Study in France from Nepal, Your Complete 2026 Guide

Yes, for French public national universities, international student tuition is the same as domestic tuition: EUR 170/year for licence (bachelor's equivalent), EUR 243/year for master's. This was established by the French government and is genuinely the tuition cost. Living costs are the main expense, EUR 9,600-15,000/year. French language proficiency (DELF B2 minimum) is required for most programs at this price point. Grandes écoles (HEC, Sciences Po, CentraleSupélec) are private and charge EUR 12,000-20,000+/year.

Depends on the program. French-medium programs at national universities (cheapest option) require DELF B2 (intermediate-advanced French). English-medium master's programs (at Sciences Po, ESCP, Sorbonne, and many other institutions) accept IELTS 6.0-7.0 instead. There are 1,500+ English-medium programs in France (campusfrance.org lists them all). For Nepali students without French, start with an English-medium program while learning French on the side, opening doors to a bilingual career.

Campus France Nepal is the French government's official platform for international student registration. All Nepali students applying to French universities must register at campusfrance.org through the Campus France Nepal office (in Kathmandu, rue de la Paix 5, Lazimpat) or online. You create a 'My Campus France' account, enter your academic details and target universities, and submit for a Campus France interview. After the interview, Campus France issues a clearance number required for your visa application. This process is mandatory and takes 2-6 weeks.

Yes, French student visa holders can work up to 964 hours per year, equivalent to about 20 hours per week across the academic year. No separate work authorisation is required beyond your titre de séjour (the VLS-TS residence permit), and you may take any job. At the French minimum wage (SMIC: EUR 11.88/hour from November 2024), 20 hours a week earns roughly EUR 950/month or about EUR 11,230/year. This covers most or all living costs in regional cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, and Bordeaux, though Paris remains more expensive. Common student jobs include catering, retail, childcare, and private tutoring.

The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is France's flagship government scholarship for international students at master's and PhD level. Monthly stipend: EUR 1,181/month for master's students, EUR 1,400/month for PhD students. Also covers travel allowance, cultural activities support, health insurance. Applications through Campus France to French partner universities. Deadlines typically January each year for September entry. Very competitive globally, approximately 500 scholarships awarded worldwide per year.

Apply for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour), a 1-year post-study permit for bachelor's and master's graduates, 2 years for PhD graduates. During APS you can work in any job without restriction while searching for a graduate role. To transition to longer-term status, apply for the Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) with a skilled job offer of EUR 53,800+/year (2x French minimum wage), or the standard Salarié (employed person) work permit with a job offer. France actively recruits engineers, IT professionals, and healthcare workers, sectors where Nepali graduates regularly qualify. After 5 years of legal residence you can apply for the Carte de Résident.

France's SMIC (Salaire Minimum Interprofessionnel de Croissance) is EUR 11.88/hour from November 2024, updated annually. Students on French student visas can work up to 964 hours/year (about 20 hours/week average). Working 20 hrs/week earns approximately EUR 950/month gross, covering most living costs in regional cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, and Bordeaux. Paris living costs run EUR 1,000-1,500/month, so supplemental savings are recommended there. No employer authorisation is needed beyond your residence permit. Common student roles include catering, retail, childcare, and tutoring, and after-tax pay is high because part-time student earnings face minimal social contributions.

For French-medium programs at public universities (EUR 2,770/year tuition): DELF B2 minimum required, plan 600-900 hours of study to reach B2 from zero, roughly 12-18 months of dedicated learning. Many STEM master's programs at top universities and grandes écoles are English-taught, requiring IELTS 6.5+ or TOEFL 90+ instead. Alliance Française Kathmandu (Thamel) and Institut Français du Népal (Lazimpat) offer certified DELF preparation. Campus France Nepal guides you through language requirements for your specific program. Knowing French also significantly improves your post-graduation employability, since most jobs outside the international tech sector expect B2 or higher.

After graduating in France, you can apply for the Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS): 12 months for bachelor's graduates; 24 months for master's and PhD graduates. During APS you can work in any job without restriction while you search for a graduate role. To transition to longer-term status, the Talent Passport requires a salary at or above EUR 53,800/year (2x SMIC), while the standard Salarié permit needs a qualifying job offer. France has strong demand for engineers, IT professionals, and healthcare workers, sectors where Nepali graduates regularly qualify. Apply for the APS at your local prefecture within 4 months of receiving your degree certificate.

Top scholarships: (1) Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, EUR 1,181/month for master's, EUR 1,700/month for PhD; very competitive, apply by January; (2) MOPGA (Make Our Planet Great Again), full funding for STEM/climate fields; (3) French Embassy scholarships via Campus France Nepal, partial support; (4) University merit awards at Sciences Po, Grenoble INP, and Paris-Saclay. Most grandes écoles waive tuition for top scholarship holders. Eiffel is the most generous and has no bond/return obligation.