According to insights from Campus France, 430,466 foreign students registered in the French higher education system in 2023–2024. This marks a 4.5% boom from the previous year and continues a gradual growth trend following last year’s 3% upturn. This period saw improved student mobility from Asia-Pacific and sub-Saharan Africa and higher enrolments in business and engineering institutions in the country.
A growing international student population
The international student population in France in 2023–2024 reveals a 17% increase over five years (versus 2018–2019). Demographics show that 14% (or one out of six) of students in the country are international students, a stable share compared to the previous year. This increase is largely driven by a post-Covid pickup of mobilities in the last two years and renewed demand from the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, French institutions saw 6% more students from China and 12% more from India. Morocco is still France’s largest sending country.
All regions in the world, except the Americas, are sending more students to France. North Africa and the Middle East are still the region’s main sending markets, representing 28% of the international student population, despite just a moderate 1% uptick. The Asia-Pacific region generated a 5% surge in enrolments, driven by student mobility from India and China. Europe also registered a 4% increase, supported by an increase in students from Ukraine (+14%) and Romania (+10%).
Interest in business and engineering
Universities continue to attract the most foreign students in France, accounting for 63% of enrolments. Business schools and engineering schools are experiencing the most growth in interest at +11% and +9%, respectively, compared to only +2% in universities. The data also highlights a +70% boom in enrolments in business schools over the last five years.
France in the rankings
ShanghaiRanking’s 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) is a testament to France’s flourishing reputation for higher education. For the fifth year in a row, the country is third worldwide in number of institutions in the Top 50. Moreover, 25 French institutions are part of the World’s Top 1,000, with 18 in the Top 500.
Opportunities for foreign students
France is one of the most popular non-English-speaking countries for international students. It continues to attract foreigners to enrol in its network of almost 3,000 public and private education institutions.
Among its many draws is France’s available financial aid opportunities. In 2019, over 10,000 French government scholarships and internships were granted by embassies. 14,000 tuition fee exemptions are offered to non-European students as part of its tuition fee reform, along with other similar schemes based on individual institutions’ international strategies. Additionally, schools and universities may have reciprocal bilateral agreements with foreign establishments to allow international students to pay the same fees as their European counterparts.
Explore study options in France
upGrad GSP maintains a network of reputable partner institutions in France. Connect with our business development experts to know more about schools, programs and opportunities in the region.
