Why international students choose France
France sets national tuition fees at its public universities, so a master’s at a public institution costs the same fixed amount wherever you study. Non-EU students pay higher, so-called differentiated fees, but they remain modest compared with many English-speaking countries, and doctoral students pay the same low rate as French students (Campus France).
What it costs
For the 2026/27 academic year, non-EU students at public institutions pay:
- Bachelor’s (licence): €2,902 a year
- Master’s: €3,950 a year
- Doctorate (PhD): €398 a year
Differentiated fees also apply to engineering programmes, but Campus France does not give a single figure, so check with the school. Some non-EU students pay the same fees as French and EU students, including residents of Québec, holders of a long-term resident permit, refugees and those with subsidiary protection, and doctoral students. Holders of a French government scholarship have their fees waived automatically, and institutions can grant waivers on request in cases such as financial hardship or disability (Campus France).
The student visa and proof of funds
Most non-EU students come on a long-stay student visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS). For a first visa, you must be able to prove resources of at least €877.50 a month. When you renew, your resources are assessed according to your situation (Service-Public, verified 1 August 2026).
Budget for the fees too:
- Validating your VLS-TS within three months of arrival: €100
- Renewing a student residence permit: €100 in tax and stamp duty
- A multi-year student permit: €150 (€100 tax plus €50 stamp duty)
Working while you study
With a long-stay student visa or a student residence card, you can work up to 964 hours a year without a separate work authorisation. The count runs from the date your card is issued or your visa is validated, and going over it can lead to your permit being withdrawn or not renewed (Service-Public, verified 7 October 2025). Campus France explains that this equals 60% of the legal maximum working time, and 50% for Algerian students under the 1968 Franco-Algerian agreement (Campus France).
After you graduate
Non-European graduates of a French institution can apply for a temporary residence permit, or a VLS-TS, for job seeking or business creation. It is valid for one year and cannot be renewed. Eligible qualifications include a licence professionnelle, a Mastère Spécialisé, a Master of Science labelled by the Conférence des grandes écoles, or another diploma at least equivalent to a master’s. You normally need to have obtained it in the last 12 months, or within four years if you apply from abroad. Applying in France costs €150 (Service-Public, verified 1 June 2026).
Scholarships for France
The French foreign ministry’s Eiffel Excellence Scholarship is the best-known national scheme. The call for the 2027 session opened in October 2026, and Campus France must receive applications by 6 January 2027, with results published from 12 April 2027. It is aimed at master’s applicants up to 29 years old and PhD applicants up to 35. You cannot apply yourself: only applications submitted by French higher education institutions are accepted, so talk to the institution you are applying to (Campus France).
Remember too that any French government higher education scholarship comes with a full, automatic waiver of tuition fees (Campus France).
