Studying in France opens a world of opportunities

Choosing France for higher education guarantees quality and excellence that will strengthen your career prospects. French universities are world-class – France is ranked third globally in the Shanghai Ranking. In the latest Times Higher Education Global Employability University Ranking, France accounts for 19 institutions in the top 250. According to the last Financial Times European Business School rankings, France has five schools in the top 10. The French education system is the reason why France boasts 76 Nobel laureates and 15 Fields medal laureates.

A programme for everyone

Beyond these numbers, whether you dream of becoming an engineer, a chef, a mathematician, an artist, or a business leader, France has a programme for you. There are more than 3,500 public and private institutions of higher education in France, covering all fields. Programmes are professionally oriented and combine theory and practice as well as the use of professional tools in real-world settings.

Indeed, the dynamism of France’s economy is driven by its massive investments in higher education and R&D. These also provide great opportunities for Indian students in France, the world’s 7th largest economy. Indian students who have just obtained a master’s degree in France and wish to stay on to apply for jobs or set up their own businesses are eligible to a year-long post-study visa, renewable once. Moreover, studying in France will bring to you a lot of job opportunities in India, where more than 700 French companies are creating over 500,000 jobs, as well as help you discover career opportunities all around the world as we have established leading companies in tech, aeronautics, retail, luxury brands, transport, agriculture and many other sectors.

Affordable tuition fees

There are many other advantages to studying in France, not the least of which is the comparatively much greater affordability of tuition fees, which are subsidised by the French government. Further, Indian students in France enjoy social security and other protection and benefits, just like French students. Knowledge of the French language is not a requirement for choosing France. More than 1700 degrees in France are fully taught in English. For students who want a wider choice of subjects for their higher education, we have created international classes (Classes Internationales) enabling Indian students to learn the French language while at the same time making progress in their chosen field of study. The second edition of the international classes will be launched this October, offering even more options and diversity in the available programmes.

Choose France Tour 2024

Welcoming Indian students in France is our top priority. We need to strengthen our people-to-people ties and enhance access for the new generation to hone their skills. For that, we want to engage more directly with Indian students. This is the reason why Indian students should not miss the Choose France Tour 2024 and register on Choosefrance.in. This educational fair will offer a platform for Indian students and parents to engage with representatives from over 50 esteemed French higher educational institutions. The tour will take place from October 19 to 27 and cover five major Indian cities—Mumbai (October 19), Chandigarh (October 21), New Delhi (October 23), Hyderabad (October 25) and Bangalore (October) —providing a unique occasion to explore a wide range of study options and establish first-hand connections with reputable institutions.

From accessibility to employability, affordability and life experience, France is the right choice for Indian students, now more than ever. Our Campus France network in India, spanning all major cities, is the main gateway to fulfilling your study abroad dreams in France.

The author is French Ambassador to India

The opinion piece was published in Education Times on 25th September 2024.