From September 2026, new non-EU students at French public universities pay €2,895 a year for a bachelor’s (Licence) and €3,941 a year for a master’s. Until now, most universities charged the same low rates as French students — about €178 and €254 a year. France is still far cheaper than the UK or USA, but your budget needs updating.
Who pays the new fees?
The higher fees apply to new non-EU students starting from the 2026–27 academic year, including students from Pakistan. Students already enrolled before September 2026 keep their previous rate.
Universities can still exempt some students. Exemptions are capped at 10% of students and go mainly to scholarship holders and students facing hardship. Many grants are reserved for priority fields such as health, AI and digital, energy, environment and biotechnology.
What about Grandes Écoles?
Business and engineering schools such as HEC, ESSEC, SKEMA and emlyon set their own fees, usually much higher than public universities. The new rule changes public university fees, not these schools’ fees.
Other costs to plan for
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Long-stay (VLS-TS) student visa | €99 |
| Visa validation tax stamp (online) | €75 |
| Minimum funds for the visa | €615 per month |
| Realistic monthly budget in Paris | About €1,000–1,200 |
Is France still worth it?
For many students, yes. You can work up to 964 hours a year (about 20 hours a week) while studying. After a master’s-level degree, you can apply for a one-time temporary resident permit (APS) of up to 12 months to look for work or start a business.
Plan early
Pakistani students must complete the Campus France “Études en France” procedure, including an interview, before applying for a visa. It takes about 3–6 weeks, so start by March or April for a September intake.
Thinking about France? Book a free consultation with MaxGlobal Consultants, and we’ll help you compare universities, fees and scholarships for your profile.
Sources: ICEF Monitor · CCFS Sorbonne visa guide · Campus France Pakistan
