Big rise in number of Indian students opting for France this year

As traditional overseas destinations tighten visa policies and restrict post-study work pathways, Indian students are increasingly turning their attention toward Europe. France, in particular, is experiencing a surge in interest, as evidenced by rising enrolment numbers.Education, research, innovation, and skills were central to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s June 2026 visit to France. During the visit, both nations adopted the India-France Innovation Roadmap 2030—a long-term framework spanning technology, research, startups, education, and economic growth, with student exchange highlighted as a core pillar. Further, French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed the French government’s goal to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030 and PM Modi invited French universities to establish campuses in India, underlining a shared ambition for deeper institutional integration.“France’s growing appeal for Indian students begins with its own strengths: academic excellence, globally recognised degrees, access to the wider European education and employment market, and depth in fields such as engineering, artificial intelligence, aerospace, mathematics, hospitality, luxury management and international business. More than 1,500 programmes are taught entirely in English, so students can enter the French system without French language being a barrier at the outset,” Grégor Trumel, counsellor for cooperation and cultural affairs, French Embassy in India, said in an exclusive interview.Indian student enrolment in France grew 55% over five years, reaching approximately 9,100 in 2024–25—a 17% year-on-year increase from 7,700. Counting exchange and short-term participants alongside long-term students, 12,000 Indian students held French visas or resident permits in 2025. This surge pushed India from the 13th to the 11th top source country for international students in a single year. Enrolment figures for 2025–26 will be published in September 2026 and are expected to show a rise.There is a strong bilateral framework with Indian and French degrees benefitting from a mutual-recognition arrangement, and student mobility an explicit priority in the India-France partnership. “Indian students holding a French master’s degree can apply for a one-year APS residence permit, renewable once, to look for work or establish a company. In the current context, France is a stable choice for students, and its consistency is increasingly valued,” Trumel said.France offers Indian graduates with a French master’s degree or higher an APS (Temporary Residence Authorization) residence permit for one year, renewable once. This proves very attractive for Indian students. “This provides up to two years in total to seek employment or create a company. During their studies, international students may also work up to 964 hours a year, roughly 20 hours a week, which helps them gain experience and build professional networks. Internships are also often part of the curriculum, as France’s higher education system values both practice and theory,” Trumel said.To achieve its ambitious goal of hosting 30,000 Indian students by 2030, France is building a structured ecosystem of outreach, counselling, language preparation, and institutional partnerships. This network includes 10 Campus France offices in India, 15 Alliance Française centres, weekly informational webinars, the annual Choose France Tour, and an expanding alumni community. New pathways are also opening up—most notably the Classes Internationales programme launched in September 2024. This initiative offers Indian students, particularly those pursuing undergraduate studies, a dedicated foundation year combining French language training with academic methodology before they transition into degree programmes. Additionally, extending the average duration of study has become a key lever for sustaining long-term growth. At the institutional level, joint degrees, research partnerships, and a shared commitment to bilateral mobility continue to steadily expand the student pipeline. Addressing common misconceptions about studying in France, the counsellor for cooperation and cultural affairs, Trumel points out that language is rarely a true obstacle: “Language is more often a challenge raised by perception than a structural barrier. France now offers more than 1,500 programmes entirely in English, and most institutions provide French-language instruction as part of the international student experience.” Students can also begin building their language skills well before departure.“Learning French is a worthwhile investment,” Trumel notes, emphasizing how it pays off both socially and professionally. “It makes day-to-day integration easier and materially improves internship and employment opportunities.” He adds that students won’t have to navigate this transition alone: “Indian student associations are active in major university cities—including Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Grenoble, and Lille—while French campuses themselves are highly international. The support system is therefore much stronger than many prospective students assume.”This career potential in France after education for Indian students, is backed by the deep economic ties between the two nations. With the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry boasting around 800 members and over 570 French companies operating in India, the professional scope extends far beyond graduation day. As Trumel explains, “Graduates can look beyond a single labour market. A French qualification and professional network can open opportunities in France, across the European Union, and with French-linked employers in India.”While master’s programmes still account for the largest share of Indian enrolment, especially in business and engineering; doctoral mobility is also growing through partnerships involving French institutions, IITs and IISERs, and PhD tuition is charged at the same rate for all nationalities. “At undergraduate level, however, France has made a deliberate effort to create clearer entry routes. New joint-degree models are emerging, including collaborations involving BITS Pilani and Centrale Supélec, as well as Sorbonne University and IIT Delhi. The present market remains weighted towards master’s study, but the undergraduate pathway is becoming more viable,” Trumel said.Business and engineering remain the two established pillars in terms of student numbers from India. French grandes écoles and their management programmes have a strong international reputation, while France’s aerospace and advanced-engineering ecosystem, built around companies such as Airbus, Safran and Dassault Aviation, is a natural draw. France also has distinctive strengths in gastronomy, humanities, hospitality, fashion, design and luxury management.“The fastest-growing areas reflect the technologies and public priorities shaping both countries. We are seeing increasing interest in data science, artificial intelligence, robotics, autonomous systems, embedded technologies, advanced computing, climate and sustainability, energy transition and sustainable mobility. Health sciences are another promising area,” Trumel says. With the growing interest among Indian students to study in France, there is a focus on the student visa process which has two principal online stages. First, students have to create an account on the Études en France portal, upload their academic records, CV and statement of purpose, pay the processing fee, and complete an academic interview. Once the file is complete and verified, the student has to submit the visa application through France-Visas and books an appointment with VFS to provide documents and biometrics. After arrival in France, the long-stay student visa must be validated online through the ANEF portal within three months. “Applicants should plan well ahead. From the start of the Études en France process to receipt of the visa, allowing at least three months is prudent; applications should ideally reach the visa stage six to eight weeks before the course begins. Visa processing after the VFS appointment normally takes about 15-21 days, but it can extend to around 45 days during the August-September peak. Students should start their process as soon as they receive their admission letter,” explains Trumel.The most common difficulties faced are incomplete Études en France files (mark sheets or proof of employment missing), as well as unclear proof of funds or last-minute applications during the peak season. The Études en France processing fee is Rs 20,000 from August 1, 2026.France remains highly competitive on cost, particularly in public higher education. For 2025-26, indicative annual public-university tuition is approximately €2,895 for a bachelor’s degree, €3,941 for a master’s degree and €397 for a PhD. Private grandes écoles and business schools vary much more widely, from roughly €6,000 to €90,000 or more a year. Living costs depend on location. A reasonable monthly estimate is €1,200-€1,500 in Paris, €800-€1,100 in cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux or Nantes, and €600-€800 in smaller university towns. University restaurants offer low-cost meals (1 euro for all students), including vegetarian options.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.