Cost of Studying in France 2027: Fees and Living Costs

The cost of studying in France for international students starting in 2027 is typically €12,600 to €25,700 a year at a public university, covering tuition and living costs. Based on the latest confirmed fees, non-EU students pay €2,902 a year for a public bachelor’s and €3,950 for a master’s, while private business and engineering schools usually charge €8,000 to €25,000 a year.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in France per Year?

Your total cost depends on three choices: public or private institution, study level, and city. The estimates below are for non-EU students starting in 2027 and combine the latest confirmed public fees, the €105 CVEC (student and campus life fee), and 12 months of living costs.

On top of this, budget roughly €1,000 to €3,000 in one-off first-year costs before flights (StudyIn estimate), including visa fees, the validation tax, a rental deposit, and setting up your room. Fees and rates are the latest confirmed figures as of 30th October 2026.

What Are the Tuition Fees in France for International Students?

Public university fees are set nationally, so a master’s at a highly ranked university costs the same as one at a smaller regional university.

Public University Fees (Latest Confirmed)

Until 2026, many universities waived the higher fee for most non-EU students. A decree of 19th May 2026 now caps these discretionary exemptions at 25% of non-EU students per university for 2027/28, down from 30% in 2026/27, and 20% from 2028/29. Students who already hold an exemption keep it while they continue in the same cycle and programme, and students on exchange agreements with reciprocity are exempt automatically.

In practice, most new non-EU students starting in 2027 should budget for the full fee and ask each university about its exemption policy. You can check the rules on Service Public.

Grandes Écoles, Business Schools, and MBA Fees

Most English-taught master’s programmes in business, management, and engineering sit within private or semi-private grandes écoles, which set their own fees. These ranges are indicative, so always check each school’s published fees:

• Master in Management (MiM) and MSc: Usually €12,000 to €25,000 a year, with leading schools at the top of this range.
• Private engineering schools: Typically €8,000 to €15,000 a year.
• MBA programmes: Generally €30,000 to €100,000 for the full programme.
• English-taught bachelor’s degrees: Mostly offered by private institutions, often at €8,000 to €15,000 a year.

Many private schools ask for a deposit to secure your place after an offer, which counts towards first-year fees. Check the amount and refund terms before you pay.

For undergraduate students and parents, the key trade-off is language. Most public bachelor’s degrees are taught in French, usually at B2 level, while English-taught bachelor’s options cost several times more. If French isn’t realistic yet, an English-taught master’s after a bachelor’s elsewhere is often better value than a private bachelor’s in France. StudyIn’s French and English language preparation can help if you’re weighing a French-taught route.

What Is the Cost of Living in France for International Students?

Living costs for international students in France are around €800 to €1,100 a month in cities such as Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, or Bordeaux, and €1,100 to €1,800 a month in Paris. Rent is the biggest variable, often half of your monthly spend.

Rent and grocery ranges are based on Campus France benchmarks. Totals are StudyIn estimates for the 2027 intake, assuming a private residence or flatshare. A CROUS room can bring your total lower, and a university restaurant meal costs €3.30.

Accommodation and the Housing Aid Change

CROUS residences are the cheapest option, but places are limited, especially in Paris. Apply early, look at private student residences and flatshares too, and keep a backup.

The biggest recent change is housing aid. Since 1st July 2026, non-EU students without a means-tested scholarship (bourse sur critères sociaux) can no longer receive CAF housing aid (APL). Students in paid work or on an apprenticeship or professionalisation contract can still qualify. Many older cost guides still assume CAF support, so budget for your full rent unless you know you’re eligible.

• Rental deposit: Up to one month’s rent for an unfurnished flat and up to two months for a furnished one.
• Guarantor: Most landlords want a French guarantor. The free state guarantee, Visale, covers students for rents of up to €1,000 a month in Île-de-France, €840 in cities of over 100,000 people, and €680 elsewhere (charges included).
• Home insurance: Required for most rentals, usually a small monthly cost.

