In France, almost 300,000 students come from all over the world to pursue higher studies because of the long set of high quality and living standards. But, due to the same reasons, tuition fees and accommodation can take up a large sum of money yearly to continue studying. French universities with relatively high popularity can cost well over 10,000 euros, which can be very difficult to bear for the majority of international students.
Fortunately, there are some ways you can cut down your costs and living expenses to zero, by getting ready and applying at the right places. To study in France for free, a mixture of university choice, background results, and scholarship application is needed. Here are some of the best ways you can study in France for free, and all of them are pursuable for international students.
How to Study in France for Free
1. Be a Top Candidate with Stellar Scores
Universities almost always choose the best applicants among thousands of others. To stand out, having solid preparation and a flawless application is essential. A great practice is to prepare your application early and then update it as many times as needed.
Your GPA and transcript of records are the most important, as they are the first criteria the admissions committee checks. Requirements like a language proficiency test and standardized tests like ACT, SAT, GRE, and GMAT are also often required to submit. Apart from these, candidates are encouraged to submit any proof of extra-curricular activities, like off-campus achievements, volunteer work, etc.
Your academic profile should list all your achievements and ensure that all the documents are updated.
2. Look for Scholarships in France
The best way to study in France for free is by receiving a proper scholarship in your desired institution. Numerous scholarships are provided by both universities and the French government.
When applying for financial aid, candidates must thoroughly research what scholarship or grant will best suit their academic needs. Our tip is to list and categorize all the scholarships that you are eligible to apply for, then trim down the list. Once you have your final list, apply for them.
If there are open scholarships in the institution you are applying for, make sure to grab the opportunity to apply. Scholarships are a great way to cover your academic and living expenses. And you might even be awarded a fully funded scholarship– which means everything will be covered!
3. Enroll in Low-cost Universities
Choosing an affordable university, to begin with, ensures the tuition fees will be much lower. Added by a proper scholarship, the costs of studying and living in France can be totally free.
You have to keep in mind that students from non-EEA (European Economic Area) pay higher tuition compared to EU/EEA citizens, sometimes double or even triple the amount paid by local students.
Tuition-free Options for Bachelor’s Studies in France
Pursuing undergraduate study opportunities in French universities may lead to a hefty tuition fee range. There are very few universities that offer excellent scholarship opportunities so that undergraduate students can study in France for free. Here are the best choices:
| SCHOLARSHIP NAME | HOST INSTITUTION | SCHOLARSHIP VALUE | SCHOLARSHIP PAGE |
|---|
| Emile Boutmy Scholarships | Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) | Up to €14,720 tuition grant | Scholarship Page |
| Chalhoub Scholarship | Paris Institute of Political Studies (Sciences Po) | Up to €14,600 per year | Scholarship Page |
| Free Tuition | Sorbonne University | Full tuition | Scholarship Page |
Tuition-free Options for Master’s Studies in France
Among the numerous scholarship opportunities in France, the highest number of them are given to master’s students. These are some of the most sought-after scholarships for studying master’s in France for free:
| SCHOLARSHIP NAME | HOST INSTITUTION | SCHOLARSHIP VALUE | SCHOLARSHIP PAGE |
|---|
| Free Tuition | Sorbonne University | Full tuition | Scholarship Page |
| MILYON Scholarship | ENS Lyon | €1,000 per month | Scholarship Page |
| International Master’s Scholarships | Paris-Saclay University | Up to €10,000/year
€1,000 for travel costs | Scholarship Page |
| Fellowship and Relocation Grant | University of Lille | €3,500 award
€3,500 relocation costs | Scholarship Page |
Tuition-free Options for Ph.D. Studies in France
For research scopes, students from around the world apply to French universities, and many of them offer full free scholarships. Here are some scholarships to look for when studying for a Ph.D. in France.
| SCHOLARSHIP NAME | HOST INSTITUTION | SCHOLARSHIP VALUE | SCHOLARSHIP PAGE |
|---|
| Free Tuition | Sorbonne University | Full tuition | Scholarship Page |
| ESSEC Ph.D. Program | ESSEC Business School | Tuition waiver
€25,200 yearly living allowance
Internship package | Scholarship Page |
| The INSEAD Fellowship | INSEAD | Tuition waiver
Stipend
Health insurance
Research support | Scholarship Page |
| TSM Doctoral Program | Toulouse School of Management | Full tuition waiver | Scholarship Page |
France has a lot of opportunities, especially for students pursuing higher education in the country. In fact, selected institutions would even waive their tuition to allow students to complete their education. Aside from that scholarships are made available even if the tuition is free. So, if you are planning to study in France, grab the opportunity to enroll in a tuition-free school or apply for scholarships. This will greatly help alleviate your academic finances.
We hope that this article on studying for free in France was helpful. Make sure to also check out the Study in France and Available Programs in Europe for more articles and study opportunities!
