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Top Nursing Colleges in France for Indian Students: Courses, Fees, Admissions 2026,Placements

SR
Samrat Ray • 13 Mins read • 3 Feb 26
Nursing College in FranceNursing College in France

Nursing Colleges in France offer Nursing courses mainly at the Diploma, Bachelor’s, post-basic, and Master’s levels to Indian students. The IFSI (Instituts de Formation en Soins Infirmiers) colleges are the most prominent options in France to learn Nursing courses. Apart from that, there are other reputable institutions like Aix-Marseille University, Université Paris Cité, Sorbonne University, etc. 

The admissions to BSc Nursing in France are based on 10+2 results of Indian students. Apart from that, they must clear the IFSI entrance exam to study Nursing in France. Applicants must also clear the IELTS or TOEFL exam to study English-medium Nursing courses in France. 

Here, we will look at the top Nursing colleges in France based on tuition fee, ranking, course level, etc. We will also discuss the eligibility criteria, admission process, and career opportunities for international students in these colleges. Read on to know your options for Nursing in France.


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Top Nursing Colleges in France

Nursing colleges in France are mostly owned by the government. Therefore, you will find most of the options available to be public institutions. Let us look at the prominent government Nursing colleges in France and the top Nursing colleges in the country based on their ranking. 


List of Government Nursing Colleges 

The IFSI (Instituts de Formation en Soins Infirmiers) colleges in France are run by the government to provide Nursing education. While there are around 300 IFSI colleges, the following are the most prominent ones among them:

  • IFSI Bichat
  • IFSI Henri Mondor
  • IFSI Avicenne
  • IFSI CH de Rennes
  • IFSI Epinal
  • IFSI CH Auxerre
  • IFSI CH Le Vinatier
  • IFSI CH Perpignan
  • IFSI CH Saint-Denis
  • IFSI du CH du Bassin de Thau


Apart from that, you can also check for available seats in the following colleges other than IFSI:

  • Aix-Marseille University
  • Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
  • Université Côte d'Azur
  • Université Diderot Paris 7
  • Université Grenoble Alpes
  • Université Paris Cité


Top Nursing Colleges in France by Ranking

The following table shows the top medical colleges in France based on their QS global rankings. 

University

QS Global Rank (Nursing)

Sorbonne University

45 ​

Université Paris Cité

77 ​

Université Paris-Saclay

102 ​

Université PSL

136 ​

Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

160 ​

Aix-Marseille University

201-250 ​

Université Grenoble Alpes

201-250 ​

University of Bordeaux

201-250 ​

Université de Lille

251-300 ​

Montpellier University

251-300


Nursing Programs Offered by Colleges in France

You can get a Diploma, bachelor’s in Nursing, and a Master’s in Nursing, among other courses in the Nursing stream in France. The sections below list the college options available to you in the country based on the course type. 


Diploma in Nursing Programs 

Check the table below for the details of the Diploma in Nursing programs in the public colleges in France. 

College/IFSI

Diploma Duration

Eligibility

IFSI Bichat (AP-HP), Paris

3 years (full-time) ​

High school diploma (Baccalauréat or equivalent), DELF B2 French, science background (Biology/Physics); Parcoursup application + interview 

IFSI Henri Mondor, Créteil

3 years (6 semesters) ​

10+2 science (PCB equivalent), French B2/C1, no entrance exam but selection via file/motivation test 

IFSI CHU de Rennes

3 years ​

Bac or equiv., French proficiency, aptitude test/interview; EU/international quotas apply ​

IFSI Hôpital Franco-Britannique (Private), Levallois

3 years ​

High school science stream, DELF B2+, entrance exam on knowledge/motivation ​

IFSI CHU Lyon (Le Vinatier)

3 years ​

Baccalauréat, French fluency, Parcoursup dossier + oral exam ​


Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

You can get 3-year Bachelor’s courses in Nursing from nursing colleges in France. Below are some of the prominent colleges offering BSN programs along with their durations and eligibility criteria. 