Paris vs Other Cities: Where Your Budget Goes Further

Because public tuition is the same nationwide, choosing a regional city can save roughly €3,600 to €8,400 a year compared with Paris, without lowering the value of your degree.

How Much Money Do You Need to Show for a French Student Visa?

For 2027 applications, you must currently show at least €877.50 a month, or €10,530 for 12 months, the threshold in force since 1st August 2026.

This replaces the long-standing €615 a month and is set at 47% of the French gross minimum wage, so it will rise whenever the minimum wage does, which usually happens each January. Check the current figure on France-Visas before you apply. The change comes from Decree No. 2026-526, and the same threshold applies when you renew your residence permit.

Accepted evidence usually includes:

• Bank statements: Personal or family statements showing funds that cover your stay.
• Sponsor letter: A signed financial guarantee from a parent or sponsor, with their bank statements.
• Scholarship letter: Confirming the amount and duration of funding.
• Irrevocable transfer certificate: Accepted by some consulates as monthly proof.

France doesn’t require a German-style blocked account. Requirements and procedures differ by nationality, though. Students from countries covered by the Études en France procedure apply through Campus France and usually pay a reduced €50 visa fee, while others apply on France-Visas and pay €99. Some consulates ask for more than the minimum, so check what applies in your country.

One-Off Visa and Arrival Costs

Health cover is affordable: registration with French social security is mandatory and free for students in French higher education, and most add a low-cost mutuelle. Your visa only works as a residence permit once you complete the online validation, so build it into your arrival budget.

Is France Cheaper Than Germany or the UK?

France is usually cheaper than the UK on tuition and visa funds, and close to Germany on living-cost requirements. Here’s how the official rules compare for non-EU students:

If tuition is your main concern, compare costs to study in Germany, where many public universities charge little or no tuition. If English-taught options and a longer post-study period matter more, it’s worth weighing France against the UK as a study destination.

Can International Students Work While Studying in France?

Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 964 hours a year, or 60% of the legal working year, which averages about 18 hours a week. Algerian nationals follow separate rules with a lower limit. The French minimum wage is currently €1,867.02 gross a month, or about €12.31 gross an hour, and is usually revalued each January.

• Typical earnings: Working 15 hours a week at minimum wage brings in roughly €800 gross a month.
• Housing aid link: Paid work can restore CAF housing aid eligibility for non-EU students.
• Work-study (alternance): Apprentices at public universities pay no tuition and earn a salary, though places are competitive.
• Language: Part-time roles are much easier to find with conversational French, even if your course is in English.

Treat part-time income as a top-up for everyday costs, not a substitute for your visa funds.

Which Scholarships Reduce the Cost of Studying in France?

Scholarships in France usually fund living costs or reduce tuition rather than covering everything. The main options for international students are:

• France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship: Pays €1,200 a month for master’s students, plus travel, insurance, and housing-search support. You can’t apply directly: your French institution nominates you, with nominations due to Campus France in January 2027 for 2027/28 entry. Many internal university deadlines fall in October or November 2026, so check them now, and master’s applicants must be 29 or under.
• University fee exemptions: Public universities can still exempt up to 25% of non-EU students in 2027/28, using their own criteria.
• Business school scholarships: Many grandes écoles offer merit awards worth 10% to 50% of tuition, usually assessed with your application.
• French embassy scholarships: Some embassies fund students from their country, so eligibility depends on nationality.
• Erasmus Mundus joint master’s: EU-funded scholarships on multi-country programmes that include French universities.

French government scholarship holders, including Eiffel scholars, are exempt from differentiated fees at public institutions. Not every award is purely merit-based, so a strong application and the right programme choice can matter as much as grades.

Is Studying in France Worth the Cost?

A two-year public master’s costs roughly €27,300 to €34,500 in a regional city and €34,500 to €51,300 in Paris, including living costs.

