Requirements to Study in France for Indian Students in 2026
- Last Updated on: May 14, 2026 by
- Sridhar Kongara
2026/27 policy update (read this first).
- Tuition: Campus France’s 2026/27 non-EU differentiated rates are €2,895 Licence, €3,879 Master, and €391 Doctorate. The 2025/26 rates (€2,895 / €3,941 / €397) still apply to ongoing students.
- APL housing aid: From 1 July 2026, non-EU non-scholarship international students are expected to lose APL eligibility under the 2026 budget framework. Implementation details should be checked with CAF before enrolment. Do not budget APL into your visa or living-cost plan unless you hold a French government scholarship.
- Exemptions: 2026/27 policy language tightens the room for mass institutional exemptions. Verify exonération status directly with each university for your intake before assuming national tuition rates.
In 2024-25, 9,100 Indian students enrolled in French higher education, a 17% jump year on year, with a Franco-Indian roadmap target of 30,000 by 2030 (Campus France, 2024). The requirements to study in France for Indian students cover six layers: academics, language tests, documents, the Campus France procedure, the VLS-TS visa, and proof of funds. Figures below are the official 2025/26 framework with 2026/27 updates flagged inline.
Featured-snippet answer. To study in France, Indian students generally need a recognised academic qualification (Class 12 for UG, bachelor's for master's, master's for PhD), admission to a French higher education institution, language proficiency proof (IELTS/TOEFL or DELF/DALF/TCF), academic documents with SOP and LORs, a valid passport, proof of funds covering tuition plus €615 per month, accommodation proof, and a France long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) for courses longer than three months.
2026 Requirements at a Glance
The requirements to study in France for Indian students in 2026 break down into eleven scannable line-items: academics, language proof, EEF procedure, visa, funds, accommodation, insurance, application/EEF fee, visa fee, residence-permit validation fee, and a 12-15 month application timeline. Use this table as your readiness check before opening a Campus France account.
| Requirement | Detail (2025/26, verified May 2026) |
|---|---|
| Academic qualification | Class 12 for UG (55-60%+); bachelor’s for master’s; master’s for PhD |
| Language proof | IELTS 6.0-6.5 / TOEFL 80+ / PTE 58+ (English-taught) or DELF/DALF/TCF B2-C1 (French-taught) |
| Application route | Études en France (EEF) procedure via Campus France India – mandatory for Indian-resident applicants |
| Visa type | VLS-TS long-stay student visa for any course over 3 months |
| Proof of funds | Tuition + €615/month (₹68,217) for 12 months = €7,380/year (₹8.18 lakh) living proof |
| Accommodation | Attestation d’hébergement covering at least the first 3 months |
| Insurance | Travel/medical for arrival window; free sécurité sociale étudiante registers after arrival |
| EEF / Campus France India fee | ₹18,500 (effective 1 October 2024) – paid online inside EEF |
| Visa fee | €50 for EEF-procedure countries (India is one); €99 for non-EEF countries – confirm on France-Visas/VFS before paying |
| Residence-permit validation | €150 OFII/VLS-TS validation via ANEF within 3 months of arrival |
| Application timeline | Start 12-15 months before intake; EEF opens October-November |
Key Takeaways
- Non-EU differentiated tuition at public universities is €2,895/year for Licence (₹3.21 lakh) and €3,879/year for Master (₹4.30 lakh) for 2026/27 (Campus France).
- Indian students must show proof of one year of tuition plus €615/month living funds (₹68,217), or €7,380/year (₹8.18 lakh).
- Campus France’s Études en France (EEF) procedure is mandatory for Indian applicants and includes an academic interview.
- The VLS-TS long-stay student visa covers courses over three months; you validate it online via ANEF within three months of arrival.
- France hosts over 1,600 English-taught degree programmes, so DELF/TCF is not mandatory for every Indian student.
- The 12-month APS post-study permit lets master’s and engineering graduates job-hunt without the 964-hour work cap.
