Study in France: English Programs & Requirements 2026

Study in France: English Programs & Requirements for International Students (2026 Guide)

France conjures images of the Eiffel Tower, buttery croissants, and centuries-old universities — but for a growing number of international students, it's also becoming known as a surprisingly accessible place to earn a degree entirely in English. If the idea of "study in France in English" sounds too good to be true, it isn't. Over a thousand programs across French public universities, grandes écoles, and business schools are now taught fully in English, and thousands of students from India, Pakistan, Nigeria, the US, and beyond enroll every year without speaking a word of French on day one.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know before you apply: which programs are taught in English, what the admission requirements look like, how the visa process works, and how much you should budget. By the end, you'll have a clear roadmap — and you can use our free calculators to check your GPA conversion and scholarship eligibility before you submit anything.

Why Study in France in English?

France has spent the last decade actively courting international talent, and English-taught programs are a big part of that strategy. Here's why so many students are choosing it:

• World-class rankings — Business schools like HEC Paris, INSEAD, and ESCP consistently rank among the world's best, with several English-taught MBA and master's programs.
• Affordable public education — Public universities charge modest tuition even for non-EU students, especially compared to the UK, US, or Australia.
• Central European location — France sits at the crossroads of Europe, making travel and post-study opportunities across the EU easier.
• Growing English-medium options — Engineering schools, political science institutes (Sciences Po), and business schools have all expanded their English catalogs to attract global applicants.
• Post-study work options — Graduates can often extend their stay under a temporary residence permit to look for work or launch a business.

Types of English-Taught Programs Available in France

France offers English-medium options at nearly every academic level, though availability varies by institution type.

Bachelor's Degrees

Fully English-taught bachelor's programs are less common at public universities but are increasingly available at private universities and specialized schools, particularly in business, international relations, and computer science.

Master's Degrees

This is where France truly shines. Public universities, grandes écoles, and Sciences Po campuses offer hundreds of English-taught master's programs across engineering, data science, international business, public policy, and design.

MBA and Business School Programs

Most graduate business programs in France are already delivered in English, since they're built for a global cohort. Programs at HEC Paris, INSEAD, ESSEC, and ESCP are internationally recognized and almost entirely English-medium at the graduate level.

PhD Programs

Doctoral research in France is often conducted in English by default, especially in STEM fields, since academic publishing and lab collaboration are typically English-based regardless of the country.

Academic and Language Requirements

Because your program is taught in English, you generally won't need to prove French proficiency — but you will need to demonstrate strong English skills unless you've already studied in an English-medium institution.

Common English proficiency requirements:

• IELTS: typically 6.0–6.5 overall
• TOEFL iBT: typically 80–90

Some universities waive this requirement if your prior degree was taught entirely in English — but you'll usually need a letter from your previous institution confirming this.

If your chosen program is French-taught rather than English-taught, you'd instead need a DELF or DALF certificate (usually B1 or B2 level), or the TCF test. Always double-check the language of instruction listed on the specific program page, since some "international" programs are actually bilingual.

Academic requirements typically include:

• Completed secondary education (for bachelor's) or a recognized undergraduate degree (for master's)
• Official transcripts, translated into English or French by a certified translator
• A statement of purpose or motivation letter
• Letters of recommendation (usually 1–2)
• A CV/resume, especially for graduate and MBA programs
• Standardized test scores where required (GMAT/GRE for some business and graduate programs)

How to Apply: Campus France and Études en France

Most international students apply through Campus France, the French government's platform for international admissions, using its Études en France portal.

Step-by-step application process:

1. Create your Études en France account and select your target programs.
2. Upload your academic documents, including transcripts, diplomas, and language certificates.
3. Submit your application and pay the Campus France processing fee, which typically ranges from €50 to €200 depending on your home country.
4. Wait for university review — institutions evaluate your file directly through the portal.
5. Receive your decision in your Études en France account.
6. Confirm your enrollment once accepted.
7. Proceed to the visa stage, since Campus France transmits your confirmed file to the relevant French consulate.

