costs & funding
France's headline advantage shrank in September 2026. It is still cheap by English-speaking standards — but the numbers changed, and most guides have not caught up.
From September 2026 differentiated non-EU fees became the rule and exemption the exception. Universities previously could waive them to the domestic rate — around €178 Licence and €254 Master. That discretion is largely removed.
Look at the top bar: doctoral study was left out of the reform, at around €397 a year. For PhD applicants, France remains one of the cheapest serious destinations anywhere — the 2026 change simply does not apply to you.
On top of tuition: the CVEC student-life contribution, around €103/yr
The exemptions narrowed but did not disappear. Check whether you fall into one before assuming the higher rate.
Remaining exemptions: scholarship holders, international-agreement and double-degree students, those already enrolled in 2025-26 continuing the same cycle, and asylum seekers or stateless applicants
That third category matters if you are already in France — students who began a cycle in 2025-26 and continue it generally keep the old rate. If you are applying fresh, plan on the new numbers.
Rent dominates, and the spread between Paris and regional cities is wide enough to outweigh most other cost differences.
The pattern: Paris is far costlier than regional cities, and rent is the dominant variable
A benefit worth claiming: the CAF housing allowance can offset your rent — it needs a French bank account and some persistence to claim
The CAF housing allowance is genuinely useful and routinely left unclaimed by international students, because it needs a French bank account and some persistence with paperwork. Set it up early — it reduces your rent for the whole time you are there.
Proof of funds: commonly cited as around €615 per month
Accepted forms: recent bank statements, a blocked or dedicated account, a scholarship award letter, or a sponsor guarantee — France accepts a range
France is more flexible than Germany here — there is no single mandatory blocked-account instrument. Bank statements, a dedicated account, a scholarship letter or a sponsor guarantee are all accepted, which gives families more than one way to satisfy the requirement.
Reference rate used here: €1 ≈ NPR 145–150
A year of master's tuition is roughly NPR 5.6–5.9 lakh
The €615/month proof figure is roughly NPR ~89,000–92,000 per month
While studying: part-time work is permitted alongside study, within an annual hours cap
The practical limit is language rather than law — most student jobs in France happen in French. Note that the hours cap disappears entirely on the post-study permit, where you may work full-time in any job.
Nepali bank education loans are commonly used. Specific rates: not published