🇮🇳 India → France
A complete, search-friendly guide for applicants from India: admission route, documents, visa, funding and arrival steps.
General information only — not official guidance. Rules change, so confirm with the official source before you act.
At a glance
Asia
At a glance
Études en France procedure
At a glance
English-taught options common
What to do for this route
These sections are generated from the same editorial framework, so each country page stays consistent while still being specific to your route.
Three-year Indian bachelor's is accepted for many master's programmes; some universities ask for a 4-year degree or a bridging year. The EEF platform opens in October. While the general deadline for public universities is typically in spring (March-April), most top business and engineering schools use rolling admissions from November to April. Applying early significantly increases your chances.
- For Licence 1 (first undergraduate year) at public universities, apply on Parcoursup (Jan-Mar).
- For Master 1 in a public university, apply on Mon Master (Feb-Apr).
- For 'Grandes écoles' and private schools, apply directly on the school's own portal, following their specific deadlines.
- English-taught master's programmes are the most common route; an IELTS score of 6.5 or TOEFL 90 is the standard requirement. French proficiency is not mandatory but highly recommended for internships.
India is connected to the Études en France (EEF) procedure: you build the online file, pay the Campus France fee, attend the interview, then receive the attestation your consulate requires. Campus France India — New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Puducherry
- Campus France India — New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Puducherry
- The consulate will not process the visa file without the Campus France attestation.
- Keep the same email address across Campus France, Parcoursup, Mon Master and the school portals.
The VLS-TS visa is filed at a VFS Global centre after receiving the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Campus France. Ensure all documents are consistent with your Campus France file. The process for exchange students and those in 'classes préparatoires' may follow different rules. The VLS-TS (long-stay student visa) is required for any stay over 90 days for study purposes.
- Use the France-Visas wizard to generate your exact document list before booking.
- Your VLS-TS étudiant must be validated online via the ANEF platform within 3 months of your arrival in France.
- Renewals are filed on ANEF, ideally 2–4 months before expiry.
Prepare consolidated marksheets, your degree certificate, a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and your passport. A WES-style evaluation may be requested by some institutions.
- Use one consistent spelling of your name across every document.
- Check whether your country requires apostille (Hague) or full consular legalisation.
- Keep certified digital scans — you will re-upload them for housing, CAF and the bank.
Financial proof of approx. €{{visa.proof_of_resources_annual}}/year is required. An education loan sanction letter is the strongest proof, followed by a Fixed Deposit or parental bank statements with a clear sponsorship letter.
- The reference figure is about €{{visa.proof_of_resources_monthly}}/month for the visa file.
- A guarantor file is usually needed for private housing, even when the visa file is complete.
- Scholarship award letters strengthen both the admission and the visa file.
Funding routes commonly used by students from India. Deadlines usually fall months before admission results, so track them in parallel with your application.
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — Outstanding international master's and PhD candidates — nominated by the French institution, not by the student
- Charpak Scholarship (Master's / Research Internship / Exchange) — Indian nationals studying in India
- Erasmus+ — EU/EEA and programme-country students on exchange or joint master's degrees
Direct flights to CDG from Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru; book CROUS or private housing before departure.
- Week 1: SIM card, transport pass, proof of address (attestation d'hébergement or lease).
- Week 1–2: open a French bank account and request your RIB.
- Week 2: validate the VLS-TS on ANEF.
University enrolment, social security registration, CAF housing aid and student insurance — done in this order, the first month stays manageable.
- Complete administrative enrolment and pay the CVEC before your student card is issued.
- Register for social security (assurance maladie) online using your enrolment certificate and birth certificate.
- File the CAF housing-aid application in the month you move in — it is not retroactive.
The recurring blockers reported by students from India.
- Applying to M1 outside Mon Master deadlines
- Education loan letter without disbursement schedule
- Ignoring the mandatory Campus France interview slot
Every step above points back to a government or national-platform source. Check the date on each official page before acting on it.
What we already know about this country
Campus France India — New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, Puducherry
The EEF platform opens in October. While the general deadline for public universities is typically in spring (March-April), most top business and engineering schools use rolling admissions from November to April. Applying early significantly increases your chances.
Prepare consolidated marksheets, your degree certificate, a strong Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and your passport. A WES-style evaluation may be requested by some institutions.
Financial proof of approx. €{{visa.proof_of_resources_annual}}/year is required. An education loan sanction letter is the strongest proof, followed by a Fixed Deposit or parental bank statements with a clear sponsorship letter. The VLS-TS visa is filed at a VFS Global centre after receiving the No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from Campus France. Ensure all documents are consistent with your Campus France file. The process for exchange students and those in 'classes préparatoires' may follow different rules.
Estimate housing aid and plan ahead
CAF is one of the biggest money questions after arrival, so we’re surfacing it directly on the country page.
Eligible for CAF
Usually needs a French lease and residency status.
€176
Estimated monthly CAF support
What you may still pay
€344
This is a directional estimate. CAF uses income, household size, lease details and property rules. Check the official simulator before making a financial decision.