Not every country requires the Campus France step — some nationalities can apply directly to universities. Check your country's specific procedure on the official Campus France website before starting.

France Student Visa Requirements

Once you're accepted, the visa process depends on your nationality and program length.

Who needs a visa:

• EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not need a student visa and can enroll directly with a valid national ID or passport.
• Non-EU students staying more than 90 days typically need the VLS-TS étudiant (long-stay student visa that also functions as a residence permit).
• Students attending short courses or language programs under 90 days may only need a Schengen short-stay visa.

Standard visa document checklist:

• Valid passport
• Completed France-Visas application form
• Passport-sized photos
• Proof of enrollment or Campus France/Études en France confirmation
• Proof of financial resources (generally at least around €615 per month of stay, either through bank statements or a scholarship letter)
• Proof of accommodation in France
• Health insurance coverage
• Academic transcripts and, in some cases, a motivation letter

Visa costs to budget for:

• Visa fee: around €50
• Campus France processing fee: roughly €50–€200 depending on country
• OFII validation tax stamp (paid after arrival): around €60

Processing during peak season (May–August) can take four to six weeks, so it's wise to apply as early as possible — ideally by June for a September intake.

After arrival: Non-EU students on a long-stay visa must validate it online through the OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) process within the first few months of arrival. Skipping this step can cause serious problems when it's time to renew your residence permit, so mark it on your calendar the moment you land.

Tuition Fees and Cost of Living

One of France's biggest draws is affordability relative to other major study destinations.

Public universities charge government-regulated tuition, which remains relatively low even for non-EU international students compared to countries like the US, UK, or Australia — though fees are noticeably higher for non-EU students than for EU nationals.

Grandes écoles and business schools set their own tuition, which can run considerably higher, especially for internationally accredited MBA and master's programs at institutions like HEC Paris or ESSEC.

Living costs vary significantly by city. Paris is the most expensive, with higher rent and daily expenses, while cities like Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, and Bordeaux offer a noticeably lower cost of living without sacrificing program quality.

Many students offset costs through part-time work — non-EU students on a valid student visa can generally work part-time during the academic year, giving some flexibility to cover living expenses while still meeting visa financial-proof requirements.

Country-Specific Notes

• From India: Most Indian applicants go through Campus France's "Etudes en France" platform and typically need the long-stay student visa for programs over 90 days.
• From Pakistan: Similar to India, Pakistani students generally apply through the Campus France procedure and should prepare certified English translations of all academic documents.
• From the UK: Since Brexit, UK citizens are treated as non-EU applicants and need a student visa, unlike before when free movement applied automatically.
• From the US: American students typically follow the standard non-EU visa track and often choose semester exchange programs or full English-taught master's degrees.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Missing document translations — anything not already in French must be translated by a certified ("sworn") translator; informal translations are usually rejected.
• Confusing language requirements — double-check whether your specific program needs English (IELTS/TOEFL) or French (DELF/DALF/TCF) certification, since some "English-taught" programs still expect basic French for daily coursework.
• Forgetting OFII validation — this single step is one of the most commonly missed requirements and can jeopardize your ability to renew your permit.
• Applying too late — visa processing during peak months can take over a month, so leaving it until the last minute risks missing your intake date.
• Underestimating financial proof requirements — make sure your bank statements or scholarship letters clearly show the minimum required monthly support.

Final Thoughts

Studying in France in English is no longer a niche option — it's a mainstream, well-supported pathway for thousands of international students every year. The key to a smooth application is starting early, understanding exactly which visa and language requirements apply to your specific program, and keeping every document organized before your consulate appointment.

Before you apply, it's worth checking how your current academic record stacks up against admission requirements. Use our free GPA calculator to convert your grades into the format French universities expect, or try our scholarship eligibility calculator to see which funding options you might qualify for. A few minutes of planning now can save you weeks of back-and-forth later.