Deciding to study abroad in France will have you immersed in various aspects of student life, from exploring the second most spoken language in the world to finding some of the best career prospects. There are lots of reasons to study abroad in France, starting from the education system, needless to mention the butterfly croissant and countless exceptional experiences of student life.
Even if you’re studying with a provider or have had the chance to win a scholarship, it is best to arrange your budget and search a location that matches your lifestyle. Regardless of where you choose to study, French cities are rich in history, art, and delicious cuisine.
Here is where you can study abroad in France:
1. Lyon
Why? Affordability!
Lyon is a smaller city in comparison to Paris and in general, due to this you can have an inexpensive French experience. Lyon takes advantage of France’s low tuition fees while avoiding the high living expenditures of the French metropolis. There is no accident that Lyon was awarded the best student city in France in 2018. Lyon is known for its rich cultural legacy, which includes several Roman remains, a large Renaissance old town, historic industrial areas, and the royal Presqu’île sector from the nineteenth century. The city was formed 2,000 years ago at the junction of the Rhône and Saône Rivers and prospered thanks to the silk trade. The architectural features of Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse Saône are unique to this city.
Where to Study in Lyon
Here are some universities you can find in Lyon:
- Lyon 2 University
- Lyon 3 University
- Ecole Normale Superieure – Lyon
- National Institute of Applied Science – Lyon
- Lyon 1 University
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Lyon
A few expenses you should consider if you want to study abroad in Lyon include:
| Average Cost of Living | |
| Accommodation | €400 |
| University | €500 |
| Food | €300 |
| Phone | €25 |
| Utility bills | €50 |
| Lyon TCL – transport card | €30 |
*average monthly expenses.
2. Paris
Why? Vibrant and Entertaining!
Paris is definitely the city of endless choices, you will want to stroll around every corner of it as it leaves you in awe. Of course, you can’t miss the city’s many iconic sites, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, and Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris is home to some of Europe’s most prestigious and well-known museums. Visiting museums, sites, and monuments in Paris as an international student enhances learning. As for the delicious food, there is more than croissants and cheese. Consider sitting on the patio of a café or in a restaurant to sample ratatouille, salade niçoise, duck confit, flammekueche, soufflé, boeuf bourguignon, and a superb range of wines for a wonderful taste of French cuisine. To finalize the section of why to study in Paris you should have in mind that some of the best opportunities in research and development are found in Paris.
Where to Study in Paris
Here are some universities you can find in Paris:
- Paris-Sud University – Paris 11
- Ecole Polytechnique
- University of Pierre and Marie Curie
- Ecole Normale Superieure
- Sorbonne University
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Paris
A few expenses you should consider if you want to study abroad in Paris include:
| Average Cost of Living | |
| Accommodation | €800 |
| University | €2,600 |
| Food | €400 |
| Phone | €30 |
| Utility bills | €180 |
| Annual transit subscription | €340 |
*average monthly expenses.
3. Grenoble
Why? Student Population!
Grenoble is a well-known city in France for welcoming students to stay and study in some of the best engineering institutions, science universities, and business schools. It is not a surprise why Grenoble has ongoingly been one of the top cities in France for international students. It has several prestigious universities and professional institutions, with a student population that counts around 60,000 students. Many international students find the winter outdoor activities in Grenoble a wonderful escape from their studies. This place gives students the joy of skiing, snowboarding, hiking, and other related activities. This alpine city, nestled at the foot of the French Alps, is breathtakingly gorgeous, with sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and easy access to other world-class locations such as Paris, Italy, and Switzerland. Grenoble attracts not only students but a number of foreign academics and staff as a result of its location.
Where to Study in Grenoble
Here are some universities you can find in Grenoble:
- Universite Grenoble Alpes
- Grenoble Institute of Technology
- Grenoble Ecole de Management
- Pierre Mendes – France University
- Grenoble INP – Génie industriel
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Grenoble
A few expenses you should consider if you want to study abroad in Grenoble include:
| Average Cost of Living | |
| Accommodation | €300 |
| University | €400 |
| Food | €300 |
| Phone | €30 |
| Utility bills | €70 |
| “TAG” transportation service | €60 |
*average monthly expenses.
