Applications in French (primary); some master's programmes in English
France
Low tuition, Grandes Écoles, strong Africa ties, Eiffel scholarship
- $1,200
- Average per month
- Yes
- Language test required
- 2
- Intakes a year
- September, January/February
- Intake months
Overview
France has deep historical and cultural ties with Francophone Africa, making it a natural destination for students from Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Cameroon, Mali, and other French-speaking countries. Public university tuition is low (€170–€380/year for EU rates — some programs have higher rates for non-EU). Grandes Écoles are prestigious but expensive.
Scholarship culture
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is the French government's flagship award for international master's and PhD students — it covers €1,181/month (master's) or €1,400/month (PhD) plus benefits. Campus France manages most scholarship processes. Francophonie-targeted programs also exist through the AUF (Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie).
Key scholarships
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
- AUF Scholarships (Francophone Africa)
- French Embassy Awards
- Erasmus Mundus (French programmes)
- MOPGA (Make Our Planet Great Again)
Cost of living
Paris: €1,200–€1,800/month. Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Marseille: €800–€1,200/month. French student housing (CROUS) is subsidised — apply immediately after admission as places fill quickly.
Visa process
Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS). Apply via Campus France in your country first (mandatory for most African countries — the Campus France pre-registration process takes 3–6 weeks). Then apply for visa at the French embassy. Validate your visa online within 3 months of arrival.
Required language tests
- DELF/DALF B2+ for French-taught programmes
- IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught programmes
Top universities
- Sorbonne University
- École Polytechnique
- Sciences Po
- HEC Paris
- INSEAD
- CentraleSupélec
- Université Paris-Saclay
Best for
- Business & Management
- Political Science & International Relations
- Engineering (Grandes Écoles)
- Arts & Culture
- Agriculture
Honest assessment
Why students choose France
- Low tuition at public universities
- Eiffel Scholarship is among Europe's best-funded awards
- Strong cultural and historical links with Francophone Africa
- APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — 1-year job-seeking permit after graduation
- Rich cultural life and central European location
What to prepare for
- French language required for most programmes
- Campus France pre-registration adds complexity and time
- Paris is expensive; housing is competitive
- Grandes Écoles tuition is very high without scholarships