France Tuition Fees 2026–2027: What Non-EU Students Need to Know

France Tuition Fees 2026–2027: What Non-EU Students Need to Know

Non-EU students planning to study in France may face a higher bill this academic year as universities come under tighter limits on tuition-fee exemptions. If you have budgeted on the assumption that your university will reduce your fees, now is the time to get that confirmed.

The change mainly affects access to fee waivers. France’s higher fees for certain international students have existed since 2019, but universities have applied exemptions widely. New rules restrict that discretion for 2026–2027 and beyond, while protecting some students with existing awards.

There is a separate change to factor into your budget, too: the financial requirement for a French student visa increased from 1 August 2026.

How have tuition fees changed for 2026–2027?

For national degrees covered by the differentiated-fee system at relevant public higher education institutions, the annual rates are:

The annual increases are relatively modest: €3 at licence level and €5 at master’s level for the standard fees, or €52 and €71 respectively for the differentiated fees.

The more significant financial risk is losing an exemption. A licence student charged the full differentiated rate instead of the 2026–2027 standard fee pays €2,724 more. For a master’s student, the difference is €3,695.

These figures do not cover every course or institution. Private providers may charge different amounts. Doctoral students are not subject to differentiated international fees, although standard doctoral fees still apply.

Accommodation, living costs and any applicable student and campus life contribution, known as the CVEC, also need to be budgeted separately.

What has changed about fee exemptions?

Decree No. 2026-385, which entered into force on 21 May 2026, restricts universities’ ability to grant broad exemptions. Individual waivers can still be awarded following consideration of a student’s personal circumstances, particularly their financial resources.

The phased ceilings are:

• 30% for 2026–2027.
• 25% for 2027–2028.
• 20% from 2028–2029.

These caps apply within the relevant student category used by the rules. They are not a promise that a university will award that many exemptions, nor an individual applicant’s chance of success. Certain exemptions granted as a legal entitlement, including qualifying French government scholarships and reciprocal exchange arrangements, are treated separately.

A waiver may be partial or full. Ask what you will actually pay, rather than relying on the word “exempt”.

Does every non-EU student pay the higher fee?

No. Nationality is part of the assessment, but your residence status and circumstances can also matter.

Alongside EU, EEA and Swiss nationals, several other groups fall outside the differentiated-fee system. These include recognised refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection and some long-term residents and their children. Qualifying French tax-household history can also affect the position.

British applicants should check whether a residence right, agreement or other exception applies to them. Being accepted onto a course does not, by itself, establish your fee status.

The university should confirm which rules apply and what evidence it needs. IAS can help where residence status affects the immigration evidence.

Can you keep an existing exemption?

The transitional rules protect two groups:

• Students who benefited from an exemption for 2025–2026.
• Students awarded an exemption for 2026–2027 before 21 May 2026.

Protection continues until the end of the relevant degree cycle, provided you continue the corresponding studies at the institution that granted the exemption.

For example, a protected waiver may continue when progressing within the same bachelor’s degree. Starting a master’s is a new cycle and requires a fresh check. Moving to another university can also change the position.

Keep the exemption decision and ask the university to confirm its continued application in writing. An admission offer is not necessarily an exemption award.

Check the visa fee and financial requirement separately

Campus France’s updated guidance states that, from 1 August 2026, student-visa applicants must demonstrate financial resources of at least €877.50 a month, replacing the previous €615 threshold.

That is €10,530 over 12 months. Treat this as a minimum evidence requirement for living resources, rather than an estimate of what your chosen city will cost. Tuition fees still need to be accounted for separately, and a fee waiver does not itself demonstrate funds for rent and everyday expenses.

Before applying, make sure your funding evidence reflects confirmed fees, scholarships or family support and the current local instructions.

There is also a separate visa application fee. France-Visas currently indicates a €50 student rate in countries covered by the Études en France procedure and €99 for applications in other countries. The amount is indicative, and an external application centre may charge an additional service fee.

The visa fee, tuition fee and financial-resources requirement are three different costs or tests. Paying the application fee does not reduce the €877.50 monthly evidence requirement, and the money used to demonstrate maintenance should not simply be treated as available for tuition.

What should you do if your fees are higher than expected?

Contact the university’s admissions or international office promptly. Ask for a written fee assessment, the basis of any exemption decision, and the deadlines for requesting a waiver, review or payment arrangement.

If affordability affects whether you can enrol or continue studying, check the immigration implications before withdrawing or changing course.

IAS can support your French student-visa application, review your financial and supporting documents, and advise on immigration questions arising from a change in your study plans. Your university determines your fees and exemptions; we can help you understand what its decision means for your application or permission to stay.