Tuition Fees
If you study at University you will pay between € 184 and € 610.
If you study in a private institution, you will pay between € 3,000 and € 10,000.
To learn more about tuition fees visit our dedicated section.
Housing
If you live in a student hall, you will pay between 150 and 350 euros depending on the surface and on the localization
If you live in a furnished studio flat, you will pay from 300 euros to more than 800 euros in Paris
Check out our accommodation section
In some case you will have to pay utility costs:
Around € 30 for electricity
Food and groceries
In France, the world capital of gourmet dining, most people eat three meals a day: breakfast in the morning, lunch at around 1 pm, and dinner at around 8 pm. Lunch and dinner are full meals.
For daily meals you can't do better than the 450 university restaurants. Prices at the "restau-u" (restau-u stands for restaurant universitaire that’s means University Restaurant) are unbeatable: You get a complete meal for € 3,15. Anyone holding a student card has free access to the entire network of restaurants. Some are open at night and on weekends.
Be prepared to spend between € 200 and € 300 per month for your meals.
Transportation costs
The transportation costs can significantly change from one city to another. They may also depend on the distance you have to travel. Transportation companies generally offer attractive prices for students.
Be prepared to pay between € 15 and € 50 per month.
Health Insurance Cost
France offers medical and health services for students, including preventive and wellness services. French health-care coverage, provided under the social security system ("Sécurité sociale"), is of very high quality. Covered individuals are reimbursed for a portion of their medical expenses in return for a low basic payment. For students, that payment reaches € 217. You join the plan at your higher education institution when you register for classes at the beginning of the academic year. Participation in the plan is mandatory for non-European students.
Communication costs
Mobile Phones
Choosing an adequate cell phone plan is an important step. It is a way to keep in touch with your family and friends in your home country but also a way to be connected to your new acquaintances in France! Take the time to compare all the services to find an offer that meet your needs!
There are four major phone companies: SFR, Free, Bouygues Telecom and Orange
They offer
prepaid phone cards
starting from € 3,90 per month or cell phone plans starting from around € 2 and going up to € 30 depending on the range of services you choose.
Internet service
They also provide Internet service.
Having an Internet access will help you to keep in touch with your family and to be connected to your new acquaintances in France. But it will also be essential for your studies!
As well as your phone plan, take the time to choose an offer that meets your needs!
In some cases, Internet service will be included in your rent but in other cases, you will have to subscribe to an Internet plan. Internet plans cost from € 10 to 45 depending on the services and the company you chose.
Social life costs
It is also important to include costs of your social life in your budget. Here are some guide prices:
Cinema ticket - € 7-8
Haircut - € 15-35
Restaurant lunch - € 10-20
Restaurant dinner - € 15-30
Baguette - € 0,85
Sandwich - € 3-6
Coffee - € 1-2
Beer (pint) - € 4-7
Wine (small glass) - € 3-5
1 load of wash in a laundromat - € 4-5
Student Accommodation & Housing Options in France
There are several options for you to choose from when considering your accommodation situation. The cost of rent in France is above the international average of 200-300 EUR per month, however this is obviously variable depending on where you are, and your desired levels of comfort and privacy. Here is some information about the various kinds of housing available to you as a student in France:
CROUS
The cheapest accommodation available is owned and managed by the Regional Centers of University and Academic Services (CROUS). 13% of the student population live in CROUS owned housing, which can cost as little as 150 EUR per month and up to 600 EUR. There is one CROUS residence per educational region (rather than one overarching body), so when applying for this housing make sure that you are dealing with the residence affiliated with your chosen institution of study. Once you have found the appropriate site, you must submit an ‘international lodging’ application and submit it before May 31st to receive accommodation for the next academic year.
University-owned accommodation
Specialized schools such as the Grandes Écoles own housing which they rent out to their students. Since these schools are private, application process and costs are variable and you would need to look into individual establishments for further information.
Student lodging in a residence
There is also the option to live in non-CROUS owned student residences. The cost of this will be higher than CROUS because of the services and amenities included, but lower than a private residence. This is a good compromise if you want to maximize comfort but retain sociability.
Lodging with private owners
If none of these options appeal to you – perhaps you are a mature student, only enrolled in a short course, or simply value independence and privacy – then you can always rent a room or property through an individual or an estate agent. Renting an apartment costs between 400 and 700 EUR per month on average, although this is hugely variable depending on where in France you are. Outside of the main urban centers you can rent an apartment for approximately 300 EUR per month..