Study in Bordeaux, France

About Bordeaux

Bordeaux is a city of 267,991 inhabitants (INSEE, 2023) on the Garonne in south-western France. It is a World Heritage site, and the Alliance Française calls it the capital of wine and gastronomy.

For international students, Bordeaux combines the University of Bordeaux, business education in English and French-language schools in the city centre. IAE Bordeaux describes it as a lively and student-friendly city.

Studying in Bordeaux

Our directory lists three schools in Bordeaux: one university business school and two French language schools.

• IAE Bordeaux University School of Management is the business school of the University of Bordeaux and one of the 39 schools in the national IAE France network. Founded in 1955, it trains more than 1,100 students and professionals a year in master's programmes in marketing, finance, management control, accounting, human resources, international management and entrepreneurship. It is on the Bastide campus on the right bank of the Garonne, close to the city centre. Four full-time programmes are taught in English, including a first-year master's in European Business Administration and second-year options in Business Administration and International Business Management, with links to the wine industry; applications for 2026-27 are made on the E-Candidat platform.
• Alliance Française Bordeaux Aquitaine (Alliance Française Bordeaux Nouvelle-Aquitaine) is in the city centre and teaches French all year at all levels. It holds the Qualité FLE label, is an official exam centre for DELF/DALF, TCF and TEF, and says it trains more than 3,000 foreign students a year. Intensive courses start every Monday, with 10 to 16 students per class. It belongs to the Alliance Française network of more than 800 associations in more than 135 countries.
• B. L. S. - Escuela de Francés is a second school of French as a foreign language in our directory.

Costs and housing

At public universities, students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland pay €2,902 a year for a bachelor's degree and €3,950 for a master's in 2026-27, while EU students pay €178 and €255, according to Campus France. For language students, the Alliance Française arranges homestays at €24 a night for a room only or €35 a night with breakfast and dinner, plus a €50 placement fee. No official figure for private rents in Bordeaux was found.

Visas and practical matters

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a student visa, applied for on the official France-Visas website, even for courses of less than three months; EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not. For a language course, the Alliance Française states that a student visa requires enrolment for at least three months.

Frequently asked questions

Is Bordeaux a good place to learn French?

Yes. The Alliance Française in the city centre runs intensive French courses all year, starting every Monday, and is an official exam centre for the DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF.

Can I study business in English in Bordeaux?

Yes. IAE Bordeaux, the business school of the University of Bordeaux, offers four full-time programmes in English.

How much are university fees in Bordeaux?

In 2026-27, non-EU students pay €2,902 a year for a bachelor's degree and €3,950 for a master's at public universities; EU students pay €178 and €255.

Do I need a visa for a French course in Bordeaux?

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a visa. The Alliance Française requires enrolment for at least three months to issue the certificate for a student visa.