Study in France
France combines some of the lowest public-university tuition in the developed world with globally ranked institutions like Université PSL, Sorbonne Université, and Sciences Po. With a fast-growing list of English-taught master's programmes, the mandatory Campus France (Études en France) procedure, a straightforward VLS-TS long-stay student visa, and a 12-month post-study job-search permit, France is one of the best-value European destinations for Nepali students who plan carefully.
Tuition (Public)
EUR 2,770 - 3,941/yr
Visa Type
VLS-TS
Work Hours
964 hrs/yr (~20/wk)
Stay Back
12 mo (RÉCE/APS)
Top Scholarship
Eiffel (EUR 2,100/mo)
Pre-Application
Campus France
Why Study in France
Top Reasons to Choose France
Low-Cost World-Class Public Education
Public universities under France's Ministry of Higher Education charge non-EU students differentiated tuition of roughly EUR 2,770/yr for a bachelor's and EUR 3,770/yr for a master's — a fraction of UK, USA, or Australian fees. Many institutions also grant partial or full fee exemptions. Always confirm the exact fee with the institution, as some are rising for 2026-27.
Top-Ranked Universities & Grandes Écoles
Université PSL sits in the global top 40, and Université Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne Université, and Sciences Po are internationally respected. France's distinctive grandes écoles offer elite engineering, business, and policy degrees with strong recruiter networks across Europe.
Eiffel, Erasmus & Embassy Scholarships
The France Excellence Eiffel programme pays master's students about EUR 2,100/month plus travel and insurance. Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters, university merit awards, and tuition exemptions (exonération) make fully and partially funded study realistic for strong Nepali applicants.
12-Month Post-Study Job Search Permit
Master's graduates can apply for the RÉCE permit (formerly the APS) to stay up to 12 months — and as long as 24 months under certain bilateral agreements — to find work or launch a business. During this permit the 964-hour annual work cap no longer applies.
Heart of Europe & Schengen Access
A French student residence permit lets you travel freely across the 29-country Schengen Area, making weekend trips and EU internships easy. France's culture, food, and large international-student community make settling in straightforward.
Strong Economy & Growing English Programmes
France is the EU's second-largest economy with global employers in aerospace, luxury, tech, energy, and pharma. Universities now offer hundreds of English-taught master's degrees, so you can study and build a career here even while learning French on the side.
Visa Process
VLS-TS Student Visa Process (via Campus France)
Create an Études en France account on the Campus France Nepal platform and build your application profile — this pre-application step is mandatory before the visa
Apply to French programmes through the platform and secure an official admission/acceptance letter from your institution
Complete the Campus France pre-consular procedure and attend your Campus France interview in Kathmandu
Gather documents: acceptance letter, proof of funds (at least about EUR 615/month, ~EUR 7,380/yr), accommodation proof, passport, and photographs
Book and attend your France long-stay visa appointment at the VFS Global centre in Kathmandu and submit biometrics
Pay the EUR 50 visa fee and wait for a decision (about 2-4 weeks for a complete file)
On arrival in France, validate your VLS-TS online with OFII within 3 months and pay the OFII tax — your validated VLS-TS then acts as your residence permit
Estimated Cost
EUR 50 visa fee (approx. NPR 7,500) + Campus France procedure fee; an OFII tax of about EUR 60 is paid on arrival in France
Processing Time
About 2-6 weeks (after Campus France pre-application)
Cost Breakdown
Cost of Studying in France
| Category | Estimated Range | In NPR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Public University, UG to Master) | EUR 2,770 - 3,941/yr | NPR 4.2 - 5.9 Lakh/yr (approx.) |
| Tuition (Grandes Écoles / Private / Business) | EUR 10,000 - 38,000/yr | NPR 15 - 57 Lakh/yr (approx.) |
| Living Expenses (outside Paris) | EUR 8,400 - 12,000/yr | NPR 12.6 - 18 Lakh/yr (approx.) |
| Living Expenses (Paris) | EUR 14,400 - 21,600/yr | NPR 21.6 - 32.4 Lakh/yr (approx.) |
| Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS) | EUR 50 | NPR 7,500 (approx.) |
| Health Top-Up Insurance (mutuelle, optional) | EUR 200 - 600/yr | NPR 30,000 - 90,000/yr (approx.) |
| Total Annual (Public University, outside Paris) | EUR 12,000 - 18,000/yr | NPR 18 - 27 Lakh/yr (approx.) |
Universities
Top Universities in France
Université PSL (Paris Sciences et Lettres)
Université Paris-Saclay
Sorbonne Université
Sciences Po
Université Grenoble Alpes
Aix-Marseille Université
Scholarships
Scholarships for Nepali Students
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
EUR 2,100/month stipend (master's) + travel, health insurance & housing support
Master's applicants up to 29 and PhD up to 35; nominated by the French institution, merit-based. Apply early — the Campus France deadline falls in early January.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's
Full tuition + monthly living allowance + travel for 1-2 year multi-country degrees
Outstanding international students; you study in at least two participating countries.
University & Grandes Écoles Merit Scholarships
Partial to full tuition reductions (e.g. Sciences Po Émile-Boutmy, university awards)
Strong academic record; awarded directly by the institution and varies by programme.
Tuition Fee Exemption (Exonération)
Reduces non-EU fees to the EU rate (EUR 170-243) or waives them entirely
Granted by individual institutions on merit or financial need — request it during admission.
French Embassy & Regional Scholarships
Partial stipends, fee support, and insurance from French regions and the embassy network
Varies by region and programme; check with the French Embassy in Nepal and your university.
Work Rights
Work Rights in France
During Studies
On a student residence permit you can work up to 964 hours per year — roughly 20 hours per week, or about 60% of full-time. France's minimum wage (SMIC) is about EUR 11.88/hour in 2026, and on-campus plus part-time jobs help cover living costs.
After Graduation
Master's (and higher) graduates can apply for the RÉCE permit — Recherche d'emploi ou création d'entreprise, formerly the APS — to stay and look for work or start a business. During this permit the 964-hour cap does not apply. To convert to a longer-term 'salarié' or 'passeport talent' status, you typically need a job paying at least 1.5x the SMIC.
Post-Study Visa
RÉCE / APS: 12 months for master's-level graduates (up to 24 months under some bilateral agreements).
Before applying to universities in France, you will need to demonstrate English proficiency. Most universities in France accept multiple test formats. Review the English proficiency tests for study abroad to compare IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, and TOEFL side by side, including country-specific IELTS score requirements.
Your application will also require a strong Statement of Purpose. Our SOP writing guide for Nepali students includes France-specific tips and the exact structure admissions committees expect. For financial requirements, see the financial documents guide with country-wise bank balance requirements and NRB regulations.
Ready to begin? Follow our complete study abroad application process from Nepal for a step-by-step walkthrough from choosing your destination to boarding your flight.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore More
Continue Your Research
Cost of Studying in France
Tuition, living costs, CVEC, visa and insurance in EUR and NPR
France Student Visa (VLS-TS)
Step-by-step Campus France and VLS-TS process for Nepali students
Top Universities in France
PSL, Paris-Saclay, Sorbonne, Sciences Po and more profiled
France Scholarships
Eiffel, Erasmus Mundus, exonération and university awards explained
Ready to Study in France?
Study Abroad from Nepal helps Nepali students study abroad from Nepal with confidence. Get personalized advice from our Franceeducation specialists — we'll help you choose the right university, prepare your application, and guide you through the visa process.