College/University

BSN Duration

Eligibility

Université Paris-Saclay

3 years 

Baccalauréat or 10+2 science equivalent, DELF B2 French, biology/chemistry focus, Parcoursup application ​

Sorbonne University

3 years 

High school diploma (science stream), French C1, entrance exam/interview ​

Université Paris Cité

3 years ​

Bac or equiv., French proficiency B2+, health/science prerequisites ​

Aix-Marseille University

3 years 

Secondary education completion, DELF B2, motivation test via Parcoursup ​

Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

3 years 

Baccalauréat S/ST2S, French fluency, aptitude/oral selection 



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Post-Basic Nursing Programs

The duration of Post-Basic Nursing programs in France usually ranges from 1 to 2 years. Check the table below for colleges offering PBN courses in France, along with the eligibility criteria. 

College/IFSI/University

Program Duration

Eligibility

IFSI Bichat (AP-HP), Paris

1 year (DEIS e.g., blocs opératoires) ​

DEI diploma, 2+ years practice, French C1, employer sponsorship/interview ​

IFSI Henri Mondor, Créteil

12 months (specialized care diploma) ​

Registered nurse (DEI), relevant experience, Parcoursup or direct via ARS ​

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

1 year (Licence Professionnelle Soins Infirmiers) ​

DEI + professional experience, B2 French, motivation dossier ​

IFSI CHU de Rennes

1 year (DEIS anesthesia/ICU) ​

State nursing diploma, 3 years post-registration practice ​

Sorbonne University (via partnered IFSI)

1-2 years (advanced practice cert.) ​

DEI, clinical experience, entrance exam/French proficiency ​


Master’s in Nursing Programs

You can get a Master’s program in Nursing from colleges in France. Check the details of the prominent colleges offering Master’s in Nursing courses from the table below. 

University

Program Duration

Eligibility

Sorbonne University

2 years (MSc Nursing & Health) ​

DEI/BSc Nursing equivalent, French C1, 1-2 years clinical experience, research proposal ​

Université Paris-Saclay

2 years ​

Bachelor's in nursing/health sciences, DELF B2+, GRE/motivation letter, interview 

Université Paris Cité

1-2 years ​

Registered nurse (DEI), professional experience, French proficiency B2/C1 ​

Aix-Marseille University

2 years (MSc Soins Infirmiers) ​

Nursing bachelor's or DEI + license, academic transcripts, and entrance exam ​

Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

2 years ​

DEI/BScN, 2 years post-registration practice, French C1, dossier review 


How to Choose the Right Nursing College?

You can choose colleges based on various aspects like fees, location, ranking, etc. The tables below show the list of colleges based on a wide range of factors. 


Colleges by Tuition Fees

Below are some of the prominent Nursing colleges in France based on their annual tuition fees. 

School/IFSI Group

Annual Tuition Fee (€)

Regroupement d’IFSI Université Bourgogne Dijon

€170 - €800

University of Poitiers IFSI

€595 

Regroupement des IFSI des Yvelines Nord

€466 - €2,900

Regroupement IFSI Université Paris-Saclay

€170 - €2,900

Regroupement IFSI Paris (e.g., AP-HP groups like Bichat, Saint Louis)

€2,770 - €3,800


Colleges by Location/State

Below are some of the prominent Nursing colleges in France, along with their locations. 

College/University

Location 

Sorbonne University

Paris (Île-de-France)

Université Paris-Saclay

Paris/Saclay (Île-de-France)

Université Paris Cité

Paris (Île-de-France)

Aix-Marseille University

Marseille (PACA)

University of Bordeaux

Bordeaux (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)

Montpellier University

Montpellier (Occitanie)

Nantes Université

Nantes (Pays de la Loire)

Claude Bernard University Lyon 1

Lyon (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)

Université Côte d'Azur

Nice (PACA)

Université Grenoble Alpes

Grenoble (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes)


Colleges by Ranking/Accreditation

Check the table below for the top Nursing colleges in France based on their country and world rankings by various ranking bodies. 