All INR conversions use the RBI reference rate as of 8 May 2026: €1 ≈ ₹110.92, rounded to ₹111 for grouped figures.
Academic Eligibility and Degree Recognition
Academic eligibility to study in France for Indian students depends on programme level. France and India signed a mutual recognition agreement covering senior school certificates, bachelor's, master's and PhD qualifications, with professional-practice degrees such as medicine, law and accountancy excluded (Campus France India, 2024). CBSE, ICSE and state-board Class 12 results are accepted; competitive programmes typically ask for 60%+.
A three-year Indian B.Com, B.Sc, BBA or B.A is accepted for direct master’s entry at most French institutions, though some engineering Grandes Écoles prefer a four-year B.Tech/B.E. Professional degrees (MBBS, LLB, CA) can lead to a related master’s in France but do not give automatic licence to practise. See our study in France after 12th guide for course-wise prerequisites.
| Level | Core eligibility | Typical add-ons |
|---|---|---|
| UG (Licence) | Class 12 from CBSE/ICSE/state board, 55-60%+ | Portfolio (design/architecture); entrance test for select Grandes Écoles |
| Master’s | Recognised bachelor’s; 55-60% public, 65-70% selective | SOP fit, transcripts, GRE for some STEM |
| MBA | Bachelor’s + 2-5 yrs work experience | GMAT 650+ (HEC/INSEAD 700+), CV, essays, 2 LORs |
| PhD | Master’s or M.Phil + supervisor match at an École Doctorale | Research proposal; funding via CIFRE or Eiffel Doctoral |
Language and Exam Requirements
Language requirements depend on the programme medium. English-taught programmes typically require IELTS 6.0-6.5, TOEFL iBT 80-90 or PTE 58-65. French-taught programmes ask for DELF/DALF B2-C1 or an equivalent TCF score. Campus France lists over 1,600 English-taught degree programmes, so DELF/DALF (the Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) is not mandatory for every Indian student (Campus France, 2025). HEC, ESSEC and ESCP typically expect IELTS 7.0+.
Without IELTS? Some universities accept a Medium of Instruction (MOI) letter or Duolingo (110-125); others waive IELTS after the Campus France interview. Plan to take IELTS unless your shortlist explicitly publishes a waiver – the visa officer can still gauge your spoken English at interview.
| Exam | Needed for | Typical target score |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS / TOEFL / PTE | English-taught programmes | IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 80; PTE 58 |
| DELF / DALF / TCF | French-taught programmes | B2 minimum; C1 for elite tracks |
| GMAT | MBA and business schools | 650+ (HEC, INSEAD: 700+) |
| GRE | Engineering / STEM master’s | 310+ overall |
| Duolingo English Test | Limited list of universities | 110-125 |
| Exam | Needed for | Mandatory? | Typical target score |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS / TOEFL / PTE | English-taught programmes | Programme-specific | IELTS 6.5; TOEFL 80; PTE 58 |
| DELF / DALF / TCF | French-taught programmes | Programme-specific | B2 minimum; C1 for elite tracks |
| GMAT | MBA and business schools | Often | 650+ (HEC, INSEAD: 700+) |
| GRE | Engineering / STEM master’s | Sometimes | 310+ overall |
| SAT | Select UG and private institutions | Rare | 1200+ |
| Duolingo English Test | Limited list of universities | Accepted as substitute | 110-125 |
Documents Required to Study in France for Indian Students
Documents required to study in France for Indian students are split across three stages: university application, the Études en France (EEF) procedure, and the VLS-TS visa file. Each stage adds new attestations; a missing document at any stage stalls the entire pipeline (Campus France India, 2025).
