What is a Masters in
Public Health in France?
A Masters in Public Health (MPH) is a graduate degree that prepares you to protect and improve population health at scale — through epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, environmental health, and global health governance.
France is uniquely positioned for this field. Its healthcare system is ranked #1 in the world by the WHO. The country is home to the Pasteur Institute (global infectious disease research), Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (founded in Paris), and Inserm — France's national health research institute with 300+ laboratories.
For Indian students, France offers something no other country can match: near-free tuition at public universities (€243–€500/year), world-class research infrastructure, and direct pathways to careers at WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and global NGOs. You study inside the system that the rest of the world studies about.
Quick Comparison
MPH: France vs UK vs USA
EHESP — French School of Public Health
Sorbonne Université
Université Paris Cité
Université de Bordeaux (ISPED)
Sciences Po
Université Paris-Saclay
Université de Lyon
Aix-Marseille Université
Université de Strasbourg
Université Grenoble Alpes
Université de Montpellier
Université de Lille
EHESP — French School of Public Health
Sorbonne Université
Université Paris Cité
Université de Bordeaux (ISPED)
Sciences Po
Université Paris-Saclay
Université de Lyon
Aix-Marseille Université
Université de Strasbourg
Université Grenoble Alpes
Université de Montpellier
Université de Lille
6 Reasons France Is the
Best Place to Study
Public Health
No country combines world-class healthcare, near-free education, and global health leadership like France. Here is why an MPH in France is a categorically different — and better — decision.
WHO #1 Ranked Healthcare System
The World Health Organization ranked France's healthcare system #1 in the world. Studying public health here means learning inside the system that sets the global benchmark for universal care, prevention, and policy.
Home of Pasteur Institute & MSF
France gave the world the Pasteur Institute — a global leader in infectious disease research — and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders). You study in the country that shaped modern global health.
Proximity to WHO European HQ
France's location gives direct access to the WHO Regional Office for Europe, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and EU health governance institutions. Internships and careers are within reach.
Public Universities — Near-Free Tuition
French public universities charge only €243–€500/year for Masters programs. Even specialised schools like EHESP cost €4K–€8K/year — a fraction of UK or US MPH fees that run $30,000–$70,000 annually.
2-Year Post-Study Work Visa
France's APS permit gives you the right to live and work in France after graduation, with full Schengen zone access — a direct path to public health careers across Europe.
Global Health Career Launchpad
France is headquarters to WHO collaborating centres, MSF, Inserm, and the Pasteur Network. Graduates enter roles at WHO, UNICEF, World Bank, and European health agencies — with salaries starting €38K–€68K.
MPH Programs in France
— by School
Select a school to explore its public health programs and unique strengths. Also browse related programs: All Masters in France, Data Science, Management.
EHESP
#1 Public Health
Programs Offered
Why EHESP
Ready to apply to EHESP?
What Indian Students
Need to Qualify
These are baseline criteria. Our counsellors assess your profile individually and tell you exactly where you stand.
Academic Background & Accepted Degrees
Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences, Biology, Life Sciences, Social Sciences, or related fields. Sciences Po expects 75%+ (CGPA 7.5+). EHESP and Sorbonne accept 65–70%+. Public universities like Paris-Saclay, Lyon, and Grenoble Alpes work with 60–65%+. Some programs accept any discipline with relevant experience or coursework.
Research Proposal (Select Programs)
Some research-track MPH and MSc programs require a brief research proposal or statement of research interest. Sciences Po and EHESP weight the motivation letter heavily. Europubhealth+ (Erasmus Mundus) requires a detailed research statement aligned with program themes.
English Proficiency
IELTS 6.5 (no band below 6.0) or TOEFL iBT 90+. Sciences Po expects IELTS 7.0. No French language requirement for English-taught programs. Students from English-medium Indian colleges often qualify for waivers.
Work Experience
Not mandatory for most MPH programs, but clinical experience, NGO fieldwork, or public health internships significantly strengthen your application. Sciences Po and EHESP value candidates with 6+ months of experience in hospitals, health policy organizations, or community health projects. Volunteer work with WHO, UNICEF, or Indian public health bodies also adds weight.
Documents Required
Statement of Purpose (1–2 pages outlining public health career vision), 2 Letters of Recommendation (1 academic + 1 professional/clinical preferred), updated CV highlighting health sector experience and fieldwork, all academic transcripts, passport copy, and any relevant public health research or project reports. Charpak Scholarship SOPs are checked for plagiarism — always write your own.
Not sure if you qualify? Our counsellors do a profile analysis and tell you which schools you can get into — and what it takes to strengthen your application.
When to Apply for Public Health Masters
in France
French universities follow a structured admissions calendar. Applying early gives you the best chance at scholarships and preferred campus choices.
September / Fall Intake
Primary Intake — Most Programs
Round 1 (Early)
Best scholarship chances
Round 2 (Regular)
Main application window
Round 3 (Late)
Limited seats, fewer scholarships
Classes Begin
Orientation typically starts late August
January / Spring Intake
Select Programs Only
Applications Open
Fewer schools offer Jan intake
Application Deadline
Rolling admissions at most schools
Visa Processing
Allow 6–8 weeks for Campus France
Classes Begin
Some schools start late January
Pro tip: Apply in Round 1 (October–December) for the September intake. This gives you the highest scholarship allocation, more campus choices, and ample time for visa processing through Campus France.
