🇫🇷 France · Study Abroad
How to study in France as an international student — application steps, student visas, and living costs.
Quick answer
To study in France, students from many countries apply through the 'Études en France' procedure (via Campus France), then, once admitted, apply for a VLS-TS long-stay student visa, which you validate online within three months of arrival. Public university fees are low, though some are higher for non-EU students. Explore options on Campus France and apply by the deadline.
France hosts large numbers of international students with relatively low public-university tuition. Campus France — the official national agency — runs the application process for many countries through its "Études en France" procedure, and advises on programmes, recognition and visas. Non-EU students generally need a long-stay study visa (VLS-TS), which doubles as a residence permit once validated. Campus France is the central portal.
- In many countries you apply through Campus France's "Études en France" procedure; elsewhere you apply directly to the institution.
- Public-university tuition is relatively low (differentiated fees may apply to non-EU students); budget mainly for living costs.
- Non-EU students usually need a long-stay study visa (VLS-TS) that must be validated after arrival and acts as a residence permit.
- The France Excellence Eiffel scholarship and other schemes can fund master's and PhD study.
Step-by-step
- 1
Choose your course and institution
Choose your program and apply through the Études en France procedure (Campus France) where it applies to your country.
- 2
Meet academic and language requirements
Meet the academic entry requirements and prove language ability (e.g. an English or local-language test) at the level the course demands.
- 3
Apply for admission
Apply for admission through the relevant application route by the deadline, with transcripts, test scores and supporting documents.
- 4
Receive offer and enrollment document
On acceptance, obtain your official enrollment/acceptance document, which you will need for the visa application.
- 5
Apply for your student visa
Apply for the VLS-TS long-stay student visa, then validate it online within three months of arriving in France.
- 6
Arrive, enroll and know the rules
Arrive before the term, complete enrollment and any residence registration, and note the rules on part-time work and post-study stay.
Checklist
- Course, level and institution chosen
- Academic + language requirements met
- Admission application submitted by deadline
- Offer + enrollment/acceptance document received
- Proof of funds + health cover prepared
- Student visa applied for + granted
- Arrival, enrollment + registration done
- Work-hours and post-study stay rules understood
Official authorities
- Campus France (official agency)
National agency: programmes, applications, recognition and visas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Études en France procedure?
A Campus France online process, required for applicants from many countries, that handles admission and links to the visa application.
What is a VLS-TS?
A long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit; you validate it online within three months of arrival to stay legally.
Can I work while studying in France?
Yes — student visa holders can work a limited number of hours per year alongside their studies; check the current cap.
Official-information aggregation, not legal advice. Always verify on the authority's own site.
Government portals
- Government of France — Office of the French Prime Minister — government policies, ministers, and key legislation
- France Public Services (Service-Public) — France's unified administrative services — residence permits, taxes, social security, civil records
- French General Tax Directorate (DGFiP) — French income tax, VAT, wealth tax filing; tax residency determination; French tax number (NIF) application