Studying in France can enrich your cultural and social experience. With subsidized public higher education and many reputable public institutions, France can offer lower tuition fees than many private or fully self-funded study destinations.
If you wish to study nursing in France, you will usually train through an Institut de Formation en Soins Infirmiers (IFSI), which prepares students for the Diplôme d’État d’Infirmier, or State Diploma in Nursing. In the French LMD system, a licence is completed in six semesters and is worth 180 ECTS credits; a master’s degree adds four semesters and 120 ECTS credits; and a doctorate normally follows a master’s degree and usually takes at least three years, depending on the field.
So, if you have decided to study nursing in France, you should learn and improve your French skills because you will need them for classes, clinical placements, and daily life. In this article, you will find a detailed outline of how to study nursing in France.
Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in France
Step 1. Know the prerequisite of becoming a nurse in France
Are you already a registered nurse and seeking a nursing career in France? Your route depends on where your diploma was earned. Nurses with diplomas from outside the European Union generally cannot practice in France automatically; they usually need to obtain the French Diplôme d’État d’Infirmier or receive approved exemptions or accelerated access through the competent admissions process. A 2026 reform is expected to create a specific accelerated pathway for some non-EU nursing diploma holders from the 2027 intake, but candidates should confirm implementation details with the IFSI and the competent authorities. Working and studying in nursing in France also requires strong French-language ability.
If you are not yet a nurse and you want to study nursing in France, you generally need to complete the three-year IFSI program. Current entry rules require applicants to be at least 17 years old by December 31 of the year they begin training and to hold the baccalauréat or an accepted equivalent. Initial-training applicants generally apply through Parcoursup, while continuing professional education applicants follow the selection route set by the institute.
After the State Diploma, you can continue your education in advanced or specialized nursing fields, such as advanced practice nursing, nurse anesthesia, operating room nursing, or pediatric and child-care nursing. Requirements vary by specialization. For example, nurse anesthesia training requires a nursing diploma or nursing practice authorization and at least two years of full-time professional nursing experience by January 1 of the admissions year.
One example of a nursing school is Institut Caroline Malvesin / IFSI-IFAS-IFAP de Reuilly. It offers a three-year nursing program that leads to the State Diploma in Nursing, confers the grade de licence, and is worth 180 ECTS credits. The institute lists 90 places for its 2026 intake. If you wish to continue with nurse anesthesia, Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines University (UVSQ) offers the Diplôme d’État Infirmier(e) Anesthésiste, a 24-month program organized over four semesters and 120 ECTS credits.
Step 2. Gather information about Nursing Schools in France
When researching nursing schools in France, remember that most websites and official documents are in French. Translation tools can help, but always check the original French page before applying. Several elements should be considered when deciding which nursing school is best for you. A good nursing school should help you develop the physical, technical, communication, and critical-thinking skills needed by nurses. It should also offer a strong balance of theoretical coursework, simulation, clinical placements, and suitable facilities.
Moreover, school size and environment are important factors to consider. You will be studying in these nursing schools in France for three years, so it is best to choose a school where you feel comfortable. Lastly, the location of the nursing school will help you decide where to study. You will have to choose between a city and a smaller town or rural area, and your budget will play an important role in that decision. Generally, living in a city is more expensive than living in the countryside. If you are looking for a more budget-friendly environment, a smaller town or rural area may be a better option.
Step 3. Meet French Proficiency Requirements of Studying Nursing in France
Most nursing training in France is delivered in French, and clinical placements require you to communicate safely with patients and medical teams. Before applying, check the French test or certificate required by your chosen IFSI or university partner.
For example, Université Paris Cité states that some applicants using the Demande d’Admission Préalable (DAP) procedure must take a French test lasting 2 hours and 25 minutes. Campus France also advises DAP candidates that B2 French is generally the minimum level unless the program requires a higher level. Applicants from French-speaking education systems or those who qualify for an official exemption may not need the same test, but this must be confirmed with the institution.
Step 4. Prepare Financially to Pay Tuition Fees and Living Cost
After meeting the admission requirements, prepare for tuition, housing, food, transportation, insurance, and visa-related costs. Having clear proof of funding is important because schools and visa authorities may ask for it.
