 "A student walks down an alleyway on the campus of the Institut National Universitaire Jean-François-Champollion (INUC), in Albi, southern France. Data showed that in the 2023-24 academic year, 7,344 Indian students were enrolled in French institutions. Representational image/AFP")
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on his three-day French visit and all eyes have turned to Paris as the PM will co-host the crucial AI Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron.
For India, PM Modi’s sixth visit to France is significant. Not only will the PM be hosting the AI Summit , but he is also expected to sign key defence and nuclear energy deals with Macron, further strengthening India-France ties.
But away from all this, reports say that Paris will also announce favourable visa and work related permits to attract Indian students — the European nation is aiming to enroll 30,000 Indian students by 2030.
France — Indian students’ new study destination
Previously the Big Four — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia — would be the go-to destination for Indian students to pursue higher education. However, in recent times, this trend has changed and Europe, especially France, has been one of the top choices for Indian students.
Boasting over 75 world-renowned institutions such as HEC Paris Business School, Sorbonne University, and École Polytechnique, offering top-tier programmes in business, arts, technology, and sciences, it is not surprising that France is becoming a preferred choice for Indian students.
Data showed that in the 2023-24 academic year, 7,344 Indian students were enrolled in French institutions. And this number is projected to rise by a whopping 200 per cent by 2030. Notably, French President Emmanuel Macron, who was on a two-day state visit to India in January 2024, had in an interaction with Indian students said that his country’s goal was to welcome 30,000 students from India by 2030.
In a previous QS report, which asked over 8,500 Indian students if France was on their preferred destination, 31 per cent said France appealed to them for a career in business. According to the QS report, almost 50 per cent of surveyed Indian students were exploring postgraduate programmes in France, while 21 per cent were interested in undergraduate courses.
Factors driving Indian students to France
But how has France become Indian students’ preferred choice for education? There are multiple factors that have led Indian students to French universities.
French universities, private and public, are known for their high academic standards and are well-equipped to support international students. The several universities also provide a vast array of courses to choose from — ranging as far as business and data analytics to fashion and hospitality.
Besides academic excellence, the cost of education in France is relatively affordable. Public universities have low tuition fees, making them an ideal destination for many Indians. Moreover, there are several financial aid programmes such as Charpak and the Eiffel Excellence programme that students can avail of. Former Ambassador of France to India Emmanuel Lenain was quoted as telling Indian Express that France offers scholarships of over Rs 15 crore specifically designed for Indian students, making education even more accessible and affordable.
According to an NDTV report, the cost of living in France is affordable, with Paris averaging €1,723 (Rs 1.54 lakh) per month, while Lyon offers a more budget-friendly option at €1,130 (Rs 1.01 lakh). Other cities have average living costs of around €1,105 (Rs 98,000).
Concurring on this, Pragya Sancheti, who is pursuing a Masters in Management at NEOMA Business School, was quoted as telling Free Press Journal, “I chose France for its budget-friendly education system. Opting for a two-year course granting two degrees was financially sensible compared to other countries.”
There’s also the fact that French universities provide very good placement programmes. As Rijutosh Chakrabarty, who is pursuing a Doctorate in Economics from Sciences Po University, also told Free Press Journal, “One big aspect which every student considers while choosing a higher education institution is placements. And French universities are offering much better placement rates and packages than many other countries. That, apart from a very good education system, is the biggest reason why I considered France for my PhD.”
But there’s also other international factors at play. Many Indians are now wary of the US owing to Donald Trump’s deportation threats. Also, India currently shares strained relations with Canada , another top destination for Indian students.
France calling
Seeing that Indian students have become a significant market —total spending by Indian outbound students could reach $70 billion by 2025 — France is doing all it can to woo students either through different programmes or by simplifying the visa processes.
For instance, French universities are offering courses in English to enable more students to sign up. There’s also the Classes Internationales, a programme that allows Indian students — whether complete beginners or advanced French learners — to access French-taught undergraduate programs after completing a foundational year of French language training and academic preparation.
This initiative, started by the French government, is offered by over 30 institutions across France covering a wide range of disciplines such as arts, engineering, social sciences, design and more. Students who successfully complete the International Classes will get direct access to over 200 academic programmes taught in French.
Moreover, several French universities are offering dual degree programmes. For instance, Sciences Po, last year, announced a dual masters program with TISS in Mumbai. Similarly, students enrolling with the Department of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Mumbai University for postgraduation (PG) will now get a dual degree — jointly awarded by the MU and the University of Technology of Troyes in France.
Moreover, when PM Modi visited France in 2023, the French administration announced a five-year Schengen circulation visa for Indian alumni. What this means is that Indian students who hold a Master’s degree or above and have spent at least a semester studying in France are eligible for a five-year short-stay Schengen visa.
France also offers a two-year post-study work visa for post-graduates with a French Master’s degree. This visa is issued for one year, and renewable for one more year for a total of two years.
It is no wonder then that Indian students are embracing France as the destination for higher education.
With inputs from agencies