Why Bangladeshi Students Choose France
France combines world-renowned Grandes Écoles and public universities with remarkably low tuition fees at public institutions, a large and growing number of English-taught Master's programs, and the streamlined Campus France process that guides every applicant step by step.
ফ্রান্সে বিশ্বখ্যাত Grandes Écoles ও পাবলিক বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ে খুবই কম টিউশন ফি, এবং ক্যাম্পাস ফ্রান্স প্রক্রিয়া প্রতিটি ধাপে সহায়তা করে।
Campus France comes first: every Bangladeshi student must complete the "Études en France" procedure — including an academic interview — through Campus France before the France-Visas visa application can proceed.
প্রথমে ক্যাম্পাস ফ্রান্স: ভিসা আবেদনের আগে অবশ্যই ক্যাম্পাস ফ্রান্সের "Études en France" প্রক্রিয়া সম্পন্ন করতে হবে।
Universities & Popular Programs
Sorbonne University (Paris)
One of France's most prestigious universities, strong across Sciences, Humanities, and Medicine.
Sciences Po (Paris)
World-renowned for Political Science, International Relations, and Public Policy Master's programs.
École Polytechnique
Elite Grande École known globally for Engineering and Applied Sciences.
HEC Paris
Consistently ranked among Europe's top Business Schools, especially for MBA and Master in Management.
INSA Network (Lyon, Toulouse, Rennes, etc.)
A network of public engineering schools offering respected, affordable Engineering degrees.
Université PSL
Alliance of top Parisian institutions, strong in Sciences, Arts, and Humanities.
Popular Fields
জনপ্রিয় বিষয়সমূহ: Engineering, Business & Management, International Relations, Data Science, Fashion & Design.
Tuition & Living Costs
| Item | Typical Cost |
|---|---|
| Public university Licence (Bachelor's), non-EU | ~€2,770/year |
| Public university Master's, non-EU | ~€3,770/year |
| Grandes Écoles / private business schools | €10,000 - €20,000+/year |
| Living costs per month (Paris) | €1,000 - €1,200 |
| Living costs per month (outside Paris) | €700 - €900 |
Some public universities choose to exempt international students from the higher "differentiated fees," so always confirm the exact tuition with your specific institution.
কিছু পাবলিক বিশ্ববিদ্যালয় আন্তর্জাতিক শিক্ষার্থীদের উচ্চ ফি থেকে ছাড় দেয় — নিশ্চিত করে নিন।
Scholarships & Funding
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — a prestigious French government scholarship for outstanding international Master's and PhD applicants, covering a monthly stipend, travel, health insurance, and other benefits; managed centrally through Campus France with participating French institutions.
University and Grande École scholarships — many institutions (especially Business Schools) offer merit-based partial tuition scholarships for international applicants; check each institution's international admissions page.
Visa & Work Rights — Full Step-by-Step Guide
Required Documents
- Valid passport.
- Completed and signed long-stay visa application form (from the France-Visas portal).
- Two recent passport-size photographs.
- Official letter of admission from a French educational institution ("Attestation d'acceptation").
- Proof of payment from Campus France.
- Proof of financial means — minimum of €615/month via a bank certificate.
- Proof of accommodation for the first three months.
- All academic transcripts and certificates.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Complete the "Études en France" procedure on the Campus France website — this includes creating a profile, listing your chosen programs, and paying the Campus France fee.
- Attend your Campus France academic interview and receive approval to proceed.
- Secure your Letter of Acceptance ("Attestation d'acceptation") from your chosen French institution.
- Complete the long-stay visa application on the official France-Visas portal, then print the application and receipt.
- Book an appointment with VFS Global in Dhaka to submit your printed application.
- Attend your appointment, submitting your passport, all supporting documents, and providing biometrics (fingerprints and photo).
- Pay the visa fee (typically €50 for students who completed Campus France) in BDT at the VFS centre.
- Wait for the decision from the Embassy of France in Dhaka, then collect your passport with the long-stay visa (VLS-TS), which also serves as your residence permit.
Fees Summary
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Long-stay student visa (post-Campus France) | ~€50 + VFS service charge |
Embassy & Application Centre
Embassy of France in Dhaka
Madani Avenue (corner of Road 11), Baridhara, Dhaka 1212, Bangladesh
VFS Global - France Visa Application Centre
Delta Life Tower, 4th Floor, Plot #37, Road #90, Gulshan North, Gulshan-2, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
Application Tips
- Start the Campus France procedure as early as possible — the academic interview and approval process alone can take several weeks.
- Once you have your VLS-TS visa, remember to validate it online (via the OFII/ANEF platform) within three months of arriving in France — this step is mandatory and often overlooked.
- Keep your Campus France payment receipt with your visa documents, as it directly affects your visa fee.
Work Rights
Student visa/residence permit holders in France may work part-time up to 964 hours per year (roughly equivalent to 20 hours/week on average), without needing a separate work permit.
ফ্রান্সে স্টুডেন্ট ভিসাধারীরা বছরে ৯৬৪ ঘণ্টা পর্যন্ত (গড়ে সপ্তাহে প্রায় ২০ ঘণ্টা) কাজ করতে পারেন, আলাদা ওয়ার্ক পারমিট ছাড়াই।
Language Requirements
| Program | IELTS (typical) | PTE Academic (typical) |
|---|---|---|
| English-taught Master's/Grande École programs | 6.0 - 6.5 | 50 - 58 |
| French-medium programs | DELF/DALF B2 (French) | — |
A growing number of Master's programs and Grandes Écoles now teach entirely in English, but French-medium Licence (Bachelor's) programs still require a recognised French proficiency certificate such as DELF/DALF B2.
Application Timeline (September Intake)
Campus France Procedure
Create your Campus France profile, apply to programs, and attend your academic interview.
Admission & Acceptance
Receive your official "Attestation d'acceptation" from your chosen institution.
France-Visas & VFS Dhaka
Complete the online visa form and submit your application at VFS Global Dhaka.
Arrival & OFII Validation
Arrive, then validate your visa online (OFII/ANEF) within three months.
FAQ
Is Campus France mandatory for everyone? Yes, for nearly all Bangladeshi students applying for higher education in France — it's a required first step before the France-Visas visa application.
Do I need to know French? Not necessarily — a large and growing number of Master's and Grande École programs are taught entirely in English, though French-medium Bachelor's programs require DELF/DALF B2.
Can I work part-time? Yes, up to 964 hours/year (about 20 hours/week on average) without needing a separate work permit.