| Stage | Key documents |
|---|---|
| University application | Passport (12-month validity beyond intake); Class 10 + 12 marksheets; bachelor’s transcripts; CV, SOP, 2-3 LORs; IELTS/TOEFL or DELF/DALF/TCF scorecard; portfolio (design/architecture) or research proposal (PhD); work experience letters (MBA) |
| Études en France (EEF) | EEF profile + photo; passport copy + birth certificate (translated); all academic records in the dossier électronique; language proof; tailored SOP/motivation letters per programme; admission proof; ₹18,500 fee receipt |
| VLS-TS visa file | France-Visas form + long-stay supplement; admission/enrolment proof; EEF attestation; bank statements covering tuition + €615 × 12 months; attestation d’hébergement (first 3 months); travel + medical insurance; VFS appointment confirmation, biometrics, photographs |
Campus France Process for Indian Students (Études en France)
The Campus France process for Indian students runs through the Études en France (EEF) online portal - the mandatory pre-consular procedure that links applications, the academic interview and the visa file. EEF is sous-couvert (under the supervision of) Campus France India and is the only legitimate route for Indian-resident applicants. Per Campus France India (2025), the dossier électronique tracks every document up to visa issue.
The end-to-end EEF flow has nine identifiable steps. Indian students applying for September intake should ideally begin in October-November of the previous year.
- Create your EEF account at pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance, completing personal, academic and visa details.
- Upload your dossier: transcripts, language scores, CV, SOP, motivation letters, passport.
- Select up to seven programmes (or upload an admission letter if you already hold one).
- Pay the Campus France India procedure fee of ₹18,500 (effective 1 October 2024) online through EEF.
- Attend the Campus France academic interview in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune, Kolkata, Hyderabad or Chandigarh, or by video for distant applicants – practise with our Campus France interview questions for Indian students bank.
- Receive your validated dossier with the EEF attestation, which the consulate uses to assess your visa.
- Apply through France-Visas and book a VFS Global appointment for biometrics.
- Collect the VLS-TS visa sticker after biometrics and embassy review.
- Validate online via ANEF within three months of arriving in France to convert the visa into a residence permit.
Do not wait for a Campus France NOC. Campus France India does not issue a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for visa applications. Once your EEF dossier is validated and you receive the automated confirmation email, you should proceed directly to your France student visa application on France-Visas and book the VFS appointment. Waiting for an NOC that does not exist is one of the most common reasons Indian applicants miss their September intake.
EEF vs direct application vs “I am admitted”
EEF is mandatory regardless; only the order changes. Standard EEF route: select up to seven programmes inside EEF and Campus France routes admissions back through the portal. Direct route: apply on the Grande École’s own portal (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, INSEAD, Polytechnique), receive the offer, then upload it inside EEF under “I am admitted” for the visa stage. Account creation, the academic interview, ₹18,500 payment and dossier validation remain compulsory before VFS accepts your visa file.
Financial Requirements: Tuition, Living and Proof of Funds
Financial requirements to study in France for Indian students cover three buckets: tuition fees, monthly living costs, and the visa proof-of-funds threshold. For 2026/27, Campus France's non-EU differentiated tuition is €2,895/year for Licence, €3,879/year for Master and €391/year for Doctorate; Campus France India confirms a visa funds threshold of €615 per month for one year on top of tuition.
€2,895
Licence tuition (₹3.21 lakh) Campus France, 2026/27
€3,879
Master tuition (₹4.30 lakh) Campus France, 2026/27
€391
Doctorate (₹43,370) Campus France, 2026/27
€105
CVEC, 2025/26 rate (2026/27 may change) Service-Public.gouv.fr
€615
Min monthly funds (₹68,217) Campus France India
€150
VLS-TS validation (₹16,638) Service-Public.gouv.fr
€50
Visa fee (EEF countries, incl. India) France-Visas, 2026
₹18,500
EEF / Campus France India fee Campus France India, from 1 Oct 2024
Tuition fees: 2025/26 vs 2026/27 public-university rates
Campus France refreshes its differentiated tuition figures each academic year. Use 2025/26 figures if you started before September 2026; use the 2026/27 column if you are applying for September 2026 or January 2027 intake.
