Is Education Free In France?

Is education free in France?

Students from all over the world flock to France to study. The affordable tuition rates and the pleasant French way of life are two of its main selling points.

These days, a lot of people want to go to France and study abroad because they want to experience French culture firsthand. You probably have a lot of questions if you’re thinking about applying to a French university. What about the cost? Is it waived for students from other countries? What about grants and aid from the government?

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We hope you find this resource useful as you consider studying in France.

Is Education Free In France?

Is education free for international students in France?

Even though France isn’t typically thought of as a place to get a cheap college degree, international students of any country can study in France for free or at a very low cost.

Students from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland pay only €170 (about $190) a year to attend a French public institution as an undergraduate.

Bachelor’s degree tuition for students from outside the European Union and the European Economic Area has increased to €2,770 (about $3,065) per year as of the current school year. While this is true, the French government has also increased the number of scholarships available to international students, from 7,000 to 21,000.

Additional fees may increase the total cost of your education, especially for highly specialized majors like medical and engineering. The cost of attending a prestigious university, however, might vary greatly.

The vast majority of free study abroad opportunities in France are conducted only in French. However, more and more schools are making it possible to pursue further education in English, especially at the graduate level. You could also pay to join a preparatory school to improve your French before starting your degree program.

The annual cost of living in France is about €9,600 (about $10,620 in US currency), though of course, this will increase if you decide to make Paris your permanent home.

Is education free for French citizens?

Yes, education is free if you are a citizen of a nation that is part of the EEA (European Economic Area) or Switzerland, or if you are a permanent resident of one of those countries.

All of the nations that make up the European Union (EU) as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway are members of the European Economic Area. When attending a public university in France, however, you will only be required to pay a very nominal fee, even though schooling in France is not technically “free.”

If, on the other hand, you are not a citizen of a nation that is a part of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, or if you are not already a permanent resident, you will be required to pay higher tuition rates in France.

If you choose to attend a private university, you should also prepare to spend on higher tuition rates.

How about those who are not citizens of France?

If a student is a citizen of a country that is not a member of the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, their tuition costs will be significantly higher. The European Economic Area comprises all of the member states of the EU in addition to Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway.

The tuition rates for all international students will be significantly different. If you are a student from Africa or Asia, for example, your tuition costs will be quite greater than those of French students.

How much is the tuition fee for public and private education in France?

Tuition fees in public universities

If you decide to study abroad in France, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in a variety of high-quality courses that cater to different academic concentrations.

Since the French government subsidizes higher education, public universities can charge relatively modest tuition rates. Like the rest of the globe, the real cost of university education is roughly €10,000 per year. The government in France, though, covers a much larger portion of the tab.

These subsidies apply to students who are citizens of a European Union member state, an EEA member state, Andorra, or Switzerland*

If you enroll in a public French university, the French government will continue to cover the majority of the cost of your degree. Tuition prices are similar to those in the academic year 2018/2019.

• At the bachelor’s level, the annual wage is €170.

• For a master’s degree, you’ll pay €243 annually.

• The annual tuition at an engineering school is €601.

• A Ph.D. student might expect to pay €380 annually.

For students outside the EU

Registration fees will vary depending on the type of degree program (undergraduate, master’s, doctoral) or whether you’re in a college or university.

Additionally, the state will pay for around 67% of your education. The total cost of tuition is as follows:

• The annual tuition of a bachelor’s degree holder is €2,770.
• Master’s degree tuition is €3,770 annually.
• If you start a Doctoral program in France rhis academic year (2022), the French government will cover most of your tuition costs until you graduate. Students from outside the European Union who are pursuing a doctorate will not be charged new, more expensive fees.

Tuition fees in public universities

Private colleges, and especially private business schools, charge significantly higher tuition rates than their public counterparts. This range anywhere from €3,000 to €10,000 a year.

Only around one-fifth of France’s students are enrolled in public schools; 82% are enrolled in private schools. Institutions with private status also rely on government-provided support at varying levels.

