Highlights
- Top Universities: Some of the most sought-after universities by Indian students for PhD in France include Université PSL, Toulouse School of Management, and Institut Polytechnique de Paris, among others.
- Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for PhD in France is covered by the government, and students have to pay EUR 380 (INR 34,073).
- PhD Stipend: Students earn a salary of at least 1684€ per month while doing PhD in France.
- Course Duration: A PhD in the science field takes 3 years, while research in arts and humanities can be stretched up to 6 years.
PhD in France is a great study abroad option for Indian students at the moment—where countries are trying to curb immigration, France is ready to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030. PhD usually takes 3-6 years to complete, depending on your field:
- A PhD in the science field, especially experimental research, is usually wrapped up in 3 years, or 4, if you need an extension.
- On the other hand, research in sociology takes longer, and students often work “alone” (without funding) for a few years in between.
The doctoral schools in France do not offer PhD “programs”. The admission process is more similar to applying for a job than registering for a course, in that you reach out to the supervisor you want to work with. Students are expected to have a thesis statement (and supervisor) prior to enrollment. There are no minimum score requirements for doing a PhD, though first class in Bachelor’s and over 85% in Master’s is recommended to increase the likelihood of admission to the university. English Language Proficiency requirements include an IELTS score of at least 6.
PhD in France is quite cost-effective, with tuition fees in the range of EUR 300-400, depending on your specialization and university. The return on investment after a PhD is high, with an average annual salary of 45,000 EUR (40 lakhs INR). Plus, students earn a monthly salary of EUR 1,684 (INR 1,50,995) while doing their PhD.
Top Universities for PhD in France
Listed below are the most popular universities for PhD in France, along with the fields of study they offer PhD in.
| QS Ranking 2025 | University | Field of Study |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Université PSL | PhD in Arts, Humanities & social sciences, Engineering, Fundamental Sciences |
| 63 | Sorbonne University | PhD in Arts and Humanities, Medicine & paramedical studies, Sciences & Engineering |
| 38 | Institut Polytechnique de Paris | PhD in Applied mathematics, biology and chemistry, computing, Data and artificial intelligence, etc. |
| 73 | Université Paris Saclay | PhD in Arts, Humanities & social sciences, Engineering, Fundamental Sciences |
| 302 | Université de Paris | PhD in Astronomy & astrophysics, telecommunications, cognition and brain behavior etc. |
| 151 | École des Ponts Paristech | PhD in Applied mathematics, computing, Data and artificial intelligence, etc |
| 481 | Aix - Marseille University | PhD in space culture and society, cognition, language and education, chemical sciences, legal and political sciences, etc. |
| 535 | University of Bordeaux | PhD in law, economic sciences, management and demographics, mathematics and computer science, society, politics and public health |
| 29 | Toulouse School of Management | PhD in Accounting, finance, human resource management, marketing, strategy and international management |
Why Study PhD in France?
PhD in France is popular for a number of reasons, some of which are listed below.
- France has produced over 64 Nobel Laureates and 15 Fields Medals, as the government’s emphasis on research and innovation provides opportunities for ongoing research and helps with securing funding.
- Indian students are finding France as a great study abroad destination as PhD fees for state universities, of INR 34,073, are fixed by the government, providing affordability and accessibility.
- Institutes in France use English as the medium of language in PhD, making it easier for Indian students who are still learning French.
- As France is the hub of research and innovation, the specializations offered are many and intensive, from engineering and technology to bioscience and medical—so no matter what field you are in, you are likely to find the specialization you are looking for.
PhD in France Admission
Admission to PhD in France is more similar to looking for a job than applying for a course. Here’s a rundown of the process:
- Go through the university websites to find the department of your subject.
- In your specific department, you will find professors specialized in the relevant fields, and the next step is to get in touch with them.
- A cover letter, CV and your PhD proposal are emailed to the professor, who will “hire” you.
- Once you have a supervisor, you will have to apply to the doctoral school and give an interview.
The academic year starts in September, and applications open between April and May.
Eligibility Criteria
There are no minimum scores needed for admission to PhD, but a strong academic record (first class or over 85%) helps.
