Best Ways to Study in France for Free
Many public universities in France offer comparatively affordable tuition fees compared with popular study destinations like UK, US, and Australia. So, by choosing the right university and finding suitable funding, you can reduce your overall education costs and make studying in France easier on your budget.
But tuition isn't the only thing to think about. Choosing an affordable city and keeping your living expenses under control can also make a big difference, helping you enjoy the quality of education in France without spending more than you need to.
With that in mind, if you want to study in France with little or no tuition costs, here are a few options you can consider:
Study at Public Universities in France
These universities in France get government support, which means they’re usually much cheaper than private universities. But non-EU students may have to pay higher tuition fees at some institutions.
Who can apply:
- International students who meet the university’s admission requirements
- Students with the required academic background
- Students who meet the language requirements for their course
Key requirements:
- Relevant academic qualifications
- Required language proficiency
- Academic transcripts and other supporting documents
Apply for Scholarships in France
Funding can help with tuition fees, living costs, or sometimes both, depending on the scholarship. International students can look for scholarships from French universities, the French government, and other organizations.
Who can apply:
- International students who are eligible
- Students who meet the scholarship requirements
Key requirements:
- Good academic record
- Required documents
- Meeting the scholarship deadline
Apply for Tuition Fee Waivers
Fee waiver can lower your tuition fees or, in some cases, remove them completely if you're eligible. These waivers can depend on things like your academic record, financial condition, nationality, or the university’s own rules. So, before applying, make sure you check the university’s eligibility requirements and application process.
Who can apply:
- Eligible international students
- Students covered by certain scholarships or agreements
- Students who qualify under the university's exemption rules
Key requirements:
- Meet the waiver criteria
- Provide supporting documents if needed
- Check the university's latest waiver policy
Important: Not all French universities automatically waive tuition fees for non-EU students, so it's best to check with the university before applying.
Choose Affordable Study Destinations in France
Selecting a city outside Paris can save you money on rent and daily expenses. You can also check if you're eligible for CAF (Caisse d'Allocations Familiales) housing assistance.
Who can apply:
- International students renting eligible accommodation
Key requirements:
- Meet the CAF eligibility requirements
- Have eligible accommodation
- Submit the required documents
Choose Low-Cost or Affordable Masters Programs
Students who want to study masters in France for free should compare tuition fees, scholarships, and fee waiver options before choosing a program. It’s also a good idea to check the university’s latest fees and requirements.
Who can apply:
- International students applying for Masters programs
Key requirements:
- Relevant Bachelors degree
- Meet the course-specific eligibility requirements
- Required English or French language proficiency
- All required application documents
Note: Many affordable programs are taught in French and may need B2 or C1 French. English-taught programs are also available, but fees and availability can vary.
Top Universities to Study in France for Free or at Low Cost
France has many good public universities where international students can study at a lower cost. But studying for “free” isn't always completely free. It depends on your nationality, course, scholarships, and whether you can get a tuition fee waiver.
Choosing an affordable public university and looking for scholarships or other funding can help you save a lot of money and make your education much more affordable.
There are several universities in France worth checking out if you want to study in France for free or simply reduce the cost of your degree.
Paris-Saclay University (Université Paris-Saclay)
This is a great option for international students looking for an affordable education in France. It offers international Masters scholarships and tuition fee exemptions, which can help reduce the overall cost of studying.
Location: Paris-Saclay, France
Popular areas:
- Science
- Engineering
- Data Science
- Economics
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
University of Paris City (Université Paris Cité)
It offers many study options for international students. With financial aid and fee waivers, students may be able to lower the cost of their studies and make studying in France easier on their budget.
Location: Paris, France
Popular areas:
- Computer Science
- Medicine and Health Sciences
- Economics
- Psychology
- Humanities
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
Sorbonne University
Known choice for international students, Sorbonne University has a strong academic reputation, good research opportunities, and tuition fee exemption options that can help lower the cost of studying in France.
