Prime Highlights
- India and France aim to raise Indian student enrolment from around 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030 as part of deeper education cooperation.
- Indian students in Paris cite affordability, research opportunities and growing English taught programmes as key reasons behind France’s rising appeal.
Key Facts
- Indian student enrolment in France is targeted to rise from approximately 10,000 to 30,000 by 2030.
- Students highlighted scholarships, public universities, internships, apprenticeships and post study work options as major draws for studying in France.
Background
India and France are looking to deepen cooperation in education, with both countries aiming to raise the number of Indian students enrolled in France from around 10,000 today to 30,000 by 2030.
The target comes as Indian students already studying in Paris increasingly view France as an attractive destination for higher education, pointing to a combination of quality academic programmes, research opportunities and strong career prospects.
Abhinav, a master’s student in Life Sciences and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Paris-Cité, said the academic environment had allowed him to build new skills, while strong institutional support had helped him settle in as an international student.
Pranjali noted that studying in France can be more cost-effective than many other leading international education destinations. Pranjali noted that studying in France can be more cost-effective than many other leading international education destinations.
According to her, financial aid options, public institutions, and student welfare schemes have helped reduce the cost of higher education for Indian students.
Edwin, an astrophysics student, said the growing number of English taught programmes was helping France become a more welcoming option for international students, even though adjusting to a new language remained an early challenge. He said more Indian students were now choosing French universities as these programmes expanded.
Students also pointed to internships, apprenticeships and post study work options as important opportunities that helped them build professional experience while pursuing their academic goals.
They added that strengthening such educational exchanges would help build long term professional and academic networks between the two countries, supporting wider cooperation in research and innovation.
The enrolment target reflects a broader push to expand education ties as part of the wider India France partnership, with both countries hoping to build stronger people to people connections in the years ahead.
