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ChypreFrance, 2026/27
University fees in France for international students, 2026/27: what you pay and who is exempt
In short: at French public universities a student from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland pays EUR 2,902 a year for a bachelor’s (licence) and EUR 3,950 for a master’s in 2026/27, against EUR 178 and EUR 255 for others. Since a decree of May 2026 a university may exempt at most 30% of its foreign students in 2026/27, 25% in 2027/28 and 20% after that, so a fee waiver is no longer something to count on. Some groups are exempt by law, and some universities exempt nationals of the least developed countries.
The fees and the exemptions, from official pages
| Quoi | Montant | Ce qu'il faut savoir | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (licence) | EUR 2,902 a year | EUR 178 for EU, EEA and Swiss students. | Service Public lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Master’s | EUR 3,950 a year | EUR 255 for EU, EEA and Swiss students. | Service Public lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Doctorat | Exempt from the higher fee | Doctoral enrolment is among the national exemptions listed by Paris 1. | Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| University waivers | At most 30% of foreign students (2026/27) | Falling to 25% in 2027/28 and 20% after (Decree 2026-385 of 19 May 2026). Students exempted for 2025/26 keep it to the end of their cycle at the same university. | Service Public lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Exempt by law (examples) | Standard fees | EU, EEA and Swiss nationals; tax residence in France for two years; refugees and subsidiary protection; French government scholarship holders; exchange students under a partnership. | Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Lyon 1 (example) | EUR 2,902 / EUR 3,950 | Waivers within the 30% quota, applied for on eCandidat; exempted students still pay the standard fee. | Universite Claude Bernard Lyon 1 lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
| Paris 1 (example) | Its own exemptions too | Also exempts nationals of the 44 UN least developed countries, among others (board decisions of December 2025 and February 2026). | Paris 1 Pantheon-Sorbonne lu le 7 nov. 2026 |
Last checked: 7 Nov 2026. Grandes ecoles, engineering schools and private institutions set their own fees. A whole first year in France, with living costs and the visa fee, starts at about EUR 11,400 (France guide).
Que faire ensuite
- Ask your university about waivers early: the quota is small and decisions come from July.
- Work out the year with the cost calculator for France, and compare Germany and France.
- Cherchez une bourse d'études ouvert à votre nationalité: a French government scholarship also exempts you from the higher fee.
- Comparer Italie, Allemagne et other low-tuition countries.
Questions
How much are university fees in France for international students in 2026/27?
EUR 2,902 a year for a bachelor’s and EUR 3,950 for a master’s at public universities for students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland, according to Service Public. EU, EEA and Swiss students pay EUR 178 and EUR 255.
Can I get a fee waiver at a French university?
Possibly, but fewer are available: a university may exempt at most 30% of its foreign students in 2026/27, 25% in 2027/28 and 20% after that. Some groups are exempt by law, such as refugees and French government scholarship holders.
Are there cheaper universities in France?
Public university fees are set nationally, so the difference is in waivers and in living costs. Paris 1, for example, exempts nationals of the UN least developed countries; living costs are lower outside Paris.