Ibrahim Gardner
The French higher education system is highly subsidised by the state, and tuition fees in public universities are relatively low compared to other countries. For French nationals and permanent residents of the EEA or Switzerland, tuition fees are minimal, with an average public university charging €170 per year for a bachelor's degree and €243 for a master's degree. However, international students from outside the EEA may face higher fees, with bachelor's programmes costing €2,770 per year and master's programmes costing €3,770 per year. These higher fees were introduced in 2019, marking a shift from a previously free tuition system. Nonetheless, the French government has also increased the availability of scholarships for international students. Additionally, students enrolled in French universities are required to pay an annual Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC) to fund social, cultural, sports, and healthcare services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees in public institutions | Low |
| Tuition fees in private institutions | Higher than public institutions |
| Registration fees for non-EU students | Identical to French and EU students in some cases |
| Registration fees for international students | €2,770 per year for Bachelor's, €3,770 per year for Master's |
| Registration fees for international students in foreign language programmes | Higher |
| Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC) | €103 for 2024-2025 |
| Student loans | Available through BPI France |
| Scholarships | Available for international students |
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What You'll Learn
EU/EEA citizens and permanent residents pay less
For EU/EEA citizens and permanent residents, tuition fees are as follows: €170 per year for a bachelor's degree, €243 for a master's degree, €380 for a PhD, and €601 to attend an engineering school. EU/EEA citizens and permanent residents are also eligible for state-guaranteed loans from banking institutions that have signed a contract with BPI France (French public investment bank). These loans are open to all students under 28, with no means test and no parental or third-party guarantee.
Additionally, EU/EEA citizens and permanent residents may be exempt from paying the Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC) fee, which is an annual fee of €103 (for the 2024-2025 academic year) that helps finance students' social, cultural, and sports activities, as well as healthcare. Students granted scholarships on social grounds, refugees, and those seeking asylum are exempt from paying the CVEC fee.
It is important to note that tuition fees in France are relatively low compared to the rest of Europe, and the French government has also increased the availability of scholarships for international students.
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Non-EU students pay higher fees
In France, tuition fees in public institutions are generally low, with the French state covering most of the costs. However, non-EU/EEA students without permanent residence in France are required to pay differentiated (i.e., higher) fees if they are enrolling for the first time in a Bachelor's, Master's, or engineering programme at a public higher education institution under the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR).
For the 2023/2024 academic year, the total registration fees for non-EU/EEA students in this category are €2,770 per year at the Bachelor's level and €3,770 per year at the Master's level. The state covers two-thirds of the study cost, and additional fees for foreign language programmes may be decided by the higher education institutions.
There are exceptions to the higher fees for non-EU/EEA students. Some non-EU students pay registration fees identical to those paid by French and EU students based on their status and the degree they are pursuing. This includes international students with a long-term residence card, those who have been associated with a taxable household in France for over two years, students with refugee status or subsidiary protection, and their children. International students enrolled in doctoral programmes, specific medical and dental studies, or a ''classe préparatoire aux grandes écoles' are also exempt from higher fees.
It is important to note that tuition fees in private institutions, particularly private business schools, can range from €6,000 to €18,000 per year. International students in France also have access to various forms of financial support, including need-based grants, merit-based grants, scholarships, and state-guaranteed loans. Additionally, they can benefit from the VISALE programme, which acts as a guarantor for rent costs.
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Scholarships and grants are available
Tuition fees in public institutions are generally low in France, and the cost of studies is covered mostly by the French state. The state covers two-thirds of the study cost for international students.
For French students, there are various scholarships and grants available, including:
- Need-based grants, which can be combined with other types of financial support, such as merit-based grants, "talent scholarships", mobility grants, and support from regional and local authorities.
- State-guaranteed loans, which are granted by banking institutions that have signed a contract with BPI France (French public investment bank). These loans are open to all students, regardless of financial means, as long as they are under 28 years old, enrolled in an institution for a higher education diploma, and are of French nationality or from the EU or EEA.
- Campus France's searchable platform, Campus Bourses, allows students to search for scholarships by field and nationality.
- The Gilman-France Scholarship, a partnership between the French Embassy and the Gilman Scholarship Program, is a highly selective award for students studying or interning in France.
- The Fulbright France scholarship, which is available for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students to pursue study in French institutions.
- The Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarship, which awards 75 grants of $1,000 each to undergraduate applicants annually.
- The Ecole Normale Supérieure International Selection Awards, which incorporate students from all disciplines and countries, enrolling them in the third year of a bachelor's in Math and Computing Science or the first year of a master's degree.
- The Chateaubriand Fellowship, a grant offered by the Embassy of France in the United States, which supports outstanding PhD students from American universities who wish to conduct research in France for 4 to 9 months.
