced

Campus France’s latest back-to-school release on international enrolments in France highlights:

• 443,500 international students enrolled across French higher education in 2024–25, a 3% increase over one year and 17% growth over five years.
• India: 9,100 students, +17% in one year; India moves to 11th place among origin countries (from 13th in 2024, as per the release).

Campus France also notes that in the prior published mobility snapshot (2022–23), the number of Indian students was part of a “particularly strong rise” among major sending countries.

Why This Matters for Indian Students?

For Indian applicants planning September 2026 or later intakes, the 17% jump is a signal of rising competition for:

• popular English-taught programmes in business/management, engineering and tech, and
• major student cities where demand for affordable accommodation is already high.

The same Campus France release notes that France’s broader international inflow is increasing steadily again after the post-pandemic rebound, with growth seen across different institution types, including universities (which host the majority of international students).

Housing and Cost: The Practical Pressure Point

A press-release commentary circulated this week flagged student housing as a growing structural challenge as international numbers rise—especially in large cities—making early planning essential for incoming students.

What Indian Applicants Should Do Next

• Apply early for housing once you receive an offer (don’t wait for visa timelines to start looking).
• Budget realistically for the first 4–8 weeks, when deposits, temporary stays and set-up costs peak.
• Use official guidance first (Campus France resources and your institution’s housing office) before relying on third-party listings.

Campus France says France hosted about 443,500 international students in 2024–25, and that the inflow is rising across regions, with Asia-Oceania growth described as more moderate overall but helped by India’s strong increase.

Separately, France’s Interior Ministry statistics also track “internationally mobile” foreign students in higher education and reported continued growth in 2024.