France hosts over 443,500 international students annually, and the number of Indian students choosing France continues to grow. The French government aims to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030. One common misconception is that studying in France requires fluency in French-but that’s no longer the case.
Today, France offers more than 1,600 English-taught programmes in fields such as Business, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Hospitality, Fashion, and International Relations. Many September intake universities in France offer these courses with internationally recognized degrees and strong industry connections.
Compared to countries like the UK and the USA, France remains an affordable study destination. Public university tuition starts at approximately ₹3.1 lakh per year for a Master’s programme.
The September Intake in France is the primary admission cycle, offering the widest selection of universities, courses, scholarships, and accommodation options. If you’re planning to study abroad, choosing one of the top September intake universities in France gives you access to the largest number of academic programs and career opportunities.
In this guide, you’ll discover the top courses to study in France for September Intake, tuition fees, eligibility requirements, career prospects, and the best September intake universities in France for Indian students.
Why Choose France for September Intake in 2026?
Before diving into courses, here is why France deserves serious consideration over more popular destinations:
- Affordable tuition: Public universities charge just €2,895/year (≈ ₹3.1 lakh) for Bachelor’s and €3,941/year (≈ ₹4.2 lakh) for Master’s for non-EU students – updated from September 2026 [Service-Public France, 2026]
- CAF housing subsidy: The French government refunds up to 40% of monthly rent directly to eligible students
- 2-year post-study work visa: Graduate students receive an APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) allowing 2 years to find employment after graduation
- 5-year short-stay visa: Indian graduates can receive a 5-year short-stay visa – one of the most generous post-study benefits in Europe
- Work rights: Students can work up to 964 hours per year (approximately 20 hours/week) at a minimum wage of €12.02/hour [France Labour Ministry, 2026]
France is one of the most affordable study destinations in Europe for Indian students. Public universities charge approximately ₹3.1–4.2 lakh per year in tuition for non-EU students. The government offers housing subsidies (CAF), free social security, and a 2-year post-study work permit for graduates.
Top Courses in France for Indian Students – September Intake 2026
1. Masters in Management (MiM) & MBA – Best Overall for Career ROI
France is the world’s top destination for Masters in Management programmes. The Financial Times ranks French business schools at the top of its global MiM rankings year after year, with HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, SKEMA, and NEOMA among the finest in the world.
For Indian students targeting consulting, finance, or corporate management, an MiM from a top French Grande École carries significant global weight.
| Institution | Programme | Annual Fee (INR) | QS/FT Rank |
| HEC Paris | Master in Management | ₹62.4 lakh (2-yr) | #1 globally (FT 2025) |
| ESSEC Business School | MiM | ₹28–35 lakh/yr | Top 5 globally |
| EDHEC Business School | MSc Management | ₹20–28 lakh/yr | Top 15 globally |
| NEOMA Business School | MSc Management | ₹15–22 lakh/yr | Strong placement record |
| SKEMA Business School | MSc Management | ₹14–20 lakh/yr | 3 campuses in France |
Career scope: Consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain actively recruit from HEC and ESSEC), FMCG, investment banking, luxury brand management. Average starting salary for MiM graduates in Europe: €45,000–€65,000 per year.
2. Engineering & Computer Science – Affordable Excellence
France is a global leader in aerospace, robotics, energy engineering, and AI – home to companies like Airbus, Thales, Dassault, and Capgemini. Engineering education is split between subsidised public schools and elite Grandes Écoles.
Engineering programmes at French public institutions cost approximately ₹67,500 per year in tuition – one of the lowest fees for internationally recognised engineering degrees. Elite Grandes Écoles like École Polytechnique charge ₹12.9–16.1 lakh per year for international tracks.
| Institution | Programme | Annual Fee (INR) |
| École Polytechnique | MSc Engineering | ₹12.9–16.1 lakh |
| CentraleSupélec | MSc Electrical/Mechanical Engineering | ₹10–14 lakh |
| INSA Lyon | Engineering programmes (public) | ₹67,500–₹2.8 lakh |
| Université Paris-Saclay | MSc Computer Science, AI | ₹4.2 lakh (public) |
| Grenoble INP | MSc Industrial Engineering | ₹4.2 lakh (public) |
Career scope: Aerospace engineering, AI/ML engineering, renewable energy, software development. France’s tech sector and Airbus ecosystem hire directly from these programmes. Post-study employment rate for engineering graduates: above 90% within 6 months.