College/University

World Ranking 2026

Country Ranking 2026 (uniRank)

Aix-Marseille University

  • 428th by QS
  • 5673rd by uniRank

16th  

Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1

  • 587th by QS
  • 404th by uniRank

9th 

Université Côte d'Azur

688th by QS

Université Paris Cité

300th by QS

Université Grenoble Alpes

  • 321st by QS
  • 359th by uniRank

5th

Université Paris-Saclay

  • 70th by QS
  • 466th by uniRank

11th 

University of Bordeaux

  • 494th by QS
  • 373rd by uniRank

8th



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Eligibility Criteria for Indian Students Applying to Nursing Colleges in France

The eligibility criteria for Nursing colleges in France consist of the students' qualifications, English proficiency, etc. Below are the key details regarding the eligibility criteria for Indian students to get into Nursing courses in France.


Academic Requirements

Indian students must pass their 10+ 2 exams from the Biology stream with a good score of 50% or above. The specific score requirement may vary with each college, and you must fulfill the academic requirements accordingly. 


English Language Requirements

For colleges requiring English proficiency, students must score at least 5.5 to 65 or higher in IELTS or 75 to 90 or higher in TOEFL. You must check the specific IELTS/TOEFL requirement through the college’s official website. 


Entrance Exams Required

Indian students usually have to clear the Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers (IFSI) entrance exam for Nursing exams in France. 


Work Experience

If you are applying for an MSc Nursing course, Nursing colleges in France will usually require experience of 2 years or more. For undergraduate courses like BSc Nursing, you usually do not need any experience in the field. 


Admission Process for Nursing Colleges in France

Admission Process for Nursing Colleges in France

Application Timeline for Indian Students

The application timeline for Nursing in Germany for Indian students is given below, along with the actions to be taken in each important event. 

Phase

Date/Month

Actions 

Registration Deadline

March 2026

  • Create profile
  • List up to 10 IFSI choices (grouped options allowed for nursing).

Finalisation

March - April 2026

Confirm choices and pay the CVEC fee of around €100.

Admission Results

June 2026

Receive "Yes/Yes if/No/Waitlist"; respond within 3-5 days. Supplementary phase: Jun 11 – Sep 10.​

Enrollment

July - September 2026 (post-bac results)

Accept offer; apply for VLS-TS student visa via Campus France (show funds/housing).


Documents Required from Indian Students

You must keep the following documents ready for the purpose of admission to the Nursing colleges in France:

  • Class 10th and 12th marksheet and admit card. 
  • IELTS/TOEFL scorecard
  • CVEC payment proof
  • CV/resume (if specified by the college)
  • Passport copy
  • Digital copies of recent passport-sized photographs
  • Medical fitness certificate and vaccination records
  • Academic transcripts
  • Health insurance proof
  • ENIC-NARIC equivalence for Indian qualifications


Offer Letter & Acceptance Process

You can find offer letters for Nursing in France through the application platform. Follow the steps mentioned there and make sure to respond to the offer within 3 to 4 days. Then you must travel to France with a student visa and report to the university to complete the admission process.  


Tuition Fees & Cost of Studying Nursing in France

The tuition fees and costs for Nursing studies in France will vary with each college. Go through the tables below to understand the institution-specific costs and the living costs for Nursing students in France. 


Tuition Fees by College

Check the table below for the college-wise tuition fees for Nursing colleges in France. 