| Programme level | 2025/26 (current students) | 2026/27 (Sept 2026 intake) |
|---|---|---|
| Licence (Bachelor’s) | €2,895/yr (₹3.21 lakh) | €2,895/yr (₹3.21 lakh) |
| Master’s | €3,941/yr (₹4.37 lakh) | €3,879/yr (₹4.30 lakh) |
| Doctorate | €397/yr (₹44,049) | €391/yr (₹43,370) |
Sources. 2025/26 rates verified on Campus France’s main tuition page and Service-Public.gouv.fr. 2026/27 rates published in Campus France’s annual fee communication (country-specific pages on inde.campusfrance.org and the official 2026/27 differentiated-fees decree on Service-Public.gouv.fr); always check the latest official decree before submitting visa proof-of-funds.
Tuition fees: public vs Grandes Écoles vs private
Public universities use frais d’inscription différenciés (differentiated tuition fees) for non-EU students; many institutions still grant an exonération (partial or full exemption), though 2026/27 policy language has tightened the scope. Grandes Écoles set their own fees and run higher: HEC Paris’s Master in Management is €28,850/year (₹32 lakh) plus a €2,000 international surcharge, totalling roughly €57,700 for the two-year programme (HEC Paris, 2026-27). Private business schools and design schools sit between €8,000 and €25,000/year (approximate ranges).
Note: private and Grande École tuition changes yearly. Always verify the live figure on the institution’s official fee page before using it for visa proof-of-funds.
Living expenses
Campus France estimates a monthly student budget of €600-€800 (₹66,500-₹88,700) outside Paris for food, transport and housing; Paris is typically €1,235/month (₹1.37 lakh) once rent is included (Campus France, 2025). Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Marseille fall in the lower band; Paris and Nice sit at the top. For the full city-by-city breakdown, see our cost of studying in France for Indian students guide, which also covers student accommodation in France and CROUS housing options.
APL housing-aid warning (2026/27). From 1 July 2026, non-EU non-scholarship international students are expected to lose eligibility for Aide Personnalisée au Logement (APL) under the 2026 budget framework. Implementation details should be checked with CAF before enrolment. Do not budget APL into your visa proof-of-funds, monthly cash-flow or living-cost plan unless you hold a French government scholarship (Charpak, Eiffel, Erasmus Mundus) or another category that remains eligible under the latest CAF rules.
Proof of funds worked example
For a 2026/27 public master’s student, your visa-ready bundle could look like this. Tuition €3,879 + 12 months of living proof at €615 = €7,380, giving a total of €11,259 (about ₹12.49 lakh at ₹110.92/€) before travel, deposits, insurance and personal buffer. A Grandes École student paying €28,850 tuition would need closer to €36,230 (~₹40.2 lakh) in evidenced funds.
Exonération and Fee-Waiver Universities: Verify Before You Apply
Not every French public university charges full differentiated non-EU tuition. Some have historically used exonération to apply national tuition (€178 Licence, €254 Master, €391 Doctorate, €2,613 engineering) to international students, including Université Paris-Saclay (Université Paris-Saclay, 2025). However, 2026/27 policy language has tightened institutional discretion, so exonération is no longer a guaranteed cost-saving route - it must be verified directly with each institution for your specific intake.
The cost gap between differentiated and national tuition at master’s level is around €3,625 per year (~₹4.02 lakh), which is significant for an Indian education budget. But do not treat fee waivers as a reliable planning tool for 2026/27 onwards.
2026/27 exemption warning. The Ministry of Higher Education's latest guidance reduces the room for blanket institutional exemptions. Treat any exonération claim as conditional on the university confirming it for your intake in writing - not as a fixed planning assumption.
If cost is a deciding factor, take three steps for each shortlisted university:
- Email the international admissions office and ask: “For the September 2026 / January 2027 intake, will non-EU students pay differentiated tuition rates, or are we eligible for your institutional exonération? Please confirm in writing.”
