The next step for a student who has completed a bachelor’s degree is to find a good job or pursue further studies. In this case, further studies would mean pursuing a Master’s degree. The credibility of a postgraduate degree increases further if it is obtained from a country known for providing the most advanced and superior quality education to students. France is one such country, especially because it offers an international academic environment. The attraction of French higher education can be seen from the fact that in 2022-23, 412,087 students in France were foreign nationals, which makes up 14% of its student body.
Getting a postgraduate degree from one of the world-class universities in the world, the experience of being part of global academics, and the added advantage of living in some of the most beautiful and developed cities in the world are some of the general yet advantageous factors that contribute to France’s appeal to the international students. In this blog, we will take a look at why deciding to study in France is an attractive option, and how study abroad consultants such as Contentholic, can help students select the right programs and universities in France for you to have the most rich and fulfilling student experience in France.
Why Should You Choose France for a Master- A Reflection on the Benefits
Globally ranked universities have a proven reputation for the most advanced curriculum and the French universities are competent for same. Their well-designed curriculum makes sure that the knowledge gained can be applied to real-world settings. A French qualification may after all be the highlight of your CV to advance in your professional journey.
If you are not aware of the ‘Triple Accreditation,’ then the Triple Accreditation, more commonly known as Triple Crown is given to business schools by the three most prestigious triple accreditation organizations. They are the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB, United States of America), the Association of MBAs (AMBA, United Kingdom), and the EFMD Quality Improvement System (EQUIS, Belgium). In France, numerous business schools have received this Triple Crown.
The most important concern any student might face when thinking about studying in France would be the language barrier. You do not need to worry, the universities in France not only offer many courses across various disciplines, but many of them are also taught in English.
If you receive an invitation to admission from any of the public universities of France, then it is most likely that you are not going to face a hole in your pocket in terms of cost bearing. The public universities in France are state-funded, hence the tuition fees are often subsidized by their government.
If the subsidized tuition fee of French public universities is not enough, then there are many scholarship options for international students as well. These scholarships are often based on merit. Students who have very good academic records can surely reduce their financial burden through these scholarships.
The universities in France are located in some of the popular destinations in France such as Paris, Nice, and Grenoble which allows students to explore the social life of these famous spots along with their academic enrichment.
The international students can benefit from a strong alumni network which has been even powered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of France. The Ministry along with Campus France has launched a France Alumni Program to help students of the French higher education institutes connect, organize events, share stories, and assist in work placements as well.
As one of the largest economies in Europe, France offers ample amount of opportunities for international students to showcase their talent by being part of the workforce. Many of the international firms operating out of France hire Master’s students for their talent, proficiency in their field, and aptitude gained from their programs.
What Should Be Your Steps to Study Masters in France
Applying to universities of a foreign land is a long process, therefore, it is imperative to understand what are the steps to follow to make the right decision about the future of your academic journey. As you have already completed your Bachelor’s in a particular field of study, you have to choose whether you wish to continue your studies in the same field, opt for a related field, or change directions entirely.
The first step would be choosing the master’s program you would like to pursue according to your interest or the one you think is most suitable for the development of your career.
Next would be to research the French universities offering that program or related programs. Also, keep in mind, the program’s curriculum and specialization or electives, the language of instruction (whether in English, French, or both), and the eligibility criteria of these programs. These factors vary with universities even if they are offering the same program.
Take a look at the university’s ranking and reputation as well.
Next would be to understand the fee structure of a particular program and living costs (compare the university accommodation costs with those shared rented house costs in the city where the university is located). Determine whether the expenses will fit within your budget.
Search for scholarship or financial aid options whether provided by the university, a private organization, or the French government such as the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship. Confirm whether you fulfill the eligibility criteria of these programs and apply before the deadline.
Best Universities for Master’s in France
Paris Sciences et Lettres University (PSL University)
Located in Paris, PSL University is a public research university with a rank among the top 25 universities in the world according to QS 2025. The university consists of 11 schools with 5 partner academic institutions. It is a global university imparting knowledge through subjects like science, humanities, social sciences, arts, and engineering. The courses offered in English are around 20 and French is given as a Foreign Language Course for those who do not know the language.
There are over 50 programs at the Master’s level, of which the most popular ones are Mathematics & Application, Chemistry, Marketing & Strategy, Quantitative Economics, Social Science, Space Science & Technology, and Physics. The average annual tuition fee of these programs is EUR 3,879 with scholarship options available.