Most top universities fill their seats by Round 2. Don't wait for Round 3 unless you have no other option.
Masters in Public Health in France
— Tuition Fees
Part-time work (20 hrs/week permitted) and CAF housing aid significantly offset living costs of €800–€1,100/month.
| University | Tuition (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Public Universities (Sorbonne, Paris Cité, Bordeaux, etc.) | €243 – €500/year |
| EHESP — French School of Public Health | €4,000 – €8,000/year |
| Sciences Po — Health Policy Track | €0 – €14,500/year* |
| Université Paris-Saclay | €243 – €500/year |
| Université de Lyon | €243 – €500/year |
| Aix-Marseille Université | €243 – €500/year |
| Université de Strasbourg | €243 – €500/year |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | €243 – €500/year |
| Université de Montpellier | €243 – €500/year |
| Université de Lille | €243 – €500/year |
| Europubhealth+ (Erasmus Mundus) | €9,000/year (scholarship covers) |
*Sciences Po fees are income-based — many international students receive partial or full waivers.
Total Budget Estimate
Scholarship Tip
The Eiffel Scholarship covers full tuition + €1,181/month living allowance. The Europubhealth+ (Erasmus Mundus) covers everything — tuition, travel, and living across 2 European countries.
*Fees are approximate and change each intake. Contact our counsellors for current, scholarship-adjusted figures.
Scholarships for MPH in France
Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
Charpak Excellence Masters
Europubhealth+ (Erasmus Mundus)
EHESP Merit Scholarships
Sciences Po Financial Aid
French Government AIFS Grants
Scholarship availability changes each intake cycle. Our team tracks these in real-time — speak to us before you apply.
We've lived this
journey.
We walk it with you.
We've stood where you are — uncertain, hopeful, and afraid of getting it wrong.
What began as our own journey to France became a promise to guide others with honesty, not pressure. Our founders and partners don't just know about France — they live in Europe. Our co-founder pursued her Masters in France and calls Paris home today.
She didn't read about the experience online. She lived it. That means when you talk to us, you get reality — not a sales pitch built on brochures. We tell you what university interviews feel like. What the visa process actually requires. What Paris costs in January. What you'll miss about India, and what you'll love about France.
"We are always there to help or guide you — anytime — from India to France, forever."
— StudyFrance Founders & Co-owner, Paris
Our End-to-End Services
University Selection & Shortlisting
We match you with the right schools based on your profile, budget, and career goals — not what's easiest to sell.
Application & SOP Crafting
Our team has reviewed hundreds of successful applications to EHESP, Sorbonne, Sciences Po, and more. We know what works.
Scholarship Guidance
We track all scholarship cycles and help you apply for every opportunity you qualify for — Eiffel, Charpak, Erasmus Mundus, and more.
Visa Support — Zero Guesswork
France visa applications can be complex. We guide you through every document, every step, with zero confusion.
Pre-Departure & Settlement Support
From accommodation hunting in Paris to setting up your French bank account — before and after you land.
Ongoing Mentorship — Always
Our co-owner in Paris and our France alumni network are always a WhatsApp message away, for as long as you need us.
Career Prospects After
MPH in France
France is the operational base for some of the world's most important global health organisations. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was founded and is headquartered in Paris. The Pasteur Institute operates across 25 countries. WHO collaborating centres are embedded within French universities.
MPH graduates from French institutions work as epidemiologists (€40K–€60K), biostatisticians (€45K–€68K), health policy analysts, and global health programme managers at WHO, UNICEF, the World Bank, and EU health agencies.
The 2-year APS visa creates a powerful window for Indian students: gain European public health experience before deciding your long-term path. StudyFrance alumni have built careers in Paris, Geneva, Brussels, and London.
| Job Role | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Epidemiologist | €40,000 – €60,000 |
| Health Policy Analyst | €38,000 – €55,000 |
| Global Health Programme Manager | €42,000 – €65,000 |
| Biostatistician | €45,000 – €68,000 |
| Health Economics Researcher | €40,000 – €58,000 |
| WHO / NGO Health Officer | €42,000 – €65,000 |
| Environmental Health Specialist | €38,000 – €55,000 |
Your MPH Questions,
Answered Honestly.
Everything Indian students ask us before deciding to study Masters in Public Health in France.
Absolutely. France's healthcare system is ranked #1 by the WHO, and its public universities charge just €243–€500/year for tuition — making it one of the most affordable destinations in the world for an MPH. You graduate with European work rights (2-year APS visa), access to WHO/MSF/Pasteur networks, and a degree recognised globally. For the cost of a single semester in the US, you can complete an entire Masters in France.
Ready to Study
Public Health in
France?
Whether you're just exploring or ready to apply — our Paris-based team walks every step with you. From India. To France. Forever.