Applying for a Master’s degree in France (2025)
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| 51 | universities offer Masters in France in English |
| 712 | Masters are available |
Renowned for its rich history in education, vibrant international community and high-quality degrees, France is one of the most chosen destinations among students who want to start their Master’s degrees abroad.
With a wide array of English-taught programmes, from Arts to Sciences and Business, the country’s universities have something for everyone. The typical duration for a Master’s program is two years, divided into two separate parts (M1 and M2). Ready to learn more about the crème de la crème of education?
There are more than 1,000 Masters in France that are completely taught in English. Find yours today!
In the French higher education system, most Master’s programmes are two years long. The first year is referred to as Master 1 (or M1), the second year as Master 2 (or M2).
Some Masters are only one year long; and some of these might then be a “Master 2”, which would require you to have completed the M1 level of another course.
There are also Advanced Masters or Specialised Masters (Mastère Spécialisé). These postgraduate programmes are meant for students that have already completed postgraduate education and want to specialise further. Typically, 5 years of study are required, which you would qualify for with a 4-year Bachelor’s degree and one year of postgraduate studies, or a 3-year Bachelor and a 2-year Master. You might also qualify for admission with 4 years of study and then relevant work experience (typically 3 years or more).
France is known for it’s affordable higher education. At public institutions, students enjoy the benefit of low tuition fees for Masters programmes:
At private institutions and especially at many of France’s well-renowned business schools the Masters tuition fees will be higher, up to around €25,000 per year.
The application process for Master’s degrees in France depends on a few main factors: your nationality, your current country of residence, and which type of institution(s) you want to apply to.
For public universities, it works like this:
Private universities and business schools might have their own individual process and separate application platform. Ask them directly to know which steps you should follow.
Depending on the process, you may have to pay non-refundable application fees. Most universities charge between €75 to €100.
The 68 “Études en France” countries: Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Peru, Qatar, Republic of Congo, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam.
To apply for a Master’s degree in France, you typically need to prepare the following documents:
The documents and the required language level may vary depending on the programme. Note that the admissions committee of a school considers not only strong academic performance, but are also interested in students with diverse backgrounds. To improve your chances, make sure to have extracurricular activities on your CV such as competitions, internships, leadership in your school or community, volunteering, etc.
There is no general Masters application deadline. Universities in France set their own key dates.
But some of these can be very early: For starting your studies in autumn, it’s possible that the applications already close in December the previous year. Therefore, do your research early and with time to spare.
Good news: Except for Paris (which is notoriously expensive), France is generally an affordable country for international students. Even better news: There are many scholarships available awarded by both French public and private institutions that cover all kinds of levels and degree subjects.
Campus France lists many of these grants in its database: From scholarships such as “Eiffel Excellence Scholarships” and “Make Our Planet Great Again Scholarships” offered by the French Foreign Ministry; to individual grants funded by each university.
Study.eu Tip: French regions and towns allocate scholarships to foreign students enrolled in programmes in their region. Inquire with the admissions staff in order to make sure you are aware of all options available in your university.
If you are a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you can skip this step since you do not need a visa to study in France.
All other international students have to apply for a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour “étudiant”, abbreviated to VLS-TS “étudiant”). This visa allows you to stay in France between four and one year to pursue your studies. Up until three months before it expires, the permit can be extended to a multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle).
International students that are residents of one of the 68 countries included in the “Études en France” procedure will have their VLS-TS application automatically handled once they have submitted their application through the platform. These visas are sent to the French consular authorities of your home country.
You must validate this visa within 3 months of arriving in France. The process is entirely digital and can be done from your computer.
Still unsure if you need a visa and how it should work? The French government has a questionnaire that will help you with all necessary steps.
As a student, the first step should be researching university-affiliated housing options, such as student residences. These dormitories have the advantage of often being the best way to meet other students with whom you can share your questions and experiences.
If your university doesn’t offer help with accommodation, you can also explore private rentals through platforms like Seloger, Crous or Le Bon Coin. Be cautious of potential scams and ensure legal agreements, particularly in Paris.
Engaging with local student communities and online forums can also be a great option in your journey. These platforms provide you with the chance to not only connect with potential roommates but also to build friendships and networks that can enrich your overall study abroad experience from the start.
Did you know that Paris is one of the most-visited cities in the world?
The French capital has hundreds of direct flights that connect it with most countries on all continents. If you travel from Europe, France’s central location makes it very easy to reach by train or bus.
Within the country, you’ll find a robust network of high-speed trains that makes it easy to reach other student cities such as Lyon, Toulouse or Bordeaux.
Bon voyage!
Masters in France mostly take between 1 year and 2 years to complete.
At public universities, students from the EU/EEA pay either €243 or €601 per year, and other international students pay €3,770. At private universities and business schools, fees are higher, up to around €25,000 per year.
Ready to study in France?