- Ask about the duration: some exemptions cover only year 1 and revert to differentiated rates from year 2.
- Plan to the higher figure: build your visa proof-of-funds bundle around €3,879 master’s tuition. If an exonération is confirmed later, treat it as a windfall, not a baseline.
France Student Visa Requirements (VLS-TS) for Indian Students
France student visa requirements for Indian students centre on the VLS-TS (visa de long séjour valant titre de séjour), the long-stay visa that doubles as a residence permit. It is mandatory for any course longer than three months. Per Service-Public.gouv.fr (2025), the residence permit validation fee is €150 once you arrive in France. France-Visas publishes a €50 visa fee for applicants in EEF-procedure countries and €99 for other countries; Indian-resident applicants normally complete the EEF procedure, but always confirm the live fee on France-Visas or VFS Global before payment.
From VFS appointment to passport return, plan four to six weeks; submit at least 8-10 weeks before your course start date. See the full France student visa process for Indians guide. Delays usually come from weak SOPs, mismatched programme choices, unclear sponsor relationships, or bank statements that fail to show €615/month consistency.
- VLS-TS sticker valid for the academic year, then converted to a carte de séjour (residence permit).
- Validation online via ANEF within 3 months of arrival; €150 OFII/residence fee paid through e-stamps.
- Schengen circulation: alumni of French institutions may apply for a 5-year Schengen circulation visa.
Important: No French university gives a universal IELTS waiver. Every programme decides its own English-proof rules, and they can change between intakes. Always check the official programme page or get written confirmation from admissions before paying the Études en France fee.
Top French Universities and Grandes Écoles for Indian Students
Top French universities and Grandes Écoles for Indian students span three categories: research universities (Sorbonne, PSL, Paris-Saclay), business Grandes Écoles (HEC, INSEAD, ESSEC, ESCP, EM Lyon) and engineering institutions (Polytechnique, Centrale Supélec). Many hold the Bienvenue en France quality label (a government award for institutions hosting international students well), which signals strong student services for Indian applicants.
| Institution | City | Type | Master tuition (approx., non-EU) | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Paris | Jouy-en-Josas | Business Grande École | ~€28,850 + €2,000 surcharge | English |
| INSEAD | Fontainebleau | Business (MBA) | ~€103,500 (MBA) | English |
| ESSEC / ESCP / EM Lyon | Cergy / Paris / Lyon | Business Grande École | ~€21,000-€29,000 | English |
| Sciences Po | Paris | Public IEP | Up to ~€14,710 (income-graduated) | English/French |
| Sorbonne / Université PSL | Paris | Public research | €3,879 (differentiated, 2026/27) | French/English |
| Université Paris-Saclay | Saclay | Public (exonération) | Historically €254/exonération; verify 2026/27 | French/English |
| École Polytechnique | Palaiseau | Engineering Grande École | ~€15,500-€19,200 | English/French |
| CentraleSupélec | Gif-sur-Yvette | Engineering Grande École | ~€6,500-€13,500 | English/French |
Look beyond rankings to two signals: the Bienvenue en France label and Conférence des Grandes Écoles (CGE, which accredits MSc/MS programmes at Grandes Écoles) accreditation – both indicate stronger international student support. ENS, École des Ponts, Université Paris Cité and Université Grenoble Alpes are also worth shortlisting for STEM and humanities. See our top universities in France, MBA in France and master’s in France guides.
Scholarships in France for Indian Students
Scholarships in France for Indian students reduce both tuition and living costs. The three biggest schemes are the Charpak Scholarship (India-only), the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and Erasmus Mundus joint master's. From January 2026, Eiffel pays €1,200/month at Master's level and €2,100/month at Doctoral level (Campus France, 2026); Charpak Master's pays €860/month plus a visa fee waiver and priority CROUS housing.
