15 Cheapest Universities in France for International Students 2024

Do you wish to study in France but can’t afford the expensive universities? If yes then this article on the cheapest universities in France for international students will help you realize your dream of studying in France or even Paris.

France is an amazing and cheap place for international students to study in.

Even the luxurious and beautiful capital Paris has a variety of universities with cheap tuition fees where international students can study.

In this article, you will discover some of the cheapest universities in France and Paris as well.

As you read, you will get to know the cost of living in France and what your chances of getting a free education in France are.

You may also be wondering if knowing how to speak and write in  French is compulsory for international students who desire to study in France and its beautiful capital Paris.

Well, in the course of reading this detailed article, that is one of the things you will find out.

Practically everything you may need to know about studying in France at an affordable rate has been featured in this article.

Cheapest Universities in France for International Students

Are you ambitious about studying in Europe? Is your wish to study in an affordable institution? One of the countries in the world where you can find such an institution is France.

France is well known for its low tuition/education cost universities and high quality of education obtainable at the lowest cost.

What You Need to Know About Studying in France

France is a country considered an international center for its artistic, cultural, and scientific importance. It is famous for its iconic French way of life, its aesthetic cities, its iconic architecture, and its particularly tempting cuisine.

To this end, France serves all types of international: in terms of the environment, the country offers a range of busy urban cities to calm and peaceful cities, sunny beaches, and charming mountain regions. Its location in central Europe also offers excellent transport links to other important cities and surrounding countries.

The French education system is considered to be one of the finest and best in Europe after the United Kingdom. Several universities across the country have been consistently ranked among the top universities in the world rankings and have produced world-class graduates and graduates. In addition, French universities offer very modest tuition fees which constitute an additional advantage for future students.

It is therefore not surprising that up to 90% of international students choose to opt for France as a study abroad destination for these very tempting reasons. In addition to the high standards of university education offered by universities, students have access to a life-changing educational experience, both in terms of world-renowned museums and dazzling sites with world-class cuisine and aesthetics cultural Doors for everyone.

In this article, we present a series of cheap universities in France. I hope this will give you an idea of ​​the finances and funds needed to study in this iconic country.

How Much Does it Cost to Study at University in France?

In terms of tuition fees, costs can range from around 180 euros to 15,000 in total, which largely depends on the university. When considering the cost of living, will depend on the student’s lifestyle and the location of the university.

Large cities like Paris vary between 1,200 and 1,800 euros per month, while the districts of Lyon / Bordeaux or Toulouse can be as low as 600 euros per month.

Are There Opportunities to have a Free Education in France?

Unfortunately, education is not free in France for international students. However, the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs does offer grants for international students on a needs basis as well as multiple scholarship opportunities depending on the student’s academic potential and contributions.

We recommend looking at Campus France’s Scholarship Directory to locate possible sources. You can also check this well-researched article, How to Study Abroad for Free.

Do I Have to Learn French to Study?

French is considered to be the primary language of instruction in teaching activities. However, with the constant increase in international students who arrive in the country, there are now hundreds of different courses that are taught and administered in English across a majority of French universities.

To this end, it is not a major prerequisite to learning French. However, if you are enrolling in a French-taught course, proficiency in the language is compulsory.

Now, let’s look at the Cheapest universities in France for International Students, you’ll be glad you did.

What is the Cost of Living in France?

France is a very affordable place to live in, with about €400 to €500, you should be able to afford all your monthly expenses. Of course, that depends on your kind of lifestyle

Aside from your lifestyle, other factors that may determine your cost of living is the town or city you live in and your choice of transportation.

If you live in Paris, you may have to spend between €1,200 and €1,800 per month.

Is Studying in France Cheap?

Most people prefer France as their study-abroad destination because most public universities in France have low tuition fees.

International students may pay as low as 200 euros for public universities.

Are there Cheap Universities in Paris for International Students?

Yes, there are a good number of cheap universities in Paris for international students.

Some of these cheap universities include:

• University of Paris
• Jean Monnet University
• Claude Bernard University
• Blaise Pascal University
• Henri Poincare University
• Joseph Fourier University
• Pierre and Marie Curie University
• École Normale Superieure, Paris (ENS Paris)
• Université Paris-Sud 11
• Université Paris Descartes
• Catholic University of Lyon
• Paris 13 University
• Université Paris Dauphine
• Universite d’Orleans
• Universite de Montpellier

Is France a Good Place for International Students to Study in?

Absolutely