Location: Paris, France
Popular areas:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Humanities
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
Grenoble Alpes University (Université Grenoble Alpes)
It is a good option for international students, especially for those interested in STEM programs. UGA also offers a wide range of research opportunities and some fee waivers. Plus, it’s outside Paris, so it can be a cheaper choice for some students.
Location: Grenoble, France
Popular areas:
- Engineering
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Physics
- Management
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh) per year
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
University of Strasbourg
This university can be a leading option if you're an international student planning to study in France. With scholarship opportunities and possible fee exemptions, it can be a good way to keep your study costs lower.
Location: Strasbourg, France
Popular areas:
- Biotechnology
- Chemistry
- Medicine
- Law
- International Relations
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
Aix-Marseille University
Known for its affordable public education, wide range of programs, and scholarship opportunities, Aix-Marseille University provides these options can help international students reduce their overall study costs.
Location: Marseille, France
Popular areas:
- Economics
- Management
- Law
- Medicine
- Science
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
University of Bordeaux
This university also has strong research facilities and offers scholarship opportunities for international students. Some students may also qualify for fee exemptions, so it's worth checking the university options if you're trying to keep your study costs down.
Location: Bordeaux, France
Popular areas:
- Computer Science
- Engineering
- Biotechnology
- Economics
- Management
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
University of Montpellier (Université de Montpellier)
Heard for its science and medicine courses, the University of Montpellier may also help international students get scholarships and fee waivers, which can help minimize their overall cost of studying there.
Location: Montpellier, France
Popular areas:
- Biotechnology
- Life Sciences
- Environmental Science
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Management
Approximate Annual undergraduate tuition fee: EUR 2,850–EUR 2,900 (INR 3.17-3.22 lakh)
Approximate Annual postgraduate tuition fee: EUR 3,950 (INR 4.39 lakh)
Note: Fees may vary by university and program. Some students may also be eligible for partial or full fee waivers.
Popular Scholarships to Study in France for Free
Funding can really help if you're planning to study abroad in France for free but not every scholarship covers your full tuition, so it's important to check out what you're actually getting.
Some scholarships mainly help with living expenses like accommodation, food, and transport. Others may also cover tuition fees, travel, health insurance, or other study costs. So, take a quick look at eligibility rules, what the scholarship covers, and the application deadline.
Here is the complete list of what students should compare:
- Eligibility criteria
- Academic requirements
- Age limits
- Eligible courses
- Scholarship duration
- Monthly allowance
- Tuition coverage
- Accommodation support
- Visa-related benefits
- Application deadlines
The following are some of the popular scholarships to study in France that may help you out in minimizing your overall cost in France.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
It is a popular funding option for international students who want to study a Masters or PhD in France. You first need to apply to an eligible French university, and the university submits the scholarship application for you.
Eligibility:
- Masters applicants must be under 30
- PhD applicants must be under 35
- You need to apply to an eligible French institution first
- The university submits the scholarship application
Benefits:
- EUR 1,200 (INR 1.33 lakh) per month for Masters students from January 2026
- EUR 2,000 (INR 2.22 lakh) per month for PhD students from January 2026
- Travel and transportation support
- Insurance and other services
- Help with accommodation and settling in France
Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters
If you want to study in France and other parts of Europe, an Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters could be a leading option. These programs are run by universities from different countries, so you may get the chance to study in France as part of your course, depending on the program you choose.
Eligibility:
- You need a Bachelors degree or equivalent
- You must meet the requirements of the program you choose
Benefits:
- EUR 1,400 (INR 1.56 lakh) per month, for up to 24 months
- Scholarship holders don't pay tuition or other mandatory participation costs
- Support for travel, visa, and living expenses
- Other support may be available depending on the program
So, if your chosen Erasmus Mundus program includes a French university, it can be a great way to study abroad in France for free while also getting experience in other European countries.
Émile Boutmy Scholarship
If you're an international student applying to Sciences Po (Paris Institute of Political Studies), the Émile Boutmy Scholarship is one option you can check out. It doesn't cover every study expense, so you may still need to pay for living costs and any fees that aren't covered.
