Many of you have asked: For an international student, how much does studying in France cost per year? Here are some answers.
Also read: Studying in France: Why this country?
1. Tuition fees, 29% of expenses
In public universities, a new law has just been passed to increase tuition fees for non-European international students. For a bachelor’s degree, it will increase from 170 euros to 2770 euros and from 243 to 3770 euros for a master’s degree. The doctorate remains at 380 euros. However, some universities have announced that they will not apply these new rates. Always check with the university where you would like to enrol.
Also read: Studying in France: Tuition Fees
2. Monthly expenses, closely monitored, about 56% of your expenses
Rent, water, electricity, transport costs, food, etc. We estimate these expenses at 615 euros per month, the amount required by the Minister of the Interior. This is the largest part of the expenses, so it must be closely monitored. You can read our article which covers this topic in more detail.
Also read: Studying in France: Monthly expenses for a student
3. Miscellaneous, not negligible, about 15%
Now the incidental expenses, but very important:
- Airfare: around 600 euros, depending on the departure and arrival airports. Needless to say, the actual price will depend on your flight date and whether you choose economy class or first class. As they say in English, « cut your coat according to your size », to each their own.
- Visa: visa application fees are 60 euros. To this fee, you must add the basic service fees set by the Consulate of your country of residence (for example, in Morocco, this fee amounts to 263 MAD, about 24 euros), plus any optional paid services: passport photos, photocopies, postal passport shipping, etc.
- Travel insurance: insurance covers repatriation costs in case of death, health costs, etc. You should budget around 80 euros.
- Third-party services: accommodation (up to 800 euros), reception (less than 100 euros) AVI (around 500 euros), etc. We estimate these expenses at about 1000 euros.
- As there are always uncertainties, add 230 euros for contingencies.
Incidental expenses therefore amount to 3000 euros, or about 15% of your expenses for the first year.
In summary, to study in France (in a master’s programme at a public university), it will cost you around 13,000 euros in the first year.
| Expense Category | Amount in EUR | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fees | 3,770.00 | 28.67 | Master’s, Public University |
| Monthly Expenses | 10,530.00 | 56.12 | 878*12 |
| Miscellaneous | 2,000.00 | 15.21 | Airfare, visa fees, etc. |
| 13,150.00 | 100.00 |
In conclusion, to pursue your studies in France, you need a budget of around 13,000 euros for the first year. Note that in the second year, you can considerably reduce these expenses. Beware! In private schools, this amount can quickly escalate.
Efuet. Atem
President-Founder, CEO World like Home
About World like Home
World like Home supports international students in their study projects in France. To find out more: https://www.world-like-home.com/
Also read: Studying in France: Choosing the right course!
Also read: Studying in France: How to finance your studies? (1/3 Scholarships)