3. Data Science, AI & Digital Technology – Fast-Growing Demand
Data Science and Artificial Intelligence are among the fastest-growing PG courses for September intake in France – and the country is investing heavily in becoming Europe’s AI capital. President Macron’s “France 2030” initiative has directed significant funding to AI research and education.
Top English-taught programmes:
- MSc Data Science – Université Paris-Saclay (public, ≈ ₹4.2 lakh/yr)
- MSc Artificial Intelligence – CentraleSupélec (₹10–14 lakh/yr)
- MSc Data Analytics – EDHEC Business School (₹20–25 lakh/yr)
- MSc Business Analytics – HEC Paris (₹30–35 lakh/yr)
Career scope: Data Scientist, AI Engineer, Machine Learning Engineer. Average salary in France for Data Science roles: €40,000–€65,000 per year. Global transferability of these skills is extremely high.
4. International Relations & Political Science – Anchored by Sciences Po
Sciences Po Paris is one of the most prestigious institutions in the world for international affairs, diplomacy, public policy, and political science. It has produced French presidents, ministers, and global institutional leaders. Its Master’s programmes are taught in English and actively recruit international students.
| Programme | Annual Fee (INR) |
| MSc International Affairs – Sciences Po | ₹18–25 lakh |
| MSc Public Policy – Sciences Po | ₹18–25 lakh |
| MA International Relations – Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne | ₹4.2 lakh (public) |
Career scope: Diplomacy, international organisations (UN, EU, UNESCO), public sector, NGOs, think tanks, global consultancies. Sciences Po alumni consistently rank among the most influential professionals in global governance.
5. Luxury Brand Management, Fashion & Design – France’s Unique Edge
No country in the world can match France for luxury brand management and fashion design education. Paris is the global capital of fashion, and LVMH, Kering, Hermès, Chanel, and L’Oréal are headquartered here. Access to these companies through internships and campus recruitment is unique to French institutions.
| Institution | Programme | Annual Fee (INR) |
| Institut Français de la Mode (IFM) | MSc Luxury & Fashion Management | ₹20–28 lakh |
| ESSEC | MSc Luxury Brand Management | ₹28–35 lakh |
| Mod’Art International | Fashion Design | ₹12–18 lakh |
| Beaux-Arts (public) | Fine Arts, Design | ₹53,700–₹1.1 lakh |
Career scope: Brand management at luxury houses, fashion design, retail strategy, creative direction. This is France’s most unique offering – no other country provides this level of industry access for these career paths.
6. Hospitality & Culinary Arts – World-Class at Competitive Fees
France is the birthplace of haute cuisine – and its hospitality programmes reflect that. Institutions like Glion (Lausanne Switzerland–France), École Hôtelière de Lausanne, and private culinary schools in Paris and Lyon offer globally recognised degrees.
- Annual tuition: ₹9.6–16 lakh/yr (private schools)
- Leading institutions: Institut Paul Bocuse (Lyon), Le Cordon Bleu Paris, VATEL
- Career scope: Hotel management, F&B management, luxury hospitality brands. France’s hospitality industry employs over 1.2 million people.
PG Courses for September Intake in France – Quick Reference Table
| Course | Best Institution | Public/Private | Annual Fee (INR) | Post-Study Scope |
| Masters in Management | HEC Paris, ESSEC, EDHEC | Private | ₹14–62 lakh | Consulting, Finance, Corporate |
| Engineering / Aerospace | CentraleSupélec, INSA | Both | ₹67,500–₹14 lakh | Airbus, Thales, tech firms |
| Data Science & AI | Paris-Saclay, CentraleSupélec | Both | ₹4.2–25 lakh | Tech, Finance, Consulting |
| International Relations | Sciences Po, Sorbonne | Both | ₹4.2–25 lakh | Diplomacy, NGOs, Government |
| Luxury & Fashion Mgmt | IFM, ESSEC | Private | ₹20–35 lakh | LVMH, Kering, Chanel |
| Hospitality & Culinary | Institut Paul Bocuse, Le Cordon Bleu | Private | ₹10–18 lakh | Luxury hotels, F&B |
| Law (LLM) | Sciences Po, Sorbonne | Both | ₹4.2–17 lakh | International law, Corporate |
Total Cost to Study in France for September Intake – INR Breakdown
The total annual cost to study in France for Indian students ranges from ₹11–28 lakh (public universities) to ₹25–70 lakh (elite Grandes Écoles), including tuition and living costs. The French government’s CAF housing subsidy, free social security, and student canteen subsidies (meals from ₹300) significantly reduce real costs.
