Savanna Hoffman
American students may choose to attend university in France for a variety of reasons, including the high level of academics, the affordable tuition, and the opportunity to learn a new language. The application process for French universities is not overly demanding, but there are several important steps to follow. International students applying to undergraduate programs must follow the DAP or HDAP procedure and apply through the Etudes en France online platform, while European nationals applying to the first year of a Bachelor's program apply through the Parcoursup Platform. Non-European students may need to provide additional documents such as a birth certificate and proof of financial support, and all students will need to apply for a French student visa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application process | Applications for French universities can be made through the Etudes en France platform. |
| Application requirements | High school and college transcripts, proof of proficiency in French, birth certificate, financial support proof, and French student visa. Some universities may also require internationally-used tests such as GRE, GMAT, or LSAT for admission. |
| Tuition fees | Public universities in France are some of the most affordable institutions in Europe. The average tuition fees for a bachelor's degree in Europe is $8,000 per year for American students, compared to $10,950 for in-state students at public universities in the US. |
| Educational experience | Students are expected to engage and are encouraged to debate and disagree with the professor. The goal is to enhance critical thinking skills rather than regurgitating material. Many universities use modules or block scheduling, allowing students to focus on one class before moving to the next. |
| Language | While French proficiency is required for French-language courses, studying in English is also possible. Some universities offer English-taught programs, while others include French lessons alongside English-taught courses. |
| Visa requirements | Non-European students need a French student visa, which requires proof of acceptance from an accredited institution, proof of funding (minimum €615 per month), proof of a return ticket, medical insurance (minimum cover €30,000), and proof of accommodation. |
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What You'll Learn
Application process and requirements
The application process for French universities is not demanding, but it is important to follow the necessary steps to gain admission to the university of your choice. Here is some information on the application process and requirements for American students looking to attend university in France:
Application Process
- Choose a program: Select the universities and majors you wish to apply for.
- Contact the university: Reach out to the French universities you plan to apply to, as well as support services like Campus France, to clarify any questions about the application process and requirements.
- Gather documents: Start gathering the required documents as early as possible. This step can be time-consuming, especially if translations are needed.
- Verify prerequisites: Before applying on the Etudes en France platform, ensure you meet all the prerequisites, including French proficiency requirements.
- Complete the application: Fill out the application form and obtain any necessary signatures from authorities.
- Submit the application: Submit your completed application by the specified deadline, which is usually around January of each year.
- Await a response: Universities will respond by a specified date, typically in May, with their acceptance or rejection decisions.
- Accept admission: If accepted, decide on a university and accept their admission proposal by the deadline.
- Obtain a student visa: Contact the French embassy in your home country for assistance with obtaining a French student visa.
- Prepare for departure: After receiving your visa and preparing the necessary documents, you can start preparing for your move to France.
Requirements
- Application form: Complete the application form accurately and ensure it is signed by the relevant authorities.
- Birth certificate: Non-European students may need to provide a birth certificate.
- Academic transcripts: High school and college transcripts are usually required.
- Standardized test scores: Some universities may require scores from tests like the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT.
- Proof of language proficiency: If applying for a French-language course, you may need to demonstrate proficiency in French (e.g., B2 level).
- Financial support proof: Non-European students must provide proof of financial support for their studies and, in some cases, proof of funding for living expenses.
- Acceptance letter: To obtain a student visa, you will need an acceptance letter from the French university, including program details and dates of study.
- Proof of accommodation: Confirm your student housing or provide an 'attestation d'accueil' if living with friends or relatives.
- Medical insurance: Ensure you have adequate medical insurance coverage (minimum €30,000).
- Return ticket: Provide proof of a return ticket home or a statement of intent for your departure.
- Visa requirements: Depending on your nationality and the length of your stay, you may need additional documents for your visa application.
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Tuition fees and funding
Tuition fees in France are considered relatively low compared to the rest of Europe. Most higher education institutions in France are funded by the state, so fees are usually nominal and dependent on the level of study. The average public university in France charges €170 per year for a bachelor’s degree, €243 for a master’s degree, €380 for a PhD, and €601 to attend an engineering school. For international undergraduate students, the fees are €2,770 per year, €3,770 for postgraduate study, and €380 per year for a PhD.
Since autumn 2019, international students have been paying higher tuition fees. For the 2024/2025 academic year, international students enrolling for the first time on undergraduate, master's, or engineering programs will be subject to differentiated tuition fees. The state will still cover two-thirds of the education costs, which are: €2,850 per year for undergraduate studies; €3,770 for postgraduate study; and €380 per year for a PhD. Fees for private institutions are substantially higher, ranging from €6,000 to €18,000 per year.
There are a few scholarships available for international students, with the help of the French Ministry for Foreign Affairs or the student's country's French Embassy. There are also now three times as many government-sponsored scholarships for foreign students. The Campus France website manages a searchable platform for scholarships available to international students in France.
International students also have access to VISALE, which acts as a guarantor for rent costs. Students can also benefit from the three types of assistance available from the CAF (Caisse des Allocations Familiales – the Family Allowances Fund) that can reduce the rent paid. Each university also has a health department, the Service Universitaire de Médecine Préventive et de Promotion de la Santé (SUMPPS), where students can see a doctor, have a medical check-up, and obtain advice. Some visits are free, including for contraception, screening, vaccination, nutrition, and psychological counselling.
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Visa requirements
To obtain a student visa as an American student in France, you must first be accepted to an accredited French institution. This means submitting an application and receiving an official acceptance letter. The application process for French universities is not considered demanding, but it can be time-consuming, so it is important to start early.
