Cost of Studying in France for Indian Students
Apart from rich cultural history, polite etiquettes, iconic fashion, France is rapidly emerging as education hub of Europe. The Indian student’s numbers are constantly increasing, it is primarily due to low cost of studying in France for Indian Students and world-class education. It boasts top-notch universities like Ècole Polytechnique and Sorbonne, which offers English-taught, industry-relevant programs to international students.
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Additionally, the French government offers subsidy on tuition fee for international students and beneficial scholarships like Charpak and Eiffel Excellence scholarship, substantially reducing the financial strain. This guide will help Indian students to get insights about expenditure of education and living in France, including additional information about pre-arrival and post-arrival expenses. It will also provide answers to common queries of prospective students.
Tuition Fee in France for Indian Students
Affordable education for overseas students is the prime motto of French government, thereby offers subsidies and scholarships to students, allowing them to pursue education at top-tier universities. Here is the accurate breakdown of tuition fees for non-European students, including Indian students for the academic year 2025/26
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French Public Universities
Public universities in France are comparatively affordable to other universities of Europe. Indian students can pursue undergraduate program at a public university at approximately €2850 per year (equivalent to 2.56 lakhs, if exchange rate is 90 INR for One Euro).
Postgraduate programs are available at annual tuition fees of €3879 each year (equivalent to 3.50 lakhs per annum), while doctoral programs fees is mere €380 per year (not more than 35,000 yearly).
Doctoral programs have uniform fee structure for all students, including EU and local students, international students.
- Undergraduate Programs (Per Year) – €2850 = ₹2,56,500
- Postgraduate Programs (Per Year) – €3879 = ₹3,49,110
- Doctoral Programs (Per Year) – €380 = ₹34,200
Grandes Ècoles & Private Institutions
All private institutions, Grandes Ècoles and business schools in France regulate their own tuition fees, therefore the tuition fees are relatively higher than public institutions. The approximate fee structure of leading private institutions at France is between €5,000 – €20,000 (equal to 04 – 18 lakhs INR) per annum.
to be precise, few elite business schools charge around €10,000 – €15,000 per year for their programs. While specialized MBA program can cost €20,000 yearly at leading private schools
For instance, ESCP Business School of Paris charge €21,000 yearly for undergraduate in management programs. Similarly, Emlyon Business School demand €17,500 yearly for master’s in business management program. However, private and Grandes Ècoles of Engineering have low fee’s structure, ranging between €5,000 – €10,000 yearly, if not receiving state subsidies.
- Undergraduate Programs (Per Year) – €5,000 – €15,000 = ₹4.5 lakhs – ₹13.5 lakhs
- Postgraduate Programs (Per Year) – €7,000 – €20,000 = ₹6.3 lakhs – ₹18 lakhs
Most of the institutions offers scholarships to early applicants and also provide fee discounts to reduce financial burden. Indian students can explore pre-admission scholarships to plan their finances.
Additional Fees
Other than regular academic fees, students must also shell out additional expenses such as, Students & Campus Life Contribution (CVEC) – €103 per annum (equal to 9,270 INR). It is charged for services like, health services, sports facilities and cultural activities.
However, few institutions may demand registration charges or union fee in the range of €50 – €200 yearly. This all-extra expenditure must be taken into aggregate budget.
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Living Expenses in France for Indian Students
The living cost of France is affordable, provided student must adhere to budget-friendly options. First-rate cosmopolitan like Paris has expensive lifestyle, while tier-two cities like Lyon, Lille Toulouse are less expensive. Indian students on average must have a budget of €800 -€1200 per month to cover basic facilities like, food, accommodation, health insurance, transportation, utilities and other expenses.
The following guide will provide accurate breakdown of the monthly expenses for Indian students. This breakdown is based on monthly expenditure.
