Study in France 2026: Complete Guide for Students

Last updated: July 2026

Study in France: The Complete 2026 Guide for International Students

International students in France pay roughly €2,900 a year in tuition at public universities for a Bachelor's degree and close to €3,900 for a Master's, following a 2026 government decision to raise fees for non-EU students. The student visa (VLS-TS) requires proof of at least €615 a month in living funds and typically takes 4 to 6 weeks to process. After graduation, eligible students can apply for the APS, officially the RECE permit, giving Master's graduates 12 months to find work, with no labour market test required once they convert to a work permit.

Why Study in France? (Cost, Rankings, Career ROI)

France pairs a genuinely subsidised public university system with some of the world's most respected business schools, HEC Paris, INSEAD, and ESCP among them, giving students a rare choice between low cost public education and globally elite private options within the same country. The 2026 tuition increase for non-EU students narrows France's traditional cost advantage over Germany, but it remains meaningfully cheaper than the UK or US for equivalent degrees. The APS post study permit is a genuine strength: unlike several countries in this guide, once you secure a qualifying job during your APS year, your employer is exempt from having to prove no local candidate was available, a real practical advantage during the hiring process.

What Are the Best Universities in France for International Students?

France's higher education system includes public universities, Grandes Écoles, and specialised business schools, each with a distinct pathway. Popular choices include:

• Sorbonne University and Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) — strong across humanities, sciences, and research, with the Sorbonne's name carrying particular international recognition
• HEC Paris — consistently ranked among the world's top business schools, especially for its MBA and Master's in Management programs
• INSEAD — a leading global business school with a Fontainebleau campus near Paris, especially known for its one year MBA
• École Polytechnique — France's most prestigious engineering Grande École, feeding directly into top engineering and research careers
• Sciences Po Paris — the leading choice for political science, international relations, and public policy

Grandes Écoles generally require a separate, often competitive entrance process distinct from standard university admission, so it's worth understanding which system a program belongs to before applying.

How Much Does It Cost to Study in France in 2026?

Budget approximately €2,900 a year in tuition for a Bachelor's degree and approximately €3,900 for a Master's degree at public universities following the 2026 fee changes for non-EU students, a roughly 16 times increase compared to the previous below €200 rate that applied before differentiated fees were introduced. Private institutions and Grandes Écoles charge considerably more, commonly ranging from €8,000 to over €20,000 a year depending on the school and program. On top of tuition, the student visa requires proof of at least €615 a month in living costs.

Is a French Degree Worth the Cost? (Tuition Breakdown by Institution Type)

France's tuition landscape shifted meaningfully in 2026, and understanding which tier applies to you matters more now than it did a few years ago:

• EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: pay the low subsidised statutory rate, a few hundred euros a year at public universities
• Non-EU students starting from the 2026-2027 academic year: pay differentiated tuition, approximately €2,900 a year for a Bachelor's and approximately €3,900 for a Master's at most public institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education
• Fee waiver exceptions: some non-EU students pay the same lower rate as EU students depending on their specific status or program, and institutions can grant waivers for students from crisis affected countries, refugees, or those facing genuine financial hardship
• Grandes Écoles and private institutions: set their own fees independently, commonly €8,000 to over €20,000 a year, well above the public university rate regardless of nationality
• PhD programs: exempt from the differentiated tuition fee changes entirely, regardless of nationality

Always confirm the exact current fee directly on Campus France's official tuition page or your specific institution's website, since 2026 was a genuine transition year for this system and figures are still settling in at some institutions.

What Are the Admission Requirements for French Universities?

