5 reasons why France is the perfect place for your PhD
Are you an international student with a Master’s degree (or currently completing one) and considering a PhD?
Here are five compelling reasons to choose France for your doctoral journey.
- France is one of the world’s most research-intensive nations,
- a meeting place for researchers from all over the world,
- with academic freedom, openness, and international cooperation as core values,
- It provides a protective and supportive framework for doctoral studies,
- and last but not least, you will enjoy the French lifestyle
Key figures
38%
international PhD candidates44%
of all PhD theses are written in English80%
of PhD candidates are funded, 15% pursue their PhD alongside a main professional activity81%
of PhD candidates are satisfied with their supervisors, 11% dissatisfied1 - One of the world’s most research-intensive nations
The strengths of French research
France boasts leading research infrastructure distributed throughout the country, including major instruments, technological platforms, and world-class laboratories. Among its unique assets are large-scale research facilities such as synchrotrons (ESRF, SOLEIL), particle accelerators (CERN), high-power lasers (XFEL), intense magnetic field generators (LNCMI), high-performance computing resources (GENCI), including Jean Zay and soon Alice Recoque, nanofabrication platforms (RENATECH), and the vessels of the French Oceanographic Fleet (FOF).
This infrastructure underpins a rich scientific ecosystem, bringing together nearly 310,000 researchers within a community built on close alignment between universities, research organisations, businesses, and local authorities.
The quality of French research and universities further relies on their ability to attract top talent and to remain open to researchers and students from around the world. This international influence is built on institutions, laboratories, and researchers of excellence, supported by ambitious public policies.
As a result, France ranks 2nd in the world for Fields Medals (mathematics), 4th for Nobel Prizes and 9th for the impact of scientific publications.
(Opens a new window) Explore the world of French Research and Innovation with scanR
A country of innovation
France is the 2nd most innovative nation in Europe (European Patent Office) and the 3rd largest recipient of European funding for research and innovation (Horizon 2020). It also ranks 5th among OECD countries for R&D expenditure, investing 53.4 billion euros annually.
This performance is the result of consistently active public policies aimed at strengthening public-private partnership research and stimulating innovation.
A flagship example is the Cifre program (Conventions industrielles de formation par la recherche). Designed to strengthen exchanges between public research laboratories and the socio-economic world, promote the employment of PhD holders in companies, and support the innovation efforts of companies established in France, the Cifre scheme has steadily grown in attractiveness since its creation in 1981. Funded by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, it is now expanding further under the research programming law, with a target of 2,150 Cifre agreements per year by 2027—up from 1,500 in 2020.
2 - A meeting place for researchers from all over the world
A strong international focus
Each year, over 70,000 international researchers collaborate with French teams, and France attracts nearly 400,000 international students and doctoral candidates, making it the leading non-English-speaking host country in the world. With international students accounting for 38% of its PhD population, France ranks as the 4th largest host country for young researchers globally.
This international dimension extends well beyond its borders: French research centres are present in more than 250 research institutions worldwide, and 65% of French scientific publications are co-published with foreign institutions. France is also a key player in major European and international research projects, including particle physics research at CERN, space exploration through Arianespace, nuclear fusion research with the ITER project, and ocean science through the Surface project.
France's diplomatic presence is one of the largest in the world, with embassies in nearly every country. Within this network, Campus France operates more than 275 Espaces Campus France across 139 countries, working hand in hand with French embassies to promote Higher education and Research in France, guide prospective PhD candidates and administer French government scholarships locally.
A wide range of support schemes for international PhD candidates
Many doctoral programmes are taught in English, and theses can be written entirely in English : 44% of all PhD theses in France are now in this language. PhD funding is open to international and French candidates alike, with selection based on scientific merit and excellence.
On the practical side, international researchers and PhD students can apply for the "talent-researcher" multi-year residence permit, which allows them to work without a separate work authorisation, extends the same rights to accompanying spouses and children, and is renewable for up to four years. The "Bienvenue en France" label and the Euraxess service centres, located throughout the country, provide free guidance and administrative support to help researchers settle in upon arrival.
On the funding side, Campus France supports international students throughout their academic journey, notably through the prestigious Eiffel Excellence Scholarships for outstanding doctoral and master's candidates. For scientists fleeing conflict or persecution, the PAUSE programme offers emergency hosting and funding within French research institutions.
Finally, French research teams are deeply engaged in European doctoral schemes, particularly the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), which support researcher mobility and training across borders through European-funded fellowships and doctoral networks.
