France Study Abroad Questions

For the January intake in France you may need academic certificates and transcripts, a valid passport, CV, motivation letter, English or French test score and recommendation letters. Requirements differ by course and university, and the student visa needs extra documents such as proof of funds.

For a January start in France, Indian students should submit the France-Visas long-stay visa application about one month before the planned departure, after receiving admission. Many January courses close applications between October and December, so begin early and confirm dates on each official course page.

September is the main intake in France, with more courses and universities usually available, scholarships depend on the scheme, not the intake. January has fewer choices but suits you if a course you want starts then and your documents are ready. Your course should be the first thing you check.

A CROUS room in Paris typically costs around EUR 200 to 450 per month. Shared accommodation is listed at EUR 400 to 800 and a private studio at EUR 800 to 1,300, so a CROUS room is usually the cheapest of the student housing options for your budget.

A single person can plan around EUR 200 to 350 per month for food and groceries in Paris. The lower end is possible when you cook at home, while eating out often pushes the budget higher. A national student guide suggests about EUR 300 as an average monthly food budget.

For 2026-27, Sciences Po charges students with tax residence outside the EEA EUR 14,900 for Bachelors programmes and EUR 20,640 for Masters programmes. This is much higher than the standard national fees at French public universities, and fees can change with the programme and your student status.

A student living alone in Paris should typically keep around EUR 80 to 180 per month for utilities, internet and mobile. That covers electricity, heating and water at roughly EUR 50 to 120, internet at EUR 20 to 40 and a mobile plan at EUR 8 to 20.

Indian students can reduce living costs in Paris by choosing student residences, sharing accommodation, cooking at home and using student transport plans and discounts. Rent is usually the biggest expense, so housing choices matter most. Tracking small expenses and living near campus also help.