International Students: Free University Education In France?

France is a popular destination for international students, attracting over 400,000 in 2023. It offers a blend of academic excellence, cultural richness, and affordability. While living costs in France are high, public universities are often free or discounted for international students. This is because the French government subsidises higher education, making it accessible to a broader spectrum of students.

Tuition fees vary between public and private institutions, as well as according to the student's nationality and programme type. While public universities are generally cheaper, some private institutions are recognised by the French government and receive public funding.

This article will explore the costs of studying in France for international students, including registration fees, scholarships, and living expenses.

Scholarships for international students

France is a popular country for students looking to study abroad, boasting high-quality programs and a diverse range of subjects. However, the costs of studying and living in France can be high. To attract international students, the French government, universities, and other organisations have introduced a plethora of scholarships to help cover expenses. These scholarships can be fully or partially funded and are available for undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral students.

French Government Scholarships

The French government offers different types of scholarships for international students, including:

• The Charpak Scholarship Program: Offered by the French Embassy to students from India, it provides four different types of funding for Indian students pursuing higher education in France.
• Raman-Charpak Fellowship: A PhD scholarship that provides 1500 Euros per month for living, travel, accommodation, and Social Security expenses.
• Eiffel Scholarships: Awarded to potential Masters and PhD students, recipients receive 1,181 euros per month for a master's degree and 1,400 euros per month for a PhD, along with a living allowance.
• MAKE OUR PLANET GREAT AGAIN (MOPGA) Scholarship: Offered jointly by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, successful students receive a grant of 1,190 Euros per month for 12 or 24 months.

University-Provided Scholarships

Many universities in France also offer scholarships to international students, including:

• Emile-Boutmy Scholarship: Sciences Po, a prestigious university in France, offers this scholarship to attract top international students. The scholarship ranges from €5,000 to €10,000 for 2 years of postgraduate study or €3,000 to €12,300 for 3 years of undergraduate study.
• Université Paris Saclay: Offers scholarships of around 10,000 euros per year, plus up to 1,000 euros for transportation and visa expenses.
• ENS International Selection Scholarships: The École Normale Supérieure (ENS) awards scholarships of approximately 1,000 Euros per month for 2 to 3 years to 30 international students.
• Rennes Business School: Offers scholarships such as the Talent Scholarship and the Solidarity Fund Scholarship, ranging from 2000€ to 5000€.
• ISAE SUPAERO-MBDA: ISAE SUPAERO, a world-renowned aeronautics institute, offers 8 fellowships to Indian students admitted to the master's program, covering tuition and part of living expenses.
• Ampere Scholarships of Excellence at ENS de Lyon: ENS de Lyon and its partners provide scholarships of 1000 Euro per month for 12 months to outstanding international students enrolled in specific Master's programs.
• Grenoble Institute of Technology Foundation Scholarships: The Grenoble Institute of Technology offers scholarships of 5,000 euros per semester to international students pursuing an international master's program.
• INSEAD MBA Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on need, merit, or specific criteria, ranging from 4000 EUR to 20000 EUR.
• HEC Paris MBA Scholarships: HEC Paris offers scholarships of 6,000 Euro to 24,000 Euro to international students, particularly for MBA courses.

Co-Financed or Joint Scholarships

Additionally, there are co-financed or joint scholarship programs offered through partnerships between French institutions and organisations from other countries. These include:

• UGAM Legrand Scholarship
• Shikhar Thales scholarship programme
• Bahman Samandari scholarship programme
• Amba- Dalmia scholarship programme

Other Scholarship Options

Beyond these scholarships, international students can also explore alternative options to fund their studies in France:

• Part-Time Jobs: International students can work up to 964 hours per year in France, helping to cover living expenses and providing valuable work experience.
• Local Embassies: Embassies often have information on financial aid agreements between governments, offering insights into additional funding sources.
• Educational Loans: Students can apply for loans from banks to cover tuition, accommodation, and other study-related expenses.

Free tuition for specific categories of students

France is a popular destination for international students, with over 400,000 international students enrolled during the 2023 academic year. The country offers a blend of academic excellence, cultural richness, and affordability. While tuition fees in France are generally low, specific categories of students can benefit from free tuition. Here are the categories of students who can study in France for free:

Participants in Partnership Programs:

Students enrolled in partnership programs between universities, such as the Erasmus+ program, can study in France for free. The Erasmus+ program allows students to study in another European country without paying additional tuition fees to the host institution.

Recipients of a French Government Grant (BGF):

International students who receive a French government grant are exempt from paying tuition fees. These grants are typically awarded based on academic merit or financial need.

Students Awarded a Grant from Their Host Institution:

Some students may be awarded a grant from their host institution in France, which provides full exemption from enrolment fees. These grants are often merit-based or need-based and can cover the cost of tuition.

Non-EU Students with Exemptions from Their Host Institution or Embassy:

Non-EU international students may be granted partial or total tuition fee exemptions by their host institution in France or the French embassy in their home country. These exemptions are typically based on financial need or academic merit.

Students with EU Nationality or Equivalent Status:

Citizens of countries in the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland enjoy tuition-free education in French public institutions. This is because the French government subsidizes higher education, making it more affordable for students.

Students Enrolled in Specific Degree Programs:

International students enrolled in certain degree programs may be exempt from tuition fees. For example, international students enrolled in doctoral programs, medical, dental, or pharmaceutical studies, or preparatory classes for Grandes Ecoles may benefit from tuition waivers.

It is important to note that even in cases of free tuition, there may be small registration or administration fees associated with studying in France. These fees are typically much lower than standard tuition fees and are charged by the university to cover administrative costs.

