France Study Abroad Budget

CAN I STUDY FOR FREE IN FRANCE? IF NOT WHAT IS THE COST OF STUDYING IN FRANCE.

 

Though France is not as widely known as Germany for the affordable cost of studying, international students will find many ways to study free or with low tuition costs in French universities. Unfortunately, there is some amount you need to pay, whether it is administration fees or university fees. So, technically, studying free is not possible. However, we will discuss and explore some great options that can enable studying free in France. 

 

If you are a citizen or permanent resident of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland, then you will have to pay much lesser tuition fees compared to the students from other countries. The best option and most adapted one by all international study abroad enthusiasts is applying to scholarships and fellowships. 

 

Affordable Universities in France: -

 

France is globally known for its quality education along with an affordable tuition fees system. So, first, we will discuss the universities where you can study with no or fewer tuition costs compared to other universities in France. Such universities are listed below: -

 

- University of Orleans

- University of Strasbourg

- University of Montpelier

- University of Burgundy

- École Normale Supérieure (Paris)

- École Centrale de Lyon

- The Paris Institute of Political Studies

- Ecole Polytechnique

- Grenoble INP Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes

 

Scholarships: -

Now, let’s discuss how you can get a cut in your finances while studying in France. Scholarships!! The following is a list of different scholarships that would help you study free or lower your financial burden. Here is the list: -

- Eiffel Scholarships for International Students: -

It is awarded to students applying for masters and Ph.D. degree courses. The scholarship includes a monthly allowance of EUR1, 181 for a period of 12 to 36 months.

 

- Universite Paris-Saclay Master’s Scholarship: -

This scholarship is awarded for 1- 2 years depending on your master’s program. The scholarship grant includes EUR10, 000 per year, travel expenses up to EUR1, 000, and visa expenses depending on your country of origin.

 

- Ampere Excellence Scholarship: -

This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a master’s degree in exact sciences, arts, human and social sciences at ENS de Lyon. The scholarship offers EUR1000 per year for 1-2 years.

 

- Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: -

This scholarship is awarded to students who want to study a joint master’s degree in Aquaculture, environment, and society. The scholarship includes two categories; one is the Partner country scholarship that offers EUR 8000 per year to the eligible candidate from a partner country while the second one is the Programme country scholarship that offers EUR 4000 per year to the eligible candidate from a program country.

 

- Emile Boutmy Scholarships at Sciences Po: -

This scholarship is awarded to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. The scholarships grant ranges between EUR3, 000 – EUR12, 000 and can go up to EUR19, 000 in some cases for undergraduate courses. While for the postgraduate course the grant is EUR10, 000 for covering tuition costs for two years.

 

- Stephen M. Kellen Scholarship: -

This is another scholarship offered at Science Po University. The scholarship is awarded to students for dual bachelor’s programs. So, students will study two years in Paris and two years in Berlin and receive the scholarship grant of EUR 6000 and EUR 7000 in Paris and Berlin respectively. 

 

- Ecole Normale Superieure International Scholarships: -

This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a diploma in fields of arts and human sciences and master’s degree courses. The scholarship includes a monthly grant of EUR 1000 for three years and a room in ENS campuses.

 

Other sources of scholarships and financial aid: -

 

- Grenoble University International Master’s scholarships

- Francis Bouygues Corporate Foundation

- GRP POLICY scholarships for international students

- French Embassy Master’s and Ph.D. Scholarship

- Camargo Foundation Core Fellowship Program

 

 

Cost of Studying in France 

 

Tuition costs

The tuition costs for EU/EEA or Switzerland students are lower compared to students from other countries. Non – EU international students have to pay $3300 /year for bachelor’s programs, $4300/ year for master’s programs, and $450/ year for doctorate programs in public universities. Private universities have higher tuition costs that can range between $3500 - $24,000/ year. However, tuition fees at business schools are in the range of $6000 - $36,000/ year irrespective of the degree level. 

 

Accommodation 

French universities provide student halls for residence to international students that are around $240 / month. Renting a single studio apartment can averagely cost $470 - $830/month. The costs for a city like Paris are higher compared to all other cities in France. You can also live with a host family in France that may cost you around $240 and can go up to $950(in Paris). All of the above costs are range depending on your location and size of rooms.

 

Food and other expenses

An average cost for food and groceries for a single student can cost in the range of $300 - $360/ month. Eating out in a regular restaurant can cost $12 - $18 for one meal. The Bistros, brasseries, and crepe stands are more affordable options that have prices in the range of $6 - $10 per meal. Expenses like transportation can cost $36 - $88/month. Taxi tariff for 1 km costs around $2 and one liter of gasoline costs $1.75. Books and stationery can cost $60/month, electricity, gas, and the internet can cost $70/month. Also, for some involvement in sports and entertainment, you can spend around $60/month depending on your preferences. Student health insurance is essential for international students that may cost $24 - $60 /month.  

 

If you wish to study abroad, please connect with Whizstorm for the best international career plans.