France is renowned as one of the most popular locations for international students. Indian students are increasingly selecting France as a study destination, and France has been taking proactive steps to welcome them to its world-class schools.
Students are drawn to France because it is home to some of the world’s prestigious universities. Students can learn or improve their French, visit famous museums, and enjoy the characteristic “à la française” lifestyle. The number of Indian students in France has tripled in the previous three years and is anticipated to continue climbing in the succeeding years.
This article breaks down the costs of every aspect of university life to ensure that you are fully prepared.
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Three thousand five hundred governmental and private organizations provide fantastic projects and training. One of the advantages of studying in France is that education costs less in France than in the United States and the United Kingdom.
International students are also supported financially. In comparison to the rest of Europe, tuition costs in France are pretty modest. Because most higher education institutions in France are state-funded, there is usually a minimal charge based on the level of study. The cost of studying in France will remain the same for Indian students as it is for international students from outside the EU states. There are also many French Scholarships for Indian Students to attract more international students.
Tuition fees at public institutions in France vary based on the degree of study selected. Tuition expenses for Bachelor’s programs are typically approximately 170 EUR each year.
Tuition for engineering degrees is higher, averaging around 620 EUR per academic year. Education for Medicine studies can cost up to 450 EUR per year on average.
The average charge for a Master’s degree is roughly 260 EUR/year, while the average cost for a PhD is 396 EUR/year; higher prices are expected for specific specialized degrees.
Aside from tuition, you must also pay a 91 EUR contribution to campus and student life.
Remember that tuition costs at public colleges are frequently only applicable to students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland.
You may have to pay more for your education if you are a non-EU/EEA citizen.
To avoid misunderstandings or potential difficulties, go to the university/study program website and see if tuition prices apply to students from your country.
International students will pay more at France’s highly selective grandes écoles and grands établissements, which determine their rates (about 500-600 EUR per year. It can lead to up to 10,000 EUR per year in some situations).
Tuition rates start at 1,500 EUR per year and may reach 20,000 EUR.
Fees at business schools range from 5,000 to 30,000 EUR per year, depending on the degree level.
The following is a list of average tuition costs at France’s leading universities:
Tuition expenses range from 12,000 to 19,850 EUR per year on average.
Tuition rates range from 170 to 380 EUR per year on average.
Check out this list of French universities with the lowest tuition fees:
In France, almost every course, from MBBS to MBA, is available in English.
The courses mentioned above and universities only represent the costs of studying in France for English-taught courses.
France has long used English-taught courses to attract more international students and make its top courses more relevant to global education.
It also means that fluency in French is not required to study in France.
Almost all institutions charge different fees for overseas students. Thus the prices and costs of studying in France indicated above also apply to English-taught courses.
Your lifestyle determines the overall cost of living in France, but most importantly by your selected location, namely the French city in which you reside.
Check out the average budget for each major city in France:
Accommodation costs more than the global average of 200 – 300 EUR per month.
In France, the following are the primary accommodation alternatives for students:
Overseas students can also take advantage of VISALE, a program that acts as a guarantor.
A guarantor is someone who pledges to pay your rent if you are unable to do so.
The VISALE program, on the other hand, solely assists international students who rent an apartment/room in a university home (student hall).
French food is excellent, complex and the prevalent perception is that it is pricey as well.
That may be because the French sincerely respect every meal, and they make it appear like they constantly celebrate something when they eat.
However, food is not expensive throughout France.
In Paris, a single individual should expect to spend between 250 – 300 EUR a month on groceries or less in the regions.
Dinner in the cheapest restaurant costs between 10 and 15 EUR on average.
Menus in gourmet restaurants might be more pricey.
Bistros, brasseries, and crepe stands are a more affordable option for a meal anywhere in France.
Some restaurants serve substantial meals, and a crepe can substitute for lunch, with prices ranging from 5 to 8 EUR.
You’ll receive the best deal if you shop at a supermarket; the cheapest supermarkets in France are Leclerc and Géant Casino.
