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Dreaming of croissants, café culture, and world-class education in France? Before you start packing your bags and practising your bonjours, there’s one crucial question to answer: How much does it cost to study in France as an international student? More importantly, can you make it work on a student budget?
The good news? France offers some of Europe’s most affordable tuition fees, especially at public universities. The reality check? Living costs vary wildly depending on whether you choose glamorous Paris or more budget-friendly cities like Toulouse or Lille. From tuition fees (as low as €170/year for EU students!) to that all-important baguette budget, we’re breaking down every expense you’ll face. Plus, we’ll reveal little-known scholarships and money-saving hacks that could save you thousands.
Let’s break it down, starting with the big one: tuition fees. Whether you’re eyeing a Bachelor’s at Sorbonne or an MBA at HEC Paris, understanding these costs is your first step to making your French study dreams a reality.
Understanding Tuition Fees in France
France is renowned for its accessible education, though expenses differ significantly between public universities and private elite schools. Here’s the lowdown – and how to sidestep financial stress when you get that acceptance letter.
Tuition at Public Universities in France
Let’s start with the good news: France’s Public universities provide some of Europe’s most budget-friendly tuition. EU/EEA students only pay €170-€601 annually (believe it!).. For international students outside the EU, fees are elevated at €2,770/year for Bachelors and €3,770/year for Master’s degrees. Are there any exceptions? Subjects like medicine and engineering may have added costs.
However, private schools involve an entirely different budget—in terms of cost, we’re talking about Chanel vs. Zara.”
Tuition Fees at Private Universities in France
At well-regarded universities like HEC Paris or ESSEC, the budget for business programs is €3,000-€20,000/year. Specialised private institutions (consider fashion at ESMOD or tech at EPITA) range from €5,000-€15,000/year. A helpful tip: Many private schools have payment plans – always inquire!
Prices can also fluctuate depending on whether you’re pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s or that fancy PhD.
Tuition Fee Variations by Degree Level
- Bachelor’s: Generally, most expensive at private schools (averaging over €10k).
- Master’s: Public university fees rise by €1,000 for non-EU students.
- PhD: Frequently free (!) with monthly stipends of €1,200-€1,400 for researchers.
Now, let’s talk reality – because between rent, baguettes, and the mandatory museum visits, your finances will experience some strain.
The Cost of Living in France: A Detailed Breakdown
Tuition is only the beginning. Here’s a breakdown of your monthly spending and how to stay afloat before that croissant craving hits.
Accommodation Costs for Students
Your most significant cost? Housing. University dorms (CROUS) cost €200–€600/month, but availability is limited. Most students share flats (€400–€800/month), less expensive in cities like Lille but more so in Paris (where a tiny studio can reach €1,200!). Top tip: Use Leboncoin.fr or Facebook groups for bargains.
Food and Grocery Expenses
- Groceries: €150–€250/month if you shop at Lidl or Marché U (avoid Monoprix!).
- Eating out: University cafeterias (€3.30/meal!), kebabs (€6), or cafes (€15–€20). Secret: Many bakeries offer discounted pastries after 7 PM!
Pro tip: A Navigo card helps you save money on transport (and late-night metro trips back).
Transportation Costs
- Paris: €35/month for students (<26) with Navigo Imagine R.
- Other cities: Lyon (€25), Toulouse (€10–€20). Bikes (Velib) cost €3.80/day. Avoid taxis – Uber starts at €15+ for short trips!
Don’t skip health insurance, it’s non-negotiable (unless you enjoy €200 doctor visits).
Health Insurance Costs
- Securites Sociale: €90/year (covers 70% of costs).
- Top-up insurance (mutuelle): €20–€50/month for full coverage. Heads-up: Dental/vision often aren’t included!
Oh, and that visa? Here’s the cost breakdown (before you even get on the plane).
Student Visa Costs
- Visa application fee: €50–€99 (varies by country).
- OFII tax: €50 after you arrive. Factor in extra for translation/notary fees (€100–€200).
Lastly, nobody mentions the hidden costs (yes, you will spend €50 on a security deposit for your apartment).
Other Essentials
- Phone: Free Mobile (€2.99/month!) or Orange (€10–€30).
- Gym: €20–€40/month (look for student discounts).
