Cost of Study in France for Indian Students

The cost of study in France for Indian students involves tuition fees. Tuition fees at public universities range from EUR 397 to EUR 3,941 per year, or INR 42,233 to 4.19 lakh per year, whereas tuition fees at private universities are EUR 3,000 to 40,000+ per year, or INR 3.19 to 42.56 lakh per year.

In addition, the living cost for students is around EUR 630-1,535 (INR 67,038-1.63L) a month, depending on their lifestyle and city. However, the fee depends on the course, university, location, and the type of accommodation.

This article will answer all your questions about the cost of studying in France for international students, such as tuition fees, monthly living expenses, accommodation costs, some scholarships, and reducing expenses. 

Tuition Fees in France for International Students

The French government provides some support for public universities. This will perhaps help lower charges for many students. Students from India might need to pay an additional fee compared to students from France or European countries. That’s why fees at private institutions may be a bit higher than at public universities in France.

Here is a table showing the approximate tuition fees in France.

Study Level	Approximate Annual Tuition Fee at Public Universities (EUR/INR)	Approximate Annual Tuition Fee at Private Institutions (EUR/INR)
Bachelors Degree	EUR 2,895 (INR 3.08 lakh)	EUR 3,000-15,000+ (INR 3.19-15.96 lakh+)
Masters Degree	EUR 3,941 (INR 4.19 lakh)	EUR 5,000-25,000+ (INR 5.32-26.60 lakh+)
PhD	EUR 397 (INR 42,233)	Varies by institution and programme

Note: These are indicative fees based on standard public university rates for many non-EU students. 

Learn about some of the popular universities in France. 

Tuition Fees in France by Popular Course

Courses in France as a whole can change the total education budget. Full-time courses at public universities run at a standard national fee, and the fees for specialised courses or private universities may be higher. 

Here is an approximate comparison of tuition fees by course.

Course category	Approximate Annual Fee at Public Universities (EUR/INR)	Approximate Annual Fee at Private Institutions (EUR/INR)
Engineering and Technology	EUR 2,895-3,941 (INR 3.08-4.19L)	EUR 6,000-15,000+ (INR 6.38-15.96L+)
Computer Science and Data Science	EUR 2,895-3,941 (INR 3.08-4.19L)	EUR 6,000-18,000+ (INR 6.38-19.15L+)
Business and Management	EUR 2,895-3,941 (INR 3.08-4.19L)	EUR 7,000-20,000+ (INR 7.45-21.28L+)
MBA	Varies by university and programme	EUR 10,000-40,000+ (INR 10.64-42.56L+)
Medicine and Healthcare	Depends on the course and year of study	EUR 8,000-25,000+ (INR 8.51-26.60L+)
Social Sciences and Humanities	EUR 2,895-3,941 (INR 3.08-4.19L)	EUR 4,000-12,000+ (INR 4.26-12.77L+)
Art, Fashion and Design	Depends on the institution and programme	EUR 6,000-20,000+ (INR 6.38-21.28L+)

Read about undergraduate and graduate programs in France:

• Bachelors in France
• Bachelors in Specialized Fields in France
• Bachelors in Commerce in France
• Masters in France
• Masters in Advertising in France
• Masters in MBA - Marketing in France

Cost of Living in France for International Students

Living expenses are another major part of the cost of study in France for international students. A simple monthly budget may range from around EUR 630-1,535 (INR 67,038-1.63 lakh) outside the most expensive areas. In Paris, the budget may be higher.

Here is a table showing the estimated monthly cost of living in France for international students.

Expense Category	Approximate Monthly Cost of Living (EUR/INR)
Accommodation	EUR 250-800 (INR 26,602-85,128)
Food and groceries	EUR 200-300 (INR 21,282-31,923)
Health insurance and healthcare costs	EUR 20-70 (INR 2,128-7,449), depending on coverage
Transportation	EUR 20-75 (INR 2,128-7,981)
Internet and mobile	EUR 20-40 (INR 2,128-4,256)
Study materials	EUR 20-50 (INR 2,128-5,321)
Personal expenses	EUR 100-200 (INR 10,641-21,282)
Estimated total	EUR 630-1,535 (INR 67,038-1.63L)

Accommodation Cost in France for International Students

One of the most common expenses for students is their residence costs. These charges may vary according to the city, room size, and the distance to your university. 

Here is the table showing the types of accommodation with the average monthly cost.

Type of accommodation	Approximate Monthly Cost (EUR/INR)
Public student residence	EUR 200-450 (INR 21,282-47,885)
Shared apartment	EUR 300-700 (INR 31,923-74,487)
Private studio apartment	EUR 500-1,000+ (INR 53,205-1.06L+)

Cost of Study in France by City

Where you live can impact your budget. While rent may be high and daily costs are significantly higher in Paris, this city is often the most expensive option. The cost may be less in some other cities, depending on the area and the type of accommodation, such as Lille, Toulouse, and Montpellier.

This is a general estimate of monthly expenses in various cities of France. 

