The study abroad trends have significantly changed over the last few years among Indian students. With evolving preferences, many now choose to study in France, shifting from traditionally popular countries like the big four to emerging destinations offering quality education.
Nearly 7,344 Indian students enrolled in French Universities in 2023-2024. Projections indicate that this figure will surpass 10,000 in 2025. This rise in popularity can be justified by the country's robust educational system, which is comparatively affordable. Additionally, the immigrant-friendly policies also play a major role in France's popularity among Indians. France is home to 62 Nobel Prizes, further justifying the country's excellence in research. The French government takes a high interest in education, as it is the state's biggest budget item, representing over 20% of the budget.
In this article, we will see what other factors make international students want to study in France.
Top 10 Reasons why Indian Students are choosing to Study in France
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Strengthening Indo-France Educational Ties
France has implemented welcoming educational and immigration policies for Indian students to simplify their journey to Top French Universities. These policies have helped strengthen the educational ties between India and France, as the French Government has set a target to welcome 30,000 students from India by the year 2030.
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Initiatives by France to Welcome Indian Students
France has taken several initiatives to attract Indian students, like organizing specific tours in major Indian cities to provide study-related information to students. Additionally, they are also providing services to support students in the application process. With that, France is also collaborating with Indian Universities like TISS and Mumbai University for Dual Degrees.
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Favourable Visa Policies for Indian Students
The French Visa policies are student-friendly with limited documentation and a faster processing time. It typically takes only 15 days for a French visa to be processed. Another big factor to be noted is that Indian graduates with a master's degree from a French institution can avail of a five-year Schengen visa, facilitating travel across 26 European countries.
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French Degree – An Access to the 570 French Companies in India
Degrees from French Universities are recognized worldwide, which makes them attractive to employers all over the world. It opens doors to numerous employment opportunities, especially in French companies that operate in India. Over 570 French companies operate in India and are eager to hire Indian students with a French education for the sake of familiarity with French Business culture and practices.
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Cost-Effective Education & French Scholarships for Indian Students
The lower cost of education in France is also an important factor in its popularity among Indian students. The public Universities in France are relatively affordable, with low tuition as the government subsidises a significant part of the cost. Moreover, to ease financial burdens, over 500 scholarships are available to Indian students. Programmes like Charpak and Eiffel Excellence scholarships provide financial relief to Indian students.
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Post Study Work Visa up to 24 Months
After completing their education in France, Indian students can obtain a post-study work visa for up to 24 months. The visa is initially granted for a year but can be renewed for another year. This post-study work visa allows the students to gain valuable work experience and enhance their professional portfolio.
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Strong Ties with Industries for Internships & Placements
Major industries like Business, Technology, and Fashion have the highest requirement for skilled professionals in France. The French Universities have strong ties with these Industries to offer Internships and placements with better salary packages to Indian students studying there.
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Internationally Renowned System of Higher Education
The French educational system is globally renowned, with Top Universities in the world. According to the QS World University Ranking 2025, Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, and Sorbonne University are among the top 100 Universities in the world with a rank of 24, 46, and 63, respectively. The French Universities put special emphasis on research and innovation.
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Over 1700- English Taught Programs
To make the education even more accessible to students from International Origins, the French Universities provide more than 1700 Programs taught in English. This lets the Indian students gain quality education without any language barriers.
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Classes Internationales - A Unique Pathway for Indian Students
The Classes Internationales is an initiative launched by France in 2024 to make the Valuable French Taught Programs more accessible to Indian students. This initiative provides a one-year preparatory course in French language acquisition and academic integration. Students get selected solely based on academic merit, and once they are selected, they get access to over 200 French-taught Undergraduate programs across various fields of study.
With so many benefits, France is undoubtedly becoming a top choice for Indians. Students aiming to study in the renowned French Universities can take help from the Top overseas education consultants in India. Their experts will streamline the application process and make the admission easier.
