France is a global leader in higher education, consistently ranking among the top six to eight destinations for international students and often standing as the leading non-English-speaking country alongside Germany among the list. Internationalisation has been a core priority for many French institutions for decades, with dedicated teams working to attract students and faculty from all over the world and develop global collaborations for academic programmes and research.
Since the 1990s, English-taught programmes have expanded from business schools to engineering schools and, increasingly, universities, strengthening France’s appeal. Many French business and engineering schools now require students to study or work abroad for at least a semester to earn their degree, reinforcing France’s strong commitment to global mobility and the international employability of its graduates. Today, around 30-35% of students in French institutions gain significant international experience during their studies.
Global geopolitical shifts are creating new opportunities for students facing restrictions in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the Netherlands, causing many of them to turn to France, where student numbers are rising thanks to a more dynamic and accessible higher education landscape. France also remains attractive to researchers in science, technology, and the humanities, benefiting from world-class institutions and cutting-edge research.
However, challenges persist. The French language can be a barrier, and France is not always a first-choice destination for students and academics from key growth markets such as India and South Korea. Strengthening these ties requires proactive engagement and clear messaging on France’s academic excellence.
This keynote will explore how France is working to build on its strengths while addressing challenges, drawing comparisons with internationalisation models in other countries to identify best practices and strategies for the future.
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