- The AATF Walter Jenson Scholarship for Future Teachers of French, which provides $2,000 for students who plan to become French teachers to study abroad for a semester or a year.
- The Golden Key International Honor Society Joan Nelson Study Abroad Scholarship, which provides $5,000 for undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate students who are members of the Golden Key International Honor Society.
- The Hostelling International Explore the World Scholarship, which provides $2,000 travel grants for students aged 18-30 to support education travel, including studying abroad.
- The Serge Bellanger French American Business Scholarship, which provides financial support for French and American students seeking to pursue an MBA or a master's degree in a business-related discipline in each other's countries.
In addition to these scholarships and grants, students in France have access to various other benefits, such as affordable meals at university restaurants, free health services, and specific student fares for public transport.
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Loans are available for students
Tuition fees in public institutions in France are generally low, with the French state covering a large part of the cost of education. However, international students from outside the EU/EEA may be required to pay higher fees if they do not have permanent residence in France and are enrolling in a Bachelor's, Master's, or engineering programme.
For French students seeking to study abroad, particularly in the US and Canada, international student loans are available from private lenders. These loans can help cover the cost of attendance, including tuition, room and board, books, transportation, and living expenses. While federal loans in the US are not available to foreign citizens, international students can apply for private loans, which may require a cosigner who is a US citizen or permanent resident with a good credit history.
Within France, state-guaranteed loans for students are provided by banking institutions that have signed a contract with BPI France, the French public investment bank. These loans are open to all students, regardless of financial means, as long as they meet certain criteria:
- The student must be enrolled in an institution to prepare for a competitive examination or a French higher education diploma.
- The student must be under 28 years of age at the time the loan is granted.
- The student must be a French national or a national of an EU or EEA member state, and they must have been legally resident in France for at least five years when the loan is granted.
In addition to these state-guaranteed loans, French students can also apply for low-interest loans of up to €15,000 from banks. Credit Agricole, for example, offers student loans, although they require a parental guarantee. Furthermore, students may be eligible for support with housing costs through the Caisses d'Allocations Familiales (CAF). While this support is not extensive, it can provide some assistance with accommodation expenses.
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Additional fees for foreign language programmes
The French government subsidizes higher education, which means that tuition fees at public universities are low. The true cost of education is the same as elsewhere in the world, around €10,000 per year, but the French government assumes a large share of this cost.
For French students, tuition fees at public universities vary depending on the chosen study level. For Bachelor's programmes, the average tuition fees are around €170 per year. Engineering degrees have higher tuition fees of around €620 per academic year. The average tuition fees for medicine studies can reach up to €450 per year. The average fees for a Master's degree are around €260 per year and for a PhD, €396 per year.
However, beneficiaries of need-based grants are exempt from tuition fees. Need-based grants can be combined with other types of financial support, such as merit-based grants, talent scholarships, mobility grants, and support from regional and local authorities.
In addition to tuition fees, students also pay an annual Student Life and Campus Contribution to co-finance their social, cultural, and sports activities, as well as healthcare. This contribution is €91 per year.
For foreign language programmes, there may be additional fees that are decided by higher education institutions but are not regulated. For example, for students enrolled in a centre for the study of French as a foreign language (français langue étrangère, FLE) prior to the 2019/2020 academic year, the annual tuition was €2,572 at the Ecole Centrale in Lille, Lyon, Marseille, and Nantes, and at the Ecole des Mines in Nancy.
International students from non-EU/EEA countries who do not fall under specific categories may be required to pay differentiated (i.e., higher) fees. These fees apply if the student does not have permanent residence in France, is enrolling for the first time in a Bachelor's, Master's, or engineering programme, and is enrolled in a higher education establishment under the Ministry of Higher Education. The total registration fee for these students is €2,770 per year at the Bachelor's level and €3,770 per year at the Master's level.
However, some non-EU students may pay registration fees identical to French and EU students based on their status and degree. These include international students with long-term residence in France, students with taxable household declarations, students with refugee status, and international students enrolled in doctoral programmes.
International students can also apply for scholarships, such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, which is mainly for students enrolling in Master's and PhD courses.
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Frequently asked questions
French students pay low fees in public institutions, with the cost of studies covered for the most part by the French state.
No, international students from outside the EU, EEA, and Switzerland pay higher fees. However, some non-EU students pay the same fees as French and EU students based on their status and degree.
International students at public universities pay €2,770 per year for a bachelor's degree and €3,770 for postgraduate study. Fees at private universities can range from €4,000 to €20,000 per year.
Yes, the French government has increased the availability of scholarships for international students. There are also need-based grants, merit-based grants, talent scholarships, mobility grants, and support from the National Emergency Aid Fund.
Yes, all students must pay an annual Student Life and Campus Contribution (CVEC) fee, which is €103 for the 2024-2025 academic year. This fee supports social, cultural, sports, and health activities for students.
