France is becoming an increasingly popular choice for students looking to study abroad, especially as an alternative to the United States. In the 2024/25 academic year, 443,500 international students were enrolled in French higher education, marking a 3% increase from last year and a 17% rise over the past five years. International students now make up nearly 15% of all students in France, bringing the country closer to its goal of 500,000 international students by 2027.
Under the Choose France / Bienvenue en France initiative, the French government aims to provide affordable, high-quality education through English-taught programs, streamlined visa processes and faster application handling. French universities are also helping students affected by U.S. visa restrictions, with business schools fast-tracking or extending application deadlines.
Maud LE Bars, South Asia area manager at Omnes Education, said, “We will continue to promote what France has to offer including benefits for international students and develop opportunities for them in France, Europe or back in their home countries, as French companies have strong presences globally.”
The increase in students comes mainly from Morocco, Algeria, China, Italy and Senegal:
Regionally:
The Franco-Indian roadmap aims to make science, technology and university cooperation a vector of progress, targeting 30,000 Indian students by 2030 while also promoting India as an exchange destination for French students.
Engineering institutions host 8% of international students, with a 4% increase over the past year. Institute Polytechnique de Paris has 43% international students in its 11,200 cohort, with increases in BSc, master’s and PhD applications. Christopher Cripps, VP for Europe and International Affairs at IP Paris, highlighted support for international students through visa facilitation, residence permits and campus housing. Housing remains a challenge, but universities are working closely with partners to address it.
Students are drawn to France for quality education, work experience opportunities and programs in luxury, aeronautics, oenology and nuclear energy. While undergraduate students benefit from Classes Internationals language programs, master’s students face cultural and skills mismatches. Learning French and participating in social and activity clubs helps students integrate and improve job prospects.
Geetanjali Shrivastava, co-founder of Ask Setu, noted, “The biggest motivation for Indian students is to get quality education outside India and live and work abroad. Students who learn French and adapt culturally have a better chance at employment.”
With strategic government initiatives, institutional support and growing international engagement, France is set to continue its rise as a leading global education hub with high quality international education, professional opportunities and a welcoming environment.