One-Time Costs
| Expense | Amount (INR) |
| Campus France (Études en France) processing fee | ₹18,500 |
| French Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) | ₹9,200 (€99) – reduced to ₹4,600 for EEF applicants |
| VFS Global service fee | ₹1,467 |
| OFII arrival fee | ₹4,650 (€50) |
| CVEC (annual campus life fee) | ₹11,400 (€105/yr) |
Monthly Living Costs
| City | Monthly Cost (INR) |
| Paris | ₹1,28,000–₹1,93,500 |
| Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse | ₹85,900–₹1,18,100 |
| Smaller cities / regional France | ₹64,450–₹96,675 |
Exchange rate: €1 = ₹107.42 [2026 estimate]
France September Intake – Key Dates & Application Timeline
| Month | Action |
| July–August 2026 | Research universities. Shortlist courses. Begin SOP drafting. |
| August 2026 | Eiffel Excellence Scholarship applications open for 2027 intake |
| September–October 2026 | UCAS-equivalent applications open for 2027 September entry in France |
| November 2026 | Charpak Scholarship applications open |
| January–February 2027 | Submit applications directly to Grandes Écoles |
| March–April 2027 | Campus France (Études en France) procedure – register and upload documents |
| May 2027 | Offers received. Apply for France student visa. |
| July–August 2027 | Visa issued. Pre-departure preparation. |
| September 2027 | Arrive in France. Begin September intake. |
Important: For September 2026 intake, the application window for most PG programmes has already passed. September 2027 is the realistic target for students beginning their preparation now in July 2026.
Top Scholarships for Indian Students – France September Intake
| Scholarship | Funding Body | Coverage | Deadline |
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | French Ministry of Foreign Affairs | Full tuition + €1,181/month stipend | November (for Sept intake next year) |
| Charpak Scholarship | French Embassy in India | Partial tuition + living allowance | November |
| Campus France INR Bursary | Campus France India | Partial support + housing help | Rolling |
| University Merit Awards | Individual Grandes Écoles | 20–50% tuition reduction | Varies |
| Erasmus+ (if applicable) | European Commission | Exchange programme funding | February |
Conclusion
France is one of the most underrated study destinations for Indian students – combining globally ranked institutions, remarkably affordable public university fees, generous government subsidies, and a 2-year post-study work permit. Whether you are targeting an MBA at HEC Paris, an MSc in AI at Paris-Saclay, or a career in luxury brand management at ESSEC, the September intake in France is your entry point.
For students beginning preparation now in July 2026, the September 2027 intake is your target – and the Eiffel Scholarship window opening in August 2026 is a date to mark immediately.
The right course, the right institution, and the right scholarship can together bring your total France education cost well within ₹25–30 lakh – often cheaper than a private Indian university.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What are the top courses to study in France for September intake for Indian students?
The top courses in France for Indian students are Masters in Management (MiM), Data Science & AI, Engineering, International Relations at Sciences Po, Luxury Brand Management, and Hospitality. France leads globally in MiM rankings and is unmatched for luxury, fashion, and culinary programmes.
Q2. Can I study in France in English for September intake?
Yes. France offers over 1,600 programmes taught entirely or partially in English. Most Master’s programmes at top business schools and engineering schools are available in English. French language knowledge improves your part-time job prospects but is not required for degree completion.
Q3. What is the fee for PG courses in France for September intake?
Public university Master’s fees are approximately ₹4.2 lakh per year (€3,941). Private business school fees range from ₹14 lakh to ₹62 lakh per year depending on the institution and programme. Total annual cost including living expenses ranges from ₹11–28 lakh (public) to ₹25–70 lakh (elite private).
Q4. What is the post-study work option after studying in France?
Indian students receive a 2-year APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) after graduation, allowing them to look for employment in France. A 5-year short-stay visa is also issued to Indian graduates – one of the most generous post-study offers in Europe. France’s Talent Passport can lead to long-term residency for employed graduates.
Q5. What documents do I need to apply for France September intake?
You need an academic offer letter from your university, Campus France (Études en France) registration, financial proof (€615/month minimum = ₹6.6 lakh/year), IELTS/TOEFL score (for English-taught programmes), SOP, academic transcripts, LORs, and a valid passport.
Q6. Is the IELTS score required for September intake in France?
IELTS or TOEFL is required for English-taught programmes at most institutions. Typical requirement: IELTS 6.5 overall. Some Grandes Écoles accept their own English proficiency test or interviews in lieu of IELTS – verify individually with each institution.