You are required to have finished your Master’s degree and have a thesis statement and research proposal ready before you apply.
Additionally, paper publications are a great way to boost your application.
Language Requirements
English language requirements for PhD in France include:
- IELTS: 6
- TOEFL: 90
However, the English language tests are only relevant to programs taught in English. If the program is taught in French (as most are), you need to qualify for the TCF (Test for Knowledge of French) and Le TEF (French Assessment Test) examinations.
You can also take the DELF/DALF French language test for French proficiency.
Cost of Studying PhD in France
Under French law, you cannot pursue a PhD without funding—you need a contrat doctoral that gives you the right to a salary (at least 1684€ per month) and other benefits. For Indian students, this means you can’t do a PhD on your own savings but need a contract. These contracts typically last for 3 years.
Tuition Fees
PhD in France is funded by the government, and the tuition fee is covered for both domestic and international students. Students have to pay a sum of EUR 380 (INR 34,073) for PhD in France.
Cost of Living in France
Since tuition fees are covered, the major portion of the cost of studying PhD in France is taken up by living expenses. A detailed breakdown of the cost of living in France is provided below.
| Expense Type | Costs (EUR) | Costs (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 690 | 62,300 |
| Utilities | 175 | 15,800 |
| Mobile & Internet | 60 | 5,400 |
| Food | 280 | 25,200 |
| Transportation | 69 | 6,200 |
| Miscellaneous | 200 | 18,000 |
| TOTAL | 1,474 | 1,32,900 |
PhD in France: Scholarships
The subsidized tuition fees and PhD stipend mean you have less to worry about when it comes to finances. However, living in France is expensive. Here are some scholarships that might help you as an Indian student -
| Scholarship | Awarded By | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence | French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs | €1,800 per month for up to 10-months, medical insurance, subsidized housing |
| Fellowships | Doctoral School | 1,400 EUR per month for 3 years |
| Agence Nationale de Recherche Funding | Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation | 1,400 to 1,500 EUR per month |
PhD in France Placements
Candidates after completing their PhD degree can either opt for research-based jobs in France or to work in the academic sector. Usually, a candidate after PhD in France can earn an average annual salary of 45,000 EUR (40 lakhs INR). A candidate opting for research and teaching can make more than 5,000 EUR (4 lakhs INR) per month.
Depending on your field of research, these are some of the job roles available after PhD.
| Job Title | Average Salary (EUR) | Average Salary (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric and Space Scientist | 91,500 | 82 lakhs |
| Biomedical Scientist | 104,000 | 93 lakhs |
| Clinical Laboratory Scientist | 105,000 | 94 lakhs |
| Computer Scientist | 75,200 | 67 lakhs |
| DNA Analyst | 96,800 | 87 lakhs |
| Food Scientist | 64,700 | 58 lakhs |
| Forensic Scientist | 80,700 | 72 lakhs |
| Formulation Technologist | 38,500 | 34 lakhs |
A PhD is completed with the scholar successfully defending their research. The major form of assessment is evaluation of an original thesis by a jury. Half the members of this jury will be French and external to your institution and doctoral school, and the other half will be members of the National University Council (Conseil national des universités). After presenting your research methods and results, you will debate and ‘defend’ them to the jury during a public viva voce (oral examination).
FAQs
Ques. How much does a PhD in France cost?
Ans. The tuition fees for PhD in France are covered by the government, and the students only pay a sum of EUR 380. The average monthly cost of living for Indian students in France is 400 to 1,200 EUR. (35,000 to 1.05 lakhs INR).
Ques. What are the admission requirements for PhD in France?
Ans. For a PhD in France, you need to have a Master’s degree. There are no minimum academic score requirements, but you need English language proficiency of IELTS band 6.
Ques. Do I need to know French to do a PhD in France?
Ans. There are doctoral schools that offer PhD in English medium, though it is highly recommended for you to learn French to be able to get by on a daily basis.
Ques. How long does a PhD in France take?
Ans. Getting a PhD in France usually takes 3 years of study (in natural and technological sciences). However, it can be stretched up to 6 years (in social sciences and the humanities) depending on the candidates.
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