PhD in France: Top Universities, Admissions, Cost: Scholarships and Jobs

The PhD in France is a top doctoral program that combines research with academic excellence in a world-renowned education system. Top universities like Université PSL, Sorbonne University and Université Paris-Saclay offer specialisations in engineering, sciences, arts and humanities with state-of-the-art research infrastructure and expert faculty. To apply, you need a master’s degree with good grades and language proficiency in English (IELTS/TOEFL) or French (TCF/TEF/DELF/DALF), depending on the program. Application requirements include a research proposal, CV, academic transcripts and recommendation letters.

The program is 3 to 6 years long and tuition fees are very low – just €380 per year as most of the costs are covered by the French government. PhD students are considered employees and get a minimum salary of €1,684 per month during their research. With France aiming to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, it’s a top destination for doctoral studies.

PhD in France: Quick Highlights

PhD in France: Tuition Fees

Tuition fees for the PhD level in France are really low at an average of 300-400 euros a year, depending on the university and study area. It is among the cheapest doctoral destinations. PhD students in France are taken as employees and receive a minimum monthly salary of approximately €1,684, which would assist in covering the living costs while conducting research.

Cost of Living in France 

The international students may live in France at a cost varying depending on the location and lifestyle, but on average, it costs around €1,474 (€1,49,000) per month. These are accommodation (€690), utilities (€175), mobile and internet (€60), food (€280), transportation (€69) and miscellaneous expenses (€200). Some cities, such as the city of Paris, may be expensive, whereas some small towns may be cheaper in terms of cost to the student. Below is the breakdown of the cost of living in France:

Why Study a PhD in France?

France offers the highest research prospects, low fees and a friendly welcome to foreign students. It has an academic reputation and government support, which makes it a fine place to pursue a doctoral course.

• The government strongly controls the PhD tuition fee in public universities, which gives an average of ₹34,073 every year.
• A PhD in the language is offered by many universities, and even at the unlikely chance you can not speak French.
• France will host 30,000 Indian students by 2030 to provide more opportunities to international scholars.
• Such a strong research culture is seen in France, where 64 Nobel laureates and 15 Fields Medal winners have been produced.
• Broad specialization choices of engineering/ technology, biosciences and medicine.
• When conducting their research, PhD students receive a minimum monthly stipend of €1,684.

Also Check: PhD in Computer Science in USA

PhD in France: Qualifications

Qualifications for PhD in France require students to have a master’s degree in the relevant subject with at least 85%. Students should also fulfil the requirements of language, which might require an English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL. Certainly, some programs and universities also accept French proficiency tests such as TCF, TEF, DELF or DALF.

PhD in France: Eligibility Criteria

The eligibility criteria for a PhD in France include a master’s degree in the relevant field with a minimum 85%. Students must qualify their English language skills by means of IELTS or TOEFL in English and, in certain situations French proficiency test such as TCF, TEF, DELF or DALF.

PhD in France: Application process

The application process for a PhD in France includes locating an appropriate field of research, submission of required documents and fulfiling the requirements of a particular university. The following is a step-by-step guide that can help you go through the process.

Step 1: Find a research area and supervisor

Visit research universities and have a look at the profile of their faculty members to identify a supervisor whose research interests correspond with yours. Write to them and give a little introduction, and explain what you are researching.

Step 2: Have Necessary Paperwork Ready

Make sure you have your academic transcripts, recommending letter, language proficiency scores and a properly designed research proposal that suits the areas of focus at this university.

Step 3: Online application

In the university portal, apply online, complete the information with attention and attach documents according to their requirements before the due date.

Step 4: Entrance Exams or Interviews

There is a chance that the particular PhD programs of France will have entrance exams or an online or physical interview where you need to ensure that you make your research proposal clearer.

Step 5: Visa Application & acceptance

After being admitted, re-check the information about funding or scholarship. Non-EU students apply a long-term student visa (VLS-TS) and organize health insurance and evidence of financial stability.

PhD in France: Documents Required 

The documents needed to do a PhD in France include certificates of qualifications, full and detailed academic transcripts and a well-drafted CV. The student must provide information about the chosen thesis with confirmation by a supervisor and the results of an English language test. The other requirements shall include having two online references, a passport photograph carrying an identity proof, etc, as stipulated by university requirements.

• Degree certificates
• CV (Resume)
• All educational transcripts
• Personal statement
• Thesis chosen + Thesis supervisor selected
• English language proficiency test results
• Two online references
• Passport photo and ID proof
• Research material
• Application Fee payment

PhD in France: Top Entrance Exams 

The entrance test for PhD in France often involves language tests. International students might require taking an English proficiency test like IELTS or TOEFL, some universities require good knowledge of French by qualifying French proficiency tests such as TCF, TEF, DELF or DALF. 

Best Universities/Colleges for a PhD in France

France has the best PhD ph universities that are world-renowned research and curriculum offered. Big brands involve Université PSL, Sorbonne University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Universite Paris-Saclay and Université de Paris in the spheres of arts, sciences, engineering and medicine. Advanced research opportunities, such as several areas of expertise are provided in other prestigious institutions that include: Ecole des Ponts ParisTech, Aix-Marseille University, University of Bordeaux and Toulouse school of management.

PhD in France: Scholarship

PhD scholarship in France can lower the expenses of education and living and encourage research activities. The Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence provides €1,800 a month, medical insurance and subsidised housing, and is sponsored by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. Other available opportunities are the Agence Nationale de Recherche Funding and the doctoral school fellowships, whereby monthly stipends will be paid in order to cater to the living and research expenses.

Career Opportunities after a PhD in France

There are a number of career opportunities available in France after the PhD, including opportunities in research, academia and industry. The graduates can secure jobs as atmospheric and space scientists, biomedical scientists/clinical laboratory scientists in health care and research institutions. Alternative careers would be a computer scientist, a DNA analyst or a food scientist. There are employment opportunities available in forensic science or formulation technology careers, such as employment in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics industries and the food industries, both locally in France and abroad.

PhD in France: Salary Packages

The salary packages that are paid in France after a doctorate are average, depending on the job and industry. Examples of such professionals include clinical laboratory scientists, biomedical scientists where the salaries are more than €100,000 per annum and computer scientists, forensic scientists, among others, who earn between €75,000 to €80,000 per year. Competitive salary also provided by DNA analysts and atmospheric scientists is one of the reasons why France is a good place to find rewarding career opportunities for highly skilled PhD graduates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques 1. What are the requirements for PhD in France?

Ans 1: The requirements for PhD in France are a master’s degree with at least 85% marks. You must also meet language requirements like IELTS or TOEFL for English and in some cases, TCF, TEF, DELF or DALF for French.

Ques 2. How much are the fees for PhD in France?

Ans 2: The fees for PhD in France are very low, usually €300-€400 per year in public universities. As PhD students are considered employees, they also get a minimum monthly salary of €1,684 during the research.

Ques 3. What documents are needed for PhD in France?

Ans 3: The documents needed for PhD in France are degree certificates, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, research proposal, supervisor confirmation and language test results. Additional documents may include ID proof, passport photo, references and proof of application fee payment.

Ques 4. Do I need to take an entrance exam for PhD in France?

Ans 4: There is no general entrance exam for PhD in France, but universities may require language proficiency tests. These include IELTS or TOEFL for English programs and TCF, TEF, DELF or DALF for French programs.

Ques 5. What are the job opportunities after a PhD in France?

Ans 5: Job opportunities after a PhD in France are atmospheric and space scientist, biomedical scientist, clinical laboratory scientist, computer scientist, DNA analyst and forensic scientist. You can work in research institutes, universities or industry.