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Studying in France

Tuition, living costs, visas and how to apply, from the European Commission's official profile — with student numbers from Eurostat and the Erasmus Mundus master's you can take here.

🇫🇷 Browse France’s universities on CollegeMatcher — or find your matches

At a glance

Tuition · EU/EEA students

€178 a year for a bachelor's, €254 for a master's, €397 for a doctorate at public institutions (2025–26)

Tuition · non-EU/EEA students

€2,895 a year for a bachelor's, €3,941 for a master's, unless you qualify for the reduced rate

Fees — more detail

Private universities and grandes écoles set their own fees, from about €6,000 to €18,000 a year.

Living costs

€800 – €1,200 a month; Paris costs more

Erasmus Mundus master's

110 joint programmes with a university here

Students in France

Tertiary students · 2024

2,879,212

From abroad · 2024

284,8659.9% of all students

Of whom from the EU · 2024

36,85512.9% of students from abroad

Largest countries of origin: Morocco (33,889), Algeria (27,022), China (22,712), Senegal (14,048), Tunisia (11,602).

“From abroad” means degree-mobile students — enrolled for a whole degree, having gained their previous qualification in another country. Exchange students on Erasmus aren't counted.

Tertiary students by year
201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024
2,338,1352,388,8802,424,1582,480,1862,532,8312,618,7292,685,4082,748,3172,809,2892,883,4122,852,6702,879,212

Tuition fees and living costs

Tuition fees

If you are a student from the EU/EEA, the French government will cover most of the cost of your degree programme in a public higher education institution.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, tuition fees are

  • Bachelor's: €178 per year
  • Master's: €254 per year
  • Engineering school: €628 per year except Ecole Centrale in Lille, Lyon, Marseille, and Nantes, and at the Ecole des Mines in Nancy, where the annual tuition is €2 613
  • Doctorate: €397 per year

Some non-EU/EEA students may benefit from these reduces fees, depending on their residency status or study programme.

If you’re a non-EU/EEA student and do not qualify to benefit from reduced fees, you will pay:

  • Bachelor's: €2 895 per year
  • Master's: €3 941 per year
  • Doctorate: €397 per year
Private universities and Grandes Écoles

These set their own tuition fees, which can range from €6 000 to €18 000 per year, depending on the programme and institution.

More details on fees

Living costs

Students in France spend on average €800 - €1 200 per month, depending on their lifestyle and location. Paris is generally more expensive than other major student cities. Student discounts are widely available for transport, culture and leisure.

Read how to prepare your budget

Visa requirements

EU/EEA students don’t need a visa, regardless of the length of their stay.

If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you will need a visa to study in France. Visa type depends on the length and purpose of your stay:

  • Short-stay visa (less than 3 months)
  • Long-stay student visa (more than 3 months)

How to apply for a visa if needed

Higher education system

Types of degrees

France follows the Bologna system and uses the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):

  • Bachelor’s degree: 3-4 years
  • Master’s degree: 1-2 years
  • PhD: 3–4 years

Types of institutions

Universities

Public institutes of higher education financed by the French State.

Grandes Écoles

Selective public and private institutes of higher education recognised by the State.

Specialised schools and institutes

These institutes offer programmes in specific professional areas. Some award state-recognised degrees, others offer professional certificates.

Schools of art and applied arts

Offer programmes in visual arts, design, fashion, and related fields. Admission is often competitive and successful completion leads to state-recognised degrees.

The national schools of architecture

Public institutions offering architecture degrees recognised by the State.

Application process

Applying to study in France depends on your nationality, the programme, and the institution. General steps include:

  1. Choose your programme and higher education institution: use the Campus France catalogue to explore study options
  2. Check the admission requirements: these may vary depending on programme and institution. You may need to provide academic transcripts, diplomas and proof of language proficiency (French or English).
  3. Prepare your documents: these include
    1. Academic transcripts and diplomas
    2. Passport copy
    3. Language certificates
    4. CV and motivation letter
  4. Apply online: Either directly to the institution of your choice or through the “Études en France” procedure, if applicable.
  5. Receive your admission letter: Once accepted, you’ll get an official admission letter. This admission letter is essential for those who need a visa or residence permit.
  6. Finalise practical matters: Arrange housing, health insurance, and validate your visa (if applicable) before arrival.

Scholarships

France offers a wide range of scholarships for international students through public institutions, regional authorities, and European programmes.

Student life

Student life in France is dynamic and culturally rich. French higher education institutions offer student cards that give access to discounts on transport, museums, cinema, and more. There are plenty of opportunities to join cultural excursions, discover French customs, and travel across French regions.

Explore living in France

Frequently asked questions

Are programmes taught in English?

Yes. Many higher education institutions offer programmes in English.

Browse English-taught study programmes in France

Can I work while studying in France?

Yes, you can. Students can work up to 964 hours per year (approx. 20 hours/week).

No separate work permit is needed if you hold a student visa.

Is health insurance required?

Yes, health insurance is mandatory for all students. EU students can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-EU students need private insurance or may need to register with the French Social Security System.

How can I find housing in France?

Students can choose between university dormitories, which are affordable and social, or private accommodation, such as rented apartments or shared flats. Many universities offer support or guidance to help international students find suitable housing before arrival.

Source: Study in France – English-taught programmes, tuition fees and scholarships, last updated 24 October 2025.

Erasmus Mundus master's with a university in France

Joint master's taught by several universities in different countries, open to students from anywhere, with EU-funded scholarships on many of them.

Country guidance adapted from the European Commission’s Study in Europe country profiles, © European Union, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Condensed, restructured and combined with other data by CollegeMatcher.

Student numbers: Eurostat, tables educ_uoe_enrt01 (tertiary enrolment) and educ_uoe_mobs02 (degree-mobile students from abroad).

Programmes: the Erasmus Mundus Catalogue of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA); partner institutions from the Erasmus+ Project Results Platform. © European Union, CC BY 4.0.

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