Studying in France should be planned in details. An academic project can be successful only thanks to stable living conditions and a realistic budget.
Students should prepare their mobility project to France thoughtfully.
Studying in France requires full dedication given the high academic level. Prior to undertaking any mobility project, students must ensure they have stable living conditions and a realistic budget. Insufficient financial security during a period of mobility may lead to daily difficulties and compromise academic success in France."
Education in France is considered to be a right, which has implied traditionnally a lower level of tuition fees than other Western countries such as the United Kingdom or the United States.
However, tuition fees may vary significantly depending on the higher education institution (HEI) . Tuition in private institutions, and particularly in private business schools, is substantially higher than in public institutions , ranging from €3,000 to €10,000 per year. Every Higher Education Institution can have different tuition fees that should be verified.
Students who are not nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland are subject to differentiated tuition fees when enrolling in Bachelor's, Master's, or engineering degree programs at higher education institutions under the authority of the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Space. Doctoral (PhD) programs are not subject to these differentiated tuition fees.
For the 2026–2027 academic year, tuition fees are:
For more information, please refer to the FAQ | Differentiated Registration Fees for Non-EU Students in France on the website of the Ministry of Higher education and Research.
Accommodation in France can be expensive according to your city of choice and housing availability.
International students can benefit from student housing such as CROUS ( Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires ), which manages affordable student residences (often called cités U ) with low-cost rooms and studios. CROUS housing depends on availability and is not automatically allocated to students. Rent can range monthly from 150 EUR to 600 EUR per month.
International students can also rely on private accommodation . Depending on the location and the type of contract, rent can range widely from 400 EUR to 1200 EUR for a studio.
Like other budget items, food costs vary greatly depending on your diet and location. A meal in a restaurant, including a drink and a main meal, can cost up from 15 to 25 EUR.
International students can benefit from CROUS ( Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires ) canteen. These university canteens provide a full and balanced meal for 1 EUR.
Cost of food items in France can be assessed online.
Depending on your location, many different options of transportation are available.
While walking and biking are common in large cities if you are leaving close by your school, public transportation are the most common way to commute.
Many cities provide special subscriptions to students. In Paris and Ille-de-France, the yearly subscription to the public transportation system (subway, bus and RER) Navigo Imagine R costs 401,3 EUR per month. Some cities provide free public transportation, such as Montpellier. The average cost of monthly subscription for public transportation in different cities accross France is 30 EUR.
Pakistani driving licence is not recognized in France. If you plan commuting by car, it implies taking the French driving licence test, which requires a good knowledge of French, French traffic code and 20 hours of mandatory driving classes.
Health insurance in France for international students is free. Upon your arrival, you can subscribe to Assurance Maladie , the French national health insurance system which partially covers your healthcare costs.
Since the reimbursement covers only a part of the healthcare costs, it is highly recommended to choose a complementary health insurance ( Mutuelle ). Its cost can range from 5 EUR to 50 EUR depending on the benefits.
Health costs are regulated according to different "sectors". Doctors applying sector 1 " conventionnés de secteur 1 ", charge an amount that is almost entirely reimbursed by Assurance Maladie. Check-ups in University health centers are free.
Student life in France is full of opportunities to discover new hobbys or fun activities.
French Higher Education Institutions usually provide access to Public Universities' SUAPS service ( Service Universitaire des Activités Physiques et Sportives ), with access to 60+ sports (swimming, football, rock climbing, tennis, yoga) for a flat yearly fee of around 20-80 EUR.
Seat for a concert or to go to the theater can cost from 5 to 30 EUR depending on the event.
Public museums in France are free for students below the age of 26. Discounts are usually provided to students in most of cultural activities.
France offers many scholarship opportunities. Campus Bourse is a helpful search tool that gather all the scholarships available to study in France. You can use the filters to find scholarships that fit your profile and goals.
For next academic year 2027-2028, Pakistani students can apply to Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence and France Excellence Pakistan - Climate Change scholarship.
Kindly note that these scholarships are highly competitive . You shall display a strong motivation and a solid academic background to become recipient of French scholarships.