Study in France 🇫🇷
World-class education at European public prices
France's public universities charge non-EU students €2,770 per year for Bachelor's and €3,770 for Master's — a fraction of UK or US fees — while offering Sorbonne, École Polytechnique, Sciences Po, and HEC Paris. Combined with Eiffel Excellence scholarships, a 12-month post-graduation job-search permit, and a growing catalogue of English-taught programs, France is one of the most accessible premium destinations for students from Afghanistan, Iran, and the Middle East.
€2,770
Bachelor tuition (public)
1,500+
English-taught programs
12 mo
Post-study job-search permit (APS)
€615
Monthly CAF housing subsidy (max)
Why France
Why France?
Low public tuition, world-renowned institutions
Non-EU students pay €2,770/year for Bachelor's and €3,770/year for Master's at French public universities (2024-25 differentiated rates). Many universities waive the difference and charge the EU rate (€170 / €243) — we identify these every year. Sorbonne, Paris-Saclay, PSL, and Polytechnique all sit in the global top 60.
Grandes Écoles — the French elite track
Beyond universities, France runs Grandes Écoles — small, highly selective institutions like HEC Paris (world #1 Master in Management), ESSEC, École Polytechnique, Sciences Po, and ENS. They demand competitive entrance exams or strong international applications, but their graduates dominate French leadership and global business.
Eiffel Excellence & generous scholarship network
The French government's Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is specifically designed for top international Master's and PhD applicants — monthly €1,181 stipend, flights, health insurance. Campus France, French embassies, and individual universities add country-specific schemes that Afghan and Iranian students regularly win.
12-month job-search permit after graduation
Master's graduates automatically qualify for a 12-month Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) to find work or launch a business. Once you have a job offer ≥1.5× minimum wage, you convert to a Talent Passport — France's clear route from graduate to resident.
Large Afghan, Iranian, and Arab diaspora
France hosts one of Europe's largest Iranian communities (~50,000+ in Paris alone), a growing Afghan population, and significant Maghreb-rooted Arab communities. Paris, Lyon, Marseille, and Toulouse have mosques, Persian bookshops, halal infrastructure, and community networks — you won't feel isolated.
Universities
Top French institutions we help you apply to
France splits its higher education between research-heavy public universities and smaller, more selective Grandes Écoles. We match applicants to both, depending on your goals, budget, and competitive profile.
Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)
Paris
QS #24
École Polytechnique (l'X)
Palaiseau
QS #38
Sorbonne Université
Paris
QS #53
Sciences Po
Paris
QS #52 (social sciences)
Université Paris-Saclay
Saclay
QS #59
HEC Paris
Jouy-en-Josas
Master in Management world #1 (FT)
École Normale Supérieure Paris (ENS)
Paris
QS #36
ESSEC Business School
Cergy / Paris
Top 3 Euro MBA
Université Grenoble Alpes
Grenoble
Shanghai #101-150
Université de Strasbourg
Strasbourg
QS #415 — strong for EU law, chemistry
Process
Application process — 7 steps
- 1
Register on 'Études en France' (Campus France)
Non-EU students from ~70 countries including Afghanistan and Iran must pre-register through the Études en France platform at their local Campus France office. This is mandatory before any French university application. You build a profile, upload documents, and select up to 7 programs.
- 2
Choose public university or Grande École — different tracks
Public universities accept through Études en France for Bachelor's and DAP (Demande d'Admission Préalable) for certain programs. Grandes Écoles have their own admissions (SAI, Mastères Spécialisés, individual competitions). We guide you to the right track.
- 3
Prove your language level — French or English
French-taught programs require DELF B2 or DALF C1 for most universities (some require TCF instead). English-taught Master's require IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+. Sciences Po and HEC may additionally require French at B1-B2 level.
- 4
Submit academic documents with certified translations
All non-French documents need certified translation into French (or English, where accepted). This includes passport, high school diploma (for Bachelor's), transcripts, degree certificates (for Master's), CV, and motivation letter in proper French format.
- 5
Attend Campus France interview
After your online application, Campus France schedules a motivational interview at your local office (or by video). They assess French language, study project coherence, and financial capacity. Pass this and you're pre-approved for the visa stage.
- 6
Accept admission and pay CVEC student life fee
Once a university offers admission, you accept on Études en France, then pay the €103 CVEC (Contribution Vie Étudiante et de Campus). Save the receipt — the consulate will ask for it.
- 7
Apply for the VLS-TS student visa at French consulate
The Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour is a combined visa + residence permit — no separate residence application after arrival. Afghan applicants apply in Islamabad, Istanbul, or third countries; Iranian applicants apply in Tehran. Processing is typically 2-4 weeks once Campus France approves.
Costs
What studying in France actually costs
France is affordable for Europe — especially outside Paris — and generous CAF housing subsidies genuinely cut monthly costs. These are 2024-25 figures.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
Public university tuition (Bachelor, non-EU) Many universities waive this and charge the EU rate of €170 — ask or let us check | €2,770/year |
Public university tuition (Master, non-EU) Same waiver possibility — EU rate is €243 | €3,770/year |
Grande École tuition HEC, ESSEC, Sciences Po — scholarships available | €10,000–25,000/year |
Living expenses (Paris) CAF housing subsidy can return €200–615/month | €1,200–1,500/month |
Living expenses (provinces — Lyon, Toulouse, Grenoble) Significantly cheaper than Paris, still major student cities | €800–1,000/month |
CVEC student life fee Mandatory — covers health, sports, cultural services | €103/year |
Health insurance Mandatory enrollment in French Sécurité Sociale — covers 70% of medical costs | Free |
VLS-TS visa fee Plus €50 OFII fee after arrival to validate residence | €50–99 |
Scholarships
French scholarships for our region
The French government, Campus France, French embassies, and universities run one of the world's largest scholarship ecosystems. Afghan and Iranian students consistently win these.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
The flagship French government scholarship for top international Master's and PhD candidates — €1,181/month stipend, return flights, health insurance, cultural activities. Master's: 12-month funding; PhD: up to 36 months. Applications are made through the host French university — the student cannot apply directly. Deadlines typically December–January.
