French Students And University Fees: Who Pays?

France is a popular destination for international students, offering courses in English and French, and an opportunity to experience French culture. The French government subsidises higher education, so the cost for students is relatively low. However, since 2019, international students have been paying higher tuition fees, with non-Europeans paying substantially more for undergraduate and master's degrees. The fees for the academic year 2024/25 are set by the French government and are the same across the country. For bachelor's programmes, the average tuition fees are around €170 per year, while for a master's degree, students pay on average €260 per year. PhD programmes cost on average €396 per year. Engineering degrees have higher tuition fees of around €620 per academic year, and medicine studies can reach up to €450 per year.

EEA/Swiss citizens pay less

In France, the government subsidises higher education, which makes the cost of studying relatively low for students. The tuition fees for the academic year 2024/25 are set by the French government and are the same across the country.

EEA and Swiss citizens will be charged the following fees:

• 175 euros per year for Bachelor’s (Licence) programmes
• 250 euros per year for Master’s programmes
• 618 euros per year in Engineering courses at certain institutions
• 380-391 euros per year for Doctorate (PhD) programmes

EEA/Swiss citizens pay significantly less than non-EEA citizens, who are charged the following fees:

• 2,850 euros per year for Bachelor’s (Licence) programmes
• 3,879 euros per year for Master’s programmes
• 391 euros per year for Doctorate (PhD) programmes

In addition to tuition fees, students also need to pay a contribution to campus and student life of 91 EUR.

Non-EEA/Swiss citizens pay more

Since 2019, non-European students have been required to pay substantially larger fees to study at French universities. This change in legislation has been a drastic shift from the previously very low fees of around 200 euros per year. Now, international students who are not citizens of an EEA country or Switzerland, or who are not permanent residents, will have to pay higher tuition fees.

For the academic year 2024/25, international students will be charged the following fees: 2,850 euros per year for Bachelor's programmes, 3,879 euros per year for Master's programmes, and 391 euros per year for Doctorate programmes. These fees are significantly higher than those paid by EEA and Swiss citizens, who are charged 175 euros, 250 euros, and 391 euros per year respectively.

There are some exceptions to the higher fees for non-EEA/Swiss citizens. For example, students from Quebec, international students with a long-term residence card or who have been associated with a taxable household in France for over two years, and students with refugee status or subsidiary protection are charged the same fees as French and EU students. International students enrolled in doctoral programmes or specific preparatory classes are also exempt from the higher fees.

In addition to tuition fees, all students are required to pay a contribution to campus and student life, which is currently 91 euros. This fee is known as the Contribution de vie étudiante et de campus (CVEC) and is used to support student services and activities.

While the higher fees for non-EEA/Swiss citizens may be a concern for some, it is important to note that the French government has also increased the number of government-sponsored scholarships available to international students. These scholarships can help offset the cost of tuition and make studying in France more accessible for students from a wider range of backgrounds.

Furthermore, the cost of living in France, especially in smaller towns, can be relatively affordable compared to other European countries. Students can expect to spend between 650 and 1,000 euros per month, depending on their location and lifestyle. Additionally, international students have access to various forms of support, such as the VISALE programme, which acts as a guarantor for rent costs.

Scholarships are available

There are many scholarships available for students in France, offered by the French government, universities, and other institutions.

The French government offers scholarships for international students, including the "Make Our Planet Great Again" scholarship, which was launched by the President of the French Republic to attract students who want to develop projects to tackle climate change. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs also offers scholarships, including the Excellence-Major Scholarship Program, which is awarded to 200 students each year to promote French higher education. The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation also provides assistance to foreign students in the form of travel grants, means-tested scholarships, and financial aid for doctoral studies.

French universities themselves also offer scholarships. For example, the Emile Boutmy Scholarship is a fully-funded scholarship offered by Science Po, France, for international undergraduate, master's, and PhD students. The amount of the scholarship is up to €19,000 per year. The Ampère Excellence Scholarships are also fully-funded master's scholarships for international students who want to pursue one of the eligible programs offered at ENS de Lyon. The amount of this scholarship is €1,000 per month.

In addition to these, there are scholarships offered by other institutions. The Erasmus+ program, for example, is a European Union initiative that supports education, training, youth, and sport. It offers mobility bursaries for students in Europe. The Erasmus Mundus Joint Master's program offers scholarships to the world's best students for one or two years, regardless of their field of study. Several French institutes of higher education offer joint master's programs.

Student visas are required

If you are an international student from outside the EU, you will need to apply for a VLS-TS visa ("étudiant"). This visa entitles you to live and study in France, and also allows you to work up to 964 hours per year (or 20 hours per week) and travel freely within the Schengen area. The VLS-TS visa costs 99 euros and must be obtained after acceptance to a French university but before travelling to France. Once you arrive in France, you will need to validate the visa within three months, which costs an additional 50 euros.

Additional costs

In addition to tuition fees and living costs, there are several other costs to consider when studying in France. These include:

• Health insurance: 20-50 EUR/month, depending on the chosen cover.
• Books and learning materials: 50 EUR/month on average.
• Transportation: A monthly pass for the bus, metro or tram costs 30-75 EUR. Taxis in Paris are relatively inexpensive at around 1.50 EUR/km.
• Student accommodation: Prices for accommodation are typically above the international average of 200-300 EUR/month. Options include student halls of residence (200 EUR/month on average, except in Paris where it is 400 EUR/month), renting/sharing an apartment (400-700 EUR/month, or 800 EUR/month in Paris), or staying with a host family (200-800 EUR/month).

Living costs vary by location

The cost of living for students in France varies depending on the location. Paris, for example, is known for its high cost of living, ranking 8th in Europe. Students in Paris can expect to spend between €1,200 and €1,800 per month, with groceries costing around €250-€300 per month. On the other hand, smaller towns in France offer more affordable options, with monthly expenses starting at €650.

In cities like Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux, or Toulouse, students can expect to spend between €800 and €1,000 per month. This includes accommodation, which can be found for around €400-€700 per month in these cities.

Nice is another popular destination, with monthly expenses ranging from €900 to €1,400.

The cost of food in France is relatively high compared to other European cities, with groceries in Paris costing 11% more for everyday food products and 20% more for fruits and vegetables. However, there are affordable dining options, such as bistros, brasseries, and crepe stands, where a meal can cost between €5 and €8.

Transportation costs are relatively reasonable, with a monthly pass for the bus, metro, or tram ranging from €30 to €75. Taxis in Paris are also inexpensive, charging around €1.50 per kilometre.

When considering the cost of living in France, it's important to factor in the availability of scholarships and grants, which can significantly reduce the financial burden on students.

Frequently asked questions