Studying Engineering in France: Best Schools, Internships, and Career Paths
When Indian students think of studying in a foreign country, there are many options that come up. Among other countries, France is also a very good option. When you study engineering in France, you worry a little less about expenses, because you get a government-subsidized education. Beyond costs, two main benefits that stand out are the best colleges and amazing work opportunities. That’s impressive, but not enough to make the decision to study in France. You need more details about the best institutions, best internships, and best career paths.
This blog breaks down all these aspects of studying in France. So, let’s get started!
What Benefits You Get When You Study in France?
Here are some reasons why study in France for Indian students is a good idea:
- The engineering programs in this country have very affordable tuition fees.
- Getting work permit here is also easy. It is called the RECE (Recherche d’emploi / Creation d’entreprise). Initially, the temporary residence permit is for 12 months. However, you can renew the permit once, for 12 more months.
- Indian students also get merit-based and need-based scholarships in France.
- Many globally-ranked universities are available in France. Among these, several offer engineering courses.
- Currently, only 10,000 Indian students pursue education in France. However, by 2030, the country aims to welcome 30,000 Indian students annually.
Best Schools Guide: Universities Where You Can Study Engineering in France
The universities in France which are highly preferred by international students for engineering programs include:
| University Name | Rank | Employability Score | Research and Discovery Score | Global Engagement Score |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris | 29 | 76.3 | 81.6 | 85.4 |
| Université Paris-Saclay | 51 | 71.1 | 81.1 | 84.8 |
| Université PSL | 74 | 71 | 79.4 | 95.5 |
| Sorbonne University | 80 | 75 | 77.2 | 91.3 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | 173 | 58.2 | 75.7 | 88.4 |
Internships for Engineering Students Studying in France: Available Options
Higher education in France is usually combined with internships. They provide you with hands-on experience. This becomes the basis of in-depth subject understanding. So, when you apply for a job after your studies are complete, your chances of being selected increase. Here are the different types of internships you can opt for:
- Academic Internships: These are a part of your course curriculum. So, these are mandatory for all students. The Convention de Stage is issued by your university as part of your enrollment.
- Voluntary Internships: Voluntary internships aren’t a part of the course. However, they are considered legal for international students who study engineering in France on a valid student visa.
- Research Internships: Individuals studying a Master’s or PhD usually do such internships. These include placements in French labs. Students can get the best exposure and experience through such options.
- Corporate Internships: Technology and aerospace specializations usually include these internships. The best places to pursue these internships include Toulouse and Sophia Antipolis.
Career Paths for Engineering Graduates After Studying in France
There are many amazing companies looking for the best talent who specialize in a specific field of engineering. The top job opportunities, salary ranges, and hiring companies are discussed in the table below:
| Job Role | Salary Range | Top Hirers |
| Nuclear Engineer | €48,800 to €164,000 per annum | AssystemEDF (Électricité de France)FramatomeTechnicAtomeOrano |
| Structural Engineer | €35,276 to €51,412 per annum | ArteliaAtkinsRéalisVinciEiffageBouygues Construction |
| Environmental Engineer | €21,200 to €67,400 per annum | VeoliaSUEZTechnip EnergiesAECOMTotalEnergies |
| Industrial Engineer | €21,600 to €72,400 per annum | AirbusAlstomFramatomeThales Schneider Electric |
| Data Engineer | €40,508 to €67,199 per annum | DatadogCapgeminiDataDomeGoogleSopra Steria Talan |
| Security Engineer | €32,500 to €60,000 per annum | LedgerCapgeminiSafranThalesAirbus |
| Machine Learning Engineer | €52,868 to €93,826 per annum | GoogleCriteoMistral AIDataikuMeta |
| Marine Engineer | €20,700 to €69,400 per annum | Bourbon OffshoreNaval GroupDNV FranceVinciSetec Offshore Wind |
| Communication Engineer | €20,600 to €67,400 per annum | AlstomOrangeGroupe iliadEutelsatALTEN |
| Materials Engineer | €22,600 to €63,100 per annum | Saint-GobainArcelorMittalThalesAirbusConstellium |
| Software Engineer | €46,000 to €65,000 per annum | MetaGoogleAmazonMicrosoftScaleway |
FAQs
Yes, plenty of amazing scholarships for Indian students to study engineering in France are available. They consist of French Excellence Charpak scholarships, Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, Shikhar Thales Scholarship, Legrand Empowering Scholarship, and French+ Sciences Scholarship.
Some of the factors to consider in choosing the best institute in France for engineering courses are academic rankings, language of instruction, tuition fees, placements and alumni network. If you need further assistance, a good study abroad consultancy in India can help you.
Yes. You can definitely get a job in France after your education in any engineering specialization even if you don’t know French. However, learning basic French right from the student stage is recommended for ease of communication with locals and for daily work during employment.
Conclusion
A few years ago, France wasn’t the most obvious pick for studying abroad. But times have changed. When you look at the fees, internship options, work visa, and job opportunities, you will realize that it is as good as the US and UK. However, if you want to study engineering in France, you need to get a set of decisions right, such as university selection and specialization choice. If you have any doubts, contact professional consultants.
Make your dream of studying abroad a reality; get in touch with the best overseas education consultants from Imperial Overseas Education consultants in Mumbai today!
