Monthly cost of living for students in France
Monthly budget
| Cost | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Accommodation | €400 to €800 outside Paris, €700 to €1,300 in Paris (CROUS halls are cheapest) |
| Food and groceries | €200 to €300; university restaurants serve meals for about €3.30 |
| Transport | €30 to €90 with youth discounts |
| Utilities and phone | €60 to €110 |
| Health | Free enrolment in French social security; a top-up mutuelle costs €10 to €40 |
Total: €800 to €1,200 a month outside Paris; €1,200 to €1,800 in Paris.
By city
| City | Room rent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | €700 to €1,300 for a room | Metro, RER and buses with the Imagine R student pass. |
Offsetting costs with part-time work
964 hours a year (about 60 percent of full time), which allows roughly 20 hours a week. At €11.88 an hour gross minimum wage (SMIC, 2025), twelve to fifteen hours a week covers a meaningful share of living costs but never tuition.
Practical tips
- Grandes écoles admit students through competitive processes separate from the public universities.
- CROUS runs subsidised student housing and €3.30 meals at university restaurants.
- All students, including internationals, can claim CAF housing benefit of €100 to €200 a month.
- Campus France's Études en France procedure is compulsory for students from most non-EU countries.
- Bachelor's degrees are called Licence (3 years) and master's take 2 years.
Figures are indicative for the 2026/27 cycle, change with exchange rates and policy, and should be confirmed with the university or the relevant government before you decide.
Get this checked for your case
Rules change and every application is different. A counsellor confirms the current position for your country and course. Free.
Talk to a counsellorRelated questions
Do I need to speak French to study in France?
Not for an English-taught programme. Daily life, internships and jobs are far easier with French, and many schools include French classes in the fee.
How long can I stay after my master's in France?
12 months on the APS for most nationals, 24 months for Indian nationals. Bachelor's graduates are not eligible.
Is a French public university degree recognised abroad?
Yes. Public universities award national diplomas recognised across the EU and beyond. For business, check that a school's programme is Visa-accredited or triple-crowned (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA).