Cost of Studying in France for Indian Students
- Last Updated on: December 8, 2025 by
- Sridhar Kongara
For many Indian students, study in France feels like a smart mix of rich culture, strong academics, and a realistic budget. France offers quality education through a well-structured higher education system that includes public universities, engineering grand écoles, and globally known business schools. What often surprises students is how the French government supports learning through government subsidies, which keeps tuition fees in many public institutions far lower than in several other popular study abroad destinations.
This guide explains the cost of studying in France for Indian students with clear tables and practical numbers. I’ll cover tuition fees in France, course-wise estimates, city-based living costs, and key expenses like health insurance, student visa steps, and campus France charges.
Tuition Fee at Public Universities
Public universities are the reason France is often seen as a country with affordable universities and low tuition fees. For the 2025/26 academic year, the fee for European students are:
- €178 (Licence/Bachelor)
- €254 (Master)
- €397 (Doctorate)
- €2,613 (Engineering degree, with specific conditions)
For non EU students like most Indian students, France introduced differentiated yet affordable fees. The listed amounts are €2,770 for bachelor’s and €3,770 for master’s, with a clear exemption structure. Many French universities may grant partial or full exemptions depending on your status, scholarships, or institutional policy.
Public university tuition snapshot (2025/26)
| Level (Public) | Standard national fee (often EU rate) | Approx INR | Differentiated non-EU fee | Approx INR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor (Licence) | €178 | ₹18,701 | €2,770 | ₹291,016 | Exemptions may apply for some international students. |
| Master | €254 | ₹26,685 | €3,770 | ₹396,076 | Check university policy before budgeting. |
| Doctorate | €397 | ₹41,709 | Usually not under the same scale | — | Doctoral funding models vary. |
| Engineering degree | €2,613 | ₹274,522 | May vary by school | — | National fee info for 2025/26. |
| CVEC (annual) | €105 | ₹11,031 | €105 | ₹11,031 | Paid by most students enrolling in higher education. |
When students compare cost of studying across Europe, France often stands out because the state absorbs a large share of real education costs in public higher education.
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Tuition Fee at Private Business Schools
Private universities and elite private institutions in management can be expensive, but they also offer strong global branding, alumni networks, and career services. For Indian students aiming for a top business school experience, the numbers can look high, but scholarships and payment plans often ease the pressure.
Private universities and elite private institutions in management can be expensive, but they also offer strong global branding, alumni networks, and career services. For Indian students aiming for a top business school experience, the numbers can look high, but scholarships and payment plans often ease the pressure.
Here are real examples from leading schools:
| School / Program (examples) | Tuition fees | Approx INR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HEC Paris Master in Management | €57,700 | ₹6,062,? (≈ ₹6.06M) | Official fee for the program. |
| INSEAD MBA | €109,860 | ₹11,541,892 | One of the highest in France/Europe. |
To keep this practical for budgeting, you can treat many top private business master’s programs as roughly:
- €15,000–€35,000 per year (mid-range schools/programs)
- €40,000–€60,000+ total for top-tier MiM
- €100,000+ for premium MBAs
This is why students often mix ambitions with funding strategy. Always Shortlist programs with realistic financial aid options, checking school scholarships, and planning education loans early.
Course Wise Costs to Study in France
The overall study costs depends less on the country and more on three choices:
- Public vs private route
- City of study
- Program level (bachelor’s degree vs master’s degree)
Indicative annual tuition by course type
| Program Type | Public route (approx) | Private route (approx) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate programs | €178 or €2,770 | €8,000–€15,000 | Public fees depend on non-EU rules + exemptions. |
| Engineering / Tech | €628–€2,613+ | €10,000–€20,000 | National engineering fee is listed at €2,613 for 2025/26 in some cases. |
| Arts / Design | €178–€3,770 | €9,000–€18,000 | Costs vary by school reputation and city. |
| Business courses | €254–€3,770 | €15,000–€35,000+ | Top brands like hec paris sit higher. |
| Doctorate | €397 | Sponsored/varies | Many PhDs are funded via labs or projects. |
If you want the lowest total cost, a public master’s in a city outside Paris often gives the best balance of quality education and manageable living expenses.
Cost of Living in France
For most international students, living costs are the bigger story than tuition. Campus France suggests planning carefully because everyday costs can feel high in Paris and other big hubs.
A simple planning range many Indian students use:
- Paris / Île-de-France: €1,200–€1,800/month
- Other student cities: €800–€1,200/month
These are realistic for rent, food, transport, utilities, and basic lifestyle.
City-wise monthly student budget (estimated)
| City | Estimated monthly living expenses | Approx INR | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | €1,200–€1,800 | ₹1.26L–₹1.89L | Highest rent and daily costs. |
| Lyon | €900–€1,200 | ₹94.5K–₹1.26L | Large job market, slightly lower than Paris. |
| Lille | €800–€1,050 | ₹84K–₹1.10L | Great value with strong universities. |
| Toulouse | €800–€1,100 | ₹84K–₹1.16L | Popular for aerospace/engineering. |
| Nantes / Montpellier | €800–€1,050 | ₹84K–₹1.10L | Balanced student cities. |
These ranges align with the idea that cost of studying is more comfortable outside the capital, while still offering world class education in many fields.
Accommodation Costs
Housing is usually the biggest part of living costs. A helpful reference for students is the range across common options:
| Type of student housing | Typical monthly rent | Approx INR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CROUS / University residences | €150–€450 | ₹15.8K–₹47.3K | Budget-friendly; priority often for scholarship holders. |
| Private student residences | €500–€800 | ₹52.5K–₹84K | More comfort and services. |
| Shared apartment | €300–€600 | ₹31.5K–₹63K | Strong cost-saving option in major cities. |
| Studio in Paris | €800–€1,200 | ₹84K–₹1.26L | Highest demand area. |
| Co-living | €500–€900 | ₹52.5K–₹94.5K | Flexible, social option. |
This is why early planning for student housing matters so much for Indian students studying in France.
Food Costs
Food is manageable if you use student options. Campus France notes that an average food budget can be around €300/month, and gives typical prices like:
- Baguette €1
- Coffee €2
- University restaurant meal €3.30
- Restaurant meal €15–€20
A practical monthly view:
| Food category | Estimated monthly cost | Approx INR | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries (basic) | €180–€250 | ₹18.9K–₹26.3K | Cooking at home cuts costs. |
| University meals (RU) | €40–€80 | ₹4.2K–₹8.4K | Great support for tight budgets. |
| Eating out (occasional) | €50–€120 | ₹5.2K–₹12.6K | Keep it as a weekly treat. |
Transportation Costs
Student transport discounts reduce daily pressure on living expenses. Here are official or local references for common cities:
| City | Student pass estimate | Approx INR |
|---|---|---|
| Paris (Imagine R annual) | €392.30/year (~€32.7/month) | ₹41,215/year |
| Lyon | ~€25/month | ~₹2,626 |
| Lille | €27.80/month | ~₹2,921 |
| Montpellier | €30/month | ~₹3,152 |
| Toulouse | €10/month (under 26) | ~₹1,051 |
Student visa costs
The france student visa journey includes multiple small but important payments. Most Indian applicants need a long stay student visa (VLS-TS). The official long-stay student visa fee is €99.
For the campus france process in India, the campus france processing fee for stays beyond 90 days is listed at ₹18,500 (exclusive of taxes) on the official India procedure page.
You may also pay a VFS service fee; the listed VFS France service charge is shown as €22 on the VFS fee information page.
Visa-related cost table
| Item | Cost | Approx INR | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| France student visa fee (long stay) | €99 | ₹10,401 | Core visa application fee. |
| Campus France processing fee (India) | ₹18,500 | ₹18,500 | For Etudes en France procedure. |
| VFS service fee | €22 | ₹2,311 | VFS charges apply even for some scholarship exemptions. |
| CVEC (annual) | €105 | ₹11,031 | Paid after arrival during university registration. |
Important exemptions: French government scholarship holders (including Eiffel excellence scholarship) and Charpak awardees may get exemptions from Campus France and visa fees, though VFS fees still apply.
Scholarship and Financial Aid
Scholarships reshape the total cost for Indian students and other foreign students. If you are serious about study in France, treat scholarships as part of your plan from day one.
Major options for Indian students
| Scholarship | What it supports | Value highlights | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eiffel Excellence Scholarship | Master’s/PhD/engineering tracks | €1,200/month for Master’s and €2,100/month for PhD (from Jan 2026) | Does not cover tuition fees. Institution must submit your application. |
| France Excellence Charpak (Master) | Master’s level | €860 monthly stipend, plus visa and Campus France fee exemptions, and additional support | Strong fit for Indian applicants across streams. |
| Erasmus Mundus | Joint Master’s in Europe | Can cover tuition and give a monthly stipend | Competitive; multi-country study model. |
The Eiffel excellence scholarship is often seen as prestige funding that helps cover living costs through its monthly support and services, even though the tuition costs remain separate.
Other support that lowers your budget
- University merit scholarships (varies by school).
- Housing assistance through CAF (eligibility-based).
- Part-time work options within visa rules.
- Education loans from Indian banks and NBFCs for private school or high-fee routes.
With the right mix of a public program and scholarship support, the cost of studying in France for Indian students can become one of the most balanced options in Europe.
Final budget picture: what should Indian students plan?
Here’s a safe planning range for one academic year:
| Path | Tuition (annual) | Living (annual) | Approx total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Bachelor / Master with exemption | €178–€254 | €9,600–€14,400 | Budget-friendly and stable |
| Public route on differentiated fees | €2,770–€3,770 | €9,600–€14,400 | Still competitive with other countries |
| Private business master | €15,000–€35,000+ | €10,000–€18,000 | Needs strong funding plan |
| Premium MBA (example) | €100,000+ | €12,000–€18,000 | High-investment path |
Wrapup
You can pursue a low-cost public degree in a welcoming education system, or aim for a high-brand private business path with scholarships and loans. With smart city selection, early housing planning, and the right scholarship strategy, especially options like Charpak and the Eiffel excellence scholarship, your study abroad journey can be both ambitious and financially realistic.
If your goal is strong academics with controlled living costs, a public master’s outside Paris is often the sweet spot for many Indian students. And with careful planning of student visa steps, health insurance registration (which is free and mandatory through the French social security system), and realistic monthly budgets, the overall cost of studying in France becomes clear, predictable, and worth it.
