Thinking about an MBA in France? Before you apply, get an idea of how much you will need to spend. The cost of doing MBA in France varies from one business school to another. Tuition is usually the biggest expense, and you will also need to pay for rent, food and other daily costs.
Here are some estimated cost of study in France for Indian students (MBA) to start with:
Tuition: €25,000 to €109,860 (₹26.6 lakh to ₹1.17 crore). EMLV sits at the low end and INSEAD at the top.
Living cost: €1,000 to €3,000 a month (₹1.07 lakh to ₹3.20 lakh), so roughly €12,000 to €36,000 (₹12.8 lakh to ₹38.4 lakh) for a year.
Total budget: about €37,000 to €145,860 (₹39.4 lakh to ₹1.55 crore) for a one-year MBA.
In this article, we will look at the average cost of MBA in France for international students school by school.
Planning to do a Study in France? Check your study options, compare business schools and get help with your study-abroad plans.
Average Cost of Doing MBA in France
The cost of an MBA in France depends mostly on the school and how long the course runs. Fees start near €25,000 (₹26.6 lakh) at some schools, and INSEAD charges €109,860 (₹1.17 crore). Rent and food are usually extra. Here is what the schools publish for a one-year MBA.
Here is what the schools publish for a one-year MBA.
Expense
Estimated Cost (EUR)
Approx. Cost (INR)
Tuition fees
€25,000 to €109,860
₹26.6 lakh to ₹1.17 crore
Accommodation
€9,000 to €11,000
₹9.59 lakh to ₹11.72 lakh
Food
€1,800 to €6,000
₹1.92 lakh to ₹6.39 lakh
Local transport
€750 to €900
₹79,900 to ₹95,900
Application fee
€130 to €200
₹13,850 to ₹21,300
Living costs, all items
€11,700 to €30,000
₹12.5 lakh to ₹32 lakh
Total (tuition + living)
€36,700 to €139,860
₹39.1 lakh to ₹1.49 crore
Note: The amount mentioned in the table are approximate and may vary depending on the currency exchange rates.
MBA Fees at Top Business Schools in France
MBA fees in France can differ by tens of thousands of euros, so it helps to compare schools before applying. INSEAD and HEC Paris are at the higher end, while schools such as EMLV have lower tuition fees. The program length also matters, as some MBAs take around 10 months and others can run for 12 to 16 months.
The table below compares selected full-time MBA program using the latest published fee information available for the 2026/27 period.
Where you live changes the bill. Paris costs more than smaller towns, but Fontainebleau students still pay for rent, food and transport. An MBA budget can also run higher than a normal Master’s if there are study trips or networking events.
INSEAD gives a good example for Fontainebleau. For its ten-month programme, it estimates about €26,100 (₹27.8 lakh) without a car lease, and €30,000 (₹32 lakh) with one. Both numbers still include optional bits like a laptop and field trips.
Note: Figures are based on INSEAD's estimated budget for its ten-month MBA in Fontainebleau. Some optional costs may not apply to every student. INR conversions use €1 = ₹105.
Your place to stay can swing the budget more than you’d think. Student residences are usually the cheaper pick, and a flat shared with others cuts your rent and bills too.
Campus France says a room in a public student residence averages about €450 (₹47,250) a month in Paris. Anywhere else in France, it’s around €350 (₹36,750).
Below are the estimated Accommodation Costs for MBA Students in France:
Accommodation type
Estimated monthly rent (EUR)
Approx. monthly rent (INR)
Public student residence in Paris
€450
₹47,250
Public student residence outside Paris
€350
₹36,750
Private studio in Paris
From €800
From ₹84,000
Private studio outside Paris
From €400
From ₹42,000
Shared apartment
Depends on location and room
Depends on location and room
Note: INR values use an approximate exchange rate of €1 = ₹105. Actual rent depends on the city, property and what is included in the rental price.
Tuition and rent will eat up most of your money. Still, a few more costs come up before you leave India: application fees, entrance tests, visa charges, health insurance and your flight to France.
Some schools already include a few of these in the tuition fee. Check the fee breakdown first, so you don’t count the same cost twice.
Expense
Estimated cost in EUR
Approx. cost in INR
MBA application fee
€100–€250
₹10,500–₹26,250
GMAT entrance test
€250–€350
₹26,250–₹36,750
Campus France application fee for India
Around €190
₹20,000
Student visa fee
€50
₹5,250
Visa validation tax
€100
₹10,500
One-way flight from India to France
€400–€800
₹42,000–₹84,000
Books and study materials
€0–€500
₹0–₹52,500
Health insurance, if charged separately
€20–€100 per month
₹2,100–₹10,500 per month
Note: These are planning estimates, not fixed charges. The Campus France India fee is ₹20,000 from 1 August 2026. The student visa fee shown applies to applicants covered by the Études en France procedure. Health insurance and study materials may already be included in your MBA fees.
An MBA in France can cost much more than one in India, especially if you choose a top business school such as INSEAD. But there is one thing to keep in mind when comparing fees: many French MBA program take around one year, while a full-time MBA at an Indian IIM usually takes two years.
For a fair comparison, the table below uses INSEAD's one-year MBA in France and IIM Bangalore's two-year MBA in India.
