Study in France from Nepal and India
Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS)
Apply through Campus France’s "Études en France" procedure, then the visa. Public tuition is moderate, funds to show rose in August 2026, and students may work 964 hours a year.
France student visa at a glance
- Visa fee
- Not confirmed
- Money to show a year
- NPR 17.9 lakh
- EUR 10,530
- Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Work in term
- See guide
- Work during study
- Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Stay after study
- 1 yr
- Job-search / business-creation permit
- Source: Service-Public.fr (opens the official website in a new tab)
Short answer: To study in France you apply for the Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS). You must also show EUR 877.50 per month: money that stays yours. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 12 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).
Check before you start
- This guide is for Nepali and Indian citizens applying from Nepal or India.
- You need an offer from a recognised institution. Check it on the official register in the sources below.
- Rules change often. Use the official links on this page to confirm before you pay or apply.
How much does it cost to study in France?
Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.
You pay
Fees. Not refunded.
- Visa validation after arrivalEUR 150 one-off≈ NPR 25,485 · ₹15,913
- Études en France fee (India)INR 20,000 one-offFrom 1 August 2026.≈ NPR 32,030 · ₹20,000
You show
Evidence. It stays yours.
- Funds to showEUR 877.50 per monthFrom 1 August 2026 (Decree 2026-526).≈ NPR 1,49,087 · ₹93,092
This money proves you can support yourself. It is not paid to anyone.
Tuition and living costs (guide figures)
- Public tuition — Licence (bachelor’s), non-EUEUR 2,902 per year≈ NPR 4,93,050 · ₹3,07,867
- Public tuition — Master, non-EUEUR 3,950 per year≈ NPR 6,71,105 · ₹4,19,048
NPR and INR are estimates at Nepal Rastra Bank selling rates of 22 Oct 2026. Pay official fees only through the official channel.
What do I need for the France student visa?
- Procedure
- Études en France online file → academic interview → France-Visas application → biometrics at VFS → validate the visa online within 3 months of arrival. Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
- Études en France for NepalNepal
- Mandatory for all student-visa applicants from Nepal (Campus France Népal, Lalitpur). Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
Can I work while studying in France?
- Work during study
- Up to 964 hours a year without separate authorisation. Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
Can I stay and work after graduating?
- Job-search / business-creation permit
- 1 year, not renewable, for master’s-level graduates. Source: Service-Public.fr (opens the official website in a new tab)
What is different for Nepali and Indian students?
From Nepal
No Nepal-specific rule found beyond the general ones above.
From India
- IndiaIndia
- Indian graduates can use an additional bilateral post-study arrangement — check Campus France India for current terms. Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
What are the top universities in France?
The 10 highest-placed universities in France in THE World University Rankings 2027, in that order. Rankings measure research and reputation, not whether a course suits you. Check entry rules, fees and the course on each official site. Checked 22 Oct 2026.
1. Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)
Paris · Public university · Some degrees in English
Known for: Physics · Mathematics · Chemistry · Life Sciences · Economics & Finance · Engineering
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0756036D (opens the official website in a new tab)
57THE WUR 2027
2. Institut Polytechnique de Paris
Palaiseau · Public university · Full degrees in English
Known for: Computer Science & AI · Mathematics · Physics · Mechanical Engineering · Economics · Electronics & Communications
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0912403T (opens the official website in a new tab)
=75THE WUR 2027
3. Université Paris-Saclay
Gif-sur-Yvette · Public university · Some degrees in English
Known for: Mathematics · Physics & Astronomy · Statistics & Operational Research · Electrical Engineering · Agriculture & Forestry · Computer Science
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0912408Y (opens the official website in a new tab)
78THE WUR 2027
4. Université Paris Cité
Paris · Public university · Language of teaching: check with the university
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0755976N (opens the official website in a new tab)
=201THE WUR 2027
5. EURECOM
Biot (Sophia Antipolis) · University · Some degrees in English
Known for: Data Science · Communication Systems · Digital Security · Networks & Telecommunications
=231THE WUR 2027
6. École normale supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon)
Lyon · Public university · Few degrees in English
Known for: Mathematics · Physics · Chemistry · Biology · Computer Science · Humanities & Social Sciences
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0694123G (opens the official website in a new tab)
326–350THE WUR 2027
7. Institut Agro (Institut national d'enseignement supérieur pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement)
Montpellier / Rennes / Angers / Dijon (HQ Paris) · Public university · Language of teaching: check with the university
Known for: Vine & Wine · Sustainable Food Systems · Digital Agriculture · Tropical Agri-Food Sciences · Agro-Environment
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0756246G (opens the official website in a new tab)
401–450THE WUR 2027
8. Université de Montpellier
Montpellier · Public university · Some degrees in English
Known for: Medicine · Pharmacy · Law & Political Science · Economics · Sciences · Engineering (Polytech)
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0342490X (opens the official website in a new tab)
401–450THE WUR 2027
9. Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA)
Grenoble (Saint-Martin-d'Hères campus) · Public university · Some degrees in English
Known for: Chemistry, Biology & Health · Maths & Computer Science · Physics, Engineering & Materials · Astrophysics & Geosciences · Humanities & Social Sciences
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0383546Y (opens the official website in a new tab)
401–450THE WUR 2027
10. IMT Atlantique
Brest / Nantes / Rennes · Public university · Some degrees in English
Known for: Computer Science · Mathematical & Electrical Engineering · Energy & Environmental Systems · Optics · Microwave Engineering · Automation & Production
Official website (opens the official website in a new tab)Faculties and schools (opens the official website in a new tab)Register: UAI 0912424R / 0755661W (Institut Mines-Télécom, grand établissement — perimeter includes IMT Atlantique) (opens the official website in a new tab)
451–500THE WUR 2027
What do Nepali and Indian students study in France?
