best english universities in france

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France is known for many things — fine wins, fashion, architecture, famous tourist attractions — but it isn’t known for being an anglophone country. Actually, a relatively low percentage of French people speak English… which leads us to the question:

Can you, as an international, study an English-taught Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in France? If yes, what are the options? And what do you need to know before enrolling at an international university in France?

Let’s find out!

How many English-taught universities are there in France?

While we cannot give you the exact number of universities, we can tell you with confidence that there are over 1,100 study programmes taught entirely in English at French universities. They cover all levels of academic study, but most degrees (around 900) are at Master’s level.

For quite some now, Study in France has been a lucrative option for the international student’s, because of its quality education and affordable tuition fees. The education offered in France is of high quality which is demanded all over the world. For international students who don’t know french can also study in France in English.

Study in France in English

France is one of the first non-English speaking European countries to offer English taught programs in the universities. The French education system also follows the bologna process, which consists of Licence (undergraduate), Masters and doctoral studies, which makes the degrees internally acceptable. Here is how you can study in France in English:

Important points to consider while choosing a course to study in France in English :

Location of the Program:

It is certain that in France you will find more french speakers than English especially outside of France’s major cities. Finding English courses in Paris and even locating an English-speaking Boulanger or doctor is easy. You will have a much harder time getting the surroundings of English in smaller cities and most of the French towns. If you have decided to have an English environment then stick to cities like Paris or Lyon, where English speaking persons abound.

Classroom Language :

The interest in studying abroad through a study abroad program means that you have some options about the type of program you prefer. If you are not interested to study in the French language, choose a program in which all the courses are in English. Faculty-led programs from your institutions are also potential fits to help to distance urself from not known French bureaucracies.

Housing Options:

The maximum time of your day will be spent outside of the classroom, try to overcome potential language barriers in your other anticipated surroundings. You can begin by finding for a program whose housing options are English-friendly. Select a room with other abroad students or apartments with another American program candidate who is from an English background. Since your roommates or housemates are generally to become your first group of friends in a stranger country.

English Taught Public Universities in France

Public Universities in France are some of the most affordable institutions in Europe. Additionally, they also have the English taught programs along with the French ones, where international students get to study in France in English.Public universities in France that teach in English will fulfil your study goal to a great extent.

Here is the list of public universities in France taught in English

The following Universities are publicly funded Universities, which can let students study in France in English:

Neoma Business School
Pierre and Marie Curie University
University of Nantes (801 – 1000 QS World University Rankings)
Ecole Polytechnique(65 in QS World University Rankings)
Inseec Business School
Paris Tech (263 in QS World University Rankings)
ISEP
EFREI Engineering School of Information and Digital Technology
ISA Lille
Novancia Business School

The Programs guides and the language of the programs offered by the Public Universities in France can be found here: Universities in France

List of English Speaking Universities in France

These are some of the other English universities in France, either public or private, to help you study in France with English taught programs.

1. The University of London Institute in Paris

This university offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs to students. The university is a small and specialised institution that provides research-based classes in different fields. If you want to study law in France in English, this university is for you. Some of the other English courses at this university are:

M.A in Urban History and Culture
M.A in International Relations
M.A in Law
B.A in International Politics

2. Paris- Dauphine

The Paris- Dauphine offers specialized courses in the subjects of math, Business, social science and law. It offers many English taught courses to attract more international students and maintain an international focus. If you are planning to study economics in France in English, this university provides a Macroeconomics course along with other courses. Some of the examples of the courses for international students are:

B.A in Human Resources Management
B.A in Labour Law
B.A in Macroeconomics
M.A in International Finance
M.A in Marketing

3. Ecole Polytechnique

Ecole Polytechnique offers high- level graduate programs which are mostly taught in English. The university focuses mainly on the sciences, technology and other STEM fields. International students who wish to study in an institute with an excellent academic history should consider it as one of the better options in France. Here are a few courses listed that are taught entirely in English:

Masters in Energy Environment: Science Technology and management
Master’s in the Internet of things: Innovation and Management
Master’s in Data Science for Business
Master’s in Economics, Data Analytics and Corporate Finance
Master’s in A.I and Advance visual Computing

4. The University of Technology of Compiègne

UTC is among the Engineering schools in France. Most of the courses are challenging without being intimidating. Listed below are some of the courses for international students who want to study engineering in France in English.