Misc: Textbooks (€100/semester), laundry (€5/load), museum passes (€20–€50).
Need help settling in and saving money from Day 1? Our Post-Arrival Support services are designed to help international students adapt quickly – from housing to SIM cards.
Stress less, achieve more. Our education consultants can personally match you with scholarships and budget plans. Let’s make it happen!
Some cities are MUCH more budget-friendly. Let’s compare!
City-by-City Cost Comparison: Where to Stretch Your Euro Further
A lifelong supply of cheese.
Paris: The Glamorous (Yet Expensive) Fantasy
€1,200–€1,800/month
Rent: €800–€1,200 for a shared apartment (the 15th arrondissement is more economical than Le Marais).
Advantages: Free museums (<26), countless events.
A Reality Check: A crepe will cost €6 near the Eiffel Tower, versus €3 in the outer areas. It’s worth the money, but budget carefully.
Yearning for Parisian ambience, but not the price? Lyon beckons.
Lyon: Paris’s Economic Counterpart
€800–€1,100/month
Rent: €500–€700 (Croix-Rousse = fashionable and more affordable).
Food Lover’s Delight: Bouchons (local eateries) offer €15 menus.
Smart Move: Public transportation is €25/month for students. All the joy of life is 30% less expensive.
Favour sunshine and waterways over crowded metros?
Toulouse: The Pink City, Budget-Friendly
€700–€950/month
Rent: €400–€600 in student-focused districts like Saint-Cyprien.
Weather: 300+ sunny days per year means reduced expenses on heating in the winter!
Student Scene: Affordable tapas bars and free Fête de la Musique concerts. The ultimate student haven.
Lille, Montpellier & Other Lesser-Known Treasures
Under €800/month
Lille: €550–€750 (close to Belgium ).
Montpellier: €600–€850 (beach trips are €3 via bus).
Extra perk: Nantes and Grenoble provide €150/month student housing subsidies.
Here’s a breakdown of the average monthly costs international students can expect in popular student destinations across France.
City | Rent (Shared) | Food & Groceries | Transport | Total Est. Monthly Cost |
Paris | €800 – €1,200 | €250 – €350 | € 35 | €1,200 – €1,800 |
Lyon | €500 – €700 | €200 – €300 | € 25 | €800 – €1,100 |
Toulouse | €400 – €600 | €200 – €250 | € 20 | €700 – €950 |
Lille | €400 – €600 | €180 – €250 | € 25 | €700 – €900 |
Montpellier | €400 – €600 | €180 – €250 | € 20 | €700 – €850 |
Table 1: Average Monthly Living Costs in Popular French Cities (2025)
Sources:
https://www.campusfrance.org/en/tuition-fees-France
https://www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr
Want expert help figuring out your tuition and budgeting plan? Check out our Country-Specific Support to explore personalised guidance for study destinations.
Alright, but what if your funds are low? Scholarships and side jobs to the rescue
Funding Your Studies: Scholarships & Side Hustles
No trust fund? No worries! France enjoys helping students with funds if you know where to search. Here’s how to finance your croissant cravings without feeling bad.
French Government Scholarships
The Eiffel Scholarship is the ultimate goal: €1,181/month plus tuition covered for Master’s and PhD students. Some hidden opportunities include:
- Charpak (€700/month for Bachelor’s)
- Region Sud (for students studying in Provence)
Deadline notice: Most applications become available from October to January. Helpful advice: Combine these with CAF housing assistance (€100–€200/month).
However, your dream university might offer its financial resources.
- University-Specific Scholarships
- Sciences Po: Emile-Boutmy (up to €12,300/year)
- Sorbonne: Excellence Grants (€10,000 for international students)
- HEC Paris: Need-based aid (up to 50% off tuition)
Secret tip: Look on department websites—smaller grants (€500–€2,000) are often not applied for!
Still needing funds? Time to leverage your special charm.
Working While Studying
International students can work 20 hours a week (about €600–€900/month after taxes). Ideal positions:
- English tutoring (€15–€30/hour on Preply)
- Seasonal jobs (grape-picking pays €1,200/month plus free wine education!)
- Cafe/retail (basic French skills required)
Heads up: Don’t depend on this income getting paid; it takes over 6 weeks.
But before you arrive, there are upfront costs (yes, that flight ticket is expensive).
