Studying in Paris comes with a bunch of benefits and yes, you can live and study in this magical city without speaking French. In Paris, the number of English-taught degrees is growing, with over 400 English-taught degrees available at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Studying abroad in Paris means that you are choosing the city which tops international study abroad rankings.
The cost of living in France is quite affordable and even though Paris is the capital of France, you can still find some cheap universities, fascinating landmarks, and budget-friendly activities. All students want to have a remarkable experience while studying abroad, and Paris is definitely the place that completes all the criteria. There are multiple reasons why Paris is your ideal study destination, let’s explore those reasons below.
Reasons to Study Abroad in Paris
Center of High Culture
Paris is synonymous with art, fashion, cuisine, cinema, and cultural variety. Paris has surpassed London as Europe’s most cultural city, thanks to its stunning architecture and world-renowned galleries. It has many cultural attractions that you must include in your bucket list. With Louver, Notre-Dame Cathedral, and Eiffel Tower, Paris attracts 30 million tourists per year. With so much to see in Paris, travelers flock to cultural landmarks, such as the Palais Garnier Opera House, Europe’s largest opera house, and renowned sites such as the Arc de Triomphe, Sacré-Coeur, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de Ville.
Career Opportunities
Students with degrees from Paris have an advantage over their peers since they have access to some of the world’s greatest corporations because of the university collaborations. The French government has also declared employability as a mission, which bodes well for students’ future prospects. Top institutions and colleges in Paris have relationships with outstanding employers both in and outside of the city. They provide excellent placement and internship opportunities for students and graduates. Additionally, students can work while completing their studies and there are numerous part-time employment opportunities in Paris.
Best Universities
Paris is one of the dream study destinations for many internationals as it is home to high-ranking universities, diverse student life, and outstanding development opportunities. To put this in perspective, Paris has been voted for the third consecutive year as the world’s number one student city, mainly for having 18 of the world’s top-ranking universities. Contrary to common assumptions, studying in Paris may be a cost-effective experience due to low university tuition prices. While student housing in Paris is on the expensive side, the cheap tuition costs justify and balance out the expense of living.
Scholarships
Scholarships consist of another important reason why Paris tends to be a number one choice for tertiary studies. You can find a wealth of scholarships for international students provided by the French government in a number of universities in Paris. Some of the scholarships from which international students have ongoingly taken advantage include: The Eiffel Scholarships, Erasmus Mundus Scholarships, and IIe-de-France Scholarships for Masters, among many other scholarships. Moreover, many universities of Paris offer scholarships yearly to highly qualified students. Among many other reasons, this is what keeps Paris at the stream of being chosen for tertiary studies.
Study Abroad Programs in Paris
IES Abroad Paris
IES Abroad has a variety of alternatives in Paris, but their most intriguing program is a summer study abroad program that includes time in Madrid and Rome. While studying abroad in Paris, you’ll want to spend all of your time admiring cultural icons like the Eiffel Tower and getting lost in the city’s magnificent art scene. On a typical day, you may enjoy sumptuous French food at a nearby restaurant, walk along the Seine River, and roam aimlessly around the city streets for hours. IES program expenses cover tuition, lodging, food (depending on housing option), visa help, cultural excursions and events, tutors, discussion clubs/language partners, service-learning activities, and even internships, regardless of whether you remain in Paris or undertake a combination trip.
CEA Study Abroad
Like the previous program, CEA Study Abroad also provides international internships. Through this program you can study at the Paris-Sorbonne University, the Catholic University of Paris, the ESSCA École de Management, the CEA Paris Center, or a hybrid learning program. In addition, you can explore CEA Internships Abroad, through the CEA Study Abroad dynamic program which offers a hands-on, practical experience to help you stand out from the crowd. CEA members in Paris can take lessons in English or French, and tuition, accommodation, wellness activities, service opportunities, and cultural events and trips are all included in the program expenses. Some of the prechosen programs from CEA are Business and International Affairs, French Studies, and Marketing, among others.
API Study Abroad
API is a leading study abroad provider in Paris, offering a variety of choices. International students can study at the Cours de Civilisation Françaises de la Sorbonne (CCFS), Institut Catholique de Paris, Paris School of Business, or Parsons Paris – The New School through Academic Programs International. Not to mention the possibility of enrolling in a combination program, such as a summer in Paris followed by a trip to Florence or a summer in Paris followed by a trip to Barcelona. All of these options include lodging, food and laundry, health insurance, cultural events, overseas excursions, volunteer opportunities, and tutoring, to name a few.
