France Study Guide 2026

Students usually build their routines around the university city they choose, with Paris as the capital and a major student center. Other places to study include Palaiseau and Gif-sur-Yvette, and examples of universities here include PSL University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, Sorbonne University, Université Paris-Saclay, Sciences Po, and American University of Paris.

For housing, most students should expect to organize accommodation around their university location, especially in the main student cities. Picking a place close to campus matters because daily life is shaped by where classes, transport, and student services are based.

French and English are both used, so a newly arrived international student can expect to hear and use both depending on the university and the setting. In class and on campus, it is normal to encounter a mix of languages, so arrival is easier when you are ready to switch between them.

The first term is usually about settling into the local system, confirming housing, and learning how your university works day to day. Students planning to study in France in 2026 should also make sure they are prepared for the VLS-TS Student Visa and for living in a country with a price level measured at 83% of the US in 2023.