A data by Campus France, the French Agency for the promotion of higher education, a French government agency that operates under the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, has revealed that there has been a sharp increase of 12% in Indian students pursuing education in the European country. 

Growing appeal of French Higher Education

According to the data, a total of 4,30,466 international students were enrolled in French universities in 2023-24, which meant an year-over-year increase of 4.6% in international students in France.

This increase, according to Donatienne Hissard, Director-General of Campus France, is driven by attractive institutions and the higher education system of the country. “(These) figures reveal the consolidation of the attractiveness of French higher education and all its institutions. The latest Shanghai ranking also confirms this trend, with 25 universities and schools in the ranking, and institutions going up,” she said.

Indian students flock to France for Business education

The trend comes in the wake of increasing numbers of Indian students looking beyond traditional study abroad destinations like the United Kingdom and Canada. A recent QS report — that surveyed 8,511 Indian students asking their motivations and preferences while considering France — showed that business schools are particularly attractive to Indian students, with 31% of them considering France to pursue a career in Business. According to the QS report, almost 50% of prospective Indian students are exploring postgraduate programmes in France, while 21% are interested in undergraduate courses.

“Of [all surveyed international students] looking to study in France, 39% said high graduate starting salaries are indicative of a HEI’s teaching quality. For Indian students, this percentage rises to 50%. Independent ratings and university-organised work placements are all more important to Indian students than the global average. Indian students are also more likely to be worried about getting a job when thinking about studying abroad,” the QS report noted.

Key factors driving Indian students to France

“One big aspect which every student considers while choosing a higher education institution is placements. And French universities are offering much better placement rates and packages than many other countries. That, apart from a very good education system, is the biggest reason for why I considered France for my PhD,” said Rijutosh Chakrabarty, who is pursuing a Doctorate in Economics from Sciences Po University. 

While employment opportunities is one reason for Indian students considering France, a better education system and rich cultural heritage are also the reasons for some others. For instance, Ameya Kulkarni, who is pursuing Masters in Management, MScT Data Science & AI for Business, was drawn to Canada because of its world-class education system and rich cultural heritage. 

“I chose France for my master's studies because of its world-class education system, rich cultural heritage, and prestigious academic history. I studied French in school and was intrigued by the culture, and I wanted to experience it for myself. Additionally, France's leading position in AI and data science, combined with its strong focus on research and innovation, made it the ideal place for me to advance my expertise in these fields while immersing myself in a vibrant academic and cultural environment,” he said. 

Budget-friendly education system and rich history of the European nation is another aspect attracting some Indian students to France. 

"I chose France for its budget-friendly education system. Opting for a two-year course granting two degrees was financially sensible compared to other countries. Moreover, as a passionate artist, France has a lot of museums and historical significance that appealed to me," said Pragya Sancheti, who is pursuing a Masters in Management at NEOMA Business School.

The steady rise in Indian students choosing France as their study abroad destination is mainly driven by its robust higher education system, promising placement opportunities, and rich cultural experiences. As France continues to strengthen its global academic standing, more Indian students are also looking up to the country for its blend of quality education, affordable tuition, and professional prospects.