STUDY

IN
FRANCE

TO SUCCEED
 AN AMAZING COUNTRY
TO DISCOVER
From French cuisine to art galleries and museums, from fashion and luxury to
cultural traditions and sport events, France is a place you should experience
at least once in your life. The country has a long and rich history and it has to
offer for every taste.
For all these reasons, France leads the world in the field of tourism. The
country of France is the most visited of the world’s countries, and likewise,
its capital, Paris, is the most visited city in the world!
Besides, French students as well as international students benefit from
many discounts in the cultural, transportation and leisure sectors (cinema,
sport, library, museum, theatre…)
France is also perfectly located at the heart of Europe. It shares borders
with Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the
principalities of Andorra and Monaco. From Paris, many of the European
capitals are accessible by train. If you prefer the plane, Berlin, Rome and
Madrid are less than a two-hour flight away from a large number of French
cities. France being a member of the European Union, it gives you the
opportunity to travel freely and without a visa in the twenty-six countries in
the Schengen area!
If you choose to study specifically in Montpellier, Southern France, you
will benefit from an exceptional quality of life. Montpellier, 7th largest city EVERY YEAR,
in France, is ideally located: 10 km from the sea, just a few hours from ski Montpellier Business School
resorts, 3 hours from Barcelona and Paris. welcomes over 1,000
Montpellier is also recognised as a student city: it counts over 70,000 international students from
students, and 1 student out of 7 is an international student. all over the world.

FRENCH, A WORLD LANGUAGE

French is the official language of over 29 countries in the world, and it is
the second-most widely spoken first language in the European Union. After
English, French is also the most popular language studied in the world and
one of the most common languages in business.
The ability to speak French is therefore a real advantage on the international
job market.
LONDON

Even if you choose to study In English in your French university or school,

living and studying in France is a great opportunity to improve your French PARIS

language skills. Ordering food, asking your way, reading the news or else
watching French television, you will be immersed in the French culture in MONTPELLIER

your everyday life. BARCELONA

LIVE IN FRANCE, STUDY IN ENGLISH: If you are more comfortable studying in

English, Montpellier Business School offers all students the possibility to choose
their language of instruction: French or English (except for the MSc programmes
which are entirely taught in English). Even if you pick the English track, you will
also benefit from French language and cultural courses to make the most of your
life in France.
 BUDGET
& SCHOLARSHIPS

France is a very affordable study abroad destination for international

students compared to countries such as the United States, Canada or else the
UK. Costs are lower here for almost everything, whether it is accommodation,
entertainment, food or tuition fees.

THINGS TO KNOW TO PREPARE YOUR BUDGET:

➜ The cost of higher education in France is quite reasonable compared to
other popular study destinations. Tuition fees vary depending on the level,
length and reputation of the shool you are looking at, but remain under most
US, UK or Australian equivalent.
➜ When budgetting for living costs, bear in mind that your expenses will be
higher the first month due to one-off costs (temporary housing if necessary,
deposit and/ or agency fees when renting your accommodation, public
transports pass, home insurance, complementary health insurance …).
➜ We recommend you have around €1200 available upon your arrival (cash
and / or on your French bank account).
➜ You will need to open a bank account to facilitate your daily expenses,
pay your bills (electricity, telephone, rent) and subscriptions (Internet,
LIVING COSTS
transportation).
IN MONTPELLIER
are 30 to 40 % less expensive
compared to Paris. Campus
France recommends a monthly
SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND GRANTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE
budget of € 800 minimum if you
TO FUND YOUR STUDIES. YOU CAN FIND OUT WHETHER YOU ARE
choose to study in the provinces.
ELIGIBLE FOR ONE OF THEM:
During the Welcome orientation
GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS session at Montpellier Business
School, the International
The French Government and the French Ministry of Foreign and European
Students Office organises
Affairs allocates some grants to international students. Students can also
visit their local French Embassies to find scholarships available to them. workshops to guide you through
all the administrative topics.
 ✔ The Eiffel excellence scholarship with Campus France
Thanks to our banking partners,
 ✔ Need-based scholarships (based on social criteria)
you will be able to open a French
 ✔ Mediterranean youth mobility scholarships bank account even before your
arrival in the country.

SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

✔ Erasmus scholarship ✔ UNESCO scholarships
(for exchange students only, see your home university) ✔ WHO (World Health Organisation) scholarships
✔ Merit-based scholarships ✔ European Commission scholarships
✔ International scholarships ✔ Rotary Foundation Global Study Grants
✔… ✔…
 APPLYING
FOR A VISA

Studying in France is an exciting experience, but it can also require a lot of

planning. The visa process can also take several months, so it’s important to
apply at least 3 months before your course start date if you need one.

EUROPEAN STUDENTS

EU students do not need a visa to enter France and can apply directly to the
university or graduate school of their choice. However, you will need an ID
or a passport valid during the whole study period in France.

NON-EUROPEAN STUDENTS

If you are a non-European Student, you will need a student visa. You can get
one by applying to the French Government website : APPLY FOR A VISA

You might have to register with a Campus France Center before applying for
your visa. If so, the Campus France Center will give you a registration number
which is required to start your visa process.

