Public Universities in France

Public universities in France are state-funded institutions offering high-quality education at low tuition rates for domestic and international students. The public universities in France are highly sought after by Indian students for the low fees they charge.

Studying in France is a dream of many international students. France is famous for its business and management studies and has some of the top business schools located in the country such as HEC Paris, ESSEC Business School and EDHEC Business School. However, France is also good for fields like - engineering, fashion, luxury management, culinary arts, hospitality management, maths, science, and arts, humanities and philosophy. However, studying in France, when coupled with the living costs can create a little too much burden on students. This is why most international students remain on the lookout for the public universities in France since the beginning of the application process.  

As far as universities are concerned, there are over 65 public universities in France which are also quite famous among international students. However, overall, there are over 3,500 public higher education institutions in France including Grand Ecoles, universities and the schools of art and architecture. This article presents complete details on the public universities in France for international students. 

What are Public Universities in France?

Public universities in France are state-funded institutions of higher education. These institutes in France are highly funded by the state government, lifting almost two-third of the financial burden from the students. It must be understood here that the true costs of education in these universities and institutions are the same as elsewhere in the world, but the government of France subsidises tuition costs at these universities, making the amount to be paid by students lower. The tuition fees that non-EU international students need to pay at the public universities in France are given in the table below.

These infrastructures pose lesser fees for both domestic and international students in France and provide internationally recognised degrees (license, master’s and doctorate). Indian students can get into these universities by the Etudes en France procedure. 

Benefits of Studying at Public Universities in France for Indian Students

There are several benefits of studying at public universities in France for international students. These benefits are listed here below. 

1. Highly subsidised tuition fee, €2,895-€3,941 per year
2. Globally recognised degrees that offer high employability
3. Over 1,700+ English-taught courses for Indian students. Check the English universities in France.
4. Programs like “Classes internationales” ensure you get the basic skills in French language that will help you immerse into the French culture, education and job market seamlessly.
5. Post study work visa in France, called the “Job search/new business creation” visa in English and "Carte de Séjour Recherche d'Emploi/Création d'Entreprise", lets international students to stay back and look for work/create new business in France for a period of 12 months - irrespective of the course level they went for. The total duration of this employment seeking visa is non-renewable. 
6. Students can work part-time for up to 20 hours a week, 964 hours an year. As of January 1, 2026, the statutory minimum hourly gross wage (SMIC) for students in France is €12.02 per hour. This is a gross amount; mandatory social security contributions (approx. 20%) are deducted, leaving an estimated net pay of around €9.40 to €9.60 per hour. This means, students can take home at least €192 (INR 20,427 as on 05 Feb 2026) if they work for 20 hours at the minimum wage. 
7. To curb the high living costs, students can get 30%-40% of their housing rent subsidised by CAF (Caisse des Allocations Familiales).

List of Public Universities in France

There are over 65 public “universities” in France, out of the total 160 public higher education institutions. Each of them are named in the table below. 

Source: wikipedia

What are the Different Types of Public Institutes in France?

Public institutes of higher education in France are primarily categorised into universities, Grandes Écoles and specialised schools (based on subjects). These public institutes in France offer diverse, state-recognised and often low-cost education to all students and cover all academic fields. Each of these are explained here under- 

1. Public Universities: Autonomous institutions providing comprehensive education in sciences, humanities, law and medicine. Check out the top 10 universities in France in 2026.
2. Grandes Écoles: Prestigious institutions, including Écoles Normales Supérieures (ENS), engineering schools and business schools. They usually require competitive entries.
3. Specialised Schools: there are over 3000 public and private French institutions that offer education in specialised sectors. These specialised institutes are -
   1. Institut d'Études Politiques (IEP): Specialised schools focusing on political science and international relations.
   2. Écoles Nationales Supérieures d'Architecture (ENSA): Network of 20 public schools supervised by the Ministry of Culture.
   3. Public Higher Schools of Art: Specialised institutions directly attached to the Ministry of Culture. There are over 50 public institutes of arts and design in France - running under the Ministry of Culture.
   4. Institut Universitaire de Technologie (IUT): Internal university institutes offering short-term, technically-oriented degrees.
   5. Communautés d'Universités et Établissements (COMUE): Federations of universities and schools designed to coordinate research and academic offerings.

Check how international students can study in France for free?

Top 10 Public Institutions in France 2026

In this section, we will provide a list of the top 10 public education institutions in France for international students - those having a global reputation of imparting quality education at lower costs. 

Effective Reduction in Cost of Studying by Choosing Public Universities in France

France offers one of the most affordable higher education systems in Europe through its public universities. The French government heavily subsidises the higher education - making it accessible to both domestic and international students. Here's an elaborative measure of the amount of money you save upon choosing to study at a public university in France - 

Note- All the INR conversions are approx. round off values as per the exchange rate on 05 Feb 2026, i.e. 1 EUR = INR 106.57

This was all about the public universities in France. For admission related details, reach out the Shiksha’s Counselling Services for free.