For context, the Conférence des Grandes Écoles’ 2026 survey found that grande école graduates from the class of 2025 working in France earned an average of €39,679 gross a year excluding bonuses, with a net employment rate of 76%. These figures cover grande école graduates only, and the survey showed the graduate job market slowing.

• Job search permit: Graduates with a master’s-level degree (grade de master) or a licence professionnelle can apply for a 12-month permit to look for work or start a business.
• Moving into work: A job related to your studies paying at least 1.5 times the minimum wage (about €2,800 gross a month) gives simplified work authorisation.
• Longer-term options: Skilled graduates can move to a multi-year Talent Passport or EU Blue Card.
• Returning home: Most French degrees follow the European LMD structure with ECTS credits, which supports international recognition.

Check that your programme confers the grade de master before you commit, because this decides your post-study rights. If you need a job in France to justify the cost, French language skills will make a bigger difference than the city you choose.

How to Budget for Studying in France: Step by Step

1. Choose your institution type: A public university (€2,902 or €3,950 a year) or a private school (often €8,000 or more) sets most of your budget.
2. Pick your city: Use €800 to €1,100 a month for regional cities or €1,100 to €1,800 for Paris.
3. Calculate your visa funds: Make sure you can show at least €877.50 a month for your stay, on top of tuition.
4. Add one-off costs: Include the visa fee, validation tax, CVEC, deposit, and flights.
5. Subtract confirmed funding: Deduct only scholarships or exemptions you’ve actually been offered.
6. Plan part-time income as a buffer: Use work for everyday costs rather than core funding.

Plan Your Study in France Budget With StudyIn

Recent changes to fee exemptions, housing aid, and proof of funds mean older cost guides can understate your budget by thousands of euros. StudyIn has over 20 years of experience helping international students across multiple destinations, and our service is free throughout the process.

A counsellor can shortlist universities that match your budget and still offer exemptions or scholarship nominations, time your Eiffel nomination, check your financial evidence against the €877.50 rule, and support you through your visa and pre-departure. Students and parents can book a free session to build a realistic plan together.

FAQs

How much does it cost to study in France for international students per year?

Most non-EU students at a public university spend €12,600 to €25,700 a year, covering tuition of €2,902 for a bachelor’s or €3,950 for a master’s plus living costs. Private business school master’s programmes typically total €21,600 to €46,600 a year.

Is studying in France free for international students?

No. Non-EU students pay differentiated fees at public universities, and for 2027/28 exemptions are capped at 25% of non-EU students per university. EU, EEA, and Swiss students pay €178 for a bachelor’s and €255 for a master’s.

How much money do I need to show for a French student visa?

You currently need at least €877.50 a month, or €10,530 for 12 months. The amount is linked to the minimum wage and may rise in 2027, so check the current figure when you apply.

Do I need a blocked account to study in France?

No. France sets a minimum level of resources rather than requiring a blocked account. You can show it through bank statements, a sponsor’s guarantee, or a scholarship letter.

Can international students get CAF housing aid in France?

Since 1st July 2026, non-EU students can only receive CAF housing aid if they hold a means-tested scholarship, work, or study on an apprenticeship or professionalisation contract. EU, EEA, and Swiss students remain eligible.

Can I study in France in English?

Yes, especially at master’s level, where many public university and grande école programmes are taught in English. Most public bachelor’s degrees are taught in French, and English-taught bachelor’s options are mostly at private institutions with higher fees.

How many hours can international students work in France?

Student visa holders can work up to 964 hours a year, about 18 hours a week on average. At the current minimum wage, 15 hours a week earns roughly €800 gross a month.

Is France cheaper than Germany for international students?

It depends on your route. Public tuition in France is €2,902 to €3,950 a year for most non-EU students, while tuition in Germany varies by state. France asks for proof of €877.50 a month, and Germany asks for €992 a month in a blocked account.