Expense
MBA in France: INSEAD
MBA in India: IIM Bangalore
Programme tuition or fee
₹1.15 crore
₹26 lakh
Living expenses
Around ₹27.4 lakh
Around ₹3.8–5.8 lakh extra for mess and personal costs
Estimated total
₹1.43 crore
₹29.8–31.8 lakh
Programme duration
Around 1 year
2 years
Note: NR values for France use €1 = ₹105. The India personal-cost estimate is for planning and is not an official IIM figure.
Don’t plan your budget around the tuition fee alone. A one-year and a two-year MBA can end up with very different totals, even if the yearly fees look the same.
Indian students also pay for things before classes even start. Visa charges, flights, a housing deposit and the first month’s rent all come first.
Here is how to plan it, in the order you’ll need it:
Add up the whole MBA, not one year. Tuition for every year, plus rent, food, transport and your daily spending.
Find out when the money is due. Many schools want a deposit soon after admission and the rest in instalments. INSEAD posts a separate payment schedule for each intake, so read the one for yours.
Need a room? Look early. Places near campus cost more, while a flat farther out might be cheaper. Do the travel maths before you say yes.
Save a lump sum for landing in France. Flights, the rental deposit, month one’s rent, bedding and kitchen basics. It adds up quickly.
Scholarships are worth a look. INSEAD and HEC Paris both have them. Rules and amounts differ, so check each school’s page.
Taking a loan? Compare a few. The interest rate, processing fees and the date repayment starts all matter, and so does whether it pays for living costs or tuition only.
Keep a small emergency fund. A flight home in a hurry, a doctor’s bill or a rent increase can arrive any time.
If you're planning your application timeline, explore the Intakes in France to choose the best admission cycle for your studies.
Conclusion
So what is the cost of doing MBA in France? About €37,000 on the cheaper side, and over €140,000 at the top (₹38.85 lakh to ₹1.47 crore). That covers tuition and living costs. Three things move the number the most: the business school, the length of the course and the city you live in.
If you’re applying from India, compare the full cost of each programme before you decide. Check the latest fees on the official school websites and look at scholarships. Don’t forget rent, travel and other daily costs. A ready budget makes it much easier to pick the MBA that fits your money.
The cost of doing MBA in France can range from around €37,000 to €140,000 (₹38.85 lakh to ₹1.47 crore), with tuition and living costs counted together. Your school, the course length and the city all change the total. INSEAD alone charges over €100,000 (₹1.05 crore) in tuition.
2. What is the average MBA tuition fee in France?
It’s a wide range. At selected business schools, tuition goes from about €25,000 to €110,000 (₹26.25 lakh to ₹1.16 crore). A few schools charge much less, while the leading international ones charge far more. Fees shift by intake, so check yours before applying.
3. Which business school has the lowest MBA fees in France?
EMLV is the cheapest at around €25,000 (₹26.25 lakh). INSEAD, HEC Paris, ESSEC and EDHEC all list higher fees in the comparison above. Read the programme details too, since the format and what’s included can differ.
4. How much does an MBA at INSEAD cost?
€109,860 (around ₹1.15 crore) in tuition for the August 2026 and January 2027 intakes. INSEAD estimates about €26,100 (₹27.41 lakh) for living costs over its ten-month programme in Fontainebleau, and that doesn’t include a car lease. Your own spending and travel will change the final number.
5. How much does an MBA at HEC Paris cost?
Around €102,000 (₹1.07 crore) in tuition, going by the figures used here. Then add living costs, travel and your personal spending. Fees change, so open the official HEC Paris fee page for the amount that applies to your intake.
6. What is the cost of living in France for MBA students?
It depends on the city and the kind of place you rent. Budget somewhere between €1,000 and €3,000 a month (₹1.05 lakh to ₹3.15 lakh) as a start. Look at your school’s own estimate as well, especially if the course has study trips or networking events.
7. Is an MBA in France cheaper than an MBA in India?
Not really. French MBAs usually cost more, mostly at the top schools. Take INSEAD, where the estimated total is around ₹1.43 crore. A two-year MBA at IIM Bangalore comes to around ₹30 lakh or more, living costs included. Before choosing, look at how long each course is, what it charges and where it can take your career.
8. How much should Indian students budget for an MBA in France?
Think ₹39 lakh at the least and up to ₹1.47 crore. That’s tuition plus living costs. Your school and programme decide where you fall. Flights, visa charges and housing deposits are extra, and they hit in the first week. Keep a bit more aside, because something always comes up.
9. Do MBA application and entrance test fees come with the tuition?
No, they’re separate. Applying costs about €100 to €250 (₹10,500 to ₹26,250). For the GMAT, expect roughly €250 to €350 (₹26,250 to ₹36,750), and it depends on the test centre. Prices change, so check the school’s site and the test provider’s site.
10. Can Indian students take an education loan for an MBA in France?
Yes. Banks and other lenders provide them. Whether you receive one depends on the banks, the school, your marks, your co‑applicant and your financial papers. Compare the interest rates the processing charges and the repayment terms. Also ask if living costs are covered.
11. What does a one-year MBA in France cost in total?
It could be anywhere from €37,000 to €140,000 (₹38.85 lakh to ₹1.47 crore), with tuition and living costs counted. Cheaper program sit near the bottom. The top international schools go well past it. Get both numbers confirmed by your school before you plan your budget.
upGrad Abroad Editorial Team |5033 articles published
We are a dedicated team of study-abroad experts, ensuring intensive research and comprehensive information in each of our blogs. With every piece written, we aim at simplifying the overseas education ...
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