When one thinks of France, one remembers the Eiffel Tower, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, French food, wine, and vineyardsโno wonder it is a popular holiday destination in Europe.ย
However, what many people forget about France is that it also has a rich intellectual tradition. In fact, it is hailed as the birthplace of modern democracy and home to some of historyโs notable philosophers like Rene Descartes, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Voltaire. Thus, it is no surprise that France is also one of the most popular study destinations in the world. In fact between 2018 to 2019, France welcomed around 358,000 international students.ย
With everything that France has to offer, some people might be surprised that Franceโs tuition costs are not as high as other higher education institutions (HEIs) in Europe. If you are a student planning to study in France, hereโs a guide to help you prepare financially.ย
Tuition Fees
If you are planning to study or have been accepted into one of Franceโs public institutions, you might be in for a big surprise, because Franceโs tuition fees are one of the lowest in Europe. This is because public HEIs in France are set and subsidized by the government. Note that there might be some variations to the cost due to the institution, its location, or the studentโs program of choice.ย
Generally, international students from the European Economic Area (EEA), EU, and Switzerland pay less than international students from other countries. However, Franceโs tuition is still relatively lower than other European countries.ย
Bachelorโs Degree as of 2020/2021, the tuition cost for EU, EEA, and Swiss students may cost around โฌ170 per year. Engineering schools, however, may be more expensive and will cost around โฌ601 to โฌ2,500 per year. For students that donโt belong to any of the categories above, a bachelorโs degree may cost around โฌ2,770 per year.
Postgraduate Degree tuition for a masterโs degree level for EU, EEA, and Swiss students may cost around โฌ243 per year, while a doctoral degree may cost around โฌ380 degree per year. For international students that donโt belong to any of the categories above, a masterโs degree may cost around โฌ3,770 per year. A doctoral, as of 2020/2021, may cost around โฌ380.ย
Living Costs
Aside from tuition fees, international students must know how much basic necessities, such as food and accommodation, may cost in France. Although tuition fees are relatively low, the cost of living is quite high, especially in big cities like Paris. When it comes to accommodation, it also varies. On-campus accommodations may cost less, but the competition to get one is quite high. Below is the breakdown of some necessities in France.ย
| Food (restaurant) | โฌ14.00 |
| Utilities (electricity, heating, water, cooling, garbage) | โฌ149.53 |
| Movies | โฌ10.00 |
| Transportation (1-way ticket) | โฌ1.70 |
Financial Assistance, Part-Time Work, and Discounts
Franceโs high cost of living may be a deal breaker to some. Luckily, France offers a lot of financial assistance that students can access, through the French government, non-government organizations, and the institutions themselves.ย
Moreover, students eligible to work in France can supplement their living costs through taking a part-time job. Generally, international students can work 964 hours in a year, and are guaranteed a minimum wage per hour. Aside from financial assistance and part-time work, students are also eligible for a lot of discountsโfrom transportations, entertainment, food, and school-related materials, as long as they can show their valid student ID, or an international student identity card (ISIC).ย
Want to start your journey as an international student in France? Check out MSM Unify overseas education consultancy list of courses to begin.
