Reasons to Study in France: Benefits for International Students

Who hasn't fantasized about strolling along the banks of the Seine River or immersing oneself in the enchanting lavender fields of Provence at least once in their life? France is the most popular tourist destination in the world for a reason. But beyond its natural and cultural wonders, France also has a longstanding reputation for academic excellence. The country is home to prestigious universities and institutions renowned for their high-quality education in various fields. From humanities and arts to sciences and engineering, French universities offer an array of traditional and niche programs.

Top Reasons to Choose France for Study- Quick Facts

Major Reasons to Study in France 

Now that you have glanced at the quick facts, given below are the detailed reasons why should choose France for their study:

Home to Some of the Best Universities in the World

The country has a network of 3,500+ institutions that consists of universities, Grandes Ecoles and schools of art or architecture. As many as 32 French Universities have ranked in the QS University World Rankings 2023. These universities offer access to some of the top courses and specializations in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Here are the top 10 universities that bagged a place in the QS Rankings:

• Université PSL
• Institut Polytechnique de Paris
• Sorbonne University
• Universit Paris-Saclay
• École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
• École des ponts ParisTech
• Université Paris Cité
• Sciences Po
• Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonn
• Université Grenoble Alpes

2. Best Courses to Study in France

When choosing the best course to study in France, international students can select from some popular courses such as:

1. Engineering: France is known for its strong engineering programs. Top institutions such as École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, and INSA Lyon offer world-class engineering courses in various disciplines. 
2. Business and Management: The country is home to some of Europe's leading business schools. 
3. Fashion and Design: France has a rich fashion and design heritage. Schools like Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) and ESMOD Paris provide excellent programs in fashion design, luxury brand management, and fashion business.
4. Hospitality and Tourism: With its vibrant tourism industry, France offers top-notch hospitality management and tourism programs. 
5. Arts and Humanities: France has a strong tradition in arts and humanities. Universities like Sorbonne University and Sciences Po Paris offer various literature, philosophy, history, and political science courses.

3. Career & Business Prospects

France is one of the biggest and most flourishing global economies and has access to the entire European market. According to a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development report, the frontier technologies market (including AI) shall grow from $350 billion to over $3.2 trillion by 2025. France ranked as the top 13th country on the Readiness for Frontier Technologies Index, highlighting the growing AI market in France. Additionally, nearly 47,000 new jobs in France were created in the year 2022 alone by its deep tech startups.  

After graduating, international students can expect to find attractive employment opportunities in varied sectors. Tourism, technology, transport, manufacturing, energy, tourism, and agriculture are major contributors to the French economy. The country is popular for its fashion, luxury goods, and cosmetics industry. Some of the popular job sectors in France include management consulting, marketing, and engineering – aerospace, automobile, mechanical, metallurgy, and energy management. 

Here are some of the top multinational companies in France that hire graduates from various fields. 

• Airbus
• Michelin
• AXA
• L’Oréal
• Citroën
• Ubisoft
• Total
• Renault
• Peugeot

4. Compelling French Culture & Lifestyles

French culture is unique and captivating. The country offers a wealth of cultural and historical experiences to fall in love with. International students get to see some of the world's most iconic monuments, like the Notre Dame Cathedral, Pantheon, Arc de Triomphe, and the Eiffel Tower, among other landmarks. 

Cuisine is another aspect of French culture. Students can discover local favorites across the country's charming local cafes, eateries, and restaurants. Paris, especially, is home to some of the world's best-ranked restaurants for fine dining while offering a buzzing nightlife circuit. 

France's rich culinary history and traditions make the country a top destination for learning cooking and the culinary arts. 

The country is also synonymous with fashion too, hosting the iconic Paris Fashion Week every year. 

5. Financial Aid for Students

Another major reason to study in France is the financial support offered to international students. There are numerous scholarships available from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Studying at public universities also means paying negligible tuition costs. Many students choose to apply for aid to receive monthly funding to cover their living costs. Listed below are some of the scholarships offered to Indian students in France.

• Eiffel Scholarships
• Ile-de-France Masters Scholarships
• Ampere Scholarships of Excellence
• The Charpak Scholarship Programme
• Raman Charpak Fellowship
• La Femis
• Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence
• The Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarships for Foreign Students