Paris also stands out as the top choice among international students, with 71 percent of respondents expressing a preference for the French capital among the cities they are interested in.
Paris also stands out as the top choice among international students, with 71 percent of respondents expressing a preference for the French capital among the cities they are interested in.
France remains a top destination for international students, according to a recent survey by Study.eu.
The survey collected responses from 1,015 students worldwide who said they were considering studying in France.
The outstanding quality of education offered by French universities was their top reason for choosing France as a study destination, cited by 79 percent of survey respondents. A promising career in France closely follows, with 57 percent of students considering it a major draw.
The appeal of French culture also plays a role, with 33 percent mentioning it as a motivation for their study choice. Additionally, 14 percent expressed personal or familial connections to the country as a factor influencing their decision.
When it comes to financing their living expenses and tuition fees, the majority of surveyed students anticipate working part-time during their studies (66 percent). About half rely on personal or family savings (46 percent) or have their sights set on securing a scholarship (44 percent). A smaller proportion, 11 percent, mention the possibility of taking out loans to fund their educational and associated expenses.
Among the cities that international students express interest in, Paris takes the lead with 71 percent of respondents indicating a preference for the French capital. Other popular cities include Bordeaux (40 percent), Marseille (40 percent), Lyon (37 percent), Strasbourg (31 percent), and Toulouse (28 percent).
French universities are perceived as gateways to a career in France, as 63 percent of students surveyed already plan to stay in the country after completing their studies.
“In the global competition for talent, the exceptional qualities of a French education are a great way to attract smart minds,” said Gerrit Bruno Blöss, CEO of Study.eu.
“And the fact that a large share of students wants to work part-time while they study is a chance to successfully integrate them in the French labour market before graduation.”
France saw an exceptional 8 percent increase in international student enrollment during the 2021-2022 academic year, with numbers surpassing 400,000 for the first time in 15 years, according to Campus France.
The growth, driven by a surge in European student numbers, has been confirmed by an 18 percent increase in applications for the 2022-2023 academic year compared to pre-pandemic levels.
After a year of stagnation in 2020-2021 (-1 percent) due to the pandemic, foreign student enrollment in 2021-2022 experienced the strongest year-on-year growth since 2005, reaching an impressive 8 percent. Including apprentices in higher education, the total number of foreign students in France crossed the 400,000 mark, reaching 400,026.
Among the top 10 countries of origin for international students in France, significant increases were observed, with Italian students (4th in rank) increasing by 16 percent, Spanish students (7th) by 25 percent, and Lebanese students (9th) by 30 percent.
There was also a resurgence in enrollment from some countries that had declined in the past year, such as Germany (+17 percent) and the United States (+50 percent). These developments indicate a promising outlook for international education in France, solidifying its status as a top global destination for students.
France had earlier announced its plan to welcome 30,000 Indian students to its educational institutions by 2030, as reported by the Times of India. The initiative is part of France’s strategy to strengthen its ties with India.
To facilitate Indian students’ transition into the French education system, France will introduce “international classes” conducted in English.
Indian students with a master’s degree or higher who have completed one semester in France will be eligible for a five-year Schengen visa, granting them access to 26 European nations. The Campus France network in India will expand with increased staff and resources, and the Choose France Tour 2023 will promote these initiatives.
