Cost & living Questions
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What should Indian students moving to France for a master's know in advance about paperwork, culture, and part-time work?
→Validate your VLS-TS visa online within three months using a 50 euro stamp, pay the 105 euro CVEC fee, and register for social security right away. You can work up to 964 hours a year, roughly 20 hours weekly, and French bureaucracy moves slowly, so plan around it.
What should an Indian student do in the first two weeks after moving to Paris for a bachelor's, including part-time job hunting?
→In week one, validate your VLS-TS visa online, get your housing certificate, buy a transport pass, a French SIM, and open a bank account. In week two, finalise university enrolment, register for healthcare, apply for housing aid, and start job hunting with a one page French CV.
Is a 2+2 BITS Pilani and Centrale Supelec program in France worth the cost for settling abroad in a well-paying job?
→No, not if your main goal is a quick, well paying job abroad. The program costs Rs 80 to 90 lakh for a bachelor's degree only, while French tech jobs favour a master's, so you likely need one to two more years of study before earning a full salary.
Does an apprenticeship Master in Management at ESSEC in France offer a good ROI and realistic path to settling in the EU?
→Yes, the ESSEC apprenticeship MiM offers excellent ROI, since your host company pays remaining tuition and a monthly stipend of about 1,200 to 2,100 euros, roughly Rs 1.1 to 2 lakh. It also leads to a clear visa and residency path, but only with B2 level French.
Does it make sense to accept a fully funded Indian scholarship for a master's in France that requires returning to India right after graduation?
→Yes, if your goal is a debt free degree and a strong career in India, since you avoid a large education loan entirely. No, if you want to work in Europe immediately, since the bond blocks the French post study visa and a euro salary for several years.
Why do very few Indian students choose China, Singapore or Korea for higher studies despite scholarship opportunities?
→Even with strong scholarships, few Indian students pick these countries because post-study work visas and residency are harder to secure than in the West, local languages create a real corporate barrier, and Singapore's cost of living can outpace even a full scholarship stipend for most students.
Which is currently the better country for Indian students pursuing a master's, Canada or Australia?
→It depends on your priority. Canada offers cheaper tuition, around CAD 20,000 to 40,000 a year, and a faster route to residency through Express Entry. Australia offers higher post-study salaries, around AUD 85,000 to 120,000, more stable visa approvals, and stronger global rankings.
Is pursuing a master's in Data Science in Canada, over Australia or Germany, a wise choice for long-term settlement?
→Yes, Canada is wise if your top priority is a fast, structured path to permanent residency, since the Post Graduation Work Permit feeds directly into Express Entry points. Australia pays data scientists more with tougher PR hurdles, while Germany is nearly free but demands strong German for a good job.