Data science has become a popular field of study and employment, with new graduates finding jobs in many industries. Moreover, with the increasing popularity of Data Science, more and more people are starting to gain interest in studying data science abroad.
This article will talk about doing a Master's in data science from France.
Thousands of people go to France each year only to study at schools. While international students can enroll in any course, France is a favored destination for students interested in pursuing a Master's degree in Data Science.
Pursuing a career in data science requires a good mix of theory and experience. France is an epicenter for innovation and research, and its institutions provide high-quality Data Science Master's programs.
So, if you're considering enrolling in this program, this blog will provide you with all of the necessary facts to make an informed decision.
Why do Master's in Data Science from France?
France is a country with a rich history and culture. It is also a country that has produced some of the greatest artists, scientists, and thinkers.
The country's universities have always had a reputation for being at the forefront of scientific research. Still, more recently, they have been putting in place programs to educate students on emerging technologies such as data science.
France is currently the world's fourth most popular study destination. France has a good reputation for higher education.
The country boasts one of the highest rates of university attendance globally, with more than 30% of its population enrolled at a university.
France's top institutions are consistently ranked among the best in the world, and many French universities have been recognized by international bodies such as Times Higher Education (THE), Quacquarelli Symonds (QS), and Shanghai Ranking Consultancy (ShanghaiRanking).
France offers many opportunities for students looking to study data science at the master's level. The following are some of the reasons why you should consider doing your master in data science in France:
Helps you with your resume
Here, we are not just talking about the reputation aspect that the universities in France add to your resume, but even if you keep that aside and pick a recognized and reputed institute to study in France, then they'll help you boost your resume by providing you multiple portfolio-worthy projects that you can include in your resume to show off your skills with data.
Also, some of the best universities for data science in France will get you great internship opportunities to gain a little extra experience and add some additional credits to your resume.
Cost of Studying
The cost of living is lower than in most European countries making it easier for international students to live comfortably without having to worry about running out of money before their studies are complete.
Government Support
The French government has provided funding for research projects related to artificial intelligence, data science, and machine learning.
Many researchers from France are working on developing these technologies further to be used to solve real-world problems.
This means that if you want to pursue an academic career after completing your MS degree program, then there will be ample opportunities available for you in France.
Admission Criteria in France
The admission criteria for pursuing a master's in data science in France goes as follows:
- To be eligible for admission into this program, you must have completed an undergraduate degree or equivalent qualification from a recognized university or institution.
- As part of their application, international students must pass an English proficiency exam. The exams and exam results are as follows: TOEFL iBT-minimum 95, IELTS-6.5.
- While GMAT/GRE scores are not essential, a few French colleges do. Only a few of these schools require minimum GMAT/GRE scores, while others have various requirements. Visit the university's official website to get the expected score.
- You are also required to have a good CV and 2 letters of recommendation with you to be considered eligible to apply for a master's in data science in France.
Cost Of Studying Data Science In France
The cost of studying for a Master's in Data Science in France can vary depending on the university you choose, the course, and whether you are eligible for a scholarship.
The application fee is €250, and the registration fee is €100. The travel cost by air from India to France would be around €400 to €600
Tuition fees for students at public universities in France are set by the French government and can vary from €200 to €1,500 per year. Private universities tend to have higher tuition fees that start from €1500 and can go up to €20,000.
Living costs in France are generally lower than those in the UK or US.
The average monthly rent is around €500-600 per month, while utilities such as electricity and heating cost around €100-150 per month. Food, transportation, and entertainment costs are also relatively low compared to other popular study destinations like the US or UK.
The cost of living in France will depend on your lifestyle choices: if you want to live near a big city such as Paris or Lyon, then expect higher costs than if you choose a smaller town or village closer to home.
Visa Requirements
You will not need to apply for a student visa if you are coming to study in France from a European Union nation. If your native country is not in the EU, you will need to apply for a student visa at a French consulate before visiting the country.
During your first year of education, your visa will act as evidence of residency. You'll need to apply for a Carte de Sejour after a year.
Additionally, you must register with the local immigration office within 30 days of your arrival.
Documents that are required are:
- Visa application form.
- Two passport-type photos.
- Valid passport
- Official enrolment or acceptance letter from the university.
- Proof that you will be able to bear all the expenses that will occur while you are studying in France, including tuition fees, cost of living, and any other expense that takes place.
Best Colleges for Masters in Data Science in France
Emlyon Business School
If you are looking for a Master's in Data Science in France, Emlyon Business School is the best place.
The Master's in Data Science from Emlyon Business School is a two-year program designed to provide you with a profound understanding of the latest techniques and technologies for data analysis and interpretation.