College/University

Est. Annual Tuition (€) - Non-EU

Sorbonne University IFSIs (e.g., Pitié-Salpêtrière)

€2,770 - €3,770

Université Paris-Saclay IFSI

€2,770 - €3,770

Université Paris Cité (e.g., Bichat)

€2,770 - €3,770

Aix-Marseille University IFSI (Blancarde)

€170 - €601

University of Bordeaux IFSI

€170 - €601

Montpellier University IFSI

€170 - €450 (health)

Claude Bernard Lyon 1 IFSI

€170 - €620

Nantes Université IFSI

€170 - €601

University of Burgundy (Dijon)

€170 - €800

University of Poitiers IFSI

€595 - €625


Cost of Living by City

The overall living costs per month for Indian students across different cities in France may reach up to €1,200 or higher. Below are the city-wise monthly living costs for Indian students at Nursing colleges in France. 

City

Monthly Living Cost (€)

Paris 

€1,065 - €1,200

Lyon  

€1,000 - €1,200

Marseille

€980 - €1,000

Nice 

€980 - €1,000

Toulouse

€950 - €1,000

Rouen 

€875 - €1,000

Poitiers

€875 - €1,000


Additional College-Specific Costs

Additional costs for Nursing colleges in France include registration charges, CVEC fees, health insurance, etc. Check the annual costs for such expenses in the table below. 

Fee Type

Cost (€/year)

CVEC (Student & Campus Life Contribution)

€105

Registration/Administrative

€50 - €200

Clinical Placement Materials (uniforms, stethoscope)

€150 - €300

Library/Sports/Student Union

€20 - €100

Health Insurance (mutuelle, beyond base)

€200 - €400


Scholarships Offered by Nursing Colleges in France

You can get various international scholarships while studying Nursing in France as an Indian student. These scholarships are available across various course levels based mainly on merit. Below are the details of the scholarship for Indian students studying at Nursing colleges in France. 

Scholarships 

Eligibility 

Benefits

Erasmus+ Scholarship

Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree course. 

  • Monthly stipend of €1,000–to €1,500
  • Coverage of travel costs, insurance, etc. 

France Excellence Charpak Scholarship Program

Pursuing Bachelor’s, Master’s, research internships, or exchange programs. 

Varies in each case. 

France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship Program

Pursuing Master’s or PhD

  • €1,181 for Master’s studies.
  • €1,700 for PhD. 


Accreditation & Recognition of Nursing Colleges in France

The recognition and accreditation of Nursing colleges in France are a key factor to consider for Indian students. After all, they determine the recognition of the degrees across the globe. You must look for institutions with recognitions and accreditations below to study Nursing in France. 


National Nursing Councils & Boards

The Nursing Colleges in France are accredited by the French Accreditation Committee or COFRAC, which is the only national accreditation body in the country. 


Recognition in India

The Nursing degrees from recognised universities in France have been accredited by the Indian Nursing Council (INC). You can work in India with a degree recognised by the INC. 


Licensing Eligibility After Graduation

To be eligible for licensing after graduation in Nursing, you must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing. Apart from that, you must have a B2 level proficiency in French and authorisation from a Regional Health Agency or ARS. 


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Nursing Colleges in France Accepting Indian Students – Key Highlights

The acceptance rate and clinical placement support are important highlights of Nursing colleges in France. You must consider these aspects to enhance your opportunities to study at Nursing colleges in France. 


Colleges with High Acceptance Rate

You can apply to colleges based on their acceptance rate to ensure your admission. Below are the college-wise acceptance rates for Indian students aiming for Nursing courses in France. 

College/IFSI Group

Estimated Acceptance Rate

University of Burgundy (Dijon group)

20-25%

University of Poitiers 

22%

Nantes Université 

18-23%

Université Grenoble Alpes 

20%

University of Lorraine (Nancy/Metz)

19-24%


Colleges with Clinical Placement Support

The following table shows the colleges that offer placement support to Indian Nursing students. 

College/IFSI Group

Placement Support Highlights

Sorbonne University IFSIs (e.g., Pitié-Salpêtrière AP-HP)

Access to world-class AP-HP hospitals (largest network).

