France is often famed as a lovers’ destination due to its romantic ambience and exciting locations, but what you might not know is that it’s indeed, one of the best countries to study in Europe. France has one of the highest levels of educational standards in Europe, housing some of the top global universities. However, this high educational standard comes at a price as the country doesn’t offer any tuition-free programmes. Nevertheless, there are several opportunities for international students to study in France for free or at low cost. This article is all about showing you how you can study at France’s top universities for free or at a low cost. So, stay glued till the end.
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Why Study in France?
France is one of the best study destinations in Europe, thanks to its high educational standard and global recognition of a French degree. But beyond that, studying in France offers exciting opportunities to experience a blend of academic excellence, cultural exploration, and an interesting French lifestyle.
For a start, France offers a world-class education system and several of its universities are ranked among the top 100 universities in the world. Additionally, these universities offer a diverse range of academic programmes across all levels – from undergraduate degrees to PhD and post-doc. Furthermore, France is renowned as a research hub, exposing its students to real-world and practical experiences through in-depth research and industry collaborations – put simply “learning by doing”.
Meanwhile, learning can be fun when there’s so much to keep you motivated. The exquisite French culture and remarkable landmarks are enough to keep you motivated and rejuvenated.More so, studying in France is an opportunity to experience a new culture, tradition, language, and more opportunities.
Are French Universities Free?
Several European countries offer tuition-free programmes in their universities. With countries like Norway only offering tuition-free programmes to citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Economic Areas (EEA) and Germany offering 100%tuition-free programmes for students across all nationalities, you would expect France to follow suit. However, studying in France is not free.
In a nutshell, whether you’re from an EU/EEA country or non-EU/EEA, all students have to pay for their tuition to study in France. Nevertheless, there’s a pay disparity between citizens of EU/EEA countries and non-EU/EEA citizens. However, tuition in France is still quite low when compared to some other European countries. Additionally, there are several scholarship opportunities that can allow you to study in France for free while covering the tuition and/or providing stipends for your upkeep.
How to Study in France for Free or at Low Cost
As already established, universities in France are not free. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t study there for free or at low cost. As a matter of fact, there are several methods to study in France for free or at a discounted price. For instance, there are several scholarship opportunities that would not only cover your tuition but also provide stipends for the student’s upkeep. Here are some of the ways you can study for free or at low cost in France;
Erasmus+Mobility Scholarship for Foreign Students
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s scholarship is one of the most renowned scholarships in the world, offering master’s scholarships that span 2 years to top scholars in various fields across several countries. The Erasmus+ is a European Union (EU) programme designed to support education, training, youth, and sport. Their mobility scholarship offers a bursary for international students in several European countries, including France, to offset their removal and accommodation costs.
Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence
Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence is aimed at motivating students with excellent academic backgrounds and enticing them to study in France. This scholarship is designed mainly for masters and PhD students from developing countries. However, the scholarship doesn’t cover tuition.It, instead, pays the students an allowance to cover their living expenses during their study period.
Emile Boutmy Scholarships for Non-EU Students
This scholarship opportunity is opened only to students enrolled at Sciences Po University and is opened to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This scholarship awards beneficiaries between 3,000 euros and 12,000 euros, and in some cases, up to 19,000 euros. However, students can only apply after being admitted into the university. Additionally, a critical scrutiny of the applicants is carried out to determine who is more suitable for the scholarship, and this scrutiny doesn’t just cover academic background, it extends to social and family backgrounds, too.
Ampere Scholarship of Excellence
This scholarship is opened only to students enrolled in a master’s programme at ENS De Lyon University. While it doesn’t cover tuition, it pays each student 1,000Euros a month for a period of 12 months to cover their living expenses.
Other Opportunities to Study in France for Free or at Low Cost
Other methods and scholarship opportunities that provide financial relief to students studying in France include;
- École Normale Supérieure International: Offers thirty international scholarships every year and pays a monthly allowance for 3 years.
- Ile-De-France Masters Scholarships:Provided by the Regional Council of Ile-De-France to international students studying in the region.
- INSEAD MBA Scholarships:Provides need-based, non-need-based, and spot scholarships for MBA students.
- Part-Time Jobs:International students can work part-time in France for up to 20 hours a week, providing enough money to cover their living expenses while also gaining valuable work experience.
- Local Embassy Choices:Local embassies often have information on the latest financial opportunities, identifying with them will open you to several funding opportunities.
- Education Loans:France offers loans to international students to cover basic needs like tuition, accommodation, and other study-related expenses.
Final Thoughts
Despite the fact the country doesn’t offer tuition-free programmes like some other European countries, there are other opportunities to study in France for free or at a low cost. With scholarship opportunities and academic funding, international students can enjoy discounted tuition and other financial relief while focusing on achieving academic excellence. Taking part-time jobs is another viable option, which allows you to earn extra income while also gaining valuable work experience. Overall, France is a viable option for international students looking to extend their horizons and earn an international degree but are concerned about their finances
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