Do you know you can study in France in English for Free? Yes, you read right. As an international student, you can experience the European lifestyle in one of the most beautiful European countries while studying at an English-taught university at absolutely no cost to you.
Do you want to know how? No worries we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we would be showing you how to study in France at an English-taught university for free.
Well, without further delay let’s dive in!
France, officially the French Republic, is a transcontinental country in Western Europe, it shares borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Andorra, and Spain.
This country is well-known for many things, including exquisite wines, fashion, architecture, and well-known tourist destinations.
In addition, France has also been popular as one of the best study destinations for international students providing them with a high-quality education at very affordable rates. We recommend our article on the 10 cheapest universities in France for international students.
Educations.com polled nearly 20,000 international students for their 2019 global study abroad country rankings, with France ranked ninth worldwide and fourth in Europe, ahead of famous locations such as Germany and the United Kingdom.
This is expected given that the French higher education system is recognized for its proficiency in teaching, high accessibility, and award-winning research, with the country nurturing talent in a variety of subjects such as math, anthropology, political science, and medicine.
Furthermore, the French government has been concentrating on offering more appealing offers to international students. They intend to boost the number of international students and postgraduates who attend the country’s universities.
International students can currently study in France for free in English.
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How do I study in France in English for Free?
France was one of the first non-English-speaking European countries to offer English-taught university programs. The French education system also adheres to the Bologna Process, which comprises undergraduate, Master’s, and Doctoral courses, ensuring that degrees are internally acceptable.
Here’s how to study in France in English for free:
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Choose English-taught University
Below we have provided you with a list of English-taught Universities in France, go through the list and select a university that suits your taste.
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Ensure the program you want to study is taught in English
Once you have picked an English-taught university, be sure that the program you wish to study is taught in English. You can know this by visiting the school’s official website.
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Make sure that the University is Tuition-free
Before you finally send out your application to this university, ensure that the program you want to study in is tuition-free at that university or the university provides full scholarships for international students that can cover the full cost of your study.
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Send Out Your Application
The final step is to send out your application, and ensure that you’ve met all the requirements for that school before sending out an application. Send out your application following all instructions given on the school’s website.
How do I know if a study program is taught in English?
The best way to know if a study program is taught in English is to check each degree’s language requirements on the university’s website.
If you search for an academic course on other university’s websites, make sure to read the specifics on their pages to see if the program is taught in English.
The most common English tests accepted by French colleges are as follows:
- IELTS
- TOEFL
- PTE Academic
Requirements to Study in France in English for Free
These are some of the general requirements for foreign students to study in France in English.
The following documents are required to study in France in English:
- Copies of Standard X, XII, and Bachelor’s degree mark sheets (if applicable).
- Minimum of two academic reference letters from teachers who have recently taught you.
- A legitimate passport or identification card.
- Photographs in passport size.
- University registration costs in France (€185 for a Bachelor’s degree, €260 for a Master’s degree, and €390 for a Ph.D.).
- If the university requests a resume or CV, submit one.
- Language Proficiency in English (if required).
- Monetary Fund to demonstrate your ability to support yourself in France.
What are the Best English-taught Universities in France?
Below are the best English-taught universities in France:
- Université PSL
- École Polytechnique
- Sorbonne University
- CentraleSupélec
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
- École des Ponts Paris Tech
- Sciences Po
- Université de Paris
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- ENS Paris-Saclay
- Paris Tech
- University of Nantes
- ISEP
- EFREI Engineering School of Information and Digital Technology
- ISA Lille
Best English-taught Universities in France?
#1. Université PSL
Paris Sciences et Lettres Institution (PSL University) is a public research university in Paris, France. It was founded in 2010 and was legally established as a university in 2019.
It is a collegiate university comprised of 11 member schools. PSL is based in central Paris, with primary campuses in the Latin Quarter, Jourdan, Porte Dauphine in northern Paris, and Carré Richelieu.
This best-rated English-taught university represents around 10% of French research and has won more than 150 ERC funds since its inception, with 28 Nobel laureates, 10 Fields medal winners, 3 Abel laureates, 50 César and 79 Molière medals.
#2. École Polytechnique
The École Polytechnique, sometimes known as Polytechnique or l’X, was founded in 1794 and is one of France’s most famous and selective institutions.
It is a French public higher education and research institution located in Palaiseau, a suburb south of Paris.
This Highly-rated English-taught school is frequently associated with academic distinction and selectivity. Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021 place it 87th and second among the world’s finest small universities in 2020.
#3 Sorbonne University
This English-taught university is a world-class, multidisciplinary research university. It is committed to the success of its students and to tackling the scientific challenges of the twenty-first century.
