France is a strong destination for studying data science because it has well-established higher education institutions and a growing range of English-taught data, artificial intelligence, and analytics programs. Higher education in France can vary widely in cost depending on the institution, program, and student nationality, so international students should check the official tuition page for each program. Non-EU/EEA/Swiss students usually need a student long-stay visa for study programs in France that last more than three months.
As technology, artificial intelligence, and data-driven decision-making continue to expand, many French institutions now offer data science-related programs. These programs often combine mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, business analytics, and internships or applied projects to help students prepare for data-focused careers.
Top Schools Offering Data Science in France
1. École Polytechnique
Founded in 1794, École Polytechnique, also known as L’X, is a leading French institution in science and technology. Its alumni include three French presidents, three Nobel Prize winners, one Fields Medalist, and many prominent scientists and business leaders. École Polytechnique is a founding member of Institut Polytechnique de Paris, which was ranked 41st worldwide and 2nd in France in the QS World University Rankings 2026. École Polytechnique currently lists around 3,700 students, 40% international students, and 40% international academic and research staff.
The bachelor’s degree program lasts three years. In their second and third years, students choose one of three double majors: Mathematics and Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, or Mathematics and Economics. Students interested in data science may find the Mathematics and Computer Science path especially relevant because it covers computation, programming, and the theory and engineering behind modern computer systems.
At the master’s level, École Polytechnique and HEC Paris jointly offer the Data Science and AI for Business X-HEC Master of Science and Technology. This two-year, 140-ECTS program is taught in English in France and is designed to train students with both data science and business expertise. École Polytechnique Foundation scholarships for admitted master’s students may provide €8,000 per year after the successful validation of the first year of the master’s program.
Students interested in research can also consider Institut Polytechnique de Paris master’s and PhD tracks in fields such as Data and Artificial Intelligence. These tracks are generally structured as five-year master’s-and-doctoral pathways for students preparing for research careers.
2. CentraleSupélec
CentraleSupélec is a leading French engineering school. It was formed in 2015 through the merger of École Centrale Paris and École Supérieure d’Électricité, two institutions founded in 1829 and 1894, respectively. The school offers data-related programs through partnerships with ESSEC Business School, including the Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence, Data and Management Sciences and the Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics.
The Bachelor in Artificial Intelligence, Data and Management Sciences is a four-year, English-taught joint degree with ESSEC Business School. Students study on the CentraleSupélec Paris-Saclay campus and the ESSEC Cergy campus, combining engineering, data, artificial intelligence, and management subjects.
The Master in Data Sciences & Business Analytics, offered by ESSEC and CentraleSupélec, can be completed in one or two years depending on the student’s academic background. Students with a three-year bachelor’s degree or Licence 3 generally complete the two-year M1+M2 track, while students with a four-year bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree may be eligible for the one-year M2 track.
The program includes several majors. Students who choose the Data Sciences Major take this major at the CentraleSupélec Saclay Campus in France and must select at least four Data Sciences electives. The program also includes a compulsory internship or professional experience of at least four months.
3. EDC Paris Business School
EDC Paris Business School is a private business and management school created in 1950. In 2017, it joined the Planeta Group, which operates a higher education network across several countries. The school is based in the Paris area and belongs to an international network that includes institutions in France, Spain, Morocco, Italy, the United States, Colombia, and other locations.
The school offers an English-taught MSc Data Science & Business Analysis program. According to the current program page, it can be completed in one or two years, carries 120 ECTS, and is designed to help students use data in decision-making processes and business performance optimization. The program covers subjects such as Python, SQL, R for Data Science, Power BI, applied machine learning, cloud computing, big data analytics, deep learning, natural language processing, Tableau, and data engineering.
Career opportunities listed by the school include Business Analyst, Data Analyst, and Data Scientist. The program is suitable for students who want to combine data analysis, management, and business decision-making.
4. Data ScienceTech Institute
Data ScienceTech Institute, now known as DSTI School of Engineering, is a private higher education institution specializing in digital engineering, data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and computer science. It offers bachelor’s and master’s level programs fully taught in English and lists campuses in Paris and Nice Sophia Antipolis.
DSTI offers several master’s programs related to data and artificial intelligence, including MSc in Data Analytics, MSc in Data Science & AI, and MSc in Data Engineering for AI. The MSc in Data Science & AI is a 120-ECTS program that includes 840 hours of coursework and internships or apprenticeships worth 30 ECTS. The program is available through full-time and apprenticeship formats, and DSTI also lists live-streamed and online options depending on the study mode.
The MSc in Data Science & AI prepares students for roles such as Data Scientist, Consultant, Data Consultant, Clinical Data Analyst, Research and Application in Data Science specialist, and AI Product Manager. DSTI currently reports that 98% of students obtain an internship offer within six months for the required end-of-studies internship.
The demand for data professionals continues to grow as organizations use data, artificial intelligence, and analytics in fields such as computer engineering, business, economics, health, and public policy. Students interested in these careers can find several data science-related programs in France, from undergraduate pathways in mathematics and computer science to specialized master’s and research tracks.
We hope this article on the Best Universities for Data Science in France was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in France and Available Programs for International Students pages for more information on studies in Europe.