Erasmus Mundus joint master’s degrees can fully cover tuition plus a monthly allowance of around €1,400 (₹1.55 lakh). Many Grandes Écoles also offer merit awards of €3,000-€10,000. The full list is in our scholarships in France for Indian students guide.
Working While Studying and Post-Study Work in France
Working while studying and post-study work in France for Indian students fall under two regimes. During studies, foreign students may work up to 964 hours per year (about 20 hours/week in term, full-time during summer), 60% of the maximum permitted (Campus France, 2025). After graduation, master's, engineering, Licence Pro and MSc-CGE alumni qualify for the 12-month APS/RÉCE permit (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour, now styled Recherche d'emploi / Création d'entreprise).
The 964-hour cap is a ceiling, not a budget plan. France-Visas is explicit that part-time work is secondary income; your visa file gets rejected if it relies on hypothetical future earnings. Plan tuition and living from family savings, education loan or scholarship, and treat student work as supplementary.
APS to Talent Passport: the realistic India path
Campus France lists India among the countries with a bilateral agreement that gives Indian master’s and engineering graduates access to the 12-month APS to job-hunt. Once you find a role paying at least 1.5-1.8 × SMIC (minimum wage), you can transition to a Talent Passport (passeport talent), a four-year renewable work and residence permit. Most competitor articles miss the SMIC-multiplier threshold. See our post-study work visa in France guide for the full pathway.
Application Timeline for Indian Students
An application timeline for Indian students targeting France's September intake should start 12-15 months in advance. The Études en France procedure opens in October-November each year, and visa appointments at VFS Global fill quickly between May and July. Indian students applying for January intake should reverse-plan from June-July of the previous year.
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| 12-15 months before intake | Research courses, shortlist 5-7 universities, check fee structure (differentiated vs exonération) |
| 9-12 months | Take IELTS/DELF, draft SOP, request LORs, start scholarship paperwork |
| 6-9 months | Open EEF account, upload dossier, submit programme choices, attend Campus France interview |
| 3-6 months | Accept offer, arrange education loan and bank statements, book VFS appointment |
| 1-2 months | Book accommodation, buy travel insurance, attend pre-departure briefing, fly |
| Within 3 months of arrival | Validate VLS-TS via ANEF, register for CVEC, enrol in sécurité sociale étudiante, apply for CAF |
Common Mistakes Indian Students Should Avoid
- Generic SOP reused across seven EEF programme choices – see our SOP for France student visa guide.
- Funds proof gaps from wild swings or last-minute deposits. Stabilise funds 3-6 months ahead.
- Late VFS booking in peak May-July – slots fill in days.
- Ignoring French basics even on English-taught tracks (A1-A2 eases OFII and CAF).
- Assuming all French study is cheap – Grandes Écoles tuition is comparable to Anglosphere costs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage is required to study in France?
Public universities typically accept 55-60% in Class 12 for UG and a recognised bachelor’s for master’s entry. Selective Grandes Écoles look for 65-70% or strong CGPA plus GMAT/GRE where relevant. There is no nationwide cut-off; each institution publishes its own.
Is IELTS required for France?
Not always. English-taught programmes typically require IELTS 6.5 (or TOEFL/PTE equivalents), but many accept a Medium of Instruction letter, Duolingo, or waivers based on prior English-medium education. French-taught programmes need DELF/DALF/TCF instead.
How much bank balance is required for a France student visa?
One year of tuition plus €615 per month (€7,380/year, about ₹8.18 lakh) of living funds. For a 2026/27 public master’s student, total visa-ready evidence is around €11,259 (~₹12.49 lakh). Grandes Écoles applicants need more depending on tuition. Keep balances stable for 3-6 months before submission.
How long does the France student visa process take?
From the VFS Global biometrics appointment to passport return, plan four to six weeks. Indian applicants should submit 8-10 weeks before course start, ideally May-July for September intake. EEF adds 4-8 weeks earlier, so the full pipeline from EEF account creation to visa stamp typically takes 4-6 months.