Requirements vary by level and institution, but generally include:

• Secondary school qualifications equivalent to the French Baccalauréat, or a recognised foundation program for students who don't meet this directly
• A relevant Bachelor's degree with a strong academic record for Master's applicants
• Proof of language proficiency, French for most public university programs, English for a growing number of Master's and business school programs taught in English
• Completion of the Études en France (Campus France) procedure for applicants from countries with a Campus France office, required before a visa application can even be submitted
• Academic transcripts, a motivation letter, and, for Grandes Écoles, a separate competitive entrance process

Which Entrance Exams Are Required? (TCF, DELF, IELTS, TOEFL)

For French taught programs, proficiency is generally demonstrated through the TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) or DELF/DALF certifications. For English taught Master's and business school programs, IELTS or TOEFL are the standard requirements, with exact score thresholds set individually by each institution rather than following one national standard. Some Grandes Écoles and business schools also require GMAT or GRE scores as part of a broader competitive admissions process, alongside interviews conducted in French or English depending on the program.

How Do I Apply for a French Student Visa (VLS-TS)?

The VLS-TS process runs through these stages:

1. Complete the Études en France procedure through Campus France if your country has an office, this includes an academic verification and, in many cases, an interview
2. Receive your official letter of acceptance from a recognised French institution, which anchors the dates on your entire visa file
3. Gather your proof of financial means, at least €615 a month for the full duration of your stay
4. Submit your visa application online through France-Visas, then book and attend your consulate appointment for biometrics and document submission
5. Pay the visa fee, €50 for applicants going through the EEF/Campus France procedure, €99 for those outside it
6. Validate your VLS-TS online through the ANEF portal within 3 months of arrival, and pay the OFII validation fee, in the range of €50 to €60 depending on the source, at which point your visa functions as your residence permit

How Long Does the French Student Visa Process Take?

Budget 4 to 6 weeks for standard consulate processing, though this can extend during peak season between May and August. Starting too late is the single most common mistake, since the Campus France procedure itself typically needs to begin 4 to 5 months before your intended start date to leave enough time for both academic verification and the consulate appointment that follows.

What Are the Financial Requirements for a French Student Visa?

France sets a clear, government confirmed minimum, one of the more precise figures in this entire guide:

• Minimum living costs: at least €615 a month, roughly €7,380 for a full academic year, a figure that has not increased for 2026 and remains one of the lowest thresholds in Western Europe
• Realistic Paris budget: consulates are aware that €615 a month doesn't stretch far in Paris specifically, and a more realistic monthly figure once rent, food, and transport are included is closer to €1,000 to €1,200, worth showing if you're applying to study in the capital

Acceptable evidence: bank statements covering the last 3 to 6 months, a scholarship award letter, a blocked account (compte bloqué) opened in France, or a formal sponsor guarantee (attestation de prise en charge) from a financial guarantor based in France.

A note on treating €615 as a floor, not a target: consulates look for consistent, regular financial history rather than a single large deposit shortly before applying, which is one of the most common reasons for refusal.

What Are the Best Courses to Study in France?

France holds particular strength in:

• Business and Management — backed by a genuinely dense concentration of top ranked business schools within a small geographic area around Paris
• Engineering — delivered through the Grandes Écoles system, École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, and the Mines-Télécom network among the most respected
• Fashion and Design — tied to Paris's global standing in the fashion and luxury goods industry
• Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management — reflecting France's deep culinary tradition and hospitality sector
• International Relations and Political Science — anchored by Sciences Po's global reputation in this specific field

Programs at Grandes Écoles and top business schools tend to offer the smoothest path toward the APS and, eventually, the Passeport Talent route for higher earning graduates.

Can I Work While Studying in France?

Yes. Student visa holders can work up to 964 hours a year, roughly 20 hours a week, calculated on a pro rata basis if your residence card is valid for less than 12 months. France's minimum wage (SMIC) sits at approximately €11.88 gross an hour as of January 2026, meaning a student working 15 hours a week for 10 months can earn a meaningful share of their living costs, particularly outside Paris where costs are lower.

What Is the APS? (Post Study Work Permit)

After graduating, eligible students can apply for the APS, officially renamed the RECE (Recherche d'Emploi / Création d'Entreprise) permit since a 2024 reform, though APS remains the commonly used term, particularly for students from countries with a specific bilateral agreement with France.

