While contemplating one’s study abroad dream in Europe, you should choose to study in Paris since it has been ranked ninth by the QS Best Student Cities Ranking 2021. Not just that, nine out of ten students recommend it as an exemplary study-abroad destination. While there are a lot of cities in France, students prefer to study abroad in Paris as it is in the spotlight. Therefore, let us understand how studying in Paris will benefit you.
Reasons to Choose Paris as Your Study Abroad Destination
Choosing Paris as a study abroad destination comes with a lot of advantages. One of the advantages is that it offers outstanding opportunities in research and development. When in Paris, you can enjoy the nightlife and explore the monuments and museums of the city, which makes it a major attraction for international students.
1. A Plethora of Universities and Courses
There are a lot of courses and opportunities offered by various universities in Paris. The QS World University Rankings has ranked four colleges and universities of Paris in the top 115 higher education institutions globally. Some of the popular universities in Paris, such as Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole normale supérieure, Paris and Université Pierre et Marie Curie offer high-quality programs in the liberal arts, technology, sciences, and medicine.
2. Set Your Mark in the Global Scenario
Students in Paris are expected to be at the leading edge in many regards. This is because the Capital offers a host of opportunities for well-recognized professionals such as politicians and political scientists, scientists, researchers, fashion designers, artists and business executives. As graduates choose to embrace these local, regional and globally respected professions, they get the chance to join the league of the people who have already set a mark for themselves in the global scenario.
3. Paris Is Home to Some of the Famous Monuments and Museums in Europe.
The experience of studying in Paris for Indian students can be enhanced by visiting monuments, museums and landmarks. If you get to tap into the city’s history by visiting places like the National Museum of the Renaissance, Notre Dame de Paris, Carnavalet Museum, Louvre, Centre Georges Pompidou, Arc de Triomphe, Place de la Concorde, Montmartre, Champs Elysees, etc. then you should not miss this chance. A visit to the beacon of Paris, the Eiffel Tower and clicking a photo in front of this prized city landmark is more than just a mesmerizing experience.
4. Add to Your Repertoire of Abilities by Learning a New Language
The ability to read, write, speak and comprehend French will add to your repertoire. Learning the language will help you add value to your resume. You will work across different countries in various international and multi-national companies where French is majorly spoken.
5. Explore the Nightlife
Paris offers varieties of options for everyone to explore the nightlife. If you want to catch up with a friend, there are many dining options available in Paris and if dancing is your thing, then indulge in the nightlife of the place as there are numerous clubs to dive into such experiences. If you are interested in classical music, you can enjoy the live performances held at various opera houses.
6. Expect to Be Surrounded by Friendly People
Learning French will also help you to interact with local people. People in Paris are very friendly and would not mind accommodating you in a wholesome chat.
Counted in one of the best cities in the world, studying in Paris is a dream to many as the place offers top universities, scholarships, the best courses, and good career prospects. Let us briefly discuss what the city offers to international students.
Top Universities
Variety of Disciplines
Art & Culture
Access to Latest Innovations
Low Tuition Fees
Not Only Paris is home to some of the top universities in the world, like Université PSL, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Paris College of Art, and Université Paris-Saclay, to name a few that rise up in the QS world rankings every year, but it also offers a rich cultural heritage and a vibrant ambiance. Main attractions include cultural icons and landmarks such as Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame de Paris, and Opéra Garnier. It offers a variety of courses to choose from. The courses range from conventional to unconventional courses. Some unconventional courses offered by the top french universities include luxury management, Fashion marketing, culinary management, visual merchandising, etc.
Top 10 Universities in Paris According to the QS World University Rankings 2023
QS World Ranking 2023
University/ Organization
26
Université PSL
48
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
60
Sorbonne University
69
Université Paris-Saclay
111
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
174
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech
259
Sciences Po
248
Université de Paris
300
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
317
Université Grenoble Alpes
801-1000
CY Cergy Paris University
Requirements for Study in Paris
To study in Paris, a student has to meet certain conditions, making them eligible to fill up an application form. A student should make sure to submit the application form before the deadline to secure a seat at a university. The requirements for study in Paris vary across higher education institutions and are enlisted on their websites. However, some of the most common requirements are as follows:
The applicant should be of 18 years or above.
Should have good standing at their home school/college
Should score at least a 2.45 CGPA on a scale of 4.0, but students below it can be considered on a case-by-case basis
Should have attained four semesters of college-level
Should be enrolled in a French course one year before the program commences.
Students who have scored below 2.45 CGPA need to submit a recommendation letter written by their professor along with a personal academic essay.
The letter of recommendation entails a description of the candidate’s ability to pursue a university-level program. On the other hand, a personal academic essay should reflect the candidate’s GPA, the pros or benefits associated with pursuing the course, and the challenges they face during their earlier course of study.
Exam required to Study in Paris
If you are planning to study in Paris then you need to clear one of the following exams:
Exams
Score
TOEFL Exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
80 and above
TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication)
Differs as per the level of the program
IELTS Exam (The International English Language Testing System)
The Government sets the tuition fees at French public universities. Here’s a structure of the tuition fees charged across universities in France and throughout the country as per the degree.
Bachelor’s (Licence) programs – €170 per year (INR 14,372)
Engineering courses at certain institutions – €601 per year (INR 50,806)
Master’s programs – €243 per year (INR 20,736)
Doctorate (PhD) programs – €380 per year (INR 32,432)
Meanwhile, here’s an overview of the tuition fees of the private universities that offer popular degrees in Paris like an MBA, hospitality management, or fashion studies.
