Studying in France 2026: A Complete Guide for International and Arab Students

France remains one of the world’s most attractive destinations for international students, thanks to its prestigious universities, high-quality academic system, and wide range of programs offered in both French and English. What makes studying in France truly unique is not only its global academic reputation, but also the relatively affordable tuition fees—especially in public universities—along with extensive government support and a variety of scholarships made available through Campus France and major higher-education institutions.

Why So Many Students Want to Study in France

France has been one of the most important study destinations in the world for decades. It combines:

• Historic universities and a strong research tradition
• Relatively low tuition fees at public universities thanks to state support
• Hundreds of English-taught programs alongside French-taught degrees
• A rich cultural and student life in cities like Paris, Lyon, Toulouse, Lille, Strasbourg, and many more

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For Arab and international students, Study in France 2026 often means:

• Earning a respected European degree
• Learning or improving the French language – a working language in Europe, Africa, and many international organizations
• Gaining access to a European job market where a French background is highly valued in business, engineering, medicine, political science, fashion, arts, and artificial intelligence

In short, France offers a powerful combination: strong academics, relatively affordable tuition, and a high quality of life if you plan and budget carefully.

2. Overview of Higher Education in France

Higher education in France is overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, while Campus France acts as the official agency for promoting French universities and organizing international admissions.

French higher education institutions can be grouped into four broad categories:

1. Public universities
   • Located across the country (Paris, Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Strasbourg, Grenoble, Nantes, etc.).
   • Offer degrees in nearly all fields: medicine, engineering, law, economics, humanities, science, arts, etc.
   • Tuition fees are heavily subsidized by the French government, which keeps official fees relatively low.
2. Grandes Écoles (Highly selective schools)
   • Elite institutions specializing in engineering, business, political science, and other fields.
   • Examples include business schools and engineering schools with very competitive entry tests.
   • Tuition is usually higher than in public universities, but these schools offer strong career networks and excellent employment outcomes.
3. Private universities and specialized schools
   • Particularly active in business, hospitality, design, arts, and media.
   • They often offer English-taught programs and close links to industry.
   • Tuition fees are significantly higher, sometimes at levels similar to UK or US private institutions.
4. English-taught programs
   • France offers hundreds of bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD programs fully or partly taught in English, especially in business, engineering, AI, energy, and international relations.

For a student, this means you can choose between highly subsidized public education in French, or more international, English-taught programs that may cost more but reduce the language barrier.

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3. Major Cities and Universities for International Students

There is no single “best” university, but some institutions and cities are especially popular with international students.

3.1 Large and Historic Universities

Some well-known public universities include:

• Sorbonne University – famous for humanities, sciences, and medicine.
• Université Paris-Saclay – consistently ranked among the world’s top universities in mathematics, physics, and engineering, and uses national tuition rates for many degrees.
• Other strong universities include those in Strasbourg, Grenoble, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Lille, and many more, offering a wide range of programs at affordable public fees.

3.2 Grandes Écoles and Business Schools

• Top business schools such as HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP, and INSEAD offer high-level management and MBA programs with strong international reputations.
• Engineering schools like École Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, and INSA schools offer demanding engineering and applied science programs.

These institutions are selective and usually more expensive, but they often lead to high salaries and excellent international career paths.

3.3 Student Cities

France offers a variety of student environments:

• Paris – one of the world’s biggest student cities, with enormous cultural opportunities but also the highest living costs.
• Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lille, Rennes, Nantes, Montpellier, Strasbourg – dynamic student cities with strong universities and a lower cost of living than Paris.

Choosing a city is almost as important as choosing a university; your daily life and budget will depend heavily on this choice.

4. Tuition Fees in France 2026: How Much Does It Really Cost?

Tuition fees in France depend on:

• The type of institution (public vs. private vs. Grande École)
• Your nationality (EU/EEA vs. non-EU)
• Your program level (bachelor, master, doctorate)

The French government sets standard national fees for public universities. For the 2025–2026 academic year, these official national rates (before any “differentiated” non-EU adjustments) are:

• About €178–€175 per year at the bachelor (licence) level
• About €254–€250 per year at the master level
• Around €397–€391 per year at the doctoral level

However, many public universities apply higher “differentiated” fees for non-EU students, especially at bachelor and master levels, unless the student is granted an exemption. In practice, many non-EU students in public universities now pay several thousand euros per year instead of the “symbolic” national rate.

