Ph.D. in France is a 3-5 year course comprising of 6 semesters. Various top universities in France like Université PSL, Sorbonne University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris offer several specializations. Due to the higher attraction of international students and the language barrier, overall 1500 courses are offered in the English language.

To pursue various specializations in Ph.D. in France, international students are required to prove proficiency in the French language or English language. The minimum score required for the same is 6 bands in IELTS. Apart from this, international students are required to look for a thesis subject and thesis supervisor. Studying in France is comparatively low with other countries as higher education is usually funded by the country. On average, pursuing a Ph.D. in France costs between 30,000 to 35,000 INR for an Indian student.

PhD in France: Top Universities

PhD in France is offered in various specializations under fields like Arts, Humanities, and Business. Some of the top universities in France with courses and average fees are tabulated below:

Why study for a Ph.D. in France?

France proves to be an attractive educational destination for international students from various countries. The factors which drive students to get a Ph.D. from the Universities in France are discussed below.

• Pursuing a Ph.D. in France is quite affordable because the tuition fees for most universities in France costs around 30,000-35,000 INR. The major reason for the same is that most of the student fees at public institutions are covered, no matter what country the international students may belong to.
• International students get to choose between various specializations in the fields of Arts, Humanities, and Science. Some of the major specializations like law, engineering, astronomy, and more.
• The major language spoken in France is french. However, both public and private universities in France started to offer various courses in the English language.
• France is a place investing in research and innovation. The universities spend a lot of resources to uplift the research and innovation sector. Thus it becomes a desirable place for students who wish to opt for a Ph.D. degree in any of the disciplines.

Ph.D. in France: Course Highlights

Ph.D. in France: Admissions

International students planning to study Ph.D. in France have to start the preparations early. Initially, students have to find a thesis subject and thesis supervisor. Once done students can start looking for universities. Ph.D. in France has two main intakes September and January accepting international students. Some top universities in France with admission deadlines are tabulated below:

Ph.D. in France: Eligibility Criteria

The minimum qualification required by an international student before applying for a Ph.D. course in the universities of France are discussed below:

• Candidates must be above 18 years of age and have completed their 10+2 from a recognized board.
• A master's degree or a 5 years bachelor's degree in the relevant disciplines is a must from a recognized university. More than 60% of the score is required in these to apply for a Ph.D.
• The candidates should have a good academic record in the previous college or institution.
• English language tests like IELTS or TOEFL with decent scores are required while admissions. However, the English language tests are only relevant to programs taught in English while if the programs are taught in French, a candidate should qualify for TCF ( Test for Knowledge of French) and Le TEF ( French Assessment Test) examinations.
• A valid passport and documents true to their expectations are a must.

Explore: Exams to Study in France

French Student Visa

Once securing acceptance from the university, students are required to apply for a French student visa. The table mentioned below showcases the visa requirements for universities in France.

Ph.D. in France: Cost of Attendance

Ph.D. in France is very feasible for domestic as well as international students. The Ph.D. degree is funded by the state of France or various French universities also. The average spend by the universities or state on a candidate pursuing a Ph.D. is about 10,000 Euros. It results in minimizing tuition fees to a mere cost of about 300 - 400 Euros per year.

Pre-arrival Costs

Given below is a table indicating the one-time major costs involved for an international student planning to study in France:

Tuition Fees for Universities Offering Ph.D. in France

Some of the top universities in France offering PhD in France with tuition fees are mentioned below:

Cost of Living in France

Before moving to France to pursue higher education, students are most concerned about their living expenses. Some of the living expenses in France are mentioned below:

Scholarships to Pursue Ph.D. in France

France is famous for funding the students in terms of their college tuition fees. It results in France offering cheap yet quality education to the students wishing to study in France.

However, there are scholarships that help one cut off their other expenses while living in France or for paying the tuition fees of the private colleges which range from 4,000 - 10,000 Euros per year. Some of the famous scholarships are given below:

Jobs After Pursuing Ph.D. in France

Candidates after completing their Ph.D. degree can either opt for research-based work or to work in the academic sector. It depends on the availability and wishes of the candidates. Usually, a candidate can earn from €2024 to €5678 which accounts for about 1,80,000 INR to 4,90,000 INR. A candidate opting both for research and teaching can make more than 5,000 Euros per month.

Some of the job profiles we come to know about for Ph.D. degree holders are discussed below:

Also Check: Jobs in France

Candidates looking for a Ph.D. from France must start the preparation at an early stage of about 6 months prior to the expected admission deadlines. This may help them in getting their work done very easily and without any hassle.

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