| Expense Category | Monthly Cost (Euros) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Food & Groceries | €200 – €300 | ₹18,000 – ₹27,000 |
| Accommodation (Rent) | €300 – €600 | ₹27,000 – ₹54,000 |
| Health Insurance | €25 – €40 | ₹2,250 – ₹3,600 |
| Transportation | €30 – €70 | ₹2,700 – ₹6,300 |
| Internet & Other Utilities | €50 – €100 | ₹4,500 – ₹9,000 |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | €100 – €200 | ₹9,000 – ₹18,000 |
| Total | €800 – €1,200 | ₹72,000 – ₹1,08,000 |
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City-Wise Living Expenditure
Indian students aspiring to study at France will get a gist of city-wise living costs by following information
| City / Region | Typical Monthly Budget (EUR) | Typical Monthly Budget (INR) | Accommodation (EUR / month) | Food (EUR / month) | Transport (EUR / month) | Key Points & Money-Saving Tips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | €1 200 – €1 800 | ₹1.08 L – ₹1.62 L | €500 – €900 | ≈ €250 | ≈ €75 | Highest cost of living in France. Share flats or live in the suburbs and use CROUS cafeterias/student meal plans to cut expenses. |
| Toulouse | €800 – €1 000 | ₹72 000 – ₹90 000 | €400 – €700 | €200 – €280 | €28 | Aerospace hub with lower rents than Paris. Live slightly outside the centre and rely on the €28 student travel pass. |
| Lyon | €1 100 – €1 200 | ₹99 000 – ₹1.08 L | €600 – €900 | €200 – €300 | €25 | Costs sit between Paris and Toulouse; vibrant business & engineering scene. CROUS rooms (~€250-€500) cut rent even further. |
| Lille | €750 – €1 000 | ₹67 500 – ₹90 000 | €400 – €600 | €150 – €250 | €27 | Most affordable of the major student cities. Proximity to Belgium & Netherlands, yet day-to-day costs remain low. |
| Bordeaux / Grenoble / Montpellier | up to €1 000 | up to ₹90 000 | €400 – €700 | €200 – €250 | €20 – €35 | University towns with strong student discounts; apply for CAF housing aid & local “tarification solidaire” travel fares to lower monthly spend. |
Key Living Expense Categories
| Expense Category | Typical Monthly Cost (EUR) | Typical Monthly Cost (INR) | Key Details / Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €150 – €1,200 | ₹13,500 – ₹108,000 | Paris apartments: €800–€1,200; Toulouse/Lyon/Lille: €400–€600; CROUS residences: €150–€400; shared flats: up to €300 per person. Expect 2‑month refundable deposit and ~€50–€100 annual house insurance; apply for CAF subsidy to reduce rent. |
| Food | up to €250 | up to ₹22,500 | Stay under €250/month with self‑cooking and discount stores. University cafeteria meals cost €3.30; tea/coffee ~€2. Occasional budget restaurant meals €10–€15. |
| Transportation | €15 – €70 | ₹1,350 – ₹6,300 | Navigo pass Paris: €75/month; Imagine’R for <26 yrs: €38. Other cities’ student passes ≤€50; bike rentals ~€15. Overall student transport rarely exceeds €70/month. |
| Utilities & Internet | €50 – €100 | ₹4,500 – ₹9,000 | Budget €50–€100 for electricity, heating, waste, water, and internet. Mobile data ~€15; home internet up to €30. Paris tends to the upper end; some rentals include partial utilities. |
| Miscellaneous Expenses | €100 – €200 | ₹9,000 – ₹18,000 | Books, clothing, leisure, and personal items. Save by borrowing from university libraries and joining free campus events. |
Managing modest lifestyle as student in France is not rocket science, Indian students must make the most of government subsidies, apply for scholarships and live a frugal life. These precautions can be helpful in reducing the expenditure substantially
Pre-Arrival & Post-Arrival Expenses for Indian Students
Other than study and living expenses, international students should bear one-time expenditure before and after arrival at France. These expenditure plays an important role in embarking French entourage
Pre-Arrival Expenses: Indian students must apply for student visa via Ètudes En France Portal. A non-refundable processing fee is €200 (equal to ₹18,500) is mandatory. A long term student visa fee is €50. Moreover, extra charges of VFS is also applicable
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Exams & Tests Fees: International students aspiring for English-Taught programs have to appear for proficiency tests like TOEFL and IELTS, costing €190 (equal to ₹17,000), while French-taught programs need proficiency of French language through tests like, DELF/DALF or TCF/TEF, which requires up to ₹15,000. Few Grandes Ècoles have their own assessment tests that costs €50 – €250. Document translation and postage are additional minor expenses
Airfare: Most of the airlines offers economy class tickets for one-way traveling between €400 – €900 = ₹20,000 – 80,000. Return ticket costs around ₹1,00,000. Students are advised to check the airlines fares and student discount for extra luggage
Initial Settling Funds: Once Indian students arrive at France, they need some handy cash up to €300. It is needed for airport transfer, temporary accommodation, food. Before moving into permanent rented residence, students must deposit two months rent in advance
Travel Insurance: With a coverage of €30,000, a travel health insurance is compulsory for visa. Three months insurance policy costs up to ₹5,000, few scholarships like Charpak covers this policy
Post-Arrival Expenses: After the arrival, students must validate their long stay student visa by paying €60 within first three months. This is an online process and mandatory for all international students
Students & Campus Life Contribution (CVEC): An annual fee of €103 has to paid without any fail towards CVEC. The payment is processed online, compulsory needed for university enrollment. Students having specific scholarships may get an exemption
Health Insurance Enrollment: Although, France offers free health insurance to all international students. Once enrolled, students automatically get registered for basic health insurance. Students can opt complementary health insurance by paying up to €40 monthly. The liability insurance costs up to €30 per year
Accommodation Set-up: Once the accommodation is finalized, students must pay one month in advance and at least two months rent as deposit to the landlord. Basic furnishing like bed and other things costs up to €200 maximum. Although, opening a bank account is free, but need nominal opening deposit
