France · Study and work abroad

France: paid internships
built into your degree.

Most French Masters include mandatory paid internships, typically 4 to 6 months at EUR 600 to 1,500 per month. The internship pays back a meaningful chunk of your tuition. After graduation, the APS visa gives 1 year to find a job. Then a clear 5-year PR pathway.

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Paid

internships
mandatory

1 yr

APS visa
after graduation

5 yrs

to PR
(carte de resident)

Why France

Four reasons Kerala families pick France.

💼

Paid internships in the curriculum

6 months at EUR 600-1500/mo

French Masters require a mandatory internship (stage) of 4 to 6 months. By law, internships above 2 months must be paid. Most students earn EUR 600 to 1,500 per month, covering most living costs.

🛂

APS post-study visa

1 year, automatic

Autorisation Provisoire de Sejour gives 1 year after graduation to find a job. After finding a qualifying job, you switch to a work residence permit. 5 years total to apply for PR.

💰

Low tuition at public universities

EUR 2,770/year for Masters

Public French universities charge a heavily subsidized tuition rate of EUR 2,770 per year for non-EU Masters students. Grandes Ecoles and private business schools charge more.

🌍

English-taught programs growing

Especially in business and engineering

Over 1,400 Masters programs in France are taught entirely in English. French language is helpful for daily life but not always required for studies.

The full journey

From Kerala to France, step by step.

Profile review and program selection

2 to 3 weeks

Decision: public university (low tuition) vs Grande Ecole (premium business or engineering schools) vs specialized institute. English-taught vs French-taught (B2 required for the latter).

Campus France application

4 to 6 weeks

Campus France is the centralised platform for Indian students applying to France. SOP, transcripts, LORs, English/French proof. Multiple universities in parallel.

Offer and visa application

4 to 8 weeks

Acceptance letters from chosen institution. Long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) application at VFS. Financial proof of EUR 615/month plus accommodation.

Pre-departure

2 to 4 weeks

OFII validation within 90 days of arrival to confirm residence. CAF housing allowance application. CPAM health coverage enrolment.

Internship placement

Mid-program

Most universities help place students in internships. Cokonet alumni network provides additional internship leads, especially in Paris and Lyon.

Total cost

What it actually costs.

Honest 2026 numbers. Talk to a counsellor for your specific case.

Tuition, public university Masters

EUR 2,770/yr (heavily subsidized rate)

EUR 2,770/yr

Tuition, Grande Ecole or private

Business schools EUR 15,000 to 30,000/yr

EUR 15-30K/yr

Living costs, 1 year

Paris is high; Lyon, Toulouse, Lille cheaper

EUR 9-13K

Student visa and OFII validation

VLS-TS + OFII

EUR 99

Health insurance

CPAM coverage automatic for students

Free

consultancy

Counselling, Campus France, applications, visa

INR 1,75,000

Total, public university Masters

INR 20-32L

2-year Masters at public university

Frequently asked

France questions Kerala families ask.

Do I need French to study in France? +

Depends on the program. English-taught Masters: no French required for admission, but you need basic French (A2 or B1) for daily life. French-taught Masters: B2 required, typically DELF or DALF certification. Most Cokonet students choose English-taught.

How much do paid internships actually pay? +

By law, internships above 2 months must pay at least EUR 4.35/hour, which works out to EUR 600 per month minimum. Business and engineering internships at large companies often pay EUR 1,000 to 1,500 per month. Internship pays for living expenses for most students.

Public university vs Grande Ecole? +

Public universities (Sorbonne, etc.) cost EUR 2,770/yr and are research-focused. Grandes Ecoles (HEC, INSEAD, ESSEC, Polytechnique) cost EUR 15-30K/yr but have stronger placement networks. Decision depends on career goal and budget.

Can my spouse work in France? +

Spouses on dependent visa get a residence card with full work rights. Better than UK/US dependent rules. Family unification process is straightforward.

What is the path to PR? +

Up to 2-year APS post-study + 4 to 5 years on work residence permit = eligible for Carte de Resident (10-year residence card). After 5 years of legal residence + B1 French, eligible for French citizenship.

Comparing France with other options?

See the full 25-country grid with cost, language, and PR timeline side by side.

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France: paid internshipsbuilt into your degree.