MBA in Fashion Business – €14,800 (INR 12.51 lakhs)
Paris Fashion School by PSL
MBA Fashion Business – €14,800 (INR 12.51 lakhs)
Best Courses to Study in Paris
Paris exerts influences in business, politics, education, media, entertainment, arts, fashion, and science as it is one of the world’s leading business and cultural cities. Therefore, choosing to study at a university in Paris gives students and professionals a unique student experience from all over the world. Universities in Paris offer courses that provide excellent opportunities for the student’s career advancement and professional development.
To study abroad in Paris, a student can choose from various fields in France, such as fashion, business, hospitality, design, management, and communication. These courses come in the form of degree programs and as professional development courses or certificate programs. Every bachelor’s program in Paris is designed with a uniquely different curriculum that is uniquely different from the others and includes lectures, practicals, group work, and simulations.
For masters, courses like Luxury Management, Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Visual Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, Culinary Management, and an Honors program in History, Law and Society are designed to fit the needs of the students. The courses offered by universities in Paris are mostly preferred as it allows students to study on campus, in distance learning, or in online mode.
There is no scarcity of courses and programs offered by the universities to study in Paris. If you wish to pursue a master’s, then courses like Luxury Management, Masters of Business Administration (MBA), Visual Merchandising, Fashion Marketing, and Culinary Management are some of the options worth considering. If you wish to enter into an honors program, then the options are wide enough to suit the needs of the students. The courses offered by universities in Paris are mostly preferred as it allows students to study on campus, in distance learning, or in online mode.
Cost of Living in Paris
Though Paris is mostly known for its high cost of living, low tuition fees balance this out. In 2021, Paris dropped four places based on affordability and ranked 72nd. The cost of living in Paris varies on what kind of accommodation you opt for and the lifestyle you spend. Here’s an overview of the basic expenses that a student must bear to stay in Paris.
Rent
Studio apartment provided by the CROUS: €300-€500 (INR 25,610 – INR 42,682) per month
Weekly grocery meal of €40-€50 (INR 3,414 – INR 4,268)
Eating two meals at university restaurants or outside: €7- €15 (INR 598 – INR 1280)
Public transport
Yearly pass of €333.90 (INR 28,508) per year
Taxi: €40 (INR 3,414) per hour
Phone bills, electricity and internet access charges per month
€130 (INR 11,096)
Other expenses
Movie expenses: €11 (INR 939)
Fitness club charges for an adult: €40 (INR 3,413)
Career opportunities in Paris
The career opportunities in Paris is immense owing to the economically diversified sector. Some of the sectors to look for career growth in Paris include Fashion, Retail Marketing, Clothing, biotechnology, luxury goods, automobile, telecommunications and aerospace. The headquarters of some of the top most companies like FedEx, Netflix, Bosch, AstraZeneca and Dassault Aviation are situated here.
After completing your study in a particular discipline, you can stay for a year in Paris for work. Mentioned-below are some of the occupations alongwith their salary/renumeration after completing your studies in Paris.
Occupation
Payscale
Data Scientist
EUR 46,700
Pilot
EUR 45,500
Lawyer
EUR 84,000
Product Manager
EUR 44,000
Doctor
EUR 85,000
Luxury Brand Manager
EUR 88,000
Visual Merchandiser
EUR 40,000
Luxury Retail Buyer
EUR 43,000
PR Specialist
EUR 53,000
How to Get PR in Paris After Studies
There are two modes that one can follow to settle in France – French permanent residence and French citizenship. On getting the residence permit, you can stay in the country for ten years, which can be renewed, and the duration of your stay can be extended for longer years. A French permanent residence permit allows you to enjoy most of the legal rights, which includes primary healthcare, education, and employee rights.
The French Immigration System is relatively simple and inexpensive for prospective international students who want to immigrate to the country for study. After completing your study in Paris, if you’re going to stay in the city for studying, you can apply for a permanent residence after living for five years. Listed below is the procedure you need to undertake to apply for PR in Paris after your studies.
Make an appointment with your local prefecture. Get help on the necessary paperwork that needs to be completed.
They will guide you on the documents you need to submit along with your application, such as a contract of employment, copy of your passport, birth or marriage certificate, medical certificate, criminal record check from your home country, etc.
You also need to submit evidence of your proficiency in the French language to prove that you can integrate into life in Paris.
If you are a novice in the French language, you might be required to sign a Republican Integration Contract (CIR). It is an agreement between any non-European foreigner and the French state which makes the candidate undertake training courses to promote their integration into French society.
Some universities and colleges in Paris allow students to apply for degrees without appearing in the IELTS examination. Therefore, you can apply to schools where IELTS is not compulsory. upGrad Abroad offers opportunities to study in France even without IELTS. The bridge program helps BSc and BCA graduates to enter the engineering domain. First, the three months would be conducted in an online mode by upGrad, and after that, students will get to study abroad on campus.
How much does it cost to study in Paris?
The cost to study in Paris varies with public and private universities. For instance, if you choose a public university, the cost would be less. While studying at a public university ranges somewhere between €170 – €601 (INR 14,372 – INR 50,806), a course at a private university starts from around €15,000 (INR 12,80,198) to €45,000 (INR 38,40,593) on an average.
What are the requirements to study in Paris?
To procure admission at an educational institution in Paris, you should be 18 years of age or have scored a minimum of 2.45 CGPA out of 4.0. However, students failing to meet the required score can be considered on an individual basis for which they need to submit a personal academic essay or a professor’s letter of recommendation. The candidate is also required to have been enrolled in a French course one year ahead of the program’s starting and should have attained four semesters at the college level.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |4622 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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