Study in France from Bangladesh
Low public university tuition, world-renowned grandes écoles, and a 12-month post-study work permit — all in the heart of Europe. Engineering, business, sciences, fashion, and architecture students who want affordable European education.
Last reviewed June 2026. Verify all details on the official sources listed below.
Quick overview
France at a glance
Key planning facts for Bangladeshi students. Costs are estimates in BDT.
Visa type
VLS-TS Long-Stay Student Visa
Best for
Engineering, business, and sciences
Tuition range
৳3.3L to ৳18L per year
Living cost
৳8.5L to ৳14L per year
Visa fee
Verify on Campus France / Embassy site
Application fee
Campus France file fee applies
Visa appointment
French Embassy in Dhaka via Campus France
Insurance
French Social Security (SS) from age 16 to 28
Main intake
September / October
Why this country
Why Bangladeshi students choose France
Popular subjects include Engineering, Business & MBA, Sciences, Architecture & Design.
Public university tuition: approximately €2,770 per year for non-EU students — one of the lowest in the world
Home to Sciences Po, École Polytechnique, HEC Paris, INSEAD, and Sorbonne
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship gives up to €1,400/month for top international master's students
12-month APS post-study permit lets you search for work after graduation
France is a major hub for engineering, luxury, fashion, aeronautics, and financial services
Over 1,500 English-taught programs at French universities and grandes écoles
Admission
University admission process
Understand the admission path before you start the visa process.
Admission requirements
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent for master's programs
- IELTS 6.0–6.5 or TOEFL 80 for English-taught programs; DELF/DALF B2–C1 for French-taught programs
- Statement of Purpose (letter of motivation)
- Academic transcripts and degree certificates
- CV and letters of recommendation
- Campus France file completed and validated
Register on Campus France
Bangladeshi students must create an account on the Campus France portal (etudes-en-france.fr) and build a study file before applying for a visa.
Apply to universities
Apply directly on each university's portal or via Parcoursup (undergraduate). The Campus France account is required alongside university applications.
Attend Campus France interview
Most Bangladeshi applicants are called for an interview at the Campus France office. This confirms your study plan and language readiness.
Receive admission and acceptance
Universities send conditional or unconditional admission letters. Collect all acceptance letters and confirm your final choice.
Apply for VLS-TS student visa
Submit your visa application at the French Embassy or through VFS in Dhaka, presenting the Campus France clearance and university acceptance.
Travel and validate visa online
Enter France on your VLS-TS. Validate the visa online within 3 months of arrival through the ANEF portal — this replaces the old OFII stamp.
Estimated cost
Estimated full cost from Bangladesh
Plan beyond tuition. These are planning estimates in BDT and can change. Verify official fees before applying.
Tuition — public university
~€2,770 for non-EU at national rate
Tuition — grande école or private
€8,000–€15,000+
Living cost (outside Paris)
€700–€950/month
Living cost (Paris)
€1,000–€1,250/month+
VLS-TS visa fee
Apply via French Embassy Dhaka
Campus France file fee
IELTS or TOEFL
Document preparation
Flight
one way, varies by season
Emergency buffer
First year planning range
৳13L to ৳22L for the first year (public university outside Paris)
Full masters degree
৳14L to ৳23L for a 1–2 year master's at a public university
Most French master's programs run 2 years (M1 + M2) at public universities, though some grandes écoles offer 1-year programs. Bachelor's degrees are 3 years. Public university tuition is dramatically lower than the UK, USA, or Australia, but grandes écoles and private business schools charge much more.
Disclaimer. These figures are estimates for planning only. Visa fees and living cost rules change. Confirm current amounts on the official sources before you apply.
Universities
Top universities in France by subject and location
Filter by your subject and then by location, then open the official admissions page to apply directly. On the university site, choose your level (bachelor or master) and your program. These are research universities that welcome international students.
11 universities. Open a card to apply on the official admissions page.
Page 1 of 2
Sciences Po Paris
Paris, Île-de-France
World leader in political science, international affairs, and public policy
HEC Paris
Jouy-en-Josas, Île-de-France
Top-ranked business school in Europe; MBA and masters programs
École Polytechnique (l'X)
Palaiseau, Île-de-France
Premier French engineering grande école; strong in STEM research
Université Paris-Saclay
Saclay, Île-de-France
Top public research university; includes CentraleSupélec and other grandes écoles
Sorbonne University
Paris, Île-de-France
Historic public university; strong in sciences, humanities, and medicine
CentraleSupélec
Gif-sur-Yvette, Île-de-France
Elite engineering school; part of Université Paris-Saclay network
INSEAD
Fontainebleau, Île-de-France
World's top-ranked MBA; very selective and expensive but full scholarships available
Grenoble INP – UGA
Grenoble, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Engineering-focused; Grenoble is a major tech and semiconductor hub
University of Strasbourg
Strasbourg, Grand Est
Public university near Germany; strong in sciences and law
Disclaimer. VisaMapBD is not affiliated with these universities and does not process admissions. These are official university links for your convenience. Always apply through the official university website and confirm current programs, fees, and deadlines there.
Visa process
Student visa process step by step
From admission letter to the final decision for the Long-Stay Student Visa (VLS-TS).
Complete Campus France file
Register and build your Campus France file at etudes-en-france.fr. This step is mandatory for Bangladeshi students before any visa application.
Campus France interview
Attend the interview at the Campus France Bangladesh office in Dhaka. Bring your study plan, financial documents, and admission letters.
