How much does it cost to study abroad, and what expenses should I budget for in France for a Master's?
EU students pay about 243 euros a year at public universities in France, while non-EU students pay around 3,770 euros for a Master's. Private schools charge 5,000 to over 30,000 euros a year. Living costs run 1,000 to 1,750 euros a month in Paris, or 700 to 1,100 outside it.
Your Master's tuition in France depends on your citizenship and whether you attend a public university or a private school. Your monthly living budget then depends mostly on whether you live in Paris or a smaller student city like Lyon or Bordeaux.
Tuition and Monthly Living Costs
| Category | In Paris | Other Major Cities |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €450 to €950+ | €300 to €600 |
| Food and groceries | €250 to €350 | €200 to €300 |
| Public transportation | ~€33 with Imagine R pass | ~€30 to €50 |
| Total estimated monthly range | €1,000 to €1,750 | €700 to €1,100 |
Tuition and One-Time Costs
- Public universities: about 243 euros a year for EU students, roughly 3,770 euros a year for non-EU students.
- Private universities and Grandes Ecoles: 5,000 to over 30,000 euros a year.
- CVEC student life tax: a mandatory 100 euros a year.
- Visa and application fees: about 50 euros for Etudes en France plus a 99 euro long-stay visa fee.
- The CAF housing subsidy (APL) can reimburse 100 to over 200 euros a month off your rent.
My Advice
Apply for the CAF housing subsidy as soon as you sign your lease, since it can cut your monthly rent bill significantly and most international students qualify. If cost is your top priority, choose a public university outside Paris and apply for CROUS housing early, since spots fill up fast, and a Leap counsellor can help you time both applications correctly.
Got a budget of 40 to 50 lakhs? See what France costs.
Full tuition and living breakdown, plus universities that fit your number.
More Cost & living questions
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More France questions
- Does my 12th grade percentage affect my master's application in Germany/France for a Bachelor's?
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