We have great news for students who have always dreamt of studying at a French university but the thought of massive expenses has held them back. Now, you can study in France on a budget of less than $5,000.
Yes, it’s true!
Read on and you will be surprised to find out that the tuition fee at the top 5 cheap universities in France for international students is much lower than you assume.
Let’s explore these affordable educational institutes together!
1. Université de Montpellier
Université de Montpellier, established back in 1289 is one of the oldest universities in the world. It is, despite its excellent education system and diverse range of study programs, one of the cheapest universities in France for international students.
Thus, it is a great choice for students who are looking for affordable education in the country. This educational institute has the lowest tuition fees and also offers scholarships to global students.
- Tuition Fee for Bachelor’s degree: €170 per year
- Tuition Fee for Master’s degree: €243 per year
- Popular Study Programs: Science, Computer Engineering, Management, Technology, Dentistry, and Business
2. Université de Paris
When we are discussing the cheapest universities in France for international students, Université de Paris should be definitely on the list. This educational institute belongs to the top 100 universities worldwide.
The degrees this university offers meet the modern industry’s standards and prepare students for successful international careers. On top of that, students at this institute can acquire excellent quality education at an affordable budget range as tuition fees here are minimal.
- Tuition Fee Bachelor’s and Master’s degree: €270 to €650
- Popular programs: Humanities, Management, Chemistry, Science
3. Sorbonne University
Sorbonne University is a leading public university in France that is ranked at number 63 on QS World University Rankings 2025. It’s nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Paris and has a reputation as one of the most reputable universities in Europe. International students usually choose this university for its budget-friendly and inclusive degree programs. Whether you want to enroll in an exchange or seek a full-time degree, Sorbonne University accommodates everyone.
If you’re planning on getting admission into Sorbonne University, these are the tuition fees you can expect:
- Tuition Fee for Bachelor’s degree: €175
- Tuition Fee for Master’s degree: €250
- Popular Courses: Law, Social Sciences, Medicine, Accounting
4. Paris-Saclay University (PSL)
Université Paris-Saclay is another one of the cheap universities in France for international students. It covers diverse fields of medicine, science and engineering, life sciences, and humanities. Universite Paris Saclay has secured the 76th position in the Best Global Universities rankings.
The courses here are designed by the industry’s best educators and instill practical skills in students that help them land high-paying jobs all over the world.
- Tuition Fee for Bachelor’s degree: €170
- Tuition Fee for Master’s degree: €243
- Popular Courses: Artificial Intelligence, Social Sciences, Medicine, Nutrition and Food Science
5. University of Bordeaux
The University of Bordeaux is a multidisciplinary university in France that was established almost 583 years ago. This institute is famous for its excellent academic quality and research opportunities.
The tuition fee at this institute is also very affordable and this is the ideal university for students who are considerably on a tight budget. Furthermore, this university provides so many scholarships and funding options to help international students fund their studies.
- Tuition Fee for Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree: €170 to €2800
- Popular Courses: Architecture, Business, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics
Additional Tips for Studying in France on a Budget
If you are on a tight budget but still want to complete your higher education at a French university, there’s a whole list of tips that you should follow:
- Look for Scholarships: The French government presents a lot of scholarships and financial aid to international students. So, before you start applying for a certain university, look for these scholarships, check the eligibility criteria, and lodge your application for the ones that meet the criteria.
- Consider Studying in Smaller Cities: Cities that are away from Paris offer a more affordable French experience. So, apply to universities in cities such as Grenoble, Lyon, and Cannes.
- Avoid touristy areas: Cafes and restaurants built in famous touristy areas will have high prices. So, if you want to dine out, look for underrated locations that offer good food but don’t charge too much. Also, start preparing your meals at home.
- Look for Student Discounts: Students who are under the age of 25 are eligible for quite a few discounts in France, generally at movie theatres, transportation, grocery stores, and cafes. So, explore these discount offers and save a significant amount of your budget.
- Look for Part-time Work: International students in France are permitted to work part-time during their semesters, so start exploring jobs. This will help you cover living expenses in France to a great extent. You can find jobs on platforms like Pôle Emploi and Keljob,
The cost of living in France can greatly vary based on a lot of factors. So, keep all these recommendations in mind. These will certainly enable you to study in France without any sort of financial pressure.
Study in France with StudyWise
France is the best choice for studying abroad at the moment. It has so much to offer to international students. This is the reason why, every year, 1000s of students around the world enroll at French universities.
If you also want to join those lucky students, now is your chance. Reach out to StudyWise, as we are one of the best study-abroad consultancies in Lahore, Pakistan. We’ll study your case in detail and provide customized solutions so that you can study at your favorite university in France.
Contact us and book a free consultation session with us today!
FAQs:
How to get PR in France?
After residing legally in France for five years in a row, you can apply for long-term resident status, which is a common pathway to obtaining permanent residency. This option is available to most types of residents, including workers, students who have completed their studies, and family members of French citizens.
What is the success rate of a student visa in France?
The success rate for French study visas for international students is pretty high, which is approximately around 85%.
