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Country guide

Study in France

Everything an international student needs to apply to a France university: grading scale, fees, language tests, visa proof, top universities, and deadlines.

Grading scale

0 – 20

10 is the minimum pass; 14+ is good (Bien); 16+ is exceptional (Très Bien)

Convert your grades

Application requirements

Application fees

Études en France procedure: ~€90–€110 per programme for non-EU candidates. Direct master's applications: varies, typically €100–€200.

Language tests

French-taught programmes typically require DELF B2 or DALF C1. English-taught programmes typically require IELTS 6.5 / TOEFL iBT 90. Grandes écoles may require GMAT/GRE.

Cost & visa proof

Estimated tuition, accommodation, living costs, and the visa financial proof requirement — by city and university type.

Open Study Cost Estimator

Top universities in France

Ranking source: QS World University Rankings & Times Higher Education 2024 (where noted). Links go to each university's official admissions page.

UniversityCityRankingAdmissions
Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL)ParisQS 24Open
Université Paris-SaclayParis-SaclayQS 73Open
Sorbonne UniversityParisQS 59Open
École PolytechniquePalaiseauQS 38Open
Sciences PoParisQS 211Open
HEC ParisJouy-en-JosasQS 59 (Business)Open
ESSEC Business SchoolCergyQS 81 (Business)Open
École Normale Supérieure (ENS Paris)ParisQS 33Open
INSEADFontainebleauQS 2 (MBA)Open
Université Paris CitéParisQS 248Open

Application timeline

September start

Typical window

Études en France: Oct – Dec preceding year; Direct master's: typically Jan – May

January / February start (limited)

Typical window

Aug – Oct preceding year

Individual programmes vary. Always confirm on the target university's official admissions page.

Cost of living (per month)

Paris

€1,200 – €1,800

Lyon

€800 – €1,100

Toulouse

€750 – €1,050

Marseille

€800 – €1,100

Indicative all-in ranges for student accommodation, food, transport, and basic utilities. Personal lifestyle and accommodation type swing these significantly.

Common questions

What is Études en France?+
Mandatory online procedure for non-EU students applying to most French public universities at bachelor's and master's level. Includes a French embassy interview. Process opens in October each year.
Difference between universities and grandes écoles?+
Public universities (e.g., Sorbonne, Paris-Saclay) accept most qualified applicants and charge low fees. Grandes écoles (HEC, Polytechnique, ESSEC) are highly selective, charge higher tuition (€15,000–€30,000+), and emphasise admissions exams or rigorous applications.
Is tuition really €2,770 / year?+
For EU students, yes (master's tuition at French public universities is ~€243 for bachelor's, ~€601 master's as of 2025). For non-EU students, public universities charge €2,770 (bachelor's) or €3,770 (master's) — though some universities waive these fees.
Do I need to learn French?+
For French-taught programmes, yes — DELF B2 minimum. For English-taught programmes, French is not required for admission but is essential for daily life, jobs, and most internships outside Paris.

Next steps

Convert your grades

Use the My Grades tool to translate your transcript into the french scale.

Plan your application

Personalised application checklist for France at every degree level.

See related conversions

Every conversion involving the french grading scale, in one place.