International Students In France: A Thriving Population

how many international students are in france

France is a popular destination for international students, with over 430,000 foreign students enrolling in the 2023/24 academic year, a 4.5% increase from the previous year. This growth is driven by increased student mobility and renewed demand from the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and India. International students make up about 14% of the total student population in France, with the majority coming from Africa, followed by the Maghreb region. French universities offer a range of disciplines, with Business and Management being the most popular field among international students. The country's quality-price ratio, increasing presence in international rankings, and emphasis on employability also make it an attractive destination for those seeking a global education.

Characteristics Values
Total number of international students 430,466
Percentage increase in international students (2023-24) 4.5%
Percentage of international students in France 14% (1 in 6)
Number of international students enrolled in Master's programs 101,949
Number of international students enrolled in Doctorate programs 22,688
Number of international students enrolled in Schools of Business and Management 42,559
Number of international students enrolled in Schools of Engineering 26,548
Number of international students enrolled in Post-secondary programs 18,131
Number of international students enrolled in Schools of Art and Architecture 10,646
Number of international students enrolled in other higher education institutions 22,865
Top origin country of international students Morocco (43,464)
Second-top origin country of international students China (29,731)
Least origin country of international students Benin (302)
French region with the highest number of international students Ile-de-France (127,476)
French region with the second-highest number of international students Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (48,538)

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In 2023/24, France hosted over 430,000 international students

The uptick in international students in 2023/24 was driven in part by renewed demand from the Asia-Pacific region, which had been stagnant the previous year. Notably, French institutions saw a 6% increase in students from China and a 12% increase in students from India. Other countries that sent significantly more students to France in 2023/24 include Ukraine (+14%) and Romania (+10%). While most world regions sent more students to France, there was a 1% decrease in students from the Americas.

France's higher education system has a strong reputation internationally, which has contributed to the country's ability to attract a large number of international students. French universities offer a range of programmes that appeal to international students, with the top study choices being science and social sciences, literature, and humanities (31% each). Additionally, some students undertake programmes in health and medicine (8%), law and political science (12%), and economics (18%). French universities also offer courses taught in English to attract more international students and make their programmes more accessible to non-French speakers.

International students contribute significantly to the French economy, bringing in €5 billion. A survey of 9,992 international students who studied in France found that 77% relied on family funds to finance their studies, 48% used personal savings, and another 48% worked while studying. Additionally, Campus France, in partnership with the French government, launched the "Welcome to France" strategy in 2019, aiming to bring half a million international students to the country by 2027. This strategy includes simplifying the application process for international students.

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International students make up 14% of France's student population

France has long been a popular destination for international students, and in 2022, the country welcomed over 412,000 international students, making up 14% of the country's total student population. This number increased to 430,000 in 2023, reflecting a growth in student mobility and France's strong position in the global education market. This increase was driven by a post-Covid pickup in mobilities and renewed demand from the Asia-Pacific region, particularly China and India.

International students are spread across various disciplines in higher education institutions in France. The field of Sciences has the highest number of international students, with 77,685 enrolled as of 2021. This is closely followed by Literature, Languages, Humanities, and Social Sciences, with 76,546 students. Economics, Management, and Administration is another popular field, with 46,460 foreign students enrolled. Business and Management is a particularly attractive course for international students, especially those from India, with 42,559 students enrolled in these programmes.

Universities in France have the highest number of foreign students, with a total of 249,303 enrolled in 2022. Schools of Business and Management follow closely with 42,559 international students, then Schools of Engineering with 26,548. There are also significant numbers of international students enrolled in post-secondary programs offered in secondary schools (18,131), Schools of Art and Architecture (10,646), and other higher education institutions (22,865).

The majority of international students in France in 2022 came from Morocco (43,464), followed by China (29,731). India also has a significant number of students in France (3,504), and President Emmanuel Macron has set a goal of welcoming 30,000 Indian students by 2030. France's higher education institutions are attracting more students from Africa and the Maghreb region, with North Africa and the Middle East being the main sending markets, representing 28% of the international student population.

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The majority of international students in France come from Africa

France is a popular destination for international students, with over 400,000 foreign students enrolling in French higher education institutions in 2023/24. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with a 4.6% increase in 2023/24 compared to the previous year. The country's quality-price ratio, world-class universities, and emphasis on employability are all factors that contribute to its popularity among international students.

According to statistics, the majority of international students in France come from Africa. In 2023/24, the African continent accounted for more than 25% of the international student population in France. This includes students from North Africa, with countries like Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia being significant contributors. The North African region has traditionally been the primary source of international students for France, but its growth has been moderate in recent years.

