France vs Australia: Which is the Better Study-Abroad Destination?

France and Australia are among the top choices for international students in terms of studying abroad. Home to high-ranked universities, these countries offer world-class education and a wide range of employment opportunities. Students often get confused about whether they should choose France or Australia for pursuing their education, as both countries are excellent. If you are also confused between these two nations, then you have come to the right place. We will remove all the doubts regarding France vs Australia in this blog. We will compare both countries and finally deduce which one of them is a better study-abroad destination. 

Parameters	France	Australia
Area	551,695 KM²	7.688 Million KM²
Currency	Euro (€)	AUD (AU$)
Capital	Paris	Canberra
Total Higher Education Providers	Over 3,500 Public and Private Institutes	170
Total Indian Students Studying	10,000	95,791
Average Cost of Living	€918.2 – €3,273.8	AU$2800 – AU$3000 Per Month
Average Cost of Studying	€600 – €800 / Month	AU$20,000 – AU$50,000Per Year
Popular Job Sectors	Pharmacy, Psychology, Radiology, Architecture, Journalism, and Healthcare.	Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Healthcare and Medical, Architects, Professional Services – Technical & Scientific Area
Permitted Part-Time Working Hours	20 Hours Per Week	40 Hours Per Week

Top Universities: France vs Australia

Choosing the right university or college is a stepping stone for a bright career. We have given below a list of the best universities in France and Australia. We will deduce which one has the best universities. The country with the higher-ranked universities will be awarded +2 points. 

Universities in France

The table below shows some of the best universities in France:

Top Universities in France	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
Université PSL (Paris Sciences & Lettres)	24	47
Ecole Polytechnique	38
Sorbonne University	59	75
Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon	184
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech	192	401–500
Université de Paris	236
Sciences Po Paris	319	501–600
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne	328	801–1000
ENS Paris-Saclay	71	58

Universities in Australia

The table below shows some of the best universities in Australia: 

Top Universities in Australia	QS World University Rankings 2024	Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023
The University of Melbourne	14	34
The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)	19	71
The University of Sydney	19	54
Australian National University (ANU)	34	62
Monash University	42	44
The University of Queensland	43	53
The University of Western Australia	72	131
The University of Adelaide	89	88
University of Technology Sydney	90	133
Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia)	130	192

Which Country is Better?

The tables above show that the universities in Australia have a higher rank than the universities in France. As a result, we will grant a score of +2 points to Australia in this round of France vs Australia.

Also Read: UK vs France: Find out the Best Study Destination for Students

Admission Requirements

Make sure that you understand the admission requirements in both France and Australia before you finally decide which country you want to pick for pursuing your education. We will understand the admission criteria for the universities in each country in this section. 

Admission Requirements For France

The eligibility criteria for admission to French universities are given below: 

• The applicants need to make sure that they are at least 18 years old before applying. 
• Students should be able to get a short-stay visa if they take part in a training program that continues for less than three months. 
• Students will be handed a temporary long-stay visa in case their training course ends after three months or six months. 
• Students will receive a temporary long-stay visa in case their training course ends after three months or six months, and they will not have to finish any further paperwork when they come to France. 
• Students will be provided with a long-stay visa, which is the equivalent of a residency permit if their training lasts for more than six months. 
• The students are also required to submit the documents given below: 

1. Two passport-size photos
2. A visa application form for a France study visa
3. Evidence of monetary means for covering all expenses during the period of study
4. An official Letter of Acceptance/Enrolment from the University in France
5. Documents that state the arrangement for accommodation during your studies
6. A valid passport and copies of your previous visas if any
7. Air flight reservation/ticket with the date of departure
8. Medical insurance that can cost around 30,000 Euros yearly
9. Evidence of payment of Visa fees
10. If you have enrolled in a course taught in French, you will need a proficiency certificate for the French language
11. If applicable, proof of civil status

Admission Requirements For Australia

You need to meet the criteria provided below in order to get admission to Australian universities: 

• Students need to have a score of at least 65% in their examination of Class 12. 
• Applicants also need to give a statement of purpose and a letter of recommendation. 
• Students are also required to provide a curriculum vitae. 
• They need to ensure that they have a valid visa to enter and study in Australia. 
• The applicants need to have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, a TOEFL score of 46 (internet-based test), a CAE score of 162, and a PTE Academic score of 42. 
• Additionally, applicants need to have a minimum IELTS score of 5.5, a TOEFL score of 46 (internet-based test), a CAE score of 162, and a PTE Academic score of 42. 
• They must also receive Overseas Student Health Coverage (OSHC).