It is located in the center of Paris and has a regional presence.
The University offers a diverse range of disciplines including the arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and medicine.
In addition, Sorbonne University is placed 46th on the list of Best Global Universities.
#4. CentraleSupélec
This top-rated English-taught institution is a French research and higher education institute in engineering and science.
It was founded on January 1, 2015, as a consequence of a strategic combination of two leading French schools, Ecole Centrale Paris and Supélec, to produce one of the most prestigious and selective universities in France.
Basically, the institution offers CS engineering degrees, master’s degrees, and PhDs.
Graduates of the Ecole Centrale and Supelec Engineering Programs are among the highest-paid in France, according to multiple pay studies.
It was placed 14th in the Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020.
#5. École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
#6. École des Ponts Paris Tech
The École des Ponts ParisTech (formerly known as the École Nationale des Ponts et chaussées or ENPC) is a university-level institution of higher education and research in science, engineering, and technology. The university was established in 1747.
Basically, it was founded to train engineering authorities and civil engineers, but it currently provides a broad education in computer science, applied mathematics, civil engineering, mechanics, finance, economics, innovation, urban studies, environment, and transportation engineering.
This Grandes Écoles was named one of the best ten small universities in the world by Times Higher Education.
#7. Sciences Po
This highly-rated institution was founded in 1872 and specializes in social and political sciences.
The education at Sciences Po is multidisciplinary and bilingual.
Sciences Po places a high value on the practical application of information, connection with experts, extracurricular activities, and student engagement in order to train well-rounded students.
Furthermore, as part of its three-year bachelor’s degree, the Undergraduate College requires a year abroad at one of Science Po’s partner universities.
This comprises a global network of 400 top partner universities such as New York’s Columbia University, Cambridge, the London School of Economics, and Peking University.
In terms of English-language rankings, Sciences Po is placed second globally for the study of Politics in the QS World University Subjects Rankings in 2022, and 62nd in social sciences by Times Higher Education.
Also, Sciences Po is ranked 242 in the world by QS Rankings and 401–500 in the Times Higher Education.
#8. Université de Paris
This best-rated English-taught University is France’s top research-intensive, multidisciplinary university in the center of Paris, offering world-class higher education programs while encouraging innovation and information transfer.
Université Paris Cité, was founded in 2019 by the combination of the universities of Paris Diderot, Paris Descartes, and Institut de physique du globe de Paris.
Furthermore, Université Paris Cité is internationally recognized. It offers its students cutting-edge, creative programs in the following fields: Human, Economic, and Social Sciences, Science and Technology, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, and Nursing.
#9. Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
Pantheon-Sorbonne University (Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne) is a Paris-based public research university founded in 1971.
Basically, its emphasis is on three main domains namely: Economic and Management Sciences, Human Sciences, and Legal and Political Sciences; it includes subjects such as Economics, Law, Philosophy, Geography, Humanities, Cinema, Plastic arts, Art history, Political science, Mathematics, Management, and Social Sciences.
Furthermore, In terms of rankings, Pantheon-Sorbonne was ranked 287th and 9th in France in the world by QS World University Rankings in 2021, and 32nd in France by The Times Higher Education.
In terms of global reputation, it was ranked 101-125th in the 2021 Times Higher Education World Reputation Rankings.
#10. ENS Paris-Saclay
This top-rated English-taught school is a prominent public higher education and research school founded in 1912 and is one of the major French Grandes Écoles, which are considered the pinnacle of French higher education.
The university has three main faculties: Science, Engineering, and Social Sciences and Humanities which are divided into 17 individual departments: the departments of Biology, Mathematics, Computer Science, Fundamental Physics, and Chemistry; the engineering departments of Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering; Economics and Management, Social Sciences, Languages, and Design; and the humanities departments of Economics and Management, Social Sciences, Languages, and Design. The majority of these courses are taught in English.
#11. Paris Tech
This highly-rated English-taught Institution is a cluster of ten notable grandes écoles based in Paris, France. It offers a comprehensive and distinctive collection of internationally recognized programs to over 20.000 students and covers the entire range of science, technology, and management.
ParisTech offers 21 Master’s degrees, 95 Advanced Master’s degrees (Mastères Spécialisés), many MBA programs, and a wide choice of Ph.D. programs.
#12. University of Nantes
Basically, the University of Nantes (Université de Nantes) is a prominent higher education and research center in Western France, located in the picturesque city of Nantes.
Nantes University has advanced its training and research over the last 50 years, and it was awarded the I-Site mark for exceptional universities operating abroad in 2017.
On a national scale, and in terms of professional absorption after graduation, the University of Nantes ranks third to fourth out of 69 universities, depending on the field of study.