Sub-Saharan Africa, on the other hand, has experienced the most significant growth in terms of student mobility to France. In 2023/24, there was a 9% increase in the number of students from this region compared to the previous year. This trend highlights the growing appeal of France as a study destination for African students.

While Africa dominates as the primary source of international students in France, other regions also contribute significantly. The Asia-Pacific region, including countries like India and China, has shown a resurgence in student mobility to France. In 2023/24, there was a 12% increase in Indian students and a 6% increase in Chinese students, contributing to a 5% overall growth for the region.

France's higher education institutions are highly regarded worldwide, with 25 French institutions ranked within the top 1000 globally. This excellence in education, coupled with the country's cultural offerings and reasonable tuition fees, continues to attract international students from diverse backgrounds, making France a leading destination for those seeking quality education in a vibrant and enriching environment.

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France has issued 59,990 student visas for international students

France has long been a popular destination for international students, and this trend is continuing, with the country issuing 59,990 student visas for international students. This is part of a wider growth in student mobility in France, with a 4.5% increase in foreign enrolments in 2023-2024. This brings the total number of international students in France to over 430,000, a year-on-year increase of 4.6%.

International students make up around 14% of the student population in France, or around one in six students. The majority of these students come from Africa, with North African countries such as Morocco being the largest sending country. The Middle East is also a significant region of origin, with 25,628 students coming from this area. Other major sending countries include China, India, Algeria, Italy, Cameroon, and Senegal.

French universities are particularly attractive to international students due to their strong reputation and relatively low costs. In 2019, the French government granted over 10,000 scholarships and internships to international students, and 14,000 tuition fee exemptions for non-European students. French institutions are also known for their links to the job market, with a focus on employability through apprenticeships and internships.

International students in France are spread across various disciplines and types of institutions. The majority choose the field of business and management, with 42,559 students, followed by engineering with 26,548 students. There are also significant numbers of international students in post-secondary programs, art and architecture schools, and other higher education institutions.

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The University of Paris Saclay is France's highest-ranked university

France is a popular destination for international students, with over 400,000 international students enrolled in French higher education institutions in the 2023/2024 academic year. This number has been steadily increasing over the years, with a 4.6% year-over-year increase in international students in 2023/2024. International students make up about 14% of the total student population in France, with the majority of foreign students coming from Africa, followed by the Maghreb region.

The University of Paris Saclay, also known as Paris-Saclay University or Université Paris-Saclay, is France's highest-ranked university. It was established in 2019 through the merger of several top grandes écoles, technological institutes, engineering schools, and research facilities. This merger created a combined technological research institute and public research university with fifteen constituent colleges and over 48,000 students. The University of Paris Saclay has consistently improved its performance in the Shanghai rankings, reaching 12th place worldwide in 2024, the best position ever achieved by a French institution. It also ranked 2nd worldwide for Mathematics in the Academic Ranking of World Universities.

The University of Paris Saclay has a strong focus on research and is particularly renowned for its achievements in mathematics, physics, and computer science. It boasts over 275 laboratories in various fields of physics, including particle physics, astrophysics, and molecular physics, as well as in electronics, nanoscience, and nanotechnology. The university is part of the larger Paris-Saclay project, which brings together nine higher education institutions and a business cluster to create a research-intensive academic campus on the outskirts of Paris. This model allows each member institution to maintain its independence while sharing resources and infrastructure.

The University of Paris Saclay's campus development follows a similar model to that of the University of Oxford and Cambridge, where each constituent college retains its independence while being grouped under a single university. The university offers a range of undergraduate, master's, and PhD degree programs in science and engineering, life and health sciences, social sciences, and humanities. Paris Saclay also has strong connections with top engineering schools in France, such as École polytechnique and CentraleSupélec.

Frequently asked questions

In 2023/24, there were over 430,000 international students in France, making up about 14% of the country's students.

France has seen a gradual increase in international student enrolment over the years. In the 2022/23 academic year, there were 412,087 international students in France, a 3% increase from the previous year and a 17% increase over five years. In 2023/24, the number of international students increased further to 430,466, a 4.5% to 4.6% increase year-over-year.

The majority of international students in France choose the field of Business and Management, with 42,559 students. The second most popular field is Engineering, with 26,548 international students enrolled. Other fields include Economics, Management, and Administration with 46,460 students, Sciences with 77,685 students, and Literature, Languages, Humanities, and Social Sciences with 76,546 students.

The majority of international students in France come from Africa, with Morocco being the largest sending country. In 2022, there were 43,464 Moroccan students in France. Other countries with significant numbers of students in France include China (29,731 in 2022; increased by 6% in 2023), India (a 12% increase in 2023), Algeria, Senegal, Cameroon, and Italy.

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