Which Country is Better?

As we can see, the admission process for universities in Australia is easier than in France. Hence, we will grant a score of +2 points to Australia in this round of France vs Australia.  

Also Read: Part-Time Jobs in France

Tuition Fees

We will discover which country has the lowest cost of education in this section. The country with the lowest tuition cost will receive +2 points. So, let us compare the tuition fees in France and Australia. 

Tuition Fees in France

As per the websites of the French universities, the average tuition fees in the nation are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	€600 – €30,000
Postgraduate	€3,770
Doctoral	€380 – €30,000

Tuition Fees in Australia

As per the websites of the Australian universities, the average annual tuition fees in the nation are as follows: 

Study Program	Average Annual Tuition Fee
Undergraduate	AU$15,000 – AU$33,000
Postgraduate	AU$14,000 – AU$37,000
Doctoral	AU$14,000 – AU$37,000

Which Country is Better?

The cost of studying in France is lower than in Australia, as apparent from the above tables. Hence, we will grant +2 points to France in this round of France vs Australia. 

Also Read: Bonjour! Learn the 10 Best Ways to Say Hello in French!

Living Expenses

Overseas students often stress about the cost of living in their study-abroad destination. We will compare the living expenses in France and Australia, and deduce which one is less expensive to live in. 

Cost of Living in France

As per Numbeo, the living expenses you will have to bear in France are as follows:

Monthly Rent	€589.50 – €1,408.42
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	€4,231.83 – €5,813.26
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	€15
Average Transportation Cost (Monthly)	€61.37
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	€229.03

Cost of Living in Australia

According to Numbeo’s website, the living expenses you will have to bear in Australia are as follows:

Monthly Rent	AU$1,827.31 – AU$3,775.63
Average Apartment Price (Price per Square Metre)	AU$8,924.80 – AU$11,645.02
Average Cost of an Inexpensive Restaurant Meal	AU$25
Average Transportation Cost	AU$170.65
Average Cost of Utility (Monthly)	AU$453.55

Which Country is Better?

As we can see from the above comparison, the overall cost of living in France is lower than in Australia. As a result, we will award +2 points to France in this round of France vs Australia.

Also Read: Study in France for Indian Students 2023

Work Permit and PR

It is the dream of almost all international students that they find employment and eventually obtain permanent residency in the country where they are receiving education. In this section, we will do a comparison between France and Australia in terms of the ease of obtaining a work permit and PR. 

Work Permit in France

Here is the process of obtaining a work permit in France:

Eligibility Criteria for a Work Permit in France:

The applicants need to meet the eligibility criteria listed below in order to be deemed eligible for a France Work Visa:

• The applicants have to have a valid passport.
• The candidates must have been offered a job in France.
• You are required to have all the required documents that are specified in the application form. 

• The candidates are only able to work within the scope of work time specified in their respective work permits and cannot exceed the specified time. 
• One will also need to provide the documents listed below: 

1. A valid passport with expiry at least 3 months beyond the intended duration of stay,
2. CV of the employee,
3. A duly filled France visa application form,
4. A photocopy of the first and last page of the passport,
5. Copies of all education qualifications,
6. Recent color photographs,
7. Company’s appointment letter,
8. Employer’s reference letter, 
9. Past employment testimonials, and 
10. A detailed description of the type of work to be performed by the applicant in France

Steps to Apply for France Work Permit

Follow the steps listed below in order to apply for a work permit in France: 

1st Step:  Find out the kind of permit you are applying for, on the basis of job role and term of employment. 

2nd Step: Now, duly fill out the application form for the work permit. 

3rd Step: Gather all the required documents for the France work permit.