The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics.
Nepali students
Business & Management
149 of 331 Nepali students in France (45%) were enrolled in business schools (écoles de commerce), 2024-25 (+273% since 2019)
Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)Sciences & Health
63 of 115 Nepali students at French universities (55%) were in 'Sciences, Santé'; Humanities/SHS 24, Economics/AES 23, Law/Political science 5, 2024-25
Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
Indian students
Business & Management
5,724 of 9,093 Indian students in France (63%) were enrolled in business schools (écoles de commerce), 2024-25 (+63% since 2019)
Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)Sciences & Health
1,200 of 1,754 Indian students at French universities (68%) were in 'Sciences, Santé', 2024-25
Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)Engineering
917 of 9,093 Indian students in France (10%) were enrolled in engineering schools (écoles d'ingénieurs), 2024-25
Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)Humanities, Languages & Social Sciences
281 of 1,754 Indian university students (16%) in 'Lettres, Langues, SHS'; Economics/AES 226 (13%), 2024-25
Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
Are there scholarships to study in France?
Yes: 5 we have checked on official pages. Eligibility can differ for Nepal and India. See all countries
5 of 5 scholarships
- University· Bachelor's, Master's
Émile Boutmy Scholarship
Sciences Po
Bachelor’s: full award or €9,500 fee exemption; master’s: €18,500 a year. For students from non-EU households.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
Date shown is the bachelor’s deadline.
Deadline
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - Government· Master's
France Excellence Charpak Master’s Scholarship
Embassy of France in India
EUR 860 per month · Living allowance, visa and Campus France fee waivers, social security and housing help. No tuition or travel.
- Nepal:
- Not eligible
- India:
- Eligible
Age limit 30.
The 2026 cycle has closed — the next call is announced on the official page.
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - University· Master's
IdEx Academic Excellence Scholarship (MSc)
Université Côte d’Azur
€5,000 plus a tuition waiver — 10 awards; nationality doesn’t matter.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
Applications every April–May.
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - University· Master's
International Master’s Scholarships
Université Paris-Saclay
€10,000 a year plus up to €900 travel. Your master’s coordinator nominates you; under 30.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
The 2026 round closed in March 2026 — the next call is published on the official page.
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026 - Government· Master's, PhD
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Campus France)
€1,181 a month (master’s) or €1,800 (PhD), plus international travel, health insurance and housing help. Tuition is not covered.
- Nepal:
- Eligible
- India:
- Eligible
French institutions nominate candidates — students cannot apply directly. Age limits: 29 for master’s, 35 for PhD.
This round closed — check the official page for the next round
Official page (opens the official website in a new tab)Checked 22 Oct 2026
What has changed recently?
Funds to show rose from €615 to €877.50 a month. Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
Collège de Paris International was placed in liquidation; the embassy has a form for affected students. Source: Campus France (opens the official website in a new tab)
Check these yourself
We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.
- Visa application fee — check france-visas.gouv.fr.
- Études en France fee in Nepal.
Official sources for France
Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked .
- 1Service-Public F2231Student permit rules · Resources, VLS-TS validation (verified 01 Aug 2026)
- 2Service-Public F17319Post-study · Job-search/business permit (verified 01 Jun 2026)
- 3Campus France – renew residency permitFunds · €877.50, Decree 2026-526
- 4Campus France – tuition feesTuition · 2026–27 differentiated fees
- 5Campus France – working as a studentWork · 964 hrs
- 6—Campus France India · EEF procedure, fees, news
- 7—Campus France Nepal · EEF mandatory
Planning to study in France?
Tell us your results, budget and intake. We reply with options and the official steps, free.
General information from official government sources — not legal or immigration advice, and not a guarantee of admission, scholarship, employment or visa approval. Rules change: always confirm on the official site before you apply.