STUDY IN FRANCE

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Perhaps you’re motivated by the thought of starting your day with a visit to the local boulangerie, or taking your books to a Parisian café once frequented by Europe’s greatest artists and philosophers? Maybe you’re dreaming of weekends on the Mediterranean coast, skiing in the Alps, or visiting vineyards and touring châteaux? Is it the famous fashion scene you’re fascinated by, or perhaps La Défense, Europe’s largest purpose-built business district? Or maybe you’re up for the challenge of exploring your way through the country’s 7,000 museums and 40,000 historic landmarks? 

Whatever your reasons for wanting to spend time in France (and there are many more), you’re certainly not alone. The world’s most-visited international tourist destination, France welcomed some 82.6 million visitors in 2022 (compared to 75.6 million international visitors each to the US and Spain). 

In addition, almost 310,000 international students are to be found in France each year – making the most of the country’s high-quality yet low-cost education, immersion in a language which is both belle and internationally utile, proximity to leading French businesses and international corporations, and of course the enduring appeal of mastering the French art de vivre. 

Choosing to study in France means gaining access to high-quality programmes designed for a wide range of student interests. Tuition fees are low in public Higher education institutions because the French government subsidizes higher education. The true cost of education is the same as it is elsewhere in the world—around €10,000 a year. The difference is that in France the government assumes a large share of that cost. 

The overall living costs in France depend on your lifestyle, but, most of all, they depend on your chosen location, mainly the French city you live in.

Check the average budget you would need for each large city in France:

• Paris: between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR/month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to live in a student hall of residence)
• Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR/month
• Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between 800 – 1,000 EUR
• For the rest of France, you can manage with smaller amounts (at least 650 EUR)

Prices for accommodation are usually above the international average of 200 – 300 EUR/month.

The main housing options for students in France are:

• Student halls of residence – on average, 200 EUR/month. Paris is the exception, at 400 EUR/month. Around 13% of international students live in student residences. It's one of the most popular accommodation options among students, but the demand is much higher than the supply.
• Rent/share an apartment – between 400 and 700 EUR/month (800 EUR/month in Paris), while in smaller French cities you can rent a small apartment for about 300 EUR/month.
• If you live with your partner and/or child(ren), the price for rent will range from 700 to 1,000 EUR/month, and you could pay higher if you choose an apartment in the city centre. The utility bills (electricity, water, the internet) would be another 200 EUR/month.
• Host family – you can find rates that are only 200 EUR/month to about 800 EUR/month in Paris.

International students also have access to VISALE, which is a programme that acts as a guarantor. A guarantor is someone who promises to cover your rent costs if you can no longer do it. However, the VISALE programme only helps international students who rent an apartment/room in a university residence (student hall).

French food is delicious, sophisticated and the common conception is that it is expensive as well. That may be because the French truly value every meal and they make it seem like they always celebrate something when they eat. However, food is not pricey all over France.

One person can expect to spend on average about 250 – 300 EUR/month on groceries in Paris, or less in the provinces.

The average price for a meal in the least expensive restaurant costs between 10 and 15 EUR. In gourmet restaurants, menus can be more expensive.

A more affordable option where you can have a meal anywhere in France are the bistros, brasseries and crepe stands. Some bistros serve substantial meals, and a crepe can take the place of lunch and prices are from 5 to 8 EUR.

You will get the best value if you buy from the supermarket; the cheapest supermarkets in France are Leclerc, followed by Géant Casino. Affordable places for having dinner include the Courtepaille restaurant chain, Buffalo Grill, or inexpensive restaurants in Paris, like Michi.