Confused about where to apply for scholarships or how to plan your part-time work around classes? Our Educational Consultancy team can help you create a sustainable financial plan while you study.
Pre-Arrival Costs: Budgeting for the Big Move
Before you post that first croissant photo on Instagram, consider these costs:
- Flights: €200–€600 (find deals by booking 3+ months in advance)
- Visa costs: €50–€99 + €50 OFII fee
- Initial payments: Accommodation (€400–€800) and tuition down payments
- Unseen expenses: Certified translations (€50/page), travel insurance
Pro tip: Check Student Universe or Skyscanner for cheaper flights.
And when you arrive? Here’s a budget for your first week (because, let’s face it, you’ll want money for a kebab).
Post-Arrival Costs: Setting Up Shop
The not-so-thrilling grown-up list:
- Banking: Free at Lydia or N26 (regular banks often charge €5/month)
- Commute: Navigo pass (€35) or bike deposit (€150)
- Books: €100–€300/semester (buy second-hand on Momox or borrow from libraries)
- Unexpected fees: €90 for health insurance, €30 for a SIM card
Don’t worry , you’re not alone in this. Our Post-Arrival Support ensures you hit the ground running with local help on banks, travel cards, and more.
Tips to Save Money Like a Local
Enjoy life on a student’s limited funds with these secret strategies:
- Groceries: Lidl beats Monoprix (save 30%), Too Good to Go app (€4 buys €15 of bakery items)
- Culture: Free museum days (first Sunday of/month), cinema student prices (€5 tickets)
- Travel: OUIGO trains (€10 tickets), BlaBlaCar for road trips
- Socialising: Apero culture (host potlucks with €3 wine from Franprix)
- Tech: Cheap mobile plans (Free Mobile = €2.99/month)
Average Total Cost Summary
Outside Paris: €8,000–€15,000/year
- Tuition: €2,770 (public university)
- Rent: €4,800 (€400/month)
- Living: €3,000–€6,000
Paris: €12,000–€20,000/year
- Tuition: Same, but rent doubles (€9,600/year)
- Remember, scholarships/part-time work can slash these by 30-50%!
Still stressed? Our education consultants can help you stretch every euro because studying in France alone shouldn’t mean surviving on baguettes.
Looking beyond graduation? Explore our Post-Study Support to discover visa extensions, job opportunities, and pathways to permanent residency in France.
Conclusion: Your French Adventure Starts Here
Studying in France doesn’t have to cost a fortune if you play your cards right. Between affordable public unis, cheeky Lidl hauls, and scholarships even Emily in Paris would envy, your dream is closer than you think. Whether you’re sipping €2 wine in Lyon or debating philosophy in a Toulouse cafe, France rewards the budget-savvy student. So, ready to swap FOMO for JOMO (Joy of Missing Out on debt)
Craving more insider tips? Dive into our Ultimate Student Guides for everything from visa hacks to where to find Paris’s cheapest crepes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much does it cost to study in France for international students in 2025?
Tuition fees in France vary depending on the institution and program. Public universities charge around €2,770 per year for undergraduate and €3,770 for postgraduate programs. Private institutions can cost €8,000–€20,000 per year. Living expenses range from €700 to €1,200 per month, depending on the city.
Is France affordable compared to other European study destinations?
Yes, France is relatively affordable, especially if you attend a public university. Many programs are subsidized by the government, and students enjoy discounts on housing, transport, and meals. Compared to the UK or the US, total yearly expenses in France can be 30–50% lower.
Are there scholarships available for international students in France?
Absolutely. International students can apply for Eiffel Excellence Scholarships, Campus France grants, and institution-specific scholarships. Some regions and cities also offer housing aid (CAF) to help reduce monthly costs.
What are the living costs for students in cities like Paris vs. Lyon or Lille?
Paris is the most expensive, with monthly costs averaging €1,200–€1,500, including rent. Cities like Lyon, Lille, or Toulouse are more budget-friendly, where students can manage with €700–€1,000 per month, depending on lifestyle.
Can I work while studying in France to cover my expenses?
Answer: Yes, international students can work up to 964 hours per year (about 20 hours per week) during term time. Typical student jobs pay around €10–€12 per hour, which can help cover part of your living expenses.