This course aims to give you skills that are highly sought after by employers today, such as programming, statistical analysis, machine learning, and big data processing.
Emlyon Business School has a strong reputation for being one of the top business schools in Europe and is ranked #1 in France and #6 worldwide by Eduniversal.
The school focuses on entrepreneurship and innovation, so it is no surprise that they are also ranked #2 in Europe by Financial Times when it comes to producing graduates who start their businesses after graduation.
Emlyon Business School offers this program in three different cities: Lyon, Paris, and Reims.
SKEMA Business School
The Master of Science in Data Science is a multi-disciplinary program that combines the most relevant aspects of computer science, statistics, business intelligence, and data engineering.
The program aims at training students to become experts in the analysis, management, and interpretation of large amounts of data.
This 2-year program has been designed by SKEMA Business School in collaboration with leading French companies such as Orange or Numericable/SFR. It is taught entirely in English and offers a unique combination of theoretical knowledge, and practical skills learned directly on industrial projects.
This provides students with real-time experience before they graduate. The curriculum is based on three dimensions:
- Computer science: fundamental concepts such as algorithms, data structures & programming languages.
- Statistics: statistical modelling techniques for analyzing large datasets.
- Business intelligence: data mining techniques for extracting useful information from massive datasets.
Scholarships worth around EUR 5,400 is available. Consequently, we rate SKEMA Business School to be one of the most exemplary French data science master's programs.
Toulouse Business School
Toulouse Business School offers a Master's in Data Science. The program is taught entirely in English and is aimed at students with a Bachelor's degree in computing, engineering, mathematics, or similar disciplines.
The coursework is divided into three terms of 12 weeks each:
Term 1: Introduction to Data Science - Students learn to design data analysis projects and use statistical software tools such as R and Python.
They also learn about data science methodologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence.
Term 2: Big Data Analytics - Students develop their skills in high-performance computing (HPC) platforms, parallel programming, and cluster management.
They also learn how to analyze big datasets using cloud computing platforms such as MapReduce or Spark.
Term 3: Advanced Topics - Students choose between two advanced topics offered by the school: one focusing on data mining techniques (e.g., classification, clustering) and the other focusing on machine learning algorithms (e.g., neural networks).
Institute Polytechnic De Paris
The Master's in Data Science is the first program at the Institute Polytechnic de Paris to combine computer science, mathematics, and statistics in a single degree.
Developed by the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the École Normale Supérieure (ENS), it offers a multi-disciplinary approach to data science, with courses taught by experts from all three fields.
The program is specifically designed for students who want to pursue a career as a data scientist but do not have a background in computer science or engineering. It provides students with the skills they need to analyze large datasets — including machine learning algorithms and statistical models — as well as tools that can be used to manage this data analysis process.
The program culminates in a final project where students must demonstrate their knowledge through an original work or research project. In addition to completing their coursework, students must also participate in an internship during their second year of study at the school's Silicon Valley campus or another location abroad chosen by the student with approval from the program director.
CentraleSupélec
The master's program in Data Science at CentraleSupélec, a joint program between CentraleSupélec and the Ecole Polytechnic, is a 2-year program taught entirely in English.
It was created to be one of the most prestigious programs in Europe in this field.
This program offers:
A strong theoretical background
A large variety of courses covering all aspects of data science (statistics, machine learning, algorithms)
Practical sessions using state-of-the-art tools for data analysis (R Studio)
The program also offers you the flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests through elective courses provided by CentraleSupélec and its partners.
These courses are designed to help you acquire critical skills in areas such as artificial intelligence or network security.
You will also have the opportunity to complete an internship at one of their partner companies during your studies or after graduation.
Job Opportunities after doing MS in Data Science in France
The data scientist job market in France is growing fast.
There are currently about 1,000 job openings for data scientists in France, and that number is expected to continue increasing.
That's according to research from the professional networking platform Linkedin, which ranked France as the third most popular country for data scientists.
Faced with this high demand and limited supply of qualified candidates, employers have begun offering higher salaries than ever before.
According to Linkedin's report, the average salary for a data scientist in France is €65,000 ($73,000). That's a 13% increase over last year's salary average of €57,000 ($62,500).
Conclusion
Choosing the right university to study master's in data science can make all the difference. As we saw, there are several universities that offer exciting programs for students to learn about data science in France.
In addition, most of these universities offer many useful resources that will help students be more productive. I hope this blog helped you get the right idea about what you need and what awaits you once you decide to pursue your master's in data science in France.
All the Best!