4th Step: After this, schedule an appointment to submit the Biometrics and mandatory documents at VAC (Visa Application Centre).

5th Step: Then, you need to wait for the decision from the embassy or consulate.

The work visa processing time for France typically ranges from 15 to 20 working days after you have submitted the documents to the French Embassy/Consulate.

PR in France 

In case you desire to live in France for an extended time, or even permanently, you can be eligible for a France permanent residence permit or French citizenship after a period of five years. This time can be reduced in certain situations like marriage to or becoming a parent of a French national.

Work Permit in Australia

The processing time for a work visa in Australia typically takes about 2-8 months. However, the work visa’s processing time depends on the kind of visa and the application process. Some of the work visas you can apply for in Australia are the TSS visa (Temporary Skill Shortage), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa, and Skilled Independent visa. 

Eligibility for Work Permit in Australia

Here are the eligibility criteria for obtaining a work permit in Australia:

• The age of the applicant should not be above 45 years old. 
• The applicant must have the necessary skills and work experience of at least 3 years. 
• Additionally, the candidate has to meet health and character standards.

Steps to Apply for a Work Permit in Australia

Here is a step-by-step process to apply for an employee work visa in Australia:

1stStep: Go to the official website of the Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs (https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/).

2nd Step: Proceed with filling out the form for the type of visa you desire. 

3rd Step: Check if your profession is mentioned on the list of skilled occupations for Skilled Visas.

4th Step: Receive a nomination from an approved work sponsor before you appear for appear skills exam for sponsored visas. 

5th Step: Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to SkillSelect. 

6th Step: You have to first get an invitation to apply for this visa.

7th Step: Ensure that you collect all of your paperwork.

8th Step: Then, apply for a visa within 60 days of receiving the invitation.

PR in Australia

The Australian PR process is divided into three parts:

• Skill Evaluation in Australia: The Skill evaluation in Australia is held by a designated skill assessment authority. 
• Australia PR Visa Approval: The DHA thoroughly evaluates your profile after you have provided the mandatory documentation. If you meet their special standards, you will be offered a visa. 
• Preparation for Departure: If the applicant is issued an Australian PR visa, he or she is required to move to Australia by the first entry date mentioned on the visa grant letter. 

The processing of PR typically takes around 6 months to 1 year in Australia. 

Which Country is Better?

The process of obtaining a work permit and PR is simpler in Australia than in France, hence we will grant a score of +2 points to Australia in this round of France vs Australia. 

Also Read: How To Choose The Right Study Abroad Destination

Average Salaries: France vs Australia

The average salary of a graduate is €39,800 per year in France as per WeAreDevelopers, while it is €48,058 a year after postgraduation according to Glassdoor. On the other hand, the average annual salary in Australia is AU$ 74,497 after graduation whereas it is AU$ 122,136 after postgraduation, as per Talent.com. 

Which Country is Better?

The above comparison shows that the average salary in Australia is more than the average salary in France. Hence, we will give a score of +2 points to Australia in this round of France vs Australia. 

Also Read: Best Countries to Study Abroad

Other Major Elements

When you are choosing a country to pursue education, there are some things you need to consider. Have a look at some of these important considerations: 

Climate

France witnesses dry summers and wet winters. On the other hand, Australia experiences distinct climatic conditions. As a result, it has diverse regions, ranging from tropical rainforests to golden beaches.

Safety

France and Australia are renowned for being very safe nations for international students. Crimes such as murder and narcotics are rare in both countries. 

Culture for International Students

French people are known for being welcoming and friendly to international students. If we talk about Australia, the country is famous for its vibrant city life, natural beauty, and outdoor experiences. 

Also Read: PhD in Environmental Science in Australia: Everything You Need to Know

Conclusion

After calculating the total scores of France and Australia, we discovered that Australia scored 6 points whereas France scored 4 points. Hence, the winner of this contest is Australia.

You should carefully choose a degree before you apply for admission to any of the country’s universities. Make sure that you assess the available educational facilities and financial aid for the program you desire to pursue. Doing so will help you make a better-informed decision. With that being said, both France and Australia can be a viable choice for pursuing education.