Campus France is an online portal run by the French Government. It aims at

assisting students in their university applications, from choosing a university
up to visa processing. There are regional offices around the world and they
can also provide extensive information on degree programs.

USEFUL WEBSITES:
➜ https://france-visas.gouv.fr
➜ https://www.campusfrance.org/en

AT MONTPELLIER BUSINESS SCHOOL,

the International Students Office gives
you all the information requested for your
application.
 FINDING YOUR
ACCOMMODATION

The most effective approach to finding a place to live in France is to search as

widely as possible. From apartment / house-hunting websites to agencies to
student residences, there are many options available.
In all cases, we recommend you start your search as soon as possible and
secure your accommodation in advance, preferably before your arrival.
If you don’t find an accommodation that suits you before arriving in France,
you can always rent a place for a few days or weeks (hotel or private
apartment).
Once ready to start your search, you can consider the best housing option
according to your budget, your preference or else the length of your
programme. Housing can be relatively expensive, but the good news is
international students, like French students, can benefit from the Housing
Financial Support (called “APL”) from the French Government.
France is the only country in Europe to have this interesting and helpful option,
which can range from €60 to €170, depending on your accommodation fees.

HERE ARE SOME HOUSING OPTIONS YOU MAY CONSIDER:

 UNIVERSITY RESIDENCES

The rooms in the university residences are managed by the CROUS (Regional
Centres of University and Academic Services). There is one CROUS per
educational region.
✔ Be on or near your campus
✔ Get to class quickly and easily
✔ Live with a number of other (international) students

USEFUL WEBSITE:
➜ www.crous-montpellier.fr (if you choose to study in the region of Montpellier)

PRIVATE RESIDENCES, APARTMENTS & HOMES

✔ Choose where you want to live

✔ Find out who your housemates are before moving in
✔ Be prepared to secure a deposit equivalent of one to two months’
TO HELP YOU IN THE
rent beforehand
ACCOMMODATION PROCESS,
Montpellier Business School
USEFUL WEBSITES: has its own online housing
platform called STUDAPART.
➜ www.airbnb.com/
You will therefore benefit from a
➜ www.estudines.com/uk/ personalised assistance to find
➜ www.adele.org/en/ an accommodation according
to your criteria (budget, type of
➜ www.immojeune.com/en/
accommodation, location…).
 REGISTERING
TO HEALTHCARE

As an international student, you will benefit from the French healthcare

system that is one of the best in the world. It is largely financed by the
government via a public French healthcare insurance scheme.

It covers both public and private hospitals, doctors and other medical
specialists who provide French healthcare to every resident in France
regardless of age, income or status.

You are interested in beginning or continuing your higher education in

France? You will then need to register for coverage of your health care
expenses.

 GOOD TO KNOW:

✔ Registration to social security is free of charge and mandatory

for all students in France, whether French or international.

✔ The social security covers up to 70% of your basic medical and

health related expenses. The remaining 30% can be covered by
an additional healthcare coverage called “mutuelle
complémentaire” (complementary healthcare mutual).
Complementary healthcare mutuals range from €5 to €40/month.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

✔ EUROPEAN STUDENTS
Before leaving your country, ask for your European Health
Insurance Card (EHIC) and bring it with you. Make sure that your
EHIC will be valid for the whole duration of your stay in France.

✔ NON-EUROPEAN STUDENTS
Registration is done online on the website of the health insurance
dedicated to foreign students. Once you have registered at your
institute or higher education, sign up on the following link and
follow the steps: https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/ AT MONTPELLIER BUSINESS
SCHOOL,
the International Students Office
will guide you through the entire
healthcare registration process.

USEFUL WEBSITES: The International Students

Office will also share with you
➜ https://etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr/#/ good deals to subscribe to other
➜ https://www.campusfrance.org/en/ insurances you may need: home
healthcare-student-social-security insurance, civil liability…
ABOUT
MONTPELLIER
BUSINESS SCHOOL

Founded in 1897 and member of the prestigious French Conference

des Grandes Ecoles, Montpellier Business School holds the three
prestigious international accreditations AACSB, EFMD-EPAS and
AMBA, a recognition of its academic quality.
It has been continuously ranked in the Financial Times’ Best Masters in
Management rankings.
Montpellier Business School develops a complete range of management
courses: Bachelor programme, Grande Ecole programme (Master in
Management), Masters of Science, Executive MBA, DBA.
Firmly focused on business and entrepreneurship, open to French and
International talents unique in their diversity and their profiles, Montpellier
Business School is recognized for its commitment to transmitting its
core values: Ethics, Openness and Diversity, Global Responsibility and
Performance.
Montpellier Business School develops a policy of equal opportunities
unique both by the number of students concerned and by the quality of
their professional success.

CHOOSING MBS IS CHOOSING TO BECOME

A RESPONSIBLE LEADER IN A CHANGING WORLD

CONTACT US:

ADMISSIONS DEPARTMENT
❱ | apply2master@montpellier-bs.com
❱ | +33 (0)4 67 10 60 16

FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS FROM PARTNER UNIVERSITIES

❱ | incoming@montpellier-bs.com ❱ | incoming1@montpellier-bs.com
❱ | +33 (0)4 67 10 25 44 ❱ | +33 (0)4 67 10 28 42

montpellier-bs.com