How to Study at Sorbonne University as an International Student: The Complete 2026 Guide

Here is the fact that changes the picture for Indian families in 2026: Sorbonne University has chosen to charge non-EU students who apply for its exemption the same fees as French students for 2026-27. France's national differentiated fees stand at €2,902 a year for a bachelor's and €3,950 for a master's — but on 7 July 2026, Sorbonne's Governing Board voted unanimously to use its exemption powers to guarantee equal treatment. That means a master's at a university ranked #73 in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2027 can cost €255 a year in tuition, once your exemption is approved. Knowing how to claim it is the single most valuable thing in this guide.

Sorbonne University is a young institution with an ancient name. It was formed in 2018 from the merger of Paris-Sorbonne and Pierre and Marie Curie universities, but its roots go back to 1257. Today it brings together three faculties — Arts and Humanities, Health Sciences, and Science and Engineering — and is one of four French universities in the QS global top 100. For Indian students planning to study in Europe, it offers a world-class research degree in the heart of Paris at a remarkably low cost.

Sorbonne University at a Glance

In the QS 2027 table, France placed four universities in the world's top 100: PSL (34th), Institut Polytechnique de Paris (43rd), Sorbonne University (73rd) and Université Paris-Saclay (76th). Sorbonne brings a medical faculty, a large science and engineering faculty and the historic arts and humanities faculty together in one university.

Fees in 2026-27 — And How the Exemption Works

French public universities charge low national fees, and since 2019 the government has set higher differentiated fees for non-EU students on national bachelor's and master's degrees. A decree of 19 May 2026 updated the rules and allowed each university to exempt up to 30% of its non-EU students in 2026-27. Sorbonne University has used that margin in full.

• The 2026-27 decision: Sorbonne's Governing Board approved its exemption policy unanimously on 7 July 2026, so that all non-EU students who apply and meet the criteria it approved pay the same tuition fees as other students.
• You apply for it: newly arriving students, and those changing programme, apply for partial or total exemption from differentiated fees through the university's student-life support platform.
• One year at a time: the policy covers 2026-27. Keep an eye on Sorbonne's announcements for 2027-28 and later years, and apply again if the policy asks you to.
• Automatic exemptions already apply if you hold a French Government grant or another state-funded higher-education grant, enrol under a bilateral agreement that exempts foreign students, or come on a European or international exchange programme.
• Pay the CVEC first: the €105 Student and Campus Life Contribution is paid to CROUS before you enrol.

What Can You Study at Sorbonne University?

Sorbonne offers 37 bachelor's degrees with 45 bi-disciplinary options and 240 master's programmes across its three faculties. The Faculty of Science and Engineering is based on the Pierre and Marie Curie campus (formerly Jussieu), Arts and Humanities at the historic Sorbonne in the Latin Quarter, and Health Sciences includes the Pitié-Salpêtrière site.

English-Taught Master's in Science and Engineering

• Paris Physics Master — a two-year physics programme run jointly with Université de Paris.
• Master in Computational Mechanics — modelling and numerical simulation of fluids and solids.
• From Fundamental Molecular Biosciences to Biotherapies — four semesters with international specialisations.
• Master of Computer Science tracks: Digital International Program (DIGIT), Bioinformatics and Modeling (BIMM) and Quantum Information (IQ).
• EIT Digital Master School: Cloud and Network Infrastructure (CNI) — a two-year programme with partner universities.
• WaveWiCom — a one-year M2 in waves and devices for advanced wireless communication systems.
• Master's in High Performance Computing (HPC) — part of the pan-European EUMaster4HPC programme.

How Indian Students Apply: Études en France

• First-year bachelor's (Licence 1): Campus France India lists a 15 December deadline for the DAP application route.
• Master's: deadlines vary by programme — English-taught master's often publish their own calendars, so check each programme's page and contact its coordinator early.
• A quick check that saves time: Sorbonne University is distinct from Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris 1), Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris 3) and Sorbonne Paris Nord. Make sure your application goes to the institution you mean.

Scholarships for Indian Students

1. The Sorbonne fee exemption

For 2026-27, this is the most valuable award available: it brings non-EU tuition down to the standard French rate. Apply for it when you enrol.

2. France Excellence Charpak Scholarship

A French Government programme promoted by Campus France India specifically for Indian students. French Government grant holders are also automatically exempt from Sorbonne's differentiated fees and from the Études en France fee.

3. France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship

Listed by Campus France India among the major scholarships for Indian students, alongside the Raman-Charpak Fellowship and the MOPGA fellowship for researchers. Eligibility and deadlines change each year, so check them on Campus France's CAMPUS BOURSES directory.

4. Doctoral funding

With 3,900 doctoral candidates across 23 doctoral schools, most doctoral research at Sorbonne is organised through its doctoral schools and research units. Contact potential supervisors directly about funded projects.

Visa, Work Rights and Staying On in France

• Financial proof: from 1 August 2026, visa applicants must show €877.50 per month, according to Campus France India.
• Working while you study: non-EU students may work up to 964 hours a year — 60% of France's annual legal working time — with no separate work permit. Your employer files a declaration with the prefecture at least two working days before you start.
• 24 months after graduation for Indians: a 2015 India-France agreement lets Indian graduates stay for a 12-month visa, renewable once for another 12 months, to work in France.
• Five-year Schengen circulation visa: for Indian alumni with a master's or PhD from a French institution, allowing multiple short stays of up to 90 days.
• Talent Passport: a multi-year residence permit of up to four years for skilled professionals, with work benefits for spouses.

Applying from Bangalore and Karnataka

If you are applying from Bangalore or elsewhere in Karnataka, you have a clear advantage: the Campus France office for the key face-to-face step is in your own city.

• Campus France has an office in Bangalore, at the Alliance Française de Bangalore, 108 Thimmaiah Road, Vasanth Nagar. This is where applicants from the city typically meet Campus France for the academic interview in the Études en France procedure. Bring your originals and one set of photocopies.
• Visa step: after the interview, you complete your application on france-visas.gouv.fr and book a VFS appointment. Choose the centre that is convenient for you when you book, and confirm it on the VFS booking page.
• Karnataka II PUC and degree marks: Sorbonne University does not publish India-specific rules for Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (II PUC) marks, or a list of Indian institutions such as VTU, Bangalore University, IISc, NITK Surathkal or Manipal. Your Études en France file and the programme's own admission committee assess your record, so ask the programme coordinator if you are unsure.
• After you land: validate your long-stay student visa online within three months of arriving in France.
• Getting there: flight options from Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) to Paris change by season, so compare current direct and one-stop routes when you book.

Falcon Nova's office is in Hebbal, North Bangalore — 7th floor, Kirloskar Business Park. You can book a free counselling session there in person or online, and bring your marks cards and transcripts along.

Is Sorbonne University Right for You?

Sorbonne University is an exceptional choice if you want a top-100 research university in Paris, particularly in physics, computer science, the life sciences, medicine or the humanities. For 2026-27 its fee policy makes it one of the best-value options anywhere for an Indian student — provided you apply for the exemption. Add France's 24-month post-study stay for Indian graduates and a five-year Schengen visa for master's alumni, and the long-term payoff is strong. Plan around the language of your programme, prepare well for your Campus France interview, and Sorbonne is a very realistic goal.