Tuition fees for EU and non-EU students

France is known for its quality higher education, with its universities regularly featuring in international rankings. The country is also the fourth-largest destination for international students, hosting over 400,000 students in the 2023 academic year.

Tuition fees in France vary between public and private institutions, as well as according to the student's nationality and the type of program.

Tuition Fees for EU Students

EU students benefit from significantly lower tuition fees in French public universities compared to non-EU international students. For the 2024/2025 academic year, EU students paid the following fees:

• €175 per year for a bachelor's degree
• €250 per year for a master's degree
• €618 per year for an engineering program
• €391 per year for a doctoral degree

Tuition Fees for Non-EU Students

Non-EU international students typically pay higher tuition fees than EU students in French public universities. For the 2024/2025 academic year, non-EU students enrolling for the first time in a bachelor's or master's degree, or an engineering program, are required to pay differentiated registration fees:

• €2,850 per year for a bachelor's degree
• €3,879 per year for a master's degree

However, non-EU doctoral students are not subject to new differentiated tuition fees, and their tuition for 2024/2025 is €391.

It is important to note that some non-EU students may pay the same registration fees as French and EU students based on their status or the degree they are studying for. Additionally, non-EU students may be eligible for partial or total exemption from tuition fees through their host institution or the French embassy in their home country.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

To make studying in France more accessible, various scholarships are available for international students, including the Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence, the Emile-Boutmy Scholarship, and the Ampere Scholarship of Excellence. The French government also offers scholarships, such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program. Many universities in France also have their own scholarship programs for international students.

English-taught programmes in French universities

French institutions are increasingly offering degree programmes taught in English to attract top international students. There are now over 1,500 English-taught degree programmes in France, including 125 undergraduate programmes, 1,200 master's programmes, 90 short and professional courses, and 140 summer classes.

English-taught programmes are designed to be accessible to non-French-speaking candidates, but students will still have the opportunity to learn French and live à la française. Many institutions also offer French as a foreign language (FLE) courses for international students.

Université Paris Cité

Université Paris Cité offers a range of English-taught master's programmes, some of which are combined with French. These include:

• Master in Biomedical Engineering – Bioengineering and Innovation in Neuroscience (BIN)
• Master in Biomedical Engineering – Biomaterials and Biodevices (Biomat)
• Master in Biomedical Engineering – Biomechanics (Biomech)
• Master in Biomedical Engineering – Molecular and Cellular Biotherapies (MCB)
• Master in Biomedical Engineering – Bioimaging (BIM)
• Master in Fundamental Physics – International Centre for Fundamental Physics (ICFP)
• Master in English Studies: Arts and Visual Culture
• Master in English Studies: History and Culture of English-Speaking Countries
• Master in Linguistics – Computational Linguistics
• Master in International Business Law

Sorbonne University

Sorbonne University is a top public institution in France, ranking #63 on QS World University Rankings 2025. It offers English-taught postgraduate programmes and a range of French undergraduate programmes. While Sorbonne University does not charge tuition fees, it does charge registration fees: US$189 (170 euros) for a bachelor's degree, US$270 (243 euros) for a master's degree, and US$423 (380 euros) for a doctorate degree.

University of Clermont Auvergne

The University of Clermont Auvergne is an internationally focused institution that offers a range of English-taught programmes, including law and engineering, as well as French-taught programmes. International students pay US$189 (170 euros) per year, while those enrolling in master's and medical programmes pay US$270 (243 euros), and engineering students are charged US$668 (601 euros).

École Normale Supérieure de Lyon

École Normale Supérieure (ENS) de Lyon is an elite French public institution that offers a range of English-taught and French-taught master's programmes. Annual tuition fees are around US$278 (250 euros) for master's programmes and US$445 (400 euros) for doctoral studies.

Université Grenoble Alpes

Located in Grenoble, which has a lower cost of living than Paris, Université Grenoble Alpes is the third-largest university in France. It offers various English-taught programmes, including those in STEM, humanities and social sciences, arts and languages, law, economics, and political science. Undergraduate students pay US$189 (170 euros), master's students pay US$278 (250 euros), PhD students pay US$435 (391 euros), and engineering degree students pay US$688 (618 euros).

Cost of living in France

The cost of living in France depends on your location and lifestyle. Students should budget for monthly expenses ranging from €400-€1400. Paris, the capital city, is the most expensive city in France, with monthly living expenses ranging from €1,200-€1,800. In Nice, a student can expect to spend between €900 and €1400 monthly. Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, or Toulouse offer a more affordable, classic French experience, with an average monthly cost of €800 to €1000. For the rest of France, €650 should be sufficient.

Housing

Housing is typically the most significant expense for students. Options include university residence halls, private apartments, private student residences, shared apartments, and homestays with a French family or an elderly resident. Rent in France for students is sometimes covered by scholarships, but the monthly expense is usually around €200-€300. In Paris, the average cost of a student residence is €400 per month.

Food

Groceries will account for €200-€300 per month, although eating out at restaurants will increase food costs. A meal at an affordable restaurant costs between €10-€15, while gourmet restaurants will be more expensive. A more affordable option is to eat at bistros, brasseries, and crepe stands, where meals cost around €5-€8. The cheapest supermarkets in France are Leclerc, followed by Géant Casino.

Transportation

Public transport passes usually range between €30 and €75. Student travel passes start at €45 per month. Alternatively, bike rentals are cost-effective and environmentally friendly.

Insurance, Visa, and Other Costs

Mandatory health insurance charges around €20-€50 each month. An extended student visa has a one-off cost of €99. Books and other learning materials average €50 per month.

Frequently asked questions