Université Paris-Saclay IFSI

Partnerships with regional CHUs; diverse sites (hospitals, elderly care). 

Aix-Marseille University IFSI (Blancarde, Hôpital Nord)

Hospital-integrated for home care and mental health placements. 

Caen Normandy University Hospital IFSI

Various internships (CHU, private hospitals, EHPADs) for student-chosen sites. 

Claude Bernard Lyon 1 IFSI (CH Le Vinatier)

Extensive regional networks and typologies match national standards. 

Montpellier CHU IFSI

CHU-focused rotations with high success rates (98%+). 


Career Outcomes from Nursing Colleges in France

Nursing degrees in France can offer valuable career opportunities and salary outcomes not only within the country but also across the world. The tables below will explain the career outcomes you can expect after completing a Nursing course in France. 


Job Opportunities After Graduation

The following table shows the common roles available after Nursing colleges in France.

Sector

Common Roles

Hospitals/CHUs (AP-HP, regional)

Staff nurse (general, ER, surgery)

Clinics/Home Care (SSIAD/HAD)

Home care nurse, chronic care

Early Childhood/PMI

Pediatric nurse, vaccinations

Occupational Health

Company nurse (prevention)


Average Salary Outcomes

The starting salary available to Indian students after completing their Nursing studies in France is shown in the table below. 

Sector

Starting Salary (€ gross/year)

Hospitals/CHUs (AP-HP, regional)

€28,000 - €35,000

Clinics/Home Care (SSIAD/HAD)

€30,000 - €38,000

Early Childhood/PMI

€28,000 - €34,000

Occupational Health

€32,000 - €40,000


Nursing Colleges in France: FAQs


Ques: What is the duration of a Bachelor’s course in Nursing in France?

Ans: The total duration of a Bachelor’s in Nursing is 3 years. After completing this course, you can become a registered nurse in France and across many countries. 


Ques: What are the requirements for Nursing admissions in France?

Ans: For admission to BSc Nursing courses in France, Indian students must pass their 10+2 exams and score the minimum required score in the IELTS/TOEFL exam. In the case of Master’s programs in Nursing, students will be required to have an experience of 2 years or more in the Nursing field. 


Ques: Which subjects are required for a Nursing student in France?

Ans: For Indian students opting for Nursing in France, the required subjects include Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and English. Students who have studied these subjects for the qualified exam are eligible for Nursing admissions in France. 


Ques: What is the age limit for admission to Nursing colleges in France?

Ans: The candidates applying to Nursing colleges in France must be at least 17 years of age during the admission year. They must not exceed the maximum age limit of 35 years during admission. 


Ques: What is the quality of nursing education in France vs other countries?

Ans: France has some of the top Nursing colleges in the world. That makes it a better option for Indian students than many other destinations in Europe. 


Ques: Are entrance exams required for admission to Nursing colleges in France?

Ans: Yes, you must take the Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers (IFSI) entrance exam for Nursing admissions in France. This exam is typically held in February or March every year. 


Ques: Do I have to take the IELTS exam for admission to Nursing colleges in France?

Ans: The IELTS exam is not always necessary for Nursing admissions in France. You must check the eligibility requirements of the specific college you are applying to for IELTS/TOEFL requirements. 


Ques: Do I have to know French to study at Nursing colleges in France?

Ans: No, you do not necessarily have to know French to gain admission to Nursing colleges in France. You can get English-medium Nursing courses in Nursing colleges in France as an international student. 


Ques: Are Nursing degrees from France recognised in India?

Ans: Yes, Nursing degrees from colleges recognised by the Indian Nursing Council are recognised in India. Therefore, you can get job opportunities in India with a Nursing degree from France. 


Ques: What is the average salary package in France for Nursing graduates?

Ans: As an international student, you can expect starting packages of €28,000 to €40,000 per year after graduating from Nursing colleges in France. The earning potential will increase as you gain experience.