City	Approximate Annual Tuition Fee (EUR/INR)	Approximate Annual Cost of Living (EUR/INR)
Nantes	EUR 2,902-18,000 (INR 3.09-19.15L)	EUR 7,800-9,600 (INR 8.30-10.22L)
Grenoble	EUR 2,902-18,000 (INR 3.09-19.15L)	EUR 7,800-9,600 (INR 8.30-10.22L)
Bordeaux	EUR 2,902-20,000 (INR 3.09-21.28L)	EUR 8,400-10,200 (INR 8.94-10.85L)
Toulouse	EUR 2,902-22,000 (INR 3.09-23.41L)	EUR 8,400-10,800 (INR 8.94-11.49L)
Lyon	EUR 2,902-25,000 (INR 3.09-26.60L)	EUR 9,000-11,400 (INR 9.58-12.13L)
Paris	EUR 2,902-35,000+ (INR 3.09-37.24L+)	EUR 14,400-21,600 (INR 15.32-22.98L)

Other Expenses to Consider Before Studying in France

Tuition fees and monthly living expenses are not the only costs. Students should also keep money aside for one-time expenses before and after arrival.

Here are some other expenses to plan for.

Additional Expense	Approximate Cost (EUR/INR)
Student Visa Fee	EUR 99 (INR 10,535)
Campus France & Application Charges	EUR 200-350 (INR 21,282-37,244)
Flight Tickets from India	EUR 450-850 (INR 47,885-90,449)
Accommodation Security Deposit	EUR 400-1,200 (INR 42,564-1.28L)
First Month’s Rent	EUR 350-1,000 (INR 37,244-1.06L)
Health and Travel Insurance	EUR 50-150 (INR 5,321-15,962)
Books and Study Supplies	EUR 50-150 (INR 5,321-15,962)
Household Items & Winter Clothes	EUR 200-500 (INR 21,282-53,205)
Residence Permit Validation (OFII Tax)	EUR 50 (INR 5,321)
Emergency Savings	EUR 500-1,000 (INR 53,205-1.06L)

How Much Does It Cost to Study in France for 1 Year?

Expenses for Indian students studying in France for a year or so are based on tuition costs, rent, food expenses, transportation, and more. 

Assume you are a student enrolled at a public or private university with a masters degree, and are paying the normal tuition fee for International students (non-EU citizens). Your estimated first-year budget for the cost of study in France for Indian students in rupees may look like this:

Expense	Approximate Annual Cost (EUR/INR)
Tuition fee for a Masters degree	Public: EUR 3,941 (INR 4.19 lakh); Private: EUR 5,000-25,000+ (INR 5.32-26.60 lakh+)
Living expenses	EUR 7,560-18,420 (INR 8.04-19.60 lakh) per year
Student and campus life contribution	EUR 100-300 (INR 10,641-31,923)
Visa and application costs	EUR 299-449 (INR 31,817-47,779)
Flight tickets and initial setup	EUR 1,950-4,700 (INR 2.08-5.00 lakh)
Estimated first-year budget	Public university: EUR 13,850-27,800 (INR 14.74-29.58 lakh); Private institution: EUR 14,900-48,900+ (INR 15.85-52.03 lakh+)

Scholarships to Reduce the Cost of Studying in France

There are a number of scholarships available for students planning to study in France that will help to decrease the expense. These can assist students to finance their tuition, rent, meals, and other expenses. Some reimbursements are limited to part of that cost, and others provide a monthly stipend as well as broader financial assistance.

Prior to applying, students are encouraged to look into eligibility guidelines, the application deadline, and benefits. Some of the scholarships are listed below. 

Scholarship in France	Eligibility Criteria	Coverage Offered
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship	Masters or PhD applicants with a strong academic record.	Masters: EUR 1,181 (approximately INR 1.26 lakh) per month; PhD: EUR 1,800 (around INR 1.92 lakh) per month, plus travel and other benefits. Tuition fees are not covered directly.
Charpak Scholarship	Generally for those under 30, applying for eligible Bachelors or Masters studies in France.	Living allowance of up to EUR 860 (over INR 91,513) per month, plus eligible tuition and other benefits depending on the scholarship category.
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters	Bachelors degree holders who meet the requirements of a participating joint Masters programme.	May cover tuition and participation costs, with a scholarship of up to EUR 1,400 (approximately INR 1.49 lakh) per month, plus eligible travel and other costs.
Ampère Excellence Scholarship	Eligible Masters programmes at ENS de Lyon (Higher Normal School of Lyon) with strong academic records.	EUR 1,000 (approximately INR 1.06 lakh) per month for up to 12 months, with possible renewal depending on the programme rules.
SMARTS-UP Scholarship	Eligible Research Masters programmes at Paris Cité University.	EUR 10,000 (around INR 10.64 lakh) for one academic year.

If you want to study in France for free, have a look at:

• Fully Funded Scholarships in France
• Scholarship to Study in France

How to Reduce the Cost of Studying in France?

You don't have to settle for the most expensive cities or colleges to receive a good education. It is important to plan ahead if you are going to deal with money.

These are a few measures you can take to cut down on studying costs in France.

• Make an application early for student lodging: CROUS accommodation (Regional Centre for University and School Work) may be cheaper, and accommodation could be in demand.
• Renting with other students: Share expenses on the rent and house costs with other students.
• Cook at home: Buying groceries to prepare your own meals rather than eating them all out every day may save you.
• Take advantage of student discounts: Look for student travel passes, student meal discounts, or student discounts on various activities.
• Budget for upfront expenses: Save cash for travel, rental deposits, visa fees, and living expenses. This could help eliminate financial issues after arriving.