As a realistic range for non-EU students in public universities:

• Bachelor’s: roughly €2,700–€3,000 per year
• Master’s: roughly €3,700–€4,000 per year

These figures can change depending on university policy and any fee waivers you receive, so you must always check the official website of your target institution.

For private institutions and Grandes Écoles, tuition can easily range between:

• €7,000 and €20,000 per year, sometimes more for MBAs and top business schools.

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5. Cost of Living and Accommodation

Tuition is only one part of your budget. You also need to plan living costs, which can be quite different between Paris and other cities.

Recent estimates show that international students in France typically need around €800–€1,200 per month to cover basic living costs (accommodation, food, transport, utilities, and some leisure), depending on the city.

5.1 Typical Monthly Budget (Outside Paris)

In many medium-sized cities (Lyon, Bordeaux, Toulouse, Grenoble, Lille, etc.), a realistic monthly budget might look like:

• Accommodation: €350–€600 in a student residence or shared flat (CROUS housing can be cheaper; private studios cost more).
• Food and groceries: €200–€300
• Transport: €20–€40 for a student public transport pass (varies by city).
• Phone, internet, utilities: €50–€100
• Personal expenses (clothes, leisure, healthcare, books): €100–€200

Total: roughly €700–€1,200 per month, depending on your lifestyle and housing choice.

5.2 Living in Paris

Paris offers unmatched cultural and professional opportunities but is significantly more expensive:

• Student budgets often need €1,200–€1,800 per month just to cover basic costs.
• Finding affordable housing has become difficult even for well-paid young professionals, due to a tight rental market and high demand.

If your budget is limited, it can be smarter to choose another city and visit Paris on weekends or holidays rather than living there full-time.

6. Scholarships and Funding

Because living and tuition costs add up, scholarships and financial aid are crucial for many international students.

6.1 French Government Scholarships (e.g., Eiffel)

The French government offers scholarships such as the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme for high-achieving master’s and PhD candidates in fields like engineering, economics, law, and political science. These scholarships typically cover:

• A monthly stipend
• Travel costs
• Health insurance and possibly other benefits

They are highly competitive and usually require excellent academic records and strong motivation letters.

6.2 University Scholarships and Fee Waivers

Many public universities and Grandes Écoles offer:

• Partial or full tuition fee waivers for non-EU students
• Scholarships based on academic merit or financial need

In some cases, universities can exempt non-EU students from the differentiated tuition fees and let them pay only the low national rate.

6.3 Erasmus+ and Other European Funding

Students in joint programs or exchange schemes may benefit from Erasmus+ scholarships, which can help with living costs during part of the degree.

6.4 CampusBourses (Scholarship Search Tool)

Campus France maintains a searchable database of scholarships (CampusBourses), where you can filter by nationality, level, and field of study to find suitable funding opportunities.

To maximize your chances:

• Keep your grades as high as possible
• Prepare a strong CV and motivation letter
• Apply early and carefully follow each scholarship’s instructions

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7. Admission Requirements and Language Skills

Admission criteria vary by institution and program, but some patterns are common.

7.1 Academic Requirements

For bachelor’s programs:

• A recognized high school diploma (or equivalent) with a competitive GPA.
• Some fields (medicine, pharmacy, engineering) are more selective and may require higher grades or entrance exams.

For master’s programs:

• A relevant bachelor’s degree.
• A good to very good GPA, especially in your major subjects.
• Sometimes, professional experience or a portfolio (e.g., in business, design, or media).

For doctoral programs:

• A completed master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
• A clear research proposal and typically a supervisor willing to accept your project.

7.2 Language Requirements

Depending on the language of instruction, you will need to prove your level:

• French-taught programs: You may be required to show a B2 or C1 level using tests like DELF/DALF, TCF, or other accepted proofs.
• English-taught programs: Many universities and schools require IELTS or TOEFL scores. Typical minimums range between 5.5 and 6.5 IELTS overall (or equivalent).

Some institutions waive the language test if you have previously studied in the same language (for example, if your bachelor’s degree was fully taught in English).

8. The Etudes en France Application Procedure

For many countries (including most Arab countries), international applications are centralized through the Etudes en France platform, managed by Campus France.