4. Lille
Why? Cultural Capital!
Lille is a synonym for the rhythm of cultural events, colossal buildings, concerts, beautiful architecture, shows, and many other attributes that make this city an unmissable cultural destination. As an international student who aims to develop professionally, you will be amazed to join cultural events such as great exhibitions and concerts. Among many interesting events, the Lille Braderie is without a doubt the major event in Lille. This event is held yearly in the first weekend in September so you might as well give your start of the academic year an enjoyable entry. As the whole city becomes a flea market welcoming millions of visitors you will become more than satisfied with the choice of studying in Lille. In addition, Lille is positioned at the crossroads of major European capitals, just an hour from Paris, London, and Brussels, and only a few hours from Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, and Rome; so you’re always one step away from visiting some other cultural hubs.
Where to Study in Lille
Here are some universities you can find in Lille:
- University of Lille
- Central School of Lille
- HIgher Institute of Electronics and Digital Studies
- Lille Catholic University
- Lille 2 University of Health and Law
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Lille
A few expenses you should consider if you want to study abroad in Lille include:
| Average Cost of Living | |
| Accommodation | €480 |
| University | €800 |
| Food | €200 |
| Phone | €30 |
| Utility bills | €80 |
| Ilévia Transportation Service | €25 |
*average monthly expenses.
5. Toulouse
Why? Student-Friendly!
Toulouse is the top student city in France for a variety of reasons, including its attraction, the excellence of its education, its student life, its quality of life, and its labor force. Toulouse is more than a student city; it is also a European and regional metropolis. It is the regional capital of Occitanie and home to cutting-edge industry and significant worldwide corporations. How to not mention its prominence in art and culture in addition to its inventive dimension. There are about twenty museums in the city, encompassing art, history, science, and technology. During your studies at Toulouse, you will have numerous opportunities to grow as a person. Toulouse’s fascinating museums will pique your interest with exhibits on the universe, prehistory, ancient art, the natural world, and art from the Gothic era to the Impressionists. Another advantage of studying in Toulouse is that you can reach Mediterranean beaches in less than an hour by making use of the city’s excellent public transportation system.
Where to Study in Toulouse
Here are some universities you can find in Toulouse:
- Universite Paul Sabatier Toulouse 3
- Universite Toulouse 1 Captole
- Université de Toulouse 2, ‘Le Mirail’ Toulouse Jean Jaurès
- Federal University of Toulouse Midi-Pyrénées
- National Polytechnic Institute of Toulouse
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Toulouse
A few expenses you should consider if you want to study abroad in Toulouse include:
| Average Cost of Living | |
| Accommodation | €350 |
| University | €200 |
| Food | €250 |
| Phone | €30 |
| Utility bills | €100 |
| Ilévia Transportation Service | €10 |
*average monthly expenses.
6. Bordeaux
Why? Excellent Education!
Bordeaux provides students with a high-quality education, as well as experienced lecturers and cutting-edge research activities, all at a reasonable cost. The educational program includes a wide range of diverse study options in practically every topic imaginable. If you want to learn or enhance your French, studying in Bordeaux is a wonderful alternative. It’s also an excellent area to study a variety of arts and humanities courses, including history, art, architecture, literature, and cinema studies, because simply going around the city and participating in local life exposes you to fascinating case studies. Everyone who visits Bordeaux, at least once, wants to return since the city has a certain charm that you will undoubtedly fall in love with. Take advantage of the myriad excellent places Bordeaux has to offer while you’re here.
Where to Study in Bordeaux
Here are some universities you can find in Bordeaux:
- University of Bordeaux
- Universidad de Burdeos
- National School of Magistrates
- Ecole commerce ESG Bordeaux
- Universite Bordeaux 2
How Much Does It Cost to Study Abroad in Bordeaux
A few expenses you should consider if you want to study abroad in Bordeaux include:
| Average Cost of Living | |
| Accommodation | €550 |
| University | €2,000 |
| Food | €250 |
| Phone | €40 |
| Utility bills | €120 |
| Transportation | €40 |
*average monthly expenses.