The government may grant an institution the authority to award national degrees if it finds them to be of sufficient quality. The government has a say in the curriculum of these degree programs, assuring students of a minimum standard of service and quality.

What are the available scholarships for international students in France?

The French Foreign Ministry’s Scholarships

Multiple scholarships available from the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs have highly sought after. The Ministry of Education provides direct funding for 25% of these scholarships through the Eiffel (for advanced degrees such as Master’s or doctorate) or Major Programmes (for the best foreign students who have graduated from French high schools abroad). France’s embassies around the world make up the remainder of these scholarship recipients.

Scholarships offered by the French government

French government scholarship applications must be sent to the cultural service of the French embassy in your country. The selection criteria are determined by the cooperation plans agreed upon by the French government and the authorities of the respective country.

Masters and doctoral students are the typical recipients of such financial aid. The project timeframe is quite variable. You should submit your application as soon as possible because it will be processed in March, right before the new school year begins.

For a more comprehensive list of scholarships for international students in France, please refer to this directory.

Is there government assistance for international students in France like housing and free healthcare? 

Housing

Assistance with housing costs is available for international students studying in France. Specifically, the French term for this type of service is “Aide personnalisée au logement,” or APL for short. The Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (CAF) is the organization that offers this service to its members.

Both your eligibility and the amount of the subsidy, if any, are determined by your financial situation. First payments typically arrive within two months of the application being submitted, so don’t wait to send it once you’ve moved in.

It is recommended that foreign students needing housing assistance should fill out a CAF application once they have their Social Security number in France.

Healthcare

In September 2019, the French government began providing universal health care to all students, both French and foreign. International students in France are covered by the national social security system, and they do not have to pay any fees to join the social security system.

In addition to their current purpose, which is to reimburse medical expenses not covered by the national social security system, the health care plans provide students with specialized services.

While healthcare in France is relatively inexpensive, even those with health insurance still have to pay a portion of their bills out of pocket.

Students who want to be fully reimbursed for medical expenses have the option of enrolling in a supplemental health plan through a general or student mutual (group) insurer, a conventional insurance company, or a bank.

What are the popular universities for foreign students in France? 

Each of these French universities is well regarded by employers, has a QS ranking, and offers a variety of in-demand majors and minors. Check out our list of some of the most popular French universities among international students, which also happen to be quite inexpensive.

Universite de Paris

The courses and encouragement of innovation at Universite de Paris are what make it popular among International students. There are currently around 63,000 students enrolled at the university, and many of them are from outside the country.

Université de Paris-Saclay

For eleven different fields, Universite de Paris-Saclay is ranked in the top 50 institutions worldwide. Top national rankings in clinical medicine, mathematics, physics, etc. come from this esteemed French university.

Universite de Montpellier

International students love Universite de Montpellier because of all the great services, amenities, and sports facilities it has to offer. In fact, the city of Montpellier, home to this institution, is the third most popular place to study in all of France.

University of Strasbourg

The University of Strasbourg has been a beacon of learning since the 16th century. The university is home to the third-largest concentration of researchers in all of France, making it a popular choice for international students.

Aix-Marseille University

Aix-Marseille University is an excellent choice for anyone interested in research-based fields of study. It is the largest French-speaking university in the world and one of the cheapest in France. Out of the total enrollment of 80,000 students, 10,000 are from outside the country.

Are International students required to know the language to study in France?

Sure, you can study in France without knowing French. To attract more international students, universities in France offer many courses taught exclusively in English. However, you should still take advantage of the opportunity to improve your French skills.

Learning French is useful not just because it’s a lovely language that may connect you with 270 million people in over 30 nations, but also because you’ll need it in your daily life.

French people appreciate it when foreigners make an effort to speak their language, even if you know English fluently. Even if all you can muster is “je ne comprends pas” (I do not understand), that’s still a great start.