8.1 Step-by-Step Overview

1. Define your study project
   • Decide on your level (bachelor, master, PhD), your field of study, and preferred cities.
2. Create your Etudes en France account
   • You register on the online platform and create your personal file. This file centralizes your applications to French institutions and later your visa request.
3. Upload your documents Typical documents include:
   • Passport
   • High school or university diplomas and transcripts (translated and certified)
   • Language certificates (French and/or English)
   • CV or résumé
   • Motivation letter(s)
   • Recommendation letters (if required)
4. Select your programs
   • You choose a limited number of programs (the exact number depends on your country’s Campus France rules) and submit your applications through the platform.
5. Pay Campus France and application fees
   • In many countries, there is a processing fee for the Etudes en France procedure, separate from university application fees.
6. Attend the Campus France interview (if required)
   • Some students are invited to an interview to discuss their study project and motivation.
7. Receive admission decisions
   • The universities answer via the platform. Once admitted, you confirm your choice.
8. Request a student visa
   • The same online file is used to support your long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) application at the French consulate.

This system simplifies the process, but you must respect deadlines set by both Campus France and the universities.

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9. Student Visa and Working While Studying

9.1 Student Visa and Residence Permit

After receiving an admission letter and completing the Etudes en France steps, you apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS étudiant). Once you arrive in France, you need to validate your visa online and may later convert it to a student residence permit depending on the length of your stay.

9.2 Working Part-Time: The 964-Hour Rule

The good news: every foreign student in France has the right to work while studying, as long as they hold a valid student residence permit.

French law allows international students to work up to 964 hours per year, which is roughly 60% of a full-time job.

Important points:

• 964 hours per year is a legal maximum; it should be considered supplementary income, not your main source of funding.
• Typical student jobs include working in cafés, shops, restaurants, tutoring, or university jobs (libraries, admin offices, campus events).
• Internships that are integrated into your academic program usually do not count towards the 964-hour limit and have their own compensation rules.

You should still arrive in France with a solid financial plan (family support, savings, scholarships), because part-time work alone is rarely enough to cover tuition and living costs in full.

10. Advantages of Studying in France

1. Affordable public tuition
   • Even with differentiated fees for non-EU students, public university programs often remain cheaper than comparable degrees in the UK, US, or Canada.
2. High academic reputation
   • French degrees, especially from well-known universities and Grandes Écoles, are respected worldwide, particularly in engineering, business, fashion, arts, political science, and philosophy.
3. English-taught options
   • Hundreds of programs, especially at the master’s level, are now offered fully in English, making France more accessible to students who don’t yet speak French fluently.
4. Rich cultural experience
   • Museums, theaters, festivals, historic cities, and a vibrant café culture give students a rewarding lifestyle outside the classroom. Many cultural venues offer strong discounts for students.
5. Work rights and post-study options
   • International graduates of French master’s programs often qualify for a temporary residence permit to search for work or start a business, giving them a bridge into the European job market.

11. Challenges and How to Handle Them

1. High cost of living, especially in Paris
   • Housing shortages and rising rents create financial pressure for students, even those receiving scholarships.
2. Language barrier
   • Even if your program is in English, daily life (administration, housing contracts, bank procedures, medical visits) often requires at least intermediate French.
3. Bureaucracy and paperwork
   • Visa procedures, residence permits, renewing cards, and dealing with multiple offices can be time-consuming. Patience and organization are essential.
4. Financial stress for low-income students
   • In practice, some scholarship students still struggle to afford basic needs when costs rise but aid and student wages stay low.

With good planning, support from student associations, and realistic expectations, many students manage these challenges successfully and feel the benefits outweigh the difficulties.

12. Practical Tips Before You Decide to Study in France 2026

1. Start at least one year in advance
   • Competitive programs and scholarships (especially government or Grandes Écoles funding) have early deadlines.
2. Improve your French even if your program is in English
   • Aim for at least B1–B2 level by the time you arrive. It will help with part-time jobs, internships, and integration in daily life.
3. Compare cities, not just universities
   • A smaller city with lower rents and a strong university can be a better choice than living under heavy financial stress in Paris.
4. Calculate your full budget realistically
   • Combine tuition + living costs + insurance + visa fees + flights. Decide if you need a full scholarship or if a partial fee waiver plus family support is enough.
5. Use Campus France in your country
   • Their websites and offices provide detailed guides on the Etudes en France procedure, deadlines, and local requirements for your nationality.
6. Build a strong application file
   • Keep your grades high, prepare a clear and coherent study plan, write personalized motivation letters (not copy-paste templates), and collect solid recommendation letters.

Official website of Campus France

Scholarship guide for international students (CampusBourses)

Official information on working while studying (Campus France)