Furthermore, approximately 34,500 students currently attend the university. More than 10% of them are international students from 110 different countries.
In 2016, the university was placed between 401 and 500th by Times Higher Education.
#13. ISEP
ISEP is a French engineering graduate school in digital technology recognized as a “Grande École d’Ingénieurs.” ISEP trains highly high-level graduate engineers in Electronics, Telecommunications & Networks, Software Engineering, Signal-Image Processing, and Humanities, equipping them with the knowledge and abilities needed to satisfy the needs of enterprises.
Furthermore, this best English-taught university has been offering an international curriculum taught entirely in English that allows international students to achieve Engineering Master Degree since 2008. This curriculum includes a professional internship thanks to strong cooperation with organizations in connected fields.
#14. EFREI Engineering School of Information and Digital Technology
The EFREI (Engineering School of Information and Digital Technologies) is a French private engineering school founded in 1936 in Villejuif, Île-de-France, south of Paris.
Its courses, which specialize in computer science and management, are taught with state funding. Students who graduate receive a CTI-accredited engineering degree (national commission for engineering degree accreditation).
In the European higher education system, the degree is equivalent to a master’s degree. Today, around 6,500 EFREI alumni work in a variety of industries, including education, human resource development, business/marketing, corporate management, legal consulting, and so on.
#15. ISA Lille
ISA Lille, originally the Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture de Lille, was one of 205 French schools recognized to offer a Diplôme d’Ingénieur engineering degree on September 1, 2018. It is classified as a “grande école” in the French higher education system.
Provides a variety of degree programs, as well as research and business services, with a focus on agricultural science, food science, environmental science, and agricultural economics. The school was one of the first French higher education institutions to offer programs taught entirely in English.
Are there Scholarships Available to Students who want to study in France in English?
Of course, a number of scholarships are available to internationals who want to study in France in English.
International students from Africa, Asia, Europe, and other regions of the world can apply for scholarships in France. These scholarships are mostly provided on an annual basis by French universities and foundations.
In France, undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships may be awarded on the basis of gender, merit, area, or country. Eligibility may vary depending on the sponsor.
Some of the scholarships available for international students to study in France in English are given below:
The Université Paris Saclay’s scholarships aim to promote international students access to its master’s (nationally-certified degree) programs taught in its member establishments, as well as to make it easier for highly qualified foreign students to attend its University, particularly those wishing to develop an academic project through research up to the doctoral level.
This scholarship was established to welcome the brightest international students from countries other than the European Union. The Émile Boutmy Scholarship is given to outstanding students whose profiles correspond to Sciences Po’s admissions goals and unique course requirements.
Furthermore, students must be first-time candidates, from a non-European Union country, whose household does not file taxes within the European Union, and who enrolled in the Undergraduate or Master’s degree to be eligible for the award.
The scholarship ranges from €3,000 to €12,300 per year for undergraduate studies and €5,000 per year for Masters’s studies.
This Scholarship is intended for women from Asian or African nations devastated by natural disasters, drought, or famine to study at HEC Paris.
In addition, the scholarship is worth €20,000, to be eligible for this scholarship, you must be a top-caliber female candidate who has been admitted to the HEC Paris MBA program (full-time only) and can demonstrate excellent leadership qualities in one or more of the following areas are eligible for this scholarship: Volunteering in the community, Charitable giving, and Sustainable development approaches.
Basically, this prestigious scholarship is provided to outstanding international students with the option to enroll in one of the ENS de Lyon’s qualified Master’s programs.
The scholarship is for a year and costs €1,000 a month. It is renewable in the second year if the candidate is chosen by the master’s program director and validates the master’s year one.
Frequently Asked Questions about Studying Abroad in France in English for Free
Can I study in France for free?
Yes, if you are a citizen or permanent resident of an EEA (European Economic Area) or Swiss nation. However, a number of scholarships are available to non-French or non-EU citizens.
Can I study in France in English?
Yes. A number of universities in France offer English-taught programs.
How much is rent in France?
Generally, in 2021, French people spent an average of 851 euros to rent a house and 435 euros to rent a one-room apartment.
Does France accept IELTS?
Yes, France accepts IELTS if you apply for English-taught degrees (accepted tests are: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE Academic or C1 Advanced)
Recommendations
- 24 English Speaking Universities in France
- Study in France
- 10 Cheapest Universities in France for International Students
- 15 Best Cheap Distance Learning Universities in Europe
- 10 Cheapest Universities in Europe For International Students.
Conclusion
This article provides you with all information you need to study in France in English without spending a dime of your money.
Carefully go through each section of this article, and be sure to understand the processes involved before you start your application.
All the best, Scholars!
