Inscription, fees, rent: the average cost of university in France

The annual cost of university for students in France has risen considerably for the 2024 - 2025 academic year, according to a new report. 

It now costs €3,157 for a student without a grant to attend university for one year, said Fage, a leading student federation. 

This is €85 higher than last year, an overall increase of nearly 4% – although certain individual costs have risen considerably more – and risks blocking students from lower-income families out of education, said Fage. 

It is also more expensive for students from France’s overseas departments and territories, who are already disadvantaged by a lack of equal education opportunities and who must pay more than €4,300 on average.

The federation is calling on the government to freeze tuition fees for students, and increase the number of €1 meals available via the ‘Crous’ programme, making all students eligible for the cut-price food.

It is also demanding an increase to the APL (Aide personnalisée au logement) social housing benefits that students can receive.

Living costs see increase

These annual cost calculations take into account not only fees, but living expenses for students. 

Unlike in the UK or US, where tuition fees can reach thousands of pounds or dollars, higher education at most public institutions are state-funded in France, with students only required to pay an annual inscription or registration cost and a few other fees. 

In 2024-2025, this is €175 per year for an undergraduate.

Read more: French university fees to rise: what rates for 2024-2025 study year?

However, this means the state does not provide student loans, which in the UK are universally available for British students.

These pay for not only tuition fees but can also partially or fully cover living expenses, depending on what loans the student applies for.

This means French students must shoulder such costs themselves unless they receive a scholarship. 

The highest living costs for students in France is rent – they pay around €520 on rent per term when at university, even higher in the Île-de-France region where average costs are €688.

French universities generally have two terms per year, making annual rent costs more than €1,000.

This leads some students to live at home whilst studying, but this is impossible for people from rural areas. 

Another major – and concerning – cost is food. Catered meals for students remain unchanged, costing €66, but Fage reports that more students are going without food to make ends meet. 

“On average, students skip more than three meals a week,” and “almost 20% do not eat enough to satisfy their hunger,” its report says. 

These figures are the driving force behind the demand for €1 meals for all students via Crous, which provides meals for students on university campuses.

Hidden costs hit students hard 

Alongside these, students are stung by surprise hidden fees that they do not factor into annual budgets. 

Alongside the expected inscription fees, many classes require students to purchase books or software before being able to take the lessons. 

These costs are technically illegal, says Fage, but many universities get away with charging them, and they have risen by nearly 17% this year, costing a student €176.46 on average. 

House insurance premiums have also risen for students, as well as leisure costs, although the latter have gone up by less than €4 on average, with students forced to spend less on activities to compensate for rising costs elsewhere.

Read more: What changes in schools for the 2024 autumn rentrée in France