These unforeseen expenditure leads to long and comfortable stay at France, advance planning ensures seamless transition
Scholarships for Indian students in France
Indian applicants must plan their finances in advance, however they can seek a plethora of scholarships, part-time jobs and student loans to manage French education with ease and convenience
Eligible Indian students receive appropriate funding via scholarships and grants, few prominent scholarships are –
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Charpak Scholarship
Sponsored by French embassy in India, it awards financial assistance to Indian students pursuing higher education at France. It offers €780 – €860 as stipend every month, including visa processing and Campus France fee. Additionally, eligible students receive €5,000 tuition fee waiver in undergraduate, postgraduate and research internships. Academic merit is basic requirements to be recipient of this scholarship
Eiffel Excellence Scholarship
Prestigious French scholarship that rewards comprehensive financial assistance to meritorious students. The recipients are eligible to receive €1181 as stipend per month in postgraduate level, while doctoral students receive €1,700 per month as stipend. It also provides airfares and health insurance. The university has to nominate the students to be recipient of this scholarship
ERASMUS Mundus Joint Scholarships
Awarded to students pursuing joint postgraduate programs. This scholarship offers full tuition fee waiver and monthly stipend of €1000 to the recipients. Numerous Indian students received this scholarship in the past
Other Scholarships
- Indian students can seek various scholarships sponsored by French government and embassy. Few prominent scholarships are – Amba Dalmia Scholarship for women (in arts), Raman Charpak fellowship for exchange doctoral students and Franco-Indian Educational Trust.
- Most of the universities offer fee waivers to meritorious students, moreover private institutions like HEC Paris and EDHEC offers 20 – 30% reduction in tuition fee. Students must thoroughly research the scholarship, apply in advance (6-9 months before intake), detailed information is available at Campus France Bourses and embassy scholarship booklet
Part-time Jobs Opportunities
- Indian students on student visa (VLS-TS) can work for 20 hours/ week, equivalent to 964 hours per year. Noteworthy points are –
- Indian students with no French language proficiency can seek jobs at university cafeterias, English teaching assistants, Indian grocery stores, restaurants, cafés and as babysitters. However, French language proficiency can expand the employment horizons in France
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- As per French employment guidelines, minimum wage is €11.5 per hour, after tax deduction, €9 is take-home wage. Students working entire month can easily make €600 – €700, covering living expenses and transportation expenditure
- Students can find jobs at job boards, university career center, websites like jobteaser and studentjob local network can elevate the opportunities. French language proficiency provides better opportunities.
- Students are also entitled to receive €600 per month as interns for two months. Internships are part of the course in many universities. However, internships do not count under 964/year limit
- Part-time jobs can be very useful for Indian students, it provides financial backing to cover living and other expenses. But, students must maintain a balance between work and studies
Educational Loans & Budgeting Tips
Many leading Indian banks offers educational loans up to 30 lakhs to prospective Indian students, charging 9 – 12% interest per annum. Collateral free loans are available up to financial threshold of 7.5 lakhs under Credit Guarantee Fund for Education Loan. Private finance lenders like MFinance and Prodigy loans also offers instant loans, without any collateral surety, but charges huge interest rates. A sanctioned loan can serve as sufficient proof of finance for student visa
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Tips to Maintain Financial Stability
- Students facing financial crunch must choose tier-two cities like Toulouse or Lille for education, thereby reducing financial burden
- Apply for CAF subsidy as soon as possible, it provides monthly subsidy of €100 – €200 towards rent from the government
- Students are entitled to receive various discounts in France, they can utilize it for reducing costs. Discounts are available in food, transport, museums, cinema and restaurants
- Engage in university sports, events and other extracurricular activities to minimize leisure expenditure
- Utilize 20/week work permission, as it lessens the costs of living and transport. Maintain optimum balance between work and studies
- Prefer public transport for travelling, avoid using private cabs, discounted travelling via buses and train help in minimizing travel cost to large extent
- Students can combine scholarships, part-time jobs and loans to make French education affordable. French government facilitates up to 15 crores of scholarship amount every year for Indian students. Additionally provides various students benefits, allowing students to experience the rich cultural heritage and academic excellence of France
France provides affordable education to international students, primarily due to scholarships, tuition fee subsidy and other student benefits. The public universities are affordable with low tuition fees ranging between €2,850 – €3,879, while elite private institutions charge between €5,000 – €20,000 annually.
The Indian students can manage living and other miscellaneous expenses within the range of €800 – €1200 per month, Paris is the most expensive French city, while smaller cities like, Toulouse, Lyon and Lille have affordable living. Both pre-arrival and post-arrival costs must be planned in advance. Scholarships, part-time jobs, student loans and budgeting makes France as most easily accessible destination for studies.
A little bit of effort and thorough planning can make dream come true for many aspiring Indian students to study at sophisticated cities of France
Sridhar Kongara