French Embassy Scholarships (Bourses du Gouvernement Français — BGF)
Each French embassy runs country-specific BGF scholarships. Afghan and Iranian embassies have historically offered Master's-level funding for academic high performers. Amounts and rules shift annually — we track current openings.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
Two-year Master's across two to four European universities with one or more French partners. Covers full tuition, €1,400/month living allowance, travel. Afghan and Iranian nationals are eligible; deadlines typically January–February.
Charpak Scholarship family (regional variants)
The India-focused Charpak has regional equivalents — Campus France runs similar need-and-merit schemes for MENA and Central Asia. We check yearly which are open to Afghan and Iranian passports.
Institut français scholarships
The cultural wing of the French Embassy funds short-term research stays and French-language programs — smaller than Eiffel but much less competitive, and often a stepping stone to bigger awards.
University-level scholarships (Sorbonne, PSL, Sciences Po, Paris-Saclay)
Top French universities run their own merit and need-based awards. Sciences Po's Émile Boutmy scholarship covers full tuition for non-EU Bachelor's applicants. PSL and Paris-Saclay offer international excellence scholarships at Master's level — typically €10,000–15,000/year.
Visa
VLS-TS Student Visa — what you need
The Visa Long Séjour valant Titre de Séjour is a one-step visa that also functions as your residence permit for the first year — no separate préfecture appointment for the residence card. You validate it online within 3 months of arrival and pay the €50 OFII tax.
- ✓Campus France pre-acceptance (Études en France approval)
- ✓Admission letter from a French institution
- ✓Proof of financial resources — minimum €615/month × 12 months (€7,380) via bank statements, scholarship letter, or notarized sponsor attestation
- ✓Proof of accommodation in France — lease, CROUS dormitory assignment, or host family attestation
- ✓Valid passport with ≥3 months beyond stay end and two blank pages
- ✓CVEC payment receipt
- ✓Academic documents — diplomas, transcripts, certified translations
- ✓Language certificate — DELF B2 for French programs, IELTS/TOEFL for English
- ✓Medical insurance covering the Schengen area for at least the first 3 months
- ✓Completed long-stay visa form plus biometric photos and €99 fee
Timeline
Realistic 14-month timeline
12–14 months before intake
Start DELF/DALF or IELTS prep, research universities, build Études en France account
10–12 months before
Finalize university shortlist, get transcripts and diplomas certified-translated into French
7–10 months before
Submit Études en France application (window typically October–January for autumn intake), pay processing fees
5–7 months before
Attend Campus France interview, receive admission offers, accept one, pay CVEC
3–5 months before
Secure housing (CROUS dormitories, Studapart, Lokaviz), gather financial proof, book visa appointment
1–3 months before
Attend VLS-TS visa interview at French consulate, receive visa
Arrival month
Validate VLS-TS online within 3 months, pay OFII €50, open French bank account, apply for CAF housing subsidy, enroll in Sécurité Sociale
FAQ
France admissions — common questions
Is tuition really only €2,770/year in France for Afghans and Iranians?+
At public universities — yes. The 2024-25 non-EU rate is €2,770/year for Bachelor's and €3,770/year for Master's. Many universities waive the difference and charge the EU rate of €170-243. Grandes Écoles are separate and charge €10,000-25,000/year, but offer generous scholarships. We identify the waiver universities every year so you pay as little as possible.
Do I need to speak French to study in France?+
Not always — 1,500+ Master's programs are taught entirely in English. But French-taught programs require DELF B2 or DALF C1, and life outside the classroom is much easier with at least B1 French. Sciences Po and most Grandes Écoles expect conversational French even for English-track programs.
What is Campus France and why is it mandatory?+
Campus France is the official French agency that pre-screens non-EU applicants from ~70 countries including Afghanistan and Iran. Every application must go through the Études en France online platform followed by an in-person or video interview at your local Campus France office. It's a gatekeeping step — without Campus France approval, French consulates will not grant a student visa.
Can Afghan passport holders get French student visas?+
Yes. French consulates process Afghan student visa applications at missions in Islamabad, Istanbul, Doha, Ankara, and Dubai — applicants apply wherever they currently reside. Approval rates are strong with a clean Campus France file and verified admission. Processing times have been 4–8 weeks since 2022.
Can Iranian students study in France?+
Yes. France hosts one of Europe's largest Iranian student populations, especially in engineering, mathematics, medical research, and political science. Visa applications go through the French consulate in Tehran. Sensitive research fields (nuclear physics, advanced materials, aerospace) may trigger extended security review of 2-4 months.
Can I work while studying in France?+
Yes. Non-EU students can work up to 964 hours/year — about 18.5 hours/week over the academic year, or full-time during vacations. Minimum wage (SMIC) is €11.88/hour (2024), so part-time student work genuinely covers part of your living costs. French helps a lot for finding these jobs.
What happens after I graduate?+
Master's and PhD graduates automatically qualify for the Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS) — a 12-month permit to look for work or start a business. With a job offer ≥1.5× minimum wage, you convert to a Talent Passport (residence permit valid up to 4 years). After 5 years of legal residence, you can apply for permanent residence.
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