Most applications include a completed application form, which must be signed by official authorities. Non-European students may be asked to provide additional documents, such as a birth certificate, proof of financial support, and a French student visa. Each program may ask for different documents, so it is important to evaluate what is needed on a case-by-case basis.
For undergraduate programs, non-European students must pass the Preliminary Admission ("Demande d'Admission Préalable - DAP") and apply online through Campus France. The DAP procedure applies to students applying for the first year of a bachelor's degree, PASS and L.AS programs (first year of medical school), or architecture programs. Students applying for the second or third year of an undergraduate program, or any graduate program, must follow the HDAP (Hors Demande d'admission préalable) procedure and apply through the Etudes en France online platform.
In addition to the acceptance letter, to obtain a student visa, you will need to provide proof of the following:
- Ability to fund yourself while in France (minimum of €615 per month)
- Return ticket home or statement of intent
- Medical insurance (minimum cover of €30,000)
- Proof of accommodation (student housing confirmation, certificate of board and lodging, or 'attestation d'accueil')
It is also important to note that some universities may require proof of proficiency in French, especially if you are studying a French-language course. While studying in English is possible in France, it is not common. Some universities offer English-taught programs, while others include French language instruction alongside English-taught courses.
The cost of tuition for a bachelor's degree in France is, on average, $8,000 per year for American students, compared to an average of $10,950 for in-state students at public universities in the US. For master's degrees, the average tuition in France is $14,082, compared to $30,000-$120,000 in the US. American students may be able to receive US federal loans to study at international colleges, and some European universities offer grants and scholarships for foreign students.
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Language requirements
French universities are appealing to students from all over the world because of their high level of academics and affordable fees. Public universities in France are some of the most affordable institutions in Europe. The average tuition fees for a bachelor's degree in Europe are $8,000 per year for American students, while in the US, the average tuition rates are $10,950 for in-state students at public universities, $28,240 for out-of-state tuition at public universities, and $39,400 for a private college.
However, to study in France, American students need to prove their proficiency in French if they are enrolling in a French-language course. Studying in English in France is possible, though. Some public universities have English-taught programs, and most of them also include French lessons. However, some universities, like Sciences Po, have English-only programs.
If you are applying to the first year of an undergraduate program, you must pass the Preliminary Admission or "Demande d'Admission Préalable - DAP" for French institutions and apply online through Campus France. You can apply to up to three programs. If you are applying to the second or third year of an undergraduate program or any graduate program, you must follow the HDAP (Hors Demande d'admission préalable) procedure and apply through the Etudes en France online platform. You can apply to up to seven programs.
To obtain a French student visa, you will need the following documents:
- Acceptance letter from an accredited institution in France on official headed paper, with details of your program of study and the start and end dates of study
- Proof that you can fund yourself while staying in France (at least €615 per month)
- Proof of a return ticket home
- Proof of medical insurance (minimum cover €30,000)
- Proof of accommodation
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Educational experience
The educational experience for an American student in France differs in several ways from that of the US. Firstly, the cost of tuition fees is significantly lower, with the average tuition fees for a bachelor's degree in Europe being $8,000 per year for American students, compared to the US average of $10,950 for in-state students at public universities, $28,240 for out-of-state tuition, and $39,400 for private colleges. For master's degrees, the average cost in France is $14,082, compared to between $30,000 and $120,000 in the US.
The admissions process in France is also less demanding than in the US, where students compete fiercely for limited spots. In France, education is seen as a right rather than a privilege, so admission standards are less strict, and many colleges do not require standardized tests. This means that smart students who don't perform well on standardized tests may find it easier to gain admission to a French university.
French universities also offer a rich educational experience, with a focus on problem-solving and enhancing critical thinking skills, rather than simply memorizing information. Students are expected to engage and are encouraged to debate and disagree with professors. Many universities use modules or block scheduling, allowing students to focus on one intensive course at a time.
French public universities are some of the most affordable institutions in Europe, and some offer English-taught programs, although most will also include French language instruction. For English-taught programs, students will still need to provide proof of proficiency in French if they are studying a French-language course.
To apply to a French university as an American student, you must first select your universities of choice and majors. You should then contact the French Embassy in your home country or the universities directly to clarify any questions about the application process and gather the necessary documents. Most applications include a completed application form signed by official authorities, and non-European students may need to provide additional documents such as a birth certificate and financial support proof. European nationals applying for the first year of a bachelor's degree need to apply through the Parcoursup Platform, while non-European students need to pass the Preliminary Admission ("Demande d'Admission Préalable - DAP") and apply online through Campus France.
For undergraduate programs, the DAP procedure applies to students applying for the first year, while the HDAP (Hors Demande d'admission préalable) procedure applies to students applying for the second or third year. For graduate programs, the DAP procedure applies to master's and doctorate degrees, while the HDAP procedure applies to students applying for the second or third year of a master's program. Students can apply through the Etudes en France online platform, although some institutions require direct applications.
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Frequently asked questions
The college admissions process in the US is highly competitive, whereas many European colleges do not require standardized tests. Tuition fees are also much lower in France than in the US.
Most applications to French universities include a completed application form signed by official authorities. Non-European students may be asked to provide additional documents such as a birth certificate, proof of proficiency in French, and proof of financial support.
Applications are made through the Etudes en France online platform. Students can apply to up to 7 programs and will receive a response by 7 May 2025.
An American student needs a French student visa. This requires an acceptance letter from a French institution, proof of sufficient funds, a return ticket home, proof of medical insurance, and proof of accommodation.
