Heavily subsidised by the State, the cost of studying in France remains moderate for students. Choosing to study in France means accessing quality education, accessible to the greatest number. Tuition fees at French public higher education institutions are low because the State covers a significant part of the cost of these courses, which actually amounts to around €10,000 per year. The difference is that in France, the State bears a large part.
Also read: Cost of studies: France remains much cheaper than Anglo-Saxon countries
Tuition fees for the 2024/2025 academic year
For French and EU students
For the 2024/2025 academic year, the tuition fees for French students or nationals of the European Union, the European Economic Area or Switzerland, are as follows:
- Licence: €175 (compared to €170 in 2023)
- Master: €250 (compared to €243 in 2023)
- Doctorate: €391 (compared to €380 in 2023)
- Engineer (under the supervision of MESR): €618
Exceptions for certain non-EU students
Some non-EU students benefit from the same tuition fees as French and EU students. This includes students residing in Quebec, holders of a long-term resident card in France, those attached to a tax household in France for more than two years, as well as beneficiaries of refugee status or subsidiary protection.
Moreover, foreign doctoral students and international students enrolled in preparatory classes for grandes écoles, as well as those enrolled in Licence, Master or Doctorate for the 2018/2019 academic year, are not subject to differentiated tuition fees.
For non-EU students
For non-EU students enrolling for the first time in a Licence, Master or engineering cycle at the start of the 2024/2025 academic year in an institution under the MESR, the tuition fees are differentiated:
- €2,850 for a year in a Licence cycle
- €3,879 for a year in a Master cycle
However, for foreign doctoral students, the tuition fees remain at €391, as the State continues to cover the majority of their education costs.
Also read: Studying in France: Monthly expenses for a student
Good to know
Engineering schools under the supervision of the ministries in charge of defence, economy, and agriculture have different rates. It is therefore advisable to inquire directly with the school concerned to know the exact amounts of tuition fees and school fees. There are also competition fees to access engineering schools.
For more information, students are invited to consult the list of public institutions concerned by the application of differentiated tuition fees.
Also read: Increase in fees for foreign students: an appeal rejected by the Council of State