How Much Does It Cost to Study in France? Fees, CVEC and Student Housing
Fee figures: catalogue of 6 October 2026.
France sets the price of a public university degree nationally, so it is the same in Paris and in a small provincial town. For EU students it is one of the lowest in Europe. For non-EU students there is a higher fee, though many universities waive part of it.
The national registration fee
At public institutions the registration fee for a bachelor's degree (a licence or a BUT) is €178 per year in 2026/27. On top of it every student pays the CVEC, the student and campus life contribution, which is €105. That is the whole bill for an EU student at a public university.
Citizens of the EU, the European Economic Area and Switzerland pay this national fee, and so do some other groups, such as long-term residents.
The differentiated fee for non-EU students
Non-EU citizens who come to France to study pay a differentiated fee of €2,902 per year for a bachelor's degree. There is an important escape route: universities are allowed to exempt part of their foreign students, and many use this to charge everyone the national fee. The policy differs by university and can change from year to year, so the fee page of the university you are applying to is the only reliable source.
In our catalogue the typical fee for a non-EU student at a public institution is €2,902 a year, against €178 for an EU student.
Schools and private institutions
Engineering schools, business schools and private institutions set their own fees, and the range is wide. Some public engineering schools charge a few hundred euros or a couple of thousand; private business schools charge far more. In our catalogue the typical fee at a private institution is €9,000 a year, and the most expensive programmes reach €26,300.
Housing
The public student housing service, CROUS, runs residences in every university city. Rooms are allocated with priority to grant holders, and international students apply through the same service. Our catalogue holds published prices for 1,659 residences: the typical range is €345 to €449 a month, and Paris is well above the rest of the country.
Students in France, including foreign students, can apply for housing aid from the family benefits fund, which reduces the rent you actually pay. The amount depends on the rent, the city and your situation.
How to keep costs down
- If you are a non-EU citizen, look for universities that exempt international students from the differentiated fee.
- Apply for a CROUS room as soon as the application window opens.
- Apply for housing aid once you have a rental contract.
- Consider cities outside Paris. The registration fee is identical; the rent is not.
Where to look next
Official sources
- Campus France: tuition fees and exemptions
- etudiant.gouv.fr: CVEC, CROUS housing and grants
Always check current information on the official website of the university before you apply.