Eligibility:
- Open to non-EU international students
- You must be applying to Sciences Po for the first time
- You need to get into an eligible Bachelors or Masters program
- You also need to meet the scholarship requirements
Benefits:
- Tuition fee support
- Different award amounts are available
- The amount depends on your course and scholarship category
France Excellence Charpak Masters Scholarship
Indian students who want to do a Masters in France can look into France Charpak Scholarship. It’s made specifically for Indian students who get admission to an eligible Masters program.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be 30 years old or younger
- You need to be applying for an eligible Masters program
- You should have a good academic record and meet the program requirements
Benefits:
- EUR 860 (INR 95,606) monthly allowance
- Visa-related support
- Campus France procedure fee exemption
- Student social security and supplementary health insurance
- Help finding affordable student accommodation
- Priority access to CROUS accommodation, depending on availability
If you're an Indian student looking for ways to study in France for free or at a lower cost, the Charpak Scholarship is definitely worth checking out.
Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in France
How to Study in France for Free: Step-by-Step Process
If you're planning to study in France for free or at the lowest possible cost, it's best to start around 10-12 months before your intake. Deadlines and fees can change depending on the university, program, and your nationality, so always check the latest official information before applying.
Here is the step-by-step guide on how to apply for study in France for Indian students.
Step 1: Choose Affordable Universities
Start by looking at French public universities that offer tuition fee waivers to eligible non-EU students.
- Compare tuition fees and fee waiver rules.
- Check whether your course is taught in English or French.
- Look at language requirements such as IELTS, TOEFL, DELF,or DALF
- Compare the cost of living in different cities.
Step 2: Apply Through Études en France
If the Études en France (EEF) process applies to you, you'll need to complete it through Campus France.
- Create your EEF profile early.
- Upload your transcripts, certificates, CV, and motivation letter.
- Add your language test scores and other required documents.
- Keep an eye on the official deadline.
Step 3: Apply for the Eiffel Scholarship
If you're eligible, you can also try for France Eiffel Excellence Scholarship.
- Apply to an eligible French university first.
- Let the university know that you want to be considered for the Eiffel Scholarship.
- The university chooses and nominates the candidates.
You can't apply for the Eiffel Scholarship directly yourself.
Step 4: Look for Other Scholarships
Don't rely on just one scholarship. There are other options you can try too.
- Check Charpak if you're an eligible Indian student.
- Look at university scholarships, including Paris-Saclay's funding options.
- Explore Erasmus Mundus scholarship programs.
- Check scholarships offered by the French Embassy and other organisations.
- Make sure you apply before each scholarship's deadline.
Step 5: Find Affordable Accommodation
Once you get an admission offer or scholarship, start looking for a place to stay. Don't leave this too late.
- Check CROUS (Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires) student residences.
- Compare shared housing and private student accommodation.
- Look into CAF housing assistance if you're eligible.
- Consider both the rent and how far the accommodation is from your university.
Step 6: Plan Your Visa Finances
Even if you don't have to pay tuition, you'll still need money to live in France.
- Prepare proof of funds based on the latest French visa requirements.
- Scholarship documents, sponsorship, or acceptable personal funds may be used depending on the rules.
- Keep enough money aside for rent, food, transport, insurance, and other everyday costs.
Step 7: Apply for Your Student Visa
Once you have the required admission documents, you can start working on your visa application.
- Complete the required Campus France and visa formalities.
- Prepare your admission letter, passport, financial documents, and other paperwork.
- Submit your visa application with the required documents.
- Keep copies of everything. It's a small thing, but it can save you trouble later.
Step 8: Complete Your Registration After Arrival
After you arrive in France, you'll need to finish your university registration and other formalities.
- Follow your university's registration instructions.
- Complete the CVEC requirement if it applies to you.
- Submit any required academic and identity documents.
- Get your student card and finish any remaining registration steps.
Step 9: Keep Your Costs Under Control
Remember, free tuition doesn't mean everything is free. You'll still have everyday expenses to deal with.
- Make a simple monthly budget.
- Use student discounts whenever you can.
- Look for cheaper food, transport, and accommodation options.
If you're eligible to work part-time, treat it as extra income rather than depending on it to cover your entire living cost.
