Lana Oconnell
France has long been a popular destination for international students due to its high-quality education at relatively low costs. While studying in France is not entirely free, the French government subsidises a large share of the tuition fees, making it more accessible for international students. In this paragraph, we will explore the costs of education in France for international students and discuss the various funding opportunities available to them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tuition fees for international students | Higher than for French students, except for some non-EU students |
| Tuition fees for EU/EEA/Swiss students | €175 per year for undergraduate (Licence) studies |
| Tuition fees for non-EU students | Differentiated tuition fees apply |
| VLS-TS visa for international students | €99, to be paid after university acceptance |
| Visa validation cost | €50, to be paid within 3 months of arrival in France |
| Living costs | Relatively high compared to tuition fees |
| Monthly student budget | €850-€1,000, including accommodation |
| Scholarships | Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, Campus France Scholarship Directory, grants from MEAE and MESRI |
| Health services | Each university has a health department (SUMPPS) with free services and appointments |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- International students outside the EU may need a VLS-TS visa
- EU/EEA/Swiss students pay €175 per year for undergraduate studies
- Non-EU students may pay identical fees to French and EU students
- Scholarships and grants are available to international students
- International students may work up to 964 hours per year
International students outside the EU may need a VLS-TS visa
International students from outside the EU may need a VLS-TS visa to study in France. The VLS-TS visa entitles you not only to live and study in France but also to work up to 964 hours per year (or 20 hours per week) and travel freely in the countries of the Schengen area. This is a great opportunity to explore Europe while pursuing your studies.
The VLS-TS visa application process involves several steps and requirements. Firstly, you will need to submit your application along with the required documents, which must be in French. Processing times may vary depending on the embassy or consulate handling your application. After your application has been submitted, you will be required to pay a fee of 99 euros. It is important to note that this fee is non-refundable, even if your visa application is unsuccessful.
Once your application has been approved and you have received your visa, you will need to validate it within three months of your arrival in France. Validation can be done entirely digitally from the comfort of your home. To complete the validation process, you will need to pay an additional fee of 50 euros.
It is worth noting that the VLS-TS visa is typically valid for a period of four months to one year. If you intend to stay in France for longer than a year, you will need to apply for a residence permit. This can be done by submitting an application for a multi-annual residence permit (carte de séjour pluriannuelle) at the prefecture. Make sure to initiate this process three months before your VLS-TS visa expires.
While studying in France as an international student comes with certain costs, there are also opportunities for financial support. The French government subsidizes higher education, resulting in relatively low tuition fees compared to other countries. Additionally, there are various scholarships and grants available, such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, which aims to attract top international students to French higher education institutions.
International Students: Do They Party Hard?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
EU/EEA/Swiss students pay €175 per year for undergraduate studies
International students from outside the EU may need a VLS-TS visa to study in France. This costs €99 and allows the holder to live, study and work (up to 20 hours per week) in France, as well as to travel freely in the Schengen area. Once in France, the visa must be validated within three months, at a further cost of €50.
While studying in France is not entirely free, the French government subsidises a large share of the cost of higher education. For EU/EEA/Swiss students, the French state covers most of the education costs at public institutions. For the 2024/2025 academic year, these students will pay €175 per year for undergraduate (Licence) programmes.
The same low fees apply to some non-EU students, depending on their status or the degree they are pursuing. For example, international students enrolled in a doctoral programme or in the third cycle of their medical, dental or pharmaceutical studies pay the same fees as French and EU students. The same is true for students who have been enrolled in a public institution since before 2019, and for students enrolled in a French as a Foreign Language (FLE) centre before 2020.
For other international students, higher tuition fees will apply. However, there are now three times as many government-sponsored scholarships for foreign students as there were before autumn 2019, when the higher fees were introduced.
In addition to the scholarships offered by the French government, individual universities may also offer scholarships to international students. It is worth checking the policies of each university, as some universities exempt individual international students from fees as a scholarship.
FAFSA Eligibility: International Students' Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Non-EU students may pay identical fees to French and EU students
France has relatively low tuition fees for international students because the French government subsidises higher education. The tuition fees for 2024/2025 are: €175 per year for undergraduate (licence) studies. However, since autumn 2019, international students have been paying higher tuition fees at French universities, which can be up to 15,850€. This was a drastic change from the previous system, where students needed to pay only around 200 euros per year.
Despite this increase, there are now three times as many government-sponsored scholarships for foreign students. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) offers grants to international students, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI) provides needs-based finance to anyone who will have lived in France for at least five years by the time they complete their course. The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, established by the MEAE, enables French higher education institutions to attract top international students to enrol in their Master's and PhD programmes. Campus France, the official French government agency, offers additional details about scholarships for international students.
Some non-EU students pay registration fees identical to those paid by French and EU students based on their status or the degree for which they are studying. This includes: international students who hold a long-term residence card or have been associated with a taxable household in France for more than 2 years, students who benefit from refugee status, international students enrolled within a doctoral programme, and students in the 3rd cycle of their medical, dental and pharmaceutical studies. Non-EU doctoral students are not subject to new differentiated tuition fees and will pay €391 for the 2024 academic year.
International Student? Your Common App Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Scholarships and grants are available to international students
While studying in France isn't free for international students, there are a variety of scholarships and grants available to help fund your education.
The French government subsidizes higher education, keeping tuition fees relatively low. At public universities, international students from outside the EU will have to pay higher tuition fees, which can range from €200-€600 per year, while private universities can charge up to €10,000. However, there are exceptions for non-EU students based on their status or degree program. For example, international students with a long-term residence card or those who have been associated with a taxable household in France for over two years may pay the same fees as French and EU students. Additionally, students enrolled in doctoral programs or specific fields like medicine, dentistry, or pharmaceutical studies may be exempt from higher fees.
To assist with these costs, the French government, institutes of higher education, and other organizations offer scholarships and grants specifically for international students. Here are some notable options:
- Erasmus+: This European Union program supports education and student mobility. It offers scholarships for master's programs and mobility scholarships that cover removal and accommodation costs for students studying in France.
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme: Established by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), this program attracts top international students to French higher education institutions for master's and PhD programs.
- Fulbright France: Fulbright offers various scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students to pursue studies in French institutions.
- Gilman-France Scholarship: A partnership between the French Embassy and the Gilman Scholarship Program, this award supports American students studying or interning in France, promoting international student mobility between the two countries.
- Campus France: Campus France is a searchable platform that provides information on scholarships available to international students in France. You can filter your search by nationality, field of study, and level of study to find relevant opportunities.
- French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (MESRI): MESRI provides needs-based financial support to international students who have resided in France for at least five years by the time they complete their course.
- Regional Scholarships: French regions and towns offer scholarships to foreign students enrolled in programs in their area. These scholarships are managed by institutes of higher education and research.
These are just a few examples of the scholarships and grants available to international students in France. It is recommended to explore the Campus France platform, contact the international department of your desired French university, or reach out to the French embassy in your home country for more comprehensive information on funding opportunities.
Applying Early Decision: International Students' Guide
You may want to see also
International students may work up to 964 hours per year
International students in France are allowed to work during their studies. The law in France permits international students to work up to 964 hours per year, which is equivalent to a 60% working week. This is around 20 hours per week. Students from Algeria have a slightly different rule, with a 50% allowance of the standard working week.
International students with a valid student visa can work in most part-time jobs, including working in cafes or restaurants, retail, museums or art galleries, bartending, administration roles, and many others. These roles should not affect academic performance, but they are a good way to gain work experience. University jobs can include tutoring, working at sports or cultural events, or marketing, administration, or student support. These roles are usually scheduled around class and study times to ensure students can complete their studies. There is a further limit to working hours based on the time of year. International students can work up to 670 hours between September and June and up to 300 hours from July to August.
Students must be paid at least the minimum wage, which is guaranteed by law. As of January 1, 2024, the minimum wage is €11.65 per hour. This salary is gross, and mandatory social security contributions must be deducted (around 20%) to determine actual earnings. A student working 10 hours per week at minimum wage will earn approximately €92 net. If a student works the full 964 hours on minimum wage, they could earn €11,105.28 for the year and take home about €8,884 after social security payments.
It is important to note that internships completed as part of a degree course do not count towards the 964 hours of permitted work per year. Apprenticeship contracts are now open to first-year students enrolled in a master's program recognized by the state or in one of the training programs approved by the Conférence des Grandes Écoles. Undergraduate international students cannot take on any apprenticeship contracts until they have completed their first year of studies in France. If the number of hours in the contract exceeds 964 hours per year, the employer must apply for a temporary work permit on the Ministry of the Interior website.
DACA: A Lifeline for International Students
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, education is not free for international students in France. However, tuition fees are relatively low compared to other countries as the French government subsidises higher education.
International students from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland pay higher tuition fees than French students. For the 2024/25 academic year, tuition fees at public universities are set at €175 per year for undergraduate programmes. Tuition fees at private institutions are significantly higher and can range from €6,000 to €18,000 per year.
Yes, there are several scholarships and funding opportunities available for international students in France. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE) offers grants to international students, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI) provides needs-based finance to those who have lived in France for at least five years. Additionally, the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme enables French higher education institutions to attract top international students to enrol in their Master's and PhD programmes.
Living costs for international students in France can vary depending on the city and lifestyle choices. In cities like Bordeaux, Lyon, or Toulouse, students can expect to spend between €850 to €1,000 per month, including accommodation.