The Courtepaille restaurant chain, Buffalo Grill, and cheap restaurants in Paris, such as Michi, are all excellent locations to eat.
A monthly bus, subway, or tram pass typically costs between 30 and 75 EUR. Taxis are also reasonably priced in Paris, at roughly 1.50 EUR/km, and a short ride would cost between 7 and 10 EUR.
You may borrow a bike via the Vélib bicycle rental program; Bordeaux is the most bike-friendly city in France.
You may also take the TGV to other cities in France for about 30 EUR each way.
The average monthly budget for electricity, gas, and the internet is €60 (£53), and an average internet connection is €25 (£22) per month, shared among renters.
Books and other study materials cost €50 (£44) a month while investing in a health insurance mutual fund is highly advised, costing €20-€50 (£17-£44) per month, depending on the level of coverage.
Students from the European Economic Area should have a European health insurance card (EHIC).
The average monthly phone bill is €25 (£22), though some Internet offers are as low as €10 (£11).
A litre of fuel costs €1.33 (£1.18), and a monthly trip card or transit pass costs around €70 (£62), however single modes of transport cost between €17 and €33.
Bike rental for a single journey is standard in several French cities.
A whole year of Vélib access (including unlimited 30-minute journeys throughout the city) costs €19 (£16).
When booked in advance, the average cost of a return TGV journey to another city is €25 (£22).
There is a youth discount railcard that costs €50 (£44) and may be worthwhile if you plan on travelling cross-country frequently.
It’s always wise to look at student travelcard possibilities. For example, in Paris, an unlimited Carte Imagine R costs €38 a month, compared to €70 (£62) for non-students.
Shopping for groceries in France is somewhat more expensive than in the United Kingdom.
The average weekly grocery bill is €62 (£54), or €250 (£221) per month.
Lunch out in France costs about €12 (£10.64) on average, and a movie ticket costs about €9 (£7.98), however, there is usually a lower student ticket price, which is around €6 (£5).
A Big Mac costs €4.47, a pint of beer costs €5.43 (£4.43), and a glass of wine costs €4 (£3.55).
A monthly gym membership costs €37.70 (£33.42), while a show ticket or club admittance is €15 (£13.30).
Most students should spend €600-€800 (£531-£709) per month on food, transportation, and lodging, but this will likely be significantly more in a major city like Paris.
According to French legislation, every international student who desires to study in France must be able to demonstrate that they have adequate means to sustain themselves without working: €615 (£545) per month or €7,318 (£6,486) per year.
It is more of an estimate since outside of Paris, €700-€850 (£620-£753) is advised, but in Paris, it is closer to €1,100 (£975).
However, with proper budgeting, a student may survive on €600 (£532) a month.
The CROUS system — student university cafeterias sell three-course meals for as cheap as €3 (£2.66) – is a fantastic option for students.
The majority of grants are given to students under the age of 28 based on financial need.
The amount provided for the need-based grant is determined by a social criteria evaluation and ranges between 1,606 and 4,600 EUR every year. The merit-based award varies from 1,800 to 6,100 EUR.
At the same time, people who qualify for a grant are excused from or receive a discount on healthcare coverage.
Some universities, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the French embassy in your country offer scholarships to international students.
Some universities offer scholarships of up to 10,000 EUR per academic year to students who are no older than 30 years old in the year of acceptance and meet academic excellence criteria.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs grants scholarships through The Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, mostly to Master’s (1,181 EUR/month) and Ph.D. (1,400 EUR/month) students.
The application fee for a Long-Stay Student Visa is 99 Euros.
Depending on your place of origin, you may be required to pay a Campus France and/or VFS charge in addition to the visa charge.
Every French person is required to carry Medical Insurance to cover medical expenditures if they become ill.
Students can enroll in any of the public or private health insurance plans available to them.
International Medical Plans are not permitted.
For students’ medical needs, France has a Universal Healthcare Coverage plan.
Students in France must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for a national health insurance program:
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