(Opens a new window) To find out more, visit the Campus France website
3 - Academic freedom, openness, and international cooperation as core values
Protecting academic freedom for every researcher
France's commitment to academic freedom is rooted in the legacy of the Enlightenment and is enshrined directly in (Opens a new window) French law, which guarantees researchers' independence in their scientific work.
This legal protection is matched by concrete action: through (Opens a new window) Choose France for Science and (Opens a new window) Choose Europe for Science, France and the European Union have mobilised hundreds of millions of euros to welcome international researchers, from doctoral candidates to Nobel laureates, who face threats to their academic freedom or funding in their home countries.
For scientists fleeing conflict, persecution, or political interference that prevents them from working freely on certain subjects, the (Opens a new window) PAUSE programme offers emergency hosting and funding within French research institutions.
Together, these initiatives reaffirm a simple conviction: science can only thrive where researchers are free to ask the questions they choose, and France intends to remain a place where that freedom is guaranteed.
Instilling these values throughout doctoral training
These founding values are not only protected by law, they are actively taught.
Doctoral programmes across France now systematically include training in research ethics and scientific integrity, recognising that academic freedom is itself a basic precondition for trustworthy research: without the freedom to question, challenge, and publish openly, integrity in research cannot be fully guaranteed.
Alongside this, PhD candidates are introduced to open science and its (Opens a new window) balance with intellectual property rights, learning to share data, methods, and publications transparently so that knowledge circulates freely and can be verified and reused without inhibiting knowledge transfer and innovation.
Through this combination of legal protection and educational practice, France ensures that the values inherited from the Enlightenment, research as a public good, freedom of thought, openness, and cooperation, are passed on to the next generation of researchers.
4 - A protective and supportive framework for doctoral studies
Secure PhD Statuses in France
In France, most PhD candidates benefit from a "contrat doctoral", available under both public and private law (notably through the Cifre scheme), which offers a uniquely protective framework.
It guarantees a minimum gross salary of €2,300 per month, a level broadly comparable to the median net salary earned by employees in France.
Just as importantly, the doctoral contract grants candidates a dual status: they remain registered students while also being full employees, opening access to both worlds.
As students, they benefit from university services such as subsidised student restaurants and student residences; as employees, they enjoy the rights of an employment contract.
All PhD candidates, whatever their nationality, funding scheme or status, are covered by France's universal health insurance scheme (PUMA), ensuring access to healthcare from the start. Those on a doctoral contract also receive full labor-law protections, including paid maternity and parental leave. International PhD candidates who come to France on a scholarship may be hosted under a research stay agreement, which covers, among other things, issues of intellectual property and work-related injuries.
Those who qualify for the "talent-researcher" residence permit can also bring their family, allowing spouses and children to settle in France alongside the researcher.
Ensuring quality training and supervision
France places strong emphasis on the quality of doctoral training and supervision.
Thesis supervisors must hold the Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR), a qualification reserved for experienced researchers proven able to lead independent research.
Doctoral training itself relies on a network of research laboratories and doctoral schools that earn their accreditation only after a demanding national evaluation, and which are attached to officially accredited institutions.
Throughout the doctorate, an annual monitoring committee reviews each candidate's progress and working conditions, helping to prevent difficulties and ensure a healthy supervisory relationship.
France also tracks the professional outcomes of PhD graduates and has put in place a range of measures to ensure that doctoral training opens the way to varied and fulfilling careers, in academia, but also in industry, public service, and beyond.
5 - And last but not least, enjoy the French lifestyle
Choosing France for your doctoral studies isn’t just about advancing your research; it’s about immersing yourself in a way of life celebrated across the globe
Imagine strolling through the cobbled streets of Paris, exploring medieval castles in the Loire Valley, or skiing in the Alps, all while being part of a vibrant academic community. France’s rich cultural heritage, from world-class museums to lively festivals, will inspire you every day.
Our cities, whether the historic charm of Lyon, the coastal elegance of Nice, or the dynamic energy of Bordeaux, offer an unparalleled quality of life. Enjoy affordable healthcare, excellent public transportation, and a cuisine celebrated worldwide. The diverse landscapes, from lavender fields in Provence to the rugged cliffs of Brittany, will make your time here unforgettable.
We’re confident that your doctoral journey in France will leave you with cherished memories. But we also bet you’ll fall in love with the country and choose to stay!
For those who do, France offers favourable pathways for obtaining a residence permit after your PhD, making it easier to build your future here.
Come for the research, stay for the life. Your adventure begins in France!