Receive Campus France attestation
Once cleared, you receive the attestation de décision needed for the visa application.
Apply for VLS-TS at French Embassy
Submit your visa application with all documents including the Campus France attestation, university acceptance, and bank statements.
Biometrics and decision
Biometrics are collected. Processing typically takes 3–6 weeks.
Validate visa online after arrival
Within 3 months of arriving in France, validate your VLS-TS visa through the ANEF portal (administration-etrangers-en-france.fr). This is mandatory and replaces the old OFII process.
Students aged 16 to 28 are automatically enrolled in the French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) scheme upon university registration, which provides public health cover. Private top-up insurance (mutuelle) is recommended for expenses not covered by Social Security.
Bangladeshi students must first complete the Campus France procedure, including the interview in Dhaka, before applying for the visa at the French Embassy. Visa appointments are managed through the French Embassy website. Allow 3–6 weeks for processing.
You need to show at least €615 per month (the CAF threshold) as living funds, along with proof of tuition payment. The exact minimum varies — confirm on the French Embassy Dhaka website. A clean 6-month bank statement is standard.
Documents
Document checklist
Your document set changes with degree level, funding type, and profile. Use this as a planning base.
Academic documents
- Bachelor's degree and transcripts
- IELTS, TOEFL, or DELF/DALF certificate
- Statement of motivation
- CV and recommendation letters
Personal documents
- Valid passport
- Passport photos
- Birth certificate (translated into French by a certified translator if required)
Financial documents
- Bank statements for the past 3–6 months
- Proof of scholarship or financial sponsorship
- Proof of accommodation in France if available
Sponsor documents
- Sponsor's bank statements and proof of income
- Attestation de prise en charge (sponsorship declaration) if applicable
University documents
- Admission or pre-admission letter from French university
- Campus France attestation
Visa documents
- VLS-TS application form
- Campus France clearance
- Visa fee receipt
Intake timeline
September/October is the main intake for all French universities and grandes écoles. Some programs also have a January/February intake. Campus France applications typically open in January for the September intake.
Start 10 to 12 months early. Open your Campus France account and begin applications in January–March for a September start. Attend the Campus France interview March–May. Receive admissions April–June. Apply for VLS-TS visa June–July. Validate visa online within 3 months of arrival.
Work rights
Up to 964 hours per year — roughly equivalent to 20 hours per week — on a student visa. During official university holidays, you may work full time within the annual cap. Working beyond 964 hours is a visa condition violation.
Post study options
The APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) permit gives non-EU graduates 12 months after graduation to search for work or start a business in France. If you find qualifying employment, you can convert to a work permit (talent passport). The APS is a one-time permit.
The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship covers a monthly stipend of €1,181 for master's students and €1,400 for PhD students, plus travel and insurance. Apply early — the deadline is typically January. The French Embassy Dhaka also administers government scholarships. Many grandes écoles offer merit and need-based financial aid.
Admission calendar
Application deadlines and session dates
Academic year: September / October to June. Dates are typical planning windows — confirm on official university pages.
Apply by (regular)
March – May (Campus France and university deadlines; Eiffel scholarship nominations close in January at your university)
Session starts
September – October
Session ends
June
Visa timing
Apply for VLS-TS student visa June – July (after Campus France attestation received); processing 3–6 weeks
The Campus France procedure (etudes-en-france.fr) must be completed before the visa application — it is mandatory for Bangladeshi students. After arriving in France, validate your VLS-TS visa online at administration-etrangers-en-france.fr within 3 months — failure to do so is a visa breach.
Apply by (regular)
October – November
Session starts
January – February
Session ends
June – July
Visa timing
Apply for VLS-TS visa November – December
Some grandes écoles and selective master's programs have a January entry. The Campus France procedure is still required.
Planning note: The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (€1,181–€1,400/month) is nominated by the French institution — your university must submit your nomination by January, so apply to your university well before that. The French Social Security (Sécurité Sociale) is automatic for students aged 16–28 upon university registration — arrange a top-up 'mutuelle' plan for expenses not covered.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
Small planning errors that often delay or weaken an application.
Missing the Campus France application window — it opens in January and closes in May for September entry
Not preparing for the Campus France interview, which tests your French or English level and study motivation
Choosing a French-taught program without the required DELF B2 or C1 certification
Forgetting to validate the VLS-TS visa online after arriving in France (mandatory within 3 months)
Preparation risk
Refusal risk factors
Areas to prepare carefully. Strong preparation lowers your risk.
Weak Campus France interview performance or unclear study plan
Insufficient proof of funds relative to living costs in France
Choosing a program with no clear link to your academic background
Verify here
Official source links
Always confirm fees, rules, and timelines on the official websites before applying.
Last reviewed June 2026. Confidence level: medium.
FAQ
France student visa questions
Answers to common questions from Bangladeshi students.
Public universities in France charge approximately €2,770 per year for non-EU students — one of the lowest tuition rates in the world for a top education system. Grandes écoles and private business schools charge much more (€8,000–€15,000+), but they also offer stronger scholarships. Outside Paris, the monthly living cost is €700–€950, making France genuinely affordable compared to the UK, USA, or Australia. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship can cover all living costs for strong applicants.
Disclaimer. VisaMapBD provides general educational planning information only. It is not legal, immigration, admission, or financial advice. Visa rules, fees, and requirements can change anytime. Always verify details from official embassy, immigration, university, and VFS websites before applying.