• Eligibility: generally requires a Master's degree or equivalent from a recognised French institution, including Licence Professionnelle, specialised Master's, or an accredited Grande École engineering or business degree
• Standard duration: 12 months, though duration can vary by nationality, with some bilateral agreement countries seeing different arrangements, so confirming your specific country's terms directly with Campus France is worth doing rather than assuming a fixed figure
• Work rights during APS: full time work in any field, not just your area of study, with the standard 964 hour student cap no longer applying once you hold the permit
• Converting to a long term work permit: once you secure a job paying at least 1.5 times the SMIC, roughly €2,730 to €2,830 a month depending on the exact rate applied, you can convert to a Salarié work permit without your employer needing to prove no local candidate was available, a genuine practical advantage over a standard work visa
• Passeport Talent route: for higher earning graduates, roughly 2 times the SMIC, this alternative permit offers up to 4 years of residency and a smoother path toward long term settlement

What Is the Cost of Living for Students in France?

Budget varies sharply by city. A rough monthly range:

Category	Typical Cost
Rent (shared accommodation)	€600 to 1,000 (Paris) / €400 to 650 (smaller cities)
Food and groceries	€200 to 350
Transport	€30 to 90
Health insurance	Mandatory registration with French student social security once enrolled
Miscellaneous	€100 to 200

Paris runs well above the rest of the country on rent in particular, and the realistic Paris living cost genuinely exceeds the €615 official minimum, worth planning for honestly rather than budgeting to the bare legal floor.

Do I Need to Learn French?

It depends on your program. Most Bachelor's degrees at public universities are taught in French, and functional proficiency is expected for daily life regardless of your program's language of instruction. A growing number of Master's degrees and most business school programs are taught fully in English, but even then, basic French meaningfully improves daily life, part time work opportunities, and job prospects during and after the APS period.

What Scholarships Are Available for International Students?

• Eiffel Excellence Scholarship — a French government award covering Master's and PhD study for outstanding international students, including a monthly stipend
• Erasmus+ — available for eligible exchange and joint degree programs within the EU framework
• CampusBourses — the official Campus France tool listing available scholarships by country and program, expanded in response to the 2026 tuition changes
• University and Grande École specific scholarships — varying by institution, often targeted at students from specific regions or fields of study

When Should I Apply? (Intake Deadlines)

France runs one primary intake with a smaller secondary option at some institutions:

• September intake — the main intake for nearly all programs, with the Campus France procedure ideally starting in April for a September start given the 4 to 5 month runway it requires
• January or February intake — offered by a smaller number of institutions and specific programs, mainly for exchange or short cycle courses

Given the Campus France procedure, consulate appointment availability during peak season, and OFII validation after arrival, start your application at least 6 to 9 months before your target intake.

FAQs About Studying in France

Can I study in France without speaking French?

Yes, for a growing number of English taught Master's degrees and most business school programs, though most Bachelor's degrees still require French proficiency, and daily life is considerably easier with at least conversational French regardless of your program.

Is France cheaper than the UK or Germany for international students?

It sits between the two following the 2026 fee changes. France's new differentiated tuition is higher than Germany's near tuition free public system but generally lower than most UK Master's programs, though Grandes Écoles and business schools can exceed both.

What GPA do I need for French universities?

There's no single national cutoff, and Grandes Écoles in particular run separate competitive entrance processes rather than relying purely on GPA, so checking your specific target program's admission process is more useful than a general benchmark.

Can I stay in France long term after studying?

Yes, via the APS followed by a transition to a Salarié work permit or the higher earning Passeport Talent route, both of which lead toward permanent residency (carte de résident) after continuous years of legal residence.

Do all French universities charge the same tuition to non-EU students?

Largely yes at public universities following the 2026 changes, since fees are centrally set by the Ministry of Higher Education for most programs, though Grandes Écoles, private institutions, and certain specialised schools set their own separate, generally higher fees.

Sources

Campus France official tuition fee guidance for 2026-2027, France-Visas official student visa requirements, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Space 2026 tuition announcement, and Campus France's official Temporary Resident Permit (APS) guidance.