Study in France from Sri Lanka · France Destination Guide · Free Counselling
Grandes Écoles, English-taught MBAs, a 2-year graduate work permit
HEC Paris, INSEAD, Sciences Po, emlyon, ESSEC — France runs more of Europe's globally-ranked Grandes Écoles than any other country. The APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) gives Master's graduates 2 years to find work, and tuition at public universities runs €2,770–€3,770/year — a quarter of UK fees.
France හි අධ්යාපනය, විශ්වවිද්යාල සහ පාඨමාලා තේරීම, වියදම් සහ Student Visa පිළිබඳ සියලු උපදෙස් සහ විශ්වාසනීය මඟපෙන්වීම අපගෙන්.
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Consultations are in person only, at any of our three offices · What to expect
Rather see branches first? See our three offices.
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Why Choose France?
Europe's Densest Cluster of Top Schools
Grandes Écoles: HEC Paris, INSEAD, ESSEC, ESCP, Sciences Po, École Polytechnique, emlyon. Most run English-taught Master's. French public universities (Sorbonne, Dauphine) charge €2,770–€3,770/year tuition.
2-Year APS Work Permit
After a French Master's you qualify for the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — 2 years of full work rights to launch your career in Paris, Lyon or Toulouse.
1,700+ English-Taught Programs
France has quietly become a major English-medium destination — over 1,700 programs at Master's level run in English, especially in business, engineering and policy.
What it costs to study in France
France's costs split sharply between public universities (€2,770–€3,770/year for non-EU) and the Grandes Écoles business schools (€20,000–€80,000/year). Paris rents are EU-high; Lyon, Toulouse and Bordeaux run 30–40% cheaper.
check_circle Lanka Scholar's counselling, applications and visa prep are free. Universities pay us a commission when you enrol — you pay tuition and visa fees to the institutions themselves.
Note on Exchange Rates
Figures use an indicative rate of EUR 1 ≈ LKR 340. Sri Lankan applicants need to show €7,380/year minimum (Campus France threshold), though most visa officers expect closer to €12,000.
Average Annual Costs
Range reflects public university vs. Grandes École tuition. Most Sri Lankan applicants target the €5M–€12M range.
See the full LKR cost breakdown arrow_forwardThe VLS-TS Long-Stay Visa (via Campus France) — what you'll actually need
The four things every Sri Lankan applicant has to put together. We prepare and review every file before it goes in — refusals are rare when the application is properly prepared.
Campus France Pre-Approval
All Sri Lankan applicants must clear the Études en France procedure before the embassy will accept their visa file. Allow 6–8 weeks.
Letter of Admission
A formal admission letter from a French HEI (université, Grande École, or recognised private school).
Proof of Funds
€615/month × 12 = €7,380/year minimum, ideally €12,000 to clear visa scrutiny. Bank statements + sponsor declaration.
Accommodation Evidence
First 3 months of housing proof — CROUS dorm, private rental contract, or AirBnB booking suffices for the embassy file.
What Sri Lankan students apply for in France
Hand-picked programs that Sri Lankan applicants are getting offers from this year.
Scholarships open to Sri Lankan applicants
Open right now. Eligibility varies — ask a counsellor at your office visit before assuming you don't qualify.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme
Campus France (French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs)
École Polytechnique International Bachelor Scholarship
École Polytechnique
French Government Scholarship (Embassy of France in Sri Lanka)
Embassy of France in Sri Lanka and the Maldives
When to apply for 2026/27
Start your application 6–9 months before the intake you're targeting. Below are this academic year's windows for France.
Rentrée (Primary)
The main academic year start across every French HEI — widest course choice, full scholarship rounds, Campus France peak season.
Spring Intake
Limited but real — many Grandes Écoles run January Master's intakes for business programs, including INSEAD's flagship MBA.
Rolling at Private Schools
Le Cordon Bleu, ESMOD and a handful of private specialised schools run quarterly intakes.
Common questions about studying in France
Don't see your question? Book a free office visit and ask a France counsellor face to face.
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What is Campus France and is it required? expand_more
Yes — for Sri Lankan applicants. Campus France runs the Études en France procedure, which is a pre-consular review of your academic profile and motivation before the embassy will accept your visa application. Allow 6–8 weeks. We handle the submission and the mandatory Campus France interview prep. -
Do I need French? expand_more
Not for English-taught Master's — 1,700+ programs run entirely in English at the Grandes Écoles and major universities. For Bachelor's at a French public university, B2 French (DELF B2) is usually required. For daily life and APS-period work, A2 French is realistic in your first year. -
What is the APS work permit? expand_more
Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour — a 24-month residence permit granted after a French Master's that lets you work full-time without employer sponsorship. You apply at the local prefecture; we walk you through the submission timeline. -
Is Grande École tuition really €40,000+? expand_more
Yes — HEC Paris MBA runs around €82,000 total, INSEAD MBA €98,000. Master's in Management at HEC, ESSEC and emlyon runs €20,000–€45,000 total. Sri Lankan Eiffel Excellence scholarship applicants can fully fund these. -
Can I work during study? expand_more
Yes — 964 hours/year (~18.5 hours/week), full-time during scheduled holidays. Most Sri Lankan students work hospitality and tutoring at €11–€14/hour gross.
More reading on France
Guides from our counsellor team on applying to France from Sri Lanka.
- University Guides·8 min read
Italy vs France for an MBA: A Sri Lankan Professional's Guide
Italy or France for your MBA? Tuition, brand, one-year format and post-study work rights, weighed in LKR for Sri Lankan professionals deciding on ROI.
Read the guide arrow_forward - University Guides·11 min read
Lanka Scholar's 2026 Verdict: Best Destinations for Sri Lankans
Our counsellors' 2026 verdict for Sri Lankans: UK, Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand and EU options weighed on seven lenses and matched to your goal.
Read the guide arrow_forward - Visa Advice·8 min read
Campus France Sri Lanka: the Études en France steps and fees
How Sri Lankan students actually apply to French universities: whether Études en France applies, the DAP, and the VLS-TS visa via VFS Colombo.
Read the guide arrow_forward - University Guides·8 min read
Study in France from Sri Lanka: universities, cost, work & the RECE search visa
Study in France from Sri Lanka: public-university fees, English-taught degrees, the Études en France procedure, proof of funds, work and the RECE permit.
Read the guide arrow_forward
Ready to plan your France study?
Book a visit to any of our three offices and sit down with a counsellor who will map out your timeline, shortlist 3–5 universities, and tell you what the realistic LKR budget looks like. Free for students — universities pay us, not you.
අපගේ කාර්යාල හතරෙන් එකකට පැමිණ ඔබේ විදේශ අධ්යාපන සිහිනයට පියවරක් තබන්න. සිසුන් සඳහා සේවාව සම්පූර්ණයෙන්ම නොමිලේ.
Book your free office visit event_available- check_circle Free for students — universities pay us, not you
- check_circle Consultations are face to face — no phone or online sessions
- check_circle Rajagiriya, Jaffna or Matara — pick your branch
Book your office visit
verified100% free for students. Universities pay us, not you. How?
Every consultation happens face to face with a counsellor. We don't do phone or online consultations — pick a branch, day and time that suits you.
- location_on Rajagiriya (head office) 8th Floor, Jana Jaya City Mall, Rajagiriya, Sri Lanka
- location_on Jaffna 158 Hospital Road, Jaffna, Sri Lanka
- location_on Matara No. 474 New Tangalle Road, Matara, Sri Lanka
schedule Mon – Fri: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM · Sat: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Choose a date & time event_available