Numerous higher education programmes are available in France which are English taught and can be pursued by International students. The institution being applied to may test the level of English of the student. However, the student would need to know at least a basic level of French to get around his daily routine as also to get part time jobs as France has a population which is predominantly non-English speaking.

The popular official French exams or tests are the DELF, the DALF and the TCF.

There are more than 3,500 Public and Private institutes of higher education in France, comprising of Universities, Grandes Ecoles and Schools of Arts or Architecture which offer a wide choice of courses for foreign students to study in France. Doctorate that all have the same academic value across the nation.

The Public Universities of France award National Degrees for Bachelor's, Master's as well as Doctorate that all have the same academic value across the nation.

The University programmes cover areas of learning and research relating to Science, Literature, Languages, Arts, Humanities, Medicine and Sports.

Apart from this there are numerous Engineering schools, Business and Management schools, Veterinary schools and a few others in the name of Grandes Ecoles which are public and private Institutes of Higher Education recognised by the State.

In addition to these there are 3,000 public and private institutes of higher education which offer courses in specific sectors such as medicine, audio-visual, communication, journalism, fashion and design, agronomy, political science, etc. However, the degrees and certificates awarded by these institutes may or may not be recognised by the State.

State recognition, accreditation or certification labels are the various indicators for assessing the quality of an institute of higher education in France.

The cost of studying in France is amongst the lowest in the world as the State pays most of the tuition fees for education in higher public institutes for domestic as well as foreign students. Accommodation and transportation subsidies are also provided to students. The private institutions may have substantial tuition fees for international students. The average tuition fees and living accommodation costs is 16,000 – 19,000 Euro per year.

Tuition fees in private institutes, especially in business schools, are relatively higher as compared to the public institutes. It usually costs 8,000 to 12,000 Euros per year.

French public institutes and the Erasmus+ programme offer a large number of scholarships for international students in France.

The admission requirements vary from Institution to Institution depending on the area of study and level of programme at Bachelor's, Master's or Doctorate levels.

The cost of living in France can be fairly high, especially in Paris and the big cities. A standard reasonable amount is 615 Euros per month.

The weather is pleasant in the spring season, from March to May. The summers are from June to September, which may be hot, especially in the South, but the temperature rarely rises above 35 degrees Celsius.

It is autumn from October to December and is often damp. The winters are not very hard but cold. It sometimes snows on the heels of rain and the temperature can dip below zero degrees, especially in the mountains.

You can apply for a study visa to France depending on your nationality, situation and the length of your stay. Applying for a student visa for less than 90 days is not required for U.S. passport holders. Students of other nationalities should contact the appropriate French Consulate to determine whether or not they will need a visa to study in France. For a stay for studies of more than 90 days a long stay visa is required for all students.

The long-stay visa allows the student to stay in France for up to one year for studies after which he needs to apply for multi-year student residency permit to continue to study in France. It also gives the right to travel freely and stay in countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This visa, also gives the student the permit to work 964 hours annually averaging to about 20 hours per week.

You can renew your right to stay in France to continue your studies under certain conditions and also request a multi-year residency permit at least two months before the long-stay visa expires. The duration of the residence permit may vary from one to four years.