France vs Germany: Which is Better for Study?
France vs Germany: If you want to study abroad in Europe, both places are really good choices. This small guide shows you about programs, fees, scholarships, and work options, so you can pick what suits you best.
France vs Germany: Europe gives you top-class education mixed with old history and bright culture. More and more international students want to study in Europe because it offers good education, stable politics, safety, and so many different courses to pick from.
When you think about Europe, studying in France and studying in Germany usually come first in mind. Both countries share some things for higher education, but France and Germany also have their own special offerings for students.
- France vs Germany: Best Country for Study
- France VS Germany: Top Universities
- France vs Germany: Cost of Studying
- France vs Germany: Application Process
- France vs Germany: Scholarships & Education Loans
- France vs Germany: Making Your Choice?
France vs Germany: Best Country for Study
With the different education systems, the cultural changes, and even the study cost, choosing between France and Germany gets confusing for a student like you. This guide is made so Indian students can look at the main things they should think about when picking France or Germany, helping you make a more clear choice for your study abroad journey.
| Parameters |
France |
Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Popular Programmes |
Strong in Business & Management, Engineering (Aerospace), Luxury Goods Management, Fashion Design, Humanities & Social Sciences. Read: Top Courses in France |
Leading in Engineering (Automotive & Mechanical), Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Business with a tech-innovation focus. Top Courses in Germany |
| Language of Instruction |
Mainly French language; some English-taught Master’s programs in Business & Engineering. |
Mostly German language; many English-taught Master’s programs in Engineering, Sciences & Business. |
| University Rankings (QS 2026) |
35 French universities featured. |
49 German universities featured. |
| Teaching Style |
More theoretical; lectures + seminars; focus on independent research & critical thinking. |
More practical and application-based; group projects, case studies, internships. |
| Cost of Studying |
Public universities have low tuition; private universities can be expensive. |
Public universities are tuition-free (only a small admin fee). |
| Cost of Living |
Higher, especially in big cities like Paris. Read: Cost of Studying in France |
Generally lower; Munich costly but smaller towns affordable. Read: Cost of Studying in Germany |
| Scholarships & Financial Aid |
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, French Government Scholarships, others for Master’s & PhD. Check out: Scholarships to Study in France |
DAAD scholarships and university-level funding; many funded Master’s programs. Check out: Scholarships to Study in Germany |
| Part-Time Work Options |
Up to 964 hours/year; language barrier may make jobs harder to find. |
Up to 120 full days or 240 half days/year; good for work experience & living costs. |
| Post-Study Work Permit |
Temporary Residence Permit allows up to 18 months to seek work. |
Germany's post-study work also allows 18 months to find a job related to the field. |
| Job Market |
Strong in luxury goods, aerospace, finance, automotive; common jobs: engineers, IT, business analysts; French language important. |
Strong in engineering (automotive), IT, manufacturing; high demand for skilled graduates in tech & innovation. |
France VS Germany: Top Universities
Both France and Germany got lots of top universities that people say are some of the best in the whole world, and you can check them out when you choosing where you want to study.
| French University | QS World University Ranking 2024 | German University | QS World University Ranking 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Université PSL Paris, France |
24 | Munich, Germany | 37 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris Palaiseau Cedex, France |
38 | Munich, Germany | 54 |
| Paris, France | 59 | Heidelberg, Germany | 87 |
| Université Paris-Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette,, France |
71 | Berlin, Germany | 98 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon Lyon, France |
184 | Aachen, Germany | 106 |
| Ecole des Ponts ParisTech Paris, France |
192 | Karlsruhe, Germany | 119 |
| Université Paris Cité Paris, France |
236 | Berlin, Germany | 120 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble, France |
294 | Berlin, Germany | 154 |
| Sciences Po Paris, France |
319 | Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany | 192 |
| Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne Paris, France |
328 | Hamburg, Germany | 205 |
France vs Germany: Cost of Studying
In this part, you just learn about how much it costs to study and live in France or Germany. You look at both side by side so you understand the money stuff before picking anything.
| Cost of Studying | France | Germany |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Studying in Bachelors | From ₹ 0 to ₹ 27 L | ₹ 0 to ₹ 25 L |
| Cost of Studying in Masters | From ₹ 0 to ₹ 1 Cr | ₹ 0 to ₹ 53 L |
| Cost of Living | 1,800 Euros per month | 934 Euros per month |
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France vs Germany: Application Process
The application process for both countries involves submitting transcripts, standardized test scores (if required), recommendation letters, a statement of purpose, and proof of language proficiency.
France vs Germany: Scholarships & Education Loans
Scholarships and education loans help a lot because studying abroad can get heavy on money. You can check scholarships to study in France or scholarships to study in Germany, depending on where you want to go. And if you don’t get a scholarship, you can still apply for an education loan on our website, so you don’t stop your study abroad plan.
France vs Germany: Making Your Choice?
When you try picking France or Germany for studies, there’s a few things you need to look at first.
- You should check what field of study you want because one country sometimes just does that subject better than the other.
- Then you think about language skills, because studying in a place where the main language isn’t yours can be a bit tough if you not ready for it.
- Some students like heavy theory but others want more hands-on work, so you should feel out what learning style fits you more.
- Money stuff matters too, so compare tuition fees, cost of living, and whatever scholarships you might can get in both places.
- And the big thing, post-study work opportunities. Look at how the job market is in each country and what kinda visa options graduates get after finishing up.
If you want help with university admissions, you can talk with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors who guide you step by step. Anyone wanting to reach us, just write in the comments section and we’ll get back soon.
IU International University of Applied Sciences courses are state accredited and recognized internationally. The university is known as Germany’s largest private state-accredited university. Students can learn a mix of online self-study and classroom learning (2-3 days per week) alongside their peers. IU University Germany is the 1st German university to be a member of the Association of Indian Universities (AIU). Hence, it is one of the best study abroad universities for international students.
Some of the reasons to study at the University of Europe for Applied Sciences are:
- UE Germany is one of the most diverse student bodies in Europe with students from more than 100 nationalities represented on campus
- Students at the university are globally connected through international projects, innovative digital learning projects or by directly interacting with international fellow students
- The university also provides a practice-oriented environment. In other words, the consistent combination of international theoretical requirements and practical implementation promoted professional curiosity and provides orientation in the development of a unique profile
- UE Germany offers a practice-oriented degree that supports the individual development
- 4 out of 5 stars has been given to the university by students for overall satisfaction
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BSBI does not hold degree-awarding powers in Germany and its programmes are validated by private Italian distance learning institution UniNettuno International Telematic University. BSBI has also partnered with Concordia University Chicago to deliver programmes at its Berlin campus.