Polytechnic Insitute of Paris (IP Paris)
The Polytechnic Institute of Paris is an institute of science and technology and consitutes of 6 highly renowned French engineering schools. The curriculum of these schools is to train students in the most advanced skills and involve them in research activities. The prestige of IP Paris can be seen through its alumni some of whom are Nobel prize winners and influential figures in the world of politics, business, and research.
The Master’s programs offered are in the field of science and technology. These programs are developed in keeping in mind the demands of industries in recent years. The disciplines expand across Applied Mathematics & Statistics; Transport, Mobility & Networks; Biology & Health; Chemistry; Computer Science; Design; Economics; Electrical Engineering; Energy; Nuclear Engineering; and more. The average annual tuition fee for Masters ranges between EUR 6,004 to EUR 13,845.
Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is a public research university and is a favorite among students and researchers. One of the notable facts is that Marie Curie, the notable scientist was the first woman professor of this University. Eventually, she and her husband Pierre Curie founded the modern Faculty of Science and Engineering at Sorbonne. The university is particularly known for the fields of mathematics, earth sciences, and oceanography. It is also the headquarters of the European Marine Biological Research Centre.
The Master’s programs which are offered in English are Physics, Computational Mechanics, Biotherapy, Cloud & Network Infrastructure, Computer Science, Bioinformatics and Modeling, and Quantum Information. The average annual tuition fee ranges between EUR 10,800 to EUR 14,500.
Paris Saclay University
Paris Saclay University as the name suggests is located in Paris and consists of three university technical institutes, five schools, and seven national research institutes. It is considered among the world’s top 20 universities offering students programs across science and engineering, life and health sciences, and human and social sciences. It has over 335 collaborations with industries and is responsible for producing 50 new start-ups each year.
Paris Saclay University offers more than 60 Masters programs. The most popular postgraduate programs among these 60 options are in Chemistry, Computer Science, Development of Drugs and Health Products, Economics, Electrical Engineering, Energy, General Physics, International Business, Life Sciences and Health, and Sports Sciences. The annual tuition fee in Paris Saclay starts from EUR 242 and can go up to EUR 9,000.
Science Po
Science Po is located in Paris and is also known as the Paris Institute of Political Studies. It is given the status of Grande Ecole which are some elite universities in France having an alternate education system alongside the public university system. Although as the name suggests, the University has a specialty in Political Science, over the years have extended to other social science subjects like economics, law, and sociology. It has a global environment as 50% of its student body are foreign nationals.
Science Po gives the students options to choose from 30 postgraduate programs along with a wide variety of subfields to elect from for specialization. The most popular programs of this university are delivered in English and come under the School of International Affairs such as International Security, International Governance & Diplomacy, Human Rights & Humanitarian Actions, Environmental Policy, Technology & Global Affairs, and Journalism & International Affairs. The tuition fee amounts to EUR 20,380 with many scholarships and financial aid options.
What makes you an eligible candidate for a Master’s program in France?
To become an eligible candidate, you want to meet all the necessities of the universities and in a few cases, the specific necessities of a course to get admission at your favored institute. Despite the fact that there are some common fundamental requirements of all French universities, you must ensure the eligibility standards of every program by going through the institute’s official website.
The first thing you need to check is whether the program you are interested in is taught in English or not. If it is taught in English, then you have to prove your English language proficiency by supplying your score in exams like IELTS or TOEFL.
In case you know the French language and are comfortable with taking up a program taught in French, then you need to prove your French language proficiency through exams like the test de Connaissance du français (TCF) or diplôme en langue française (DELF).
Prepare all the necessary documents such as a copy of your passport, an updated resume, academic transcripts and certificates, letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose stating your intention behind choosing the program and the university, and experience letters in case you are applying to business schools.
Options After Finishing Masters in France
After you have completed your Masters there are many options to explore in France. The most significant option is the post-study work permits. In France, international students after completing their education can apply for a resident permit, especially beneficial for Masters students as they might get a 2-year temporary resident permit visa.
Conclusion
Being part of the French education system can open doors to a variety of new experiences and opportunities to learn about the various ways an educational field can be explored, the chance to connect with local and international students as well as professionals through internship programs, and the chance to kickstart your career in France itself or enhance your job prospect in the international stage. So the decision to study in France might give every possible advantage a student might need to have a successful life ahead of them. If you need guidance regarding the admission process or the expertise to choose the right program in any of the French universities, do not hesitate to take the help of the study abroad consultants of Contentholic. We will help in not only shortlisting the best options for you but also ensure you get admission to one of those options through our comprehensive support, such as our professional SOP and LOR writing services. It is our responsibility to make your academic journey to France a success.
