Programme Decision Tree
Answer questions to find your ideal programme type.
What degree level are you targeting?
Bachelor's Recommendation
Public universities are your best option. Low tuition (€170–2,770/yr). Apply via Études en France portal. Consider Excellence-Major if you graduated from a French lycee abroad.
What field?
Engineering / Science Recommendation
Best option: Grandes écoles (Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, Mines, INSA). Eiffel-eligible. World-class labs.
Also consider: Research universities (PSL, Saclay, Sorbonne). Strong research but less brand recognition for industry.
Business / Management Recommendation
Best option: Business grandes écoles (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP). Eiffel-eligible. English-taught. Expensive but offer scholarships.
Budget option: Paris-Dauphine, TSE (Toulouse School of Economics). Public university pricing.
Law / Political Science Recommendation
Best option: Sciences Po (7 campuses). Eiffel-eligible. Émile Boutmy scholarships available. Sliding-scale tuition.
Also consider: Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas. Public university pricing.
Humanities / Arts Recommendation
Note: Eiffel does NOT cover humanities/arts. Focus on BGF, regional, or institutional scholarships.
Recommended: Public universities (Sorbonne, ENS, Paris 8). Low tuition. Apply for BGF through your embassy.
PhD Recommendation
Find a supervisor first. French PhD is supervisor-dependent. Search labs on HAL, contact professors directly. Eiffel PhD (€2,100/mo) is gold standard.
Also consider: CIFRE (industry-funded, €2,000+/mo), contrat doctoral (~€1,800/mo), ANR project funding.
Using Campus Bourses
Campus Bourses at campusbourses.campusfrance.org lists 900+ funding programmes. Filter by:
Paris vs Regions
Advantages
Top-ranked institutions, networking, cultural life, international community, more English-friendly
Disadvantages
Housing crisis (7 beds/100 students), rent €700–1,200/mo, bureaucracy overload, expensive everything
Advantages
30–50% cheaper, easier housing, better quality of life, more immersive French experience
Disadvantages
Fewer English-taught options, smaller international communities, less networking in some fields