Low cost of studies in France | Campus France

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In France, the cost of higher education is relatively affordable for students, particularly at universities and other public institutions. Studying in France provides access to high-quality academic programs that are accessible to a broad range of students

Tuition fees at public higher education institutions

Tuition fees at French public higher education institutions are among the lowest in the world. This is because a significant share of the actual cost of education—typically between €10,000 and more than €15,000 per student per year—is funded by the French government

Students from the European Union

For students who are nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, tuition fees for the 2026–2027 academic year are:

• €178 per year for a Bachelor’s degree program;
• €255 per year for a Master’s degree program;
• €630 per year for an engineering degree program at an institution under the supervision of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research,except for programs offered by the Écoles Centrales (CentraleSupélec, Centrale Lille, Centrale Lyon, Centrale Méditerranée, and Centrale Nantes) and at Mines Nancy, where tuition fees are €2,620 per year;
• €397 per year for a Doctoral (PhD) program.

 Good to know

• Certain engineering schools overseen by the French ministries responsible for the Armed Forces (including École Polytechnique, ISAE-SUPAERO, and ENSTA), the Economy(including Mines Saint-Étienne, Institut Mines-Télécom schools, Institut Mines-Télécom Business School, Télécom Paris, and Télécom SudParis), and Agriculture (including AgroParisTech, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, ENGEES, Institut Agro, Oniris, and the national veterinary schools), as well as institutions under the supervision of the Ministry of Culture (covering architecture, heritage, visual arts, performing arts, film, and audiovisual studies), charge different tuition rates. Be sure to check the tuition and fees listed on the website of the institution you are interested in.
• Some schools may also charge application fees and entrance examination fees.

For detailed <a href="https://jiuniversity.com/notice-regarding-a-personal-information-breach-caused-by-unauthorized-access/” title=”Notice Regarding a Personal Information Breach Caused by Unauthorized Access”>information on tuition fees by degree program, visit the website étudiant.gouv.fr

Students from outside the European Union

Students who are not nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland are subject to differentiated tuition fees when enrolling in Bachelor’s, Master’s, or engineering degree programs at higher education institutions under the authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space. Doctoral (PhD) programs are not subject to these differentiated tuition fees.

For the 2026–2027 academic year, tuition fees are:

• €2,902 per year for a Bachelor’s degree program;
• €3,950 per year for a Master’s degree program;
• €398 per year for a Doctoral (PhD) program.

For more information, please refer to theFAQ | Differentiated Registration Fees for Non-EU Students in Franceon the website of the Ministry of Higher education and Research

Students exempt from differentiated tuition fees

Certain international students from outside the European Union pay the same tuition fees as French, EU, EEA, and Swiss students, depending on their status or the program in which they are enrolled. This applies to:

• Students who are residents of Québec;
• International students holding a long-term resident permit, as well as students who have declared France as their tax residence, or who have been attached to a French tax household, for more than two years;
• Students who have been granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, as well as the children of individuals holding either status;
• International students enrolled in doctoral programs, theHabilitation à diriger des recherches (HDR), and third-cycle medical, dental, and pharmaceutical programs, with the exception of short-cycle programs;
• International students of any nationality enrolled in aclasse préparatoire aux grandes écoles (CPGE) who are also concurrently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program at a French university.

Tuition fee waivers

In certain circumstances, international students may be exempt from paying tuition fees at higher education institutions under the authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space. 

Full automatic tuition fee waivers are granted to:

• Students receiving a French government higher education scholarship, including French government scholarships and need-based social scholarships;
• International students coming to France under an agreement providing for reciprocal full tuition fee waivers (including inter-institutional agreements and European or international exchange programs).

Institutions may also grant tuition fee waivers, upon request, to other international students based on their individual circumstances. This may include students from countries affected by crisis or conflict, refugees, students with disabilities, or students facing significant financial hardship

Please note:

Decree No. 2026-385 of May 19, 2026, amended the rules governing tuition fee waivers granted by higher education institutions. Transitional measures have been introduced for students already enrolled:

• Students who were granted a tuition fee waiver for the 2025–2026 academic year remain subject to the previous rules until the completion of their current degree cycle (the full duration of a Bachelor’s or Master’s program), provided they continue their studies at the same institution;

• Students who had already been granted a tuition fee waiver forthe 2026–2027 academic year before the publication of the decree will retain that waiver until the completion of their current degree cycle, provided they continue their studies at the same institution

List of public higher education institutions

Here is the list of the main public higher education institutions in France that fall under the authority of the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space:

• All French universities and universities of technology, including the Université de Technologie de Belfort-Montbéliard, Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Université de Technologie de Tarbes Occitanie Pyrénées, and Université de Technologie de Troyes;
• Experimental public institutions (établissements publics expérimentaux– EPEs), grands établissements (such as CNAM, INALCO, and EHESS), and Communities of Universities and Institutions (Communautés d’universités et établissements – COMUEs);
• Schools and institutes operating independently of universities, including national engineering schools, the National Institutes of Applied Sciences (INSA Centre Val de Loire, INSA Hauts-de-France, INSA Lyon, INSA Rennes, INSA Rouen Normandie, INSA Strasbourg, and INSA Toulouse), and the Toulouse National Polytechnic Institute;
• The Écoles Normales Supérieures (ENS Paris-Saclay, ENS de Lyon, ENS Paris, and ENS Rennes);
• The Écoles Centrales (CentraleSupélec, Centrale Lille, Centrale Lyon, Centrale Méditerranée, and Centrale Nantes);
• French higher education and research institutions abroad, including the French School at Athens (EFA), the French School at Rome (EFR), the French School of Asian Studies (EFEO), the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology in Cairo (IFAO), and Casa de Velázquez in Madrid (CVZ);
• Public research organizations, including CNRS, BRGM, CEA, CIRAD, CNES, INSERM, INRAE, INRIA, IRD, ONERA, and IFREMER.

Please consult the official ministerial listto verify whether your institution is included

Tuition fees at private higher education institutions

Tuition fees at private higher education institutions, particularly business schools, are generally significantly higher than those charged by public institutions. In most cases, annual tuition fees range from approximately €6,000 to €18,000 or more. Students should consult the website of each institution to obtain the exact tuition fees for their chosen program

Approximately 21% of students in France are enrolled in private higher education institutions. A private institution is one that was not established by the French government. As a result, the level of public funding it receives may vary. In some cases, the French government officially recognizes private institutions and authorizes them to award national degrees. This is particularly the case for institutions designated as Établissements d’Enseignement Supérieur Privé d’Intérêt Général (EESPIG), or Private Higher Education Institutions of General Interest. Official recognition by the French government provides an additional guarantee of quality and academic standards. Examples of EESPIG institutions include the Catholic Universities of Angers, Lille, Lyon, Paris, Toulouse, and Vendée, as well as the Facultés Libres de l’Ouest in Angers and certain business and engineering schools.

The Bienvenue en Francelabel also recognizes institutions that have developed high-quality services and support for international students. The label assesses a range of criteria, including the quality of student services, access to information, academic support, campus life, assistance with housing, and post-graduation support

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Source: www.campusfrance.org