Choose France Tour 2025 Concludes In Mumbai, Showcasing Study & Career Opportunities For Indian Students

Mumbai: The Choose France Tour 2025 concluded on Saturday in Mumbai, marking the end of a successful four-city education fair that drew around 700 students and parents from across Mumbai. The event, hosted at The Sahara Star Hotel, offered Indian students an opportunity to explore academic and career prospects in France through direct interaction with representatives from more than 50 French universities and higher education institutions.

Organised jointly by the French Embassy in India and Campus France, the tour served as a one-stop platform for guidance on scholarships, visa procedures, and student life in France. The fair saw participation from renowned institutions offering programs across disciplines such as engineering, management, arts, design, and hospitality.

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The French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou, emphasised France's long-term commitment to establishing solid educational connections with India. "Our ambition to welcome 30,000 Indian students by 2030, a goal we will achieve together, driven by our faith in your exceptional talent, best illustrates France's commitment to India," he said.

He continued by saying that every Indian student studying in France is "a future partner in our bilateral relationship" and that "we are making a tangible investment in your academic and professional success through flagship initiatives like Classes Internationales and our ongoing efforts to streamline visa processes." According to the Embassy of France, Indian student enrollments in French institutions have risen by 17 percent in the 2024–25 academic year, a sign that the country is rapidly closing in on its 2030 target.

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Speaking exclusively to The Free Press Journal, Dr Philippe Maurin, Scientific and Higher Education Attaché at the Consulate General of France in Mumbai, said the growing interest among Indian students is driven by France’s academic excellence across diverse fields.

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“In terms of everything, when we ask Indian students what they associate France with, the first things that come to mind are management studies, because our management schools are world-ranked and often feature among the top 10 globally,” said Dr Maurin.

He added that France’s strengths extend far beyond business. “There’s luxury, gastronomy, and hospitality, but what many don’t realise is that France is also a top-level country in technologies and engineering. Many global technology leaders are French. France has produced 74 Nobel laureates, including this year’s Nobel Prize in Physics 2025, and 13 Fields Medalists, ranking it second in the world for mathematics,” he noted.

Dr Maurin emphasised that these achievements make France an appealing destination not only for management and hospitality aspirants but also for students interested in science, engineering, arts, and fashion. “We want Indian students to know that whatever they wish to study, France offers excellence in that field,” he said.

Indian students: Hardworking & Multilingual

Dr Maurin also spoke warmly about how Indian students are generally “very well prepared” and “highly motivated.” “They come to education fairs with a clear idea of what they want to study and ask very thoughtful questions,” he shared.

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“French institutions often tell us that Indian students are among the most hardworking. That dedication becomes the key to their success once they arrive in France.” He highlighted another unique strength of Indian students is their multilingual background.

“Most Indian students already speak three or four languages. That makes learning French much easier for them. In just a few months, they reach a level where they can comfortably interact in daily life,” he said, adding that this linguistic adaptability also helps them integrate better into French society and workplaces.

Popular courses

Currently, the majority of Indian students in France pursue master’s degrees, largely due to the wide availability of Englishtaught programs. “We have more than 1,600 master’s programs taught entirely in English,” Dr Maurin said. However, the French government is now expanding opportunities for undergraduate applicants through its new initiative, International Classes.

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“This flagship program is designed for 12th-grade students who wish to study in France in French,” he explained. “They begin with a foundation year or year zero, during which they receive intensive French language training and methodological classes. Once they reach B2 proficiency, they continue seamlessly into a threeyear bachelor’s degree.”

The program, which was previously in its experimental phase, is now being launched at full-scale for the 2026 academic intake. “We’re seeing growing interest among Indian students in this pathway,” Dr Maurin said, noting that it helps students become fluent in French while also making them more employable in France’s job market.

Post-study Opportunities

Beyond academics, France’s appeal lies in its favourable post-study visa policies for Indian graduates. Dr Maurin explained that Indian students who complete a master’s degree in France are eligible for a two-year post-study visa.

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“It’s initially granted for one year and can be renewed for another. This allows graduates to look for employment in France or anywhere within the European Union,” he said. In addition, any Indian student who has spent at least one semester in France can apply for a five-year short-stay visa after returning to India, a move aimed at encouraging professional and cultural exchanges.

Dr Maurin believes that the growing community of Indian alumni in France is contributing significantly to bilateral ties. “Many Indian graduates have excelled in science, arts, cinema, and business. When they return to India, they act as bridges between the two countries, strengthening collaborations and fostering new opportunities,” he said.

He added that France and India already share strong corporate links, with over 1,000 French companies operating in India and a growing number of Indian firms investing in France. “A student who studies in France becomes part of this larger ecosystem of exchange and cooperation,” Dr Maurin remarked.

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Free counselling and guidance for students

To help Indian students make informed choices, Dr Maurin urged them to approach Campus France, a government body offering free academic counselling and support. “Campus France operates a network of 16 counsellors across India. Students can book an appointment to explore programs, scholarships, and admission processes, all without any fee,” he explained.

“The team helps them find suitable programs and guides them step-by-step through applications, informs them about accommodation opportunities, and visa application.” The Choose France Tour 2025 in Mumbai ended on an optimistic note, with students interacting enthusiastically with university representatives and French officials. For many, the event provided clarity on the academic and professional opportunities that studying in France can offer.