Your acceptance will still depend on your academic qualifications and the admission rules of the IFSI or university partner. In addition to tuition, plan for housing and daily expenses. Campus France estimates that students in France need about EUR 600 to EUR 800 per month for food, transportation, and housing, although the amount varies by city, accommodation type, and lifestyle. Paris and other large cities can be more expensive.
Tuition and training fees vary by student status, institution, and year of entry. Public higher education fees are set annually. For the 2025/26 academic year, Campus France lists public registration fees of EUR 178 per year at the licence level, EUR 254 at the master’s level, and EUR 397 at the doctoral level for European and certain eligible non-EU students. First-time non-EU students at many public institutions pay differentiated fees of EUR 2,895 at the licence level and EUR 3,941 at the master’s level, while doctoral fees remain EUR 397. Private institutions can cost much more, and health training institutes may list separate training fees.
At the Institut de Formation Interhospitalier Théodore Simon (IFITS), the 2026/27 nursing training fee is listed as EUR 6,507, or about USD 7,430, for a student who is not eligible for Regional Council support and does not have employer or other funding. IFITS lists EUR 9,142, or about USD 10,440, when an employer or funding organization pays. Registration fees are separate, and non-EU registration fees are listed at EUR 2,895. Always confirm the current fees and funding conditions with the school before applying.
Step 5. Submit Your Application for Nursing
Once you have researched a nursing school, start preparing your documents for qualification assessment. Requirements vary by school and by applicant profile, so check the school’s current admissions page before submitting anything. For a first-year IFSI application, initial-training candidates generally use Parcoursup, while continuing professional education candidates usually apply through the process specified by the institute.
Common documents for studying nursing in France may include your secondary school diploma or equivalent, proof of age and identity, a passport for international applicants, language proof if required, an application form, and any documents requested by Parcoursup, Études en France, DAP, or the institute. Some applicants may also need a medical certificate and proof of required vaccinations by enrollment or before their first clinical placement.
For example, Université Paris Cité explains that non-EEA students applying for a first year of licence who are not covered by the Études en France procedure may need a DAP application, while Parcoursup is used for many French, EU, EEA, Swiss, Monaco, and Andorra first-year applicants. Non-EEA applicants in countries covered by Études en France generally use that platform. Nursing candidates should confirm the correct route with the IFSI and university partner.
Step 6. Submit your application to French Nursing Schools
After completing and submitting all the documents, monitor the platform you used, such as Parcoursup, Études en France, DAP, or the IFSI portal. Admission timelines and response deadlines vary by route and institution, so follow the dates given in your applicant account and by the school.
If you receive an offer, answer by the stated deadline and complete the enrollment steps. The school may ask for registration documents, medical or vaccination records, and payment of any applicable registration or training fees before you can finalize enrollment and move on to your visa process.
Step 7. Prepare your student visa
The last step involved in studying nursing in France is your student visa processing. If you are not a national of the European Economic Area or Switzerland and your studies last more than 90 days, you will usually need to apply for a long-stay student visa before traveling. Start as early as your local France-Visas, Campus France, or consular procedure allows, especially before the summer intake season.
Use the official France-Visas website and its visa wizard to confirm the visa type and document checklist for your country. France-Visas states that visa decisions are usually made within 15 days, but the period can extend to 45 days in special cases. A long-stay visa fee is EUR 99, or EUR 50 at the reduced rate for students whose applications have been considered by a Center for Studies in France; outsourced service provider fees may also apply and cannot exceed EUR 45.
Common supporting documents include a valid passport, visa application form, ID photos, proof of admission or enrollment, proof of financial resources, proof of accommodation, and proof of insurance if requested. France-Visas provides the exact list through the visa wizard, so follow the checklist generated for your nationality, destination, and study plan.
Step 8. Prepare Your Flight and Accommodation
Once everything is finished, you can book your travel and arrange accommodation. Avoid finalizing nonrefundable plans until your visa and enrollment are confirmed.
We hope that this article on studying nursing in France was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more information like this, check out the Programs in Europe for International Students!
