French state investments in higher education keep costs relatively low, especially when compared to other more traditional study abroad destinations.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
Public institutions in France include universities, which are by default subsidized by the French state. Systematically, all higher education institutions sporting the word university/université in their names are of public status.
Fees are relatively low, as the state finances most of the cost of education provided in universities. With the passing of the 2019 amendment of the immigration law concerning international students, non-EU students pay the mandated university tuition rates below.
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Licence (Undergraduate): €2 770 per academic year
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Master: €3 770 per academic year
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Doctorate: €380 per academic year
DIFFERENTIATED FEES
While most public institutions adhere to the aforementioned state-mandated rates, there are certain universities that at present are yet to implement the differntiated fee system. This means that international students enrolling to these establishments can expect to pay the same amount as EU and French students, estimated to be at around €170, €243, and €380 per academic year in licence, master's, and doctorate studies, respectively.
Campus France keeps a list of universities that are not yet enforcing the differentiated fee system. You may consult the list here (site currently only available in French).
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS
Tuition in private institutions, and particularly in private business schools, is substantially higher than in public institutions, ranging from €3 000 to €10 000 per year. Check the website of the institution to learn the amount of tuition charged for programs of interest to you.
Private status signifies that the institution was not founded by the French state. The level of public funding each receives is variable. In some cases, the state may officially recognize an institution and authorize it to grant national diplomas. In such cases, the government has a say over the instruction offered in those degree programmes, ensuring students of a certain level of service and quality. Among the private institutions recognized by the French government are the five Catholic institutes (in Paris, Lille, Angers, Lyon, and Toulouse) and some schools of business or engineering.
AN ILLUSTRATED COMPARISON: MASTER'S STUDIES
To give a better idea of how enrolment rates of French HEIs fare both inside and outside the country, here's an infographic on the cost of master's studies in France.
CVEC
Since the 2018 academic year, students admitted to a French institution of higher education are subject to a new fee known as the CVEC - Contribution Vie Etudiante et de Campus (Student and Campus Life Contribution fee), which helps to finance on-campus programs that enhance the student experience. This annual fee is around €100 for each academic year.
For more information about the CVEC fee, refer to this page.
SOCIAL SECURITY (SÉCURITÉ SOCIALE)
From the 2018 academic year onwards, membership to the French social security scheme is free for all students enrolled in higher education institutions. This allows students to receive reimbursement for up to 70% for health expenses (medical visits, prescription medications, and some health-related procedures).
Click here for more details information on French social security
