High-quality public education, state-subsidised tuition
France is one of the few European countries maintaining a high-quality public education system with state-subsidised tuition — making the total cost of study far more competitive than most English-speaking destinations. Its universities (Université) and Grandes Écoles excel in business, engineering, creative arts and luxury services. VNIS partners with 50+ leading institutions across foundation-year French, Bachelor (Licence/BUT) and Master programmes.
A heavily state-subsidised public system — total cost is competitive with English-speaking destinations.
Strong in business, engineering, creative arts and luxury services.
Students may work part-time and stay to seek employment after graduation.
A growing range of English-medium programmes lowers the language barrier.
Programmes across foundation-year French, Bachelor (Licence/BUT) and Master.
Partnerships with both public and private institutions throughout France.
Admissions for study in France.
Visa guidance and settling-in support in France.
French-language teaching for students.
Partnerships with 50+ of France's leading universities.
France follows the European LMD structure: Licence (Bachelor, 3 years) – Master (2 years) – Doctorat (PhD), measured in ECTS credits, so qualifications are widely recognised across the EU.
Two main tracks: Université (public, multidisciplinary, state-subsidised tuition) and Grandes Écoles (highly selective, exceptionally strong in business and engineering — EM Lyon, ESSEC, SKEMA, INSA and others).
There is also the BUT (a 3-year applied technology degree) plus specialist schools in art, design and hospitality.
The key difference: the public system is heavily state-subsidised, so the share of tuition students pay is far lower than in the UK, US or Australia. Grandes Écoles and private institutions set their own — usually higher — fees.
Living costs differ sharply between Paris and regional cities (Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Bordeaux), where studying is often significantly cheaper.
Funding sources include French Government scholarships (Eiffel), regional and university awards, and the CAF housing benefit for students. VNIS advises based on your profile and chosen field.
Most applications go through Campus France (the 'Études en France' procedure) before applying for the VLS-TS long-stay student visa.
You will need qualifications and transcripts, a language certificate, a motivation letter, proof of funds and insurance. After arriving you must complete the visa validation step.
Language certificates: DELF/DALF or TCF for French-taught programmes; IELTS/TOEFL for English-taught ones.
International students may work part-time during their studies and can apply to stay and look for work after graduating — a real pathway into a European career.
CROUS student residences and the CAF housing benefit reduce costs, and student fares apply across the rail and bus networks.
Sitting at the heart of Europe (in the Schengen area), France makes travel, internships and exploring neighbouring countries straightforward.
…and 50+ other reputable universities and institutes across France.
Students are increasingly drawn to studying in Europe — and France in particular, one of the few European countries maintaining a high-quality public education system with fully state-subsidised tuition. This opens access to international students and keeps the total cost of study competitive versus many English-speaking countries.
French universities (Université) and Grandes Écoles are clear leaders in business, engineering, creative arts and luxury services. Policies allowing students to work part-time and stay to seek employment after graduation add to the appeal, while the growing number of English-taught programmes lowers the language barrier for Vietnamese and international students alike.
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