ELI Abroad
ELI Abroad gives students an outstanding opportunity to do internships as they complete their semester abroad. Participants in ELI Abroad will undoubtedly get extensively educated for French professional life after finishing their studies abroad in Paris, and will subsequently become an intern in their field of choice for the remainder of the semester. A final research project is overseen by an IFE research adviser which also concludes the semester. Housing is not included in the program expenses, although it starts at €2,000 each semester, and as you might expect, students who enroll in this program must be fluent in French.
Central for Study Abroad
Since its founding in 1990, the Center For Study Abroad (CSA) has offered low-cost study abroad programs to students and adults all around the world. The objective of CSA is to provide low-cost, flexible study abroad programs, as well as more freedom in choosing study abroad experiences. In terms of low-cost study abroad programs in Paris, CSA—Budget Study Abroad is the clear winner. The price for two weeks of French courses starts at €800, which is one of the greatest deals available to students. Students have the option of studying at one of three venues within the city. Housing choices are also available for $300 per week, or you may make your own arrangements if you wish.
Top Universities in Paris for International Students
Some of the top universities in Paris for international students include:
- Université PSL
- Institut Polytechnique de Paris
- Sorbonne University
- Université Paris-Saclay
- Ecole des Ponts ParisTech
- Sciences Po
- Université de Paris
- Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- University Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas
- CY Cergy Paris University
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Paris?
Having in mind that the cost of education in Paris is fairly affordable, living expenses will simply be a balance. To study in Paris, a student must have around €1,300 per month according to the National Union of Students of France. Whereas the cost of the tuition fees of universities in Paris depends on their status, whether private or public. Overall, the tuition fee of universities in Paris tends to range from €2,700 for bachelor’s degrees and €3,770 for master’s.
Tuition Fees
| Tuition Fees of Universities in Paris for International Students | |
| Université PSL | €2,700 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | €16,800 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | €243 |
| Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne | €3,000 |
| Université de Paris | €170 |
Living Expenses
Living in Paris as a student might turn you into an economist since you would want to save as much as possible. Generally, living expenses might be higher in Paris compared to other less popular French cities, as in any capital city of a country. With that said, it is quite expected that the living expenses will have you consider more options and search in more detail. The cost of living is closely related to the location, meaning suburban areas cost you a little less than living in the center of the city.
Here is a table that portrays the cost of living expenses:
| The Average Cost of Living in Paris | |
| One Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | €15 |
| Groceries and Personal Hygiene | €350/month |
| Mobile Phone Plus Internet | €30 |
| Utilities | €180/month |
| Public Transport Ticket | €1,90 |
| Fitness Club | €37/month |
| Cinema Tickets | €12 |
Accommodation
The cost of rent depends on the type of accommodation. While there are cheaper options, there are also expensive housing types in Paris (such as renting a studio apartment).
Here is the average cost of rent in Paris, across different types of accommodation:
| Type of Housing | The Average Cost |
| Hostels | €35/night |
| Studio Rent | €800 |
| Flatshare/Room Rent | €600 |
| Student Halls | €350 |
How to Study Abroad in Paris Tips
Studying abroad in Paris is a dream of many. One important thing you should know if you want to study in Paris is that you should begin preparing early. Whether it is meeting the admission requirements, preparing your finances, or applying for a visa — make sure you begin as early as possible and stay committed to your goals.
Here are a few simple tips to help you on your journey:
Apply on Time
Meeting deadlines is one of the most important aspects of getting accepted in a study abroad program. After you have picked your study program, be ready to read the requirements and note the application deadlines. Make sure you complete out any additional applications that your program requires. It’s worth noting that some programs demand a separate application fee.
Pack Wisely
Before leaving for your studies abroad you should be 100% sure that you have packed all the essentials.
Here’s a list of things you should have with you:
- Passport.
- Health Insurance.
- Local Currencies.
- Face Masks.
- Power Adapters.
- Clothes (all kinds, depending on the weather).
- Wallet.
Create a Budget Plan
As soon as you start to plan you budget for studying abroad, everything else will go smoothly. To have a well rounded budget plan you need to calculate the following:
- Tuition
- Books
- Rent
- Supplies
- Laundry
- Travel Itinerary
- Food and Groceries
- Entertainment
French Language Learning Tips
One of the easiest ways to learn a language is to start with basics, for example, learn how to greet in French or simply some food vocabulary. Try to listen to audios in French (music, podcasts, movies) or watch shows with French subtitles. You could always get a tutor to help you along the way, if you want to perfect the language quicker.
Keep in mind that the ultimate right of a human being is to be wrong, so while you make mistakes you are just being a human. Embrace your capability of learning a new language and do not give up!