Computer Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Biological Engineering

5. IMT Atlantique

IMT Atlantique is a part of the elite schools for higher education in France and is ranked in the top 10 ‘Grand Ecoles’ in France and offering excellent programs as well as research activities. They have a reputation globally for excellence in research. Some of the courses offered in English to international students are:

M.Sc in Sustainable Nuclear Engineering
M.Sc in Information Technologies
Master’s in Information System Consulting and Management
Master’s in Applied Mathematics

Some other English universities in Paris and other parts of France are

Study in France in English Master

As we have mentioned, Study in France follows the bologna process, which means there are internationally recognised bachelor’s and master’s courses available to study in France in English. Here are some of the Universities in France to study masters in English:

Study in France in English Bachelor

There is a misconception that only masters degree in France taught in English. That is not true. There are many institutions which offer bachelor’s (called Licence in France) courses in English. Here are some of the universities to study in France with English Bachelor:

Study in France Requirements

For non-EU students of some countries, Campus France is the perfect medium to find the right universities and application process. There are some of the general requirements to study in France in English for international students. Here are the documents you will require to study in french higher education institutions:

Copies of mark sheets of Standard X, XII, and the Bachelor’s degree (if applicable)
Minimum 2 Academic reference letters from professors who have taught you in recently
A valid passport or identification card
Passport size photographs
France University Registration fees (€185 for a Bachelor’s degree, €260 for Masters and €390 for PhD)
Resume or CV if University asks for one.
English Language Proficiency (if required)
Monetary Fund to prove that you are able to sustain yourself in France
Find out more on the Application Process here: Admission Process: Study in France 2019

So unless it is compulsory to learn the french language for your studies, you can definitely find ways to study in France in English. International students can grab this opportunity and build their career in an excellent way.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I study in France even though I don’t speak French?

Yes, you can study in France, without speaking French. Universities in France offers several courses that are taught entirely in English to attract more international students. These courses are designed to help international students to keep up with the coursework while improving their French language skills along with it.

2. What are the top universities in France that offer courses in English?

Ecole Polytechnique, Ecole Polytechnique, ESC Grenoble are just a few top universities that offer courses in English. These universities offer degrees at all the levels of higher education, the undergraduate, post-graduate and PhD levels which are taught either partially or entirely in the English language.

3. Can I learn French while studying other courses in France?

Yes, many universities offer additional language courses that will help you improve your proficiency skills in the French language while along with your main academic course. This courses will allow you to increase your fluency in the French language without wasting your valuable time from your main academic course.

4. Which cities are preferred to live in for non-French speaking international students?

Generally in Big cities of France like Paris, Lyon, Montpellier, Lille etc have people who can speak both the languages, French and English. Other than the major cities, you may feel little difficulty in getting through normal everyday tasks outside the university. Staying in the major cities of France will help you to adjust easily into French society although being an international student.

5. Are housing options available for English speakers who are studying in France as an international student?

Yes, you can find housing options available for English speakers who are studying in France. There are dorms available that cater to English-speaking international students in the country. These dorms are the best option for international students to stay because you will be staying with other people who are from other countries and it will make it easier for you to socialise.

6. Is it possible to study medicine in France in English for international students?

The option of Studying medicine for international students in English is not available in public universities. Hence, knowing the French language is one of the most important hurdles for students coming from other countries to study medicine in France.

We recommend checking out the following English-taught universities in France:

Find other English-taught Bachelors and Masters at French universities.

How do I know if a study programme is taught in English?

All the study programmes listed on our portals are taught in English, so that’s an excellent place to start. To avoid any surprises, you can also check the language requirements for each degree.

If you search for an academic course on other (university) websites, you need to check out the details on their pages in order to determine if a programme is English-taught.

The most common English tests approved by French universities are:

Learn more about IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic.

Example of English language requirements at a French university

The best English-taught universities in France

According to the latest QS Rankings, these are the best universities in France that offer English-taught programmes:

College Learners