How to Study in France for Free as a Non-EU Student; Are you that student that has been dreaming to study in France but you’re worried about the cost then there is a good news and that good news is that you can study in France for free or nearly for free even as a non EU international student. In this guide, we would be discussing the following; all the opportunities, tuition-free options, scholarships, and key steps you need to take to make your study abroad dream in France a reality. This opportunity is definitely coming without making you break the bank.
Why Study In France?
There are numerous reasons why different students all over the world dream or aspire to study in France and we are going to list some of those reasons below:
- France has a world-class educational system
- The cost of living in France is very affordable compared to other top European countries like UK/US
- Rich culture and history
- Study visa in France usually lead to permanent residence
- France is one of those top countries that allows access to post-study work permits
More reasons why people consider to study in France is the fact that numerous public and private higher institution offers English taught programs.
Can You Study in France for Free?
The honest answer is yes, especially most public universities but you have to qualify for tuition exemptions or scholarships. Tuition at public universities is mostly supported by the French government, and sometimes completely covered.
Tuition Fees at Public Universities in France
For a simplified view and better understanding, we are going to put both degree level and annual tuition for Non-EU students in a tabular form below:
| Degree Level | Annual Tuition for Non-EU Students |
| Bachelor’s | €2,770 |
| Master’s | €3,770 |
| PhD | ~€380 |
We wish to bring to your notice that some students don’t pay this and that’s because of full scholarships and fee waivers.
Scholarships That Cover Full Tuition (Even Living Costs)
1. Eiffel Excellence Scholarship (By French Government)
This scholarship is created by the French government and why they created it is to attract international students to study in their country and they do the following:
- Covers tuition, monthly allowance (~€1,181), travel, health insurance
- For Master’s and PhD students
- Highly competitive
2. Campus France Scholarships
This is another type of scholarship that has been created by the French government to help international students to finance their studies and it typically:
- Central portal for 500+ scholarships
- Covers partial or full tuition, sometimes accommodation
3. École Normale Supérieure (ENS) International Selection
Let consider what this type of French scholarship covers:
- 10 months to 3 years of funding
- Covers full tuition + monthly stipend
4. Charpak Scholarship (For Indian Students)
- Offers tuition fee waiver, living allowance, student visa fee waiver
5. Université Paris-Saclay International Master’s Scholarship
- Up to €10,000/year + €1,000 relocation grant
6. Region-Based Scholarships (Île-de-France, Occitanie)
- Offered by regional councils to international students
- Apply via the university or Campus France
List of Tuition-Free or Low-Cost Universities in France
There are some universities in France that offers low or zero tuition fees even without scholarship so let list some these schools below:
- Université de Paris
- Sorbonne University
- University of Strasbourg
- École Polytechnique
- Université de Montpellier
- Université Grenoble Alpes
- Sciences Po (with scholarships)
The interesting part about some of these schools is that they offer English taught programs for international students.
Admission Requirements for Non-EU Students
Let discuss some the basic requirements for admission in France below:
- Valid passport: your passport should be valid at least 6 months before expiring
- academic transcripts: must be original and duly stamped from your school of collection
- Motivation letter & CV: your motivation should be emotional, also write it to also convince the committee while your CV should be short, write it to meet the requirements and follow French format
- Language proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL or DELF/DALF for French)
- Recommendation letters: from past employers or teachers that knows you well
- Visa documents
We wish to let your know that the letter of motivation can boost your chances for scholarships and that’s if you write a convincing strong letter. You should write your letter of motivation as if it is the only chance you have to meet and talk to the committee to choose you for the scholarship.
How to Apply to French Universities
Step-by-Step:
- You have to first choose your program on Campus France
- Secondly you will need to apply online via the university or Études en France portal
- During your online registration, you will submit your required documents
- Apply for scholarships (via Campus France or directly to the university)
- If you have done everything right, you’ll Receive offer and apply for student visa
It is also important to let you know that you need to apply early as most programs usually open between October and March
Do You Need to Speak French?
We said earlier in this article that most Universities in France offers English-taught programs most especially at the master’s level and phD levels so French speaking is not a barer to studying in France though having some basic knowledge of French will help you with:
- Living in France
- Finding part-time jobs
- Communicating and associating with the locals
Can You Work While Studying in France?
The honest answer here is yes! As a non-EU student:
- You can work up to 964 hours/year (~20 hours/week) and remember you have to follow this strict working hours and failing to adhere can lead to deportation
- Minimum wage: ~€11.65/hour as at 2025
- The interesting part is that internships are also allowed
But you have to be aware that you’ll need a valid residence permit to work legally.
Affordable Accommodation for Students
The advantage part of studying in France is that you don’t need to break the bank to live comfortably as a student. Let now consider some affordable accommodation below:
- University residence halls which is around €150–€400/month
- Shared apartments which is also around €300–€600/month
- Host families which usually comes with meals
You have to apply early through CROUS or university housing offices to get one these recommended accommodations.
Student Visa for France (Non-EU Applicants)
You have to apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) through your local French embassy.
Requirements:
- You need your university acceptance letter and make sure it is legit in case you applied through agent
- Proof of accommodation which we have stated above how to apply for affordable student accommodations
- Proof of funds which is around ~€7,000–€10,000/year
- Valid passport and
- Health insurance
We also wish to remind you that visa processing time usually take between 3–8 weeks so you have to apply as early as possible!
Post-Study Work Opportunities
After graduation:
- You can apply for a temporary residence permit (APS) valid for 1 year
- Use this time to look for a job or start a business
- If hired, apply for a work permit or permanent residence which is very important for longer stay and other benefits
France supports foreign graduates staying to work, especially in fields like tech, health, and engineering.
Quick Tips to Maximize Your Chances
- You have to apply to multiple universities and scholarships, don’t put all hope in one. Applying to multiple universities and scholarship gives you more chances of succeeding.
- You need to start preparing 8–12 months in advance
- Write a strong motivation letter which is another strong tools to getting you the offer quick
- Learn basic French even if your program is English-taught program. it will really help you for your day-to-day living and association with the locals.
- Connect with current students on LinkedIn or Facebook
Summary Checklist for Studying in France for Free
- Choose low-tuition or public universities
- Search and apply for scholarships
- Prepare documents early
- Apply via Campus France
- Secure student visa
- Plan finances + learn basic French
- Be proactive and confident!
Conclusion
Studying in France for free as a non-EU student is absolutely possible, all you need is right planning, scholarships and determination, and you can get yourself an opportunity to study in one of the top universities in the world at France absolutely for free or a very low cost.
Start achieving your dream of studying in France by following the guideline provide in these article. Congratulations in advance.