A practical starting guide for international students and travellers. Compare institutions, understand processes and plan your journey.
France combines public universities, specialist grandes Ă©coles and private institutions. Compare the exact diploma, awarding institution, language of instruction, tuition category and city-level living costs before shortlisting.
Compare academic eligibility, teaching language, professional recognition, accommodation, local transport and overall cost. A city’s reputation alone does not determine whether a course or visit is suitable.
Rules, prices and travel conditions can change. Use official university, immigration and tourism sources before making commitments.
Shortlist by programme fit, language, tuition, recognition and student support—not reputation alone.
France offers Licence, Master and doctoral routes alongside engineering and specialist school qualifications. English-taught choices are available, particularly at Master level, but check the language percentage and any French-language requirement for internships or regulated professions.
Request a current written fee breakdown, including application, registration, insurance, examination and laboratory charges. Compare university residence and private housing, deposits, utilities, meals and commute costs.
Official starting points. Confirm exact course, intake, campus and international admission rules with the institution. For applicants who need English instruction, Campus France's English-taught catalogue is a useful starting point; many options are at master's level, while bachelor's availability is more limited. Check whether the programme is fully or partly taught in English and whether the application runs through Études en France or directly through the institution.
| Institution | Fields to explore | Official website |
|---|---|---|
| Université Paris-Saclay | Sciences, engineering | Official site ↗ |
| Sorbonne University | Sciences, humanities | Official site ↗ |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | Engineering, sciences | Official site ↗ |
| University of Strasbourg | Medicine, law | Official site ↗ |
| Université de Montpellier | Medicine, environment | Official site ↗ |
Use the official catalogues rather than relying only on a university name. Campus France provides searchable Bachelor and Master catalogues and a separate “Programs Taught in English” catalogue. The latter lists more than 1,600 programmes wholly or partly taught in English (Campus France catalogue updated October 2026). Check each listing for the teaching-language share, degree level, tuition, admission requirements, location and awarding institution; then confirm the intake and application route directly with the institution.
Check nationality eligibility, deadlines, coverage, renewal grades and service obligations. Admission does not guarantee a scholarship.
For a course longer than three months, students generally need a long-stay student visa, with post-arrival formalities depending on the visa issued. Applicants residing in India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan are within the Études en France (EEF) procedure country list; the Campus France process is an important step before the visa application. Admission, course duration, nationality and residence country determine the exact route. Follow the current France-Visas wizard and Campus France country instructions.
Grades, prerequisites, language and budget.
Compare course pages, recognition and fees.
Submit documents and complete selection.
Follow official immigration instructions.
France offers major cultural, food, heritage and coastal experiences. Build an itinerary around regions and realistic rail journeys rather than trying to cover the whole country in a short visit.
For flight planning, compare total journey time, baggage, arrival airport and transit-visa requirements for any connection. For hotels, compare the neighbourhood against the nearest metro or rail station, local tourist taxes and cancellation terms.
Indian ordinary passport holders generally require a Schengen short-stay visa for tourism in France, normally up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Apply through the French visa process for your place of residence and main destination. Provide the documents listed by the official visa wizard, which may include itinerary, accommodation, travel medical insurance, financial means and return travel. Appointment arrangements and fees can change; check the official process before booking.
Paris is usually the most expensive base; compare hotels near Metro/RER stations rather than paying a premium for a landmark address. In Lyon and other regional cities, central areas and station districts offer different trade-offs. Nice and the Riviera become much more expensive during summer and major events. Loire Valley visits may work better with a rental car or a planned tour; check parking and local transport before choosing accommodation.
For a budget-to-mid-range independent trip, plan around €90–€170 per day, including an accommodation share, meals, local transport and ordinary sightseeing. A simple private hotel room may be around €90–€180 per night in Paris and popular Riviera locations, with lower rates sometimes available outside central areas or in smaller cities. Hostels and budget hotels can reduce the total; summer, fashion events and major holidays can push rates much higher.
For 5 days, use approximately €450–€850 per person on the ground as an initial estimate. Flights from India, Schengen visa expenses, insurance, intercity high-speed rail, attraction tickets and premium dining are extra. Reserve major attractions in advance and compare train tickets as soon as dates are known.
Costs vary sharply between Paris, the Riviera and smaller inland towns. These broad estimates are for early planning only and should be replaced with date-specific hotel and transport quotations before booking.
Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Montmartre
Palace and gardens
Châteaux and vineyards
Food and heritage
Riviera coastline
Day 1: arrive in Paris and take an easy walk along the Seine. Day 2: choose one major museum and a nearby historic district; reserve timed entry. Day 3: Versailles as a planned day trip, allowing for transport and palace/garden ticket choices. Day 4: choose either a Paris neighbourhood day or a longer excursion; the Loire Valley is better with a dedicated itinerary rather than a rushed add-on. Day 5: relaxed market/café visit and departure. Lyon and Nice are better treated as separate multi-night bases, not quick day trips from Paris.
Official-source check for planning purposes. Reconfirm the rules for the traveller’s nationality, exact purpose and intended travel date before payment or departure.
Programme and university verification: use these official sources to filter actual courses, confirm international entry routes, and check fees for the intake:
Information is for general guidance and is not legal, immigration, academic-recognition or financial advice. Tuition, scholarships, visa rules, entry fees, transport, flight schedules and travel costs can change without notice. Admission, scholarship, visa approval and travel entry are never guaranteed. Our scope of support and professional fees are discussed individually after understanding your requirements.
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