France boasts 76 public universities and 176 private universities, with 3 being ranked among the top 100 universities in the world and 10 being ranked in the top 300. Clearly, there are some great French universities to attend!
But, what are the costs of pursuing a degree in France? It is worth the time and effort it takes to apply, interview, travel, and live in a new country?
Depending on your personal preferences and goals, you might find that France isn’t the right fit, or you might decide that it’s everything you want and more!
Can I Study in France for Free?
The bad news is: probably not.
The good news is: education in France is extremely affordable, especially compared to tuition rates in places like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia.
The French government subsidises education from public universities, so the vast amount of tuition fees are covered by the government. The fees are set, so French nationals only need to pay a few hundred euros each year for tuition.
For international students studying in France at a public university, the cost of tuition is:
- €2,770 per year at the licence (bachelor) level
- €3,770 per year at the master level
- €380 per year at the doctorate level
The French government subsidises doctorate-level studies for international students at the same rate as domestic ones, so it is very affordable to pay for a doctorate year.
However, private universities and institutions are not subsidised by the government, which means their tuition can be much higher. On average, the cost of tuition at a private university is between €3,000 and €10,000 per year.
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Are There Scholarships for International Students in France?
Yes!
The first step is to start looking for scholarships local to you. Many scholarships and grants are awarded for essay contests, art portfolios, extracurricular involvement, or pursuing a certain degree. Some employers provide scholarships to their employees or their children.
Then, look for scholarships for international students studying in France. You can find websites that list general scholarships and grants, check out your institution’s opportunities for scholarships, and look for scholarships through the regional and federal government. Erasmus+ is also a popular choice for students looking for financial assistance.
When you are accepted at an institution, they may tell you about programmes you can benefit from financially.
What Fees Do International Students Pay in France?
Tuition isn’t the only fee to consider when studying abroad. There are some other vital business matters to take care of to make your stay legal and safe.
Test Scores
For most institutions, you will need to present your GRE, GMAT, or LSAT test scores as part of your application.
“Demande d’Admission Préalable” (DAP)
The DAP is a preliminary request for admission, aka your non-specific university application. You can apply for DAP at the Culture and Cooperation Service of the French embassy in your home country.
Parcoursup
Some institutions (technological universities, grandes écoles, and other specialised schools) are exempt from taking the DAP for enrolment. For these institutions, you may need to apply via Parcoursup, which is the national admissions platform for domestic and international students seeking higher education.
"Classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles" (CPGE - Preparatory classes for Grandes Écoles)
You will need to complete a two-year prep course for this entrance exam and submit your results to the universities you are applying to.
CampusArt Application
If you are applying to an art programme, you will also need to file a CampusArt application.
Language Proficiency Test
For some universities or programmes, you may need to be fluent in a certain capacity in French. To prove your fluency, you may need to prepare for and take the DELF or DALF, or TCF test.
Even if you’re studying in France in English, you may need to provide these scores.
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Short or Long Stay Visa
If your studies are longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a long-term visa. There are several options for long-stay visas to choose from. And you may also need a student permit and a work permit if you plan on working while in school.
Health Insurance
Depending on your age and length of stay, you may be eligible to enrol in France’s universal health coverage. If not, you may need to purchase private health insurance that is valid in France.
Required Documents for Admission into France as an International Student
- Prior admission or pre-registration certificate provided by the university
- Campus France authorization
- Passport or ID card (valid for the duration of your stay)
- ID/passport-type photos
- Copies of graduation diplomas and their French translation
- Registration fee
- Social security registration (free)
- A civil liability certificate
- Resume
- Cover letter
- Transcript of records
- Copies of diplomas
- Proof that you can fund your stay in France (with a minimum of €800 per month)
What Are the Costs of Living in France?
When you are living in France as a student, you’ll also need to consider living costs.
Keep in mind that, at the time of this article, 1 euro = ~1.62 Australian dollars (1 AUD = ~0.62 euro).
At a glance, here is a simple breakdown of expected costs for students in France.
Paris (per month)
- Housing & Utilities: €800
- Food: €350
- Cultural and Social Activities: €150
- Transportation: €50
- Total per Month: €1350
- Total per Academic Year (10 months): €13,500
Outside of Paris (per month)
- Housing & Utilities: €500
- Food: €300
- Cultural and Social Activities: €100
- Transportation: €40
- Total per Month: €940
- Total per Academic Year (10 months): €9,400
Room & Board
You have the option of applying for residence in dorms or student housing provided by the university. The problem is that there are usually fewer rooms available than there are students who want them, so you’ll need to have a backup plan in case you aren’t able to secure a room.
University housing is usually between €200-400 per month.
Your second option is to rent an apartment. Typically, a private room is what you’ll be able to find that fits a student's budget, but you might also be able to find a solo studio or two or three-bedroom apartment you can rent with friends. These apartments usually range between €400-700 per month, or €800 if you’re in Paris.
Your third option is to find a host family who may allow you a place to stay for cheap in exchange for help with childcare or housework. Or, they might not ask you to do any errands and just have you pay higher rent. These arrangements typically cost about €200-800 per month, depending on which city you live in.
Keep the cost of utilities in mind as well, as not all housing contracts include electricity, heat, trash removal, or other services in the rent charge. Make sure to read the contract carefully! Utilities typically cost €50-100 per person per month depending on your usage. The Internet can cost between €24-35 per month on average.
Groceries & Meals
French universities do not tend to offer meal plans the same way as in other countries, where you pre-purchase meals at the same time as you pay tuition.
Instead, they have cafeterias where you can use your student ID to pay a very reasonable amount, typically €3-5, per meal.
When eating out at a non-touristy and non-Michelin restaurant, you can expect to pay about €15-25 for lunch, and €20-35 for dinner. Of course, you can always find places that have cheaper options like tacos, burritos, falafel, salads, and other smaller foods instead.
For a coffee (which is almost always espresso in France), you can expect €1-2 for a shot, and €3-5 for something with milk, like a latte or mocha.
Groceries tend to be less expensive than in Australia by about 7%. While not the most affordable in the world, the prices are competitive. You might find that some things that are expensive in Australia are more affordable in France (like tomatoes or wine).
Transportation
If you are under the age of 26 and in Paris, you can buy an Imagine R metro pass for €350 per academic year.
If you are over 26 and in Paris, you can purchase a Navigo Annual Travel Pass or Navigo Monthly Pass for €73-84 per month depending on which zones you travel in. For Paris-only travel (you won’t be frequently going outside of Paris), you can choose the Navigo Liberté+ Pass, which gives you discounted fare (€1.69 instead of €2.10) for all your in-Paris travel, and your maximum charge tops out at €8.45 per day.
Fares in other cities vary. Some examples are:
- Lyon: €22 for a weekly pass
- Marseille: €18.30 per month for students under 26 for 1-year subscription
- Grenoble: €5.50 per day
- Toulouse: €22-€55 per month depending on if you can get a Prime Transport Pass
You can also opt for bike or scooter rentals in some cities, but be aware that these can be expensive, and you are liable to pay for the replacement of the bike or scooter if it is damaged or lost.
Activities
Activities tend to be very reasonably priced in France. Museums are usually €10-20, and some offer student discounts or times when you may visit for free.
Tickets to the cinema are about €8-10 for students. Any local musical events or festivals are usually free or cost €10 at the most.
There are also a lot of places you can go for free, like parks and gardens.
Phone Plan
Buying a SIM or eSIM card is vital for longer stays in another country. You need to be able to make calls and access the internet even when you’re not at home!
These plans can range in price from about €20-50 per month depending on how much talk, text, and data you buy.
Studying in another country is exciting, rewarding, and is no doubt a great way to experience more of the world. You will learn so many things in and outside of the classroom when you go out of your comfort zone to experience a new part of the world. Even though thinking about finances can be daunting, the affordable rate of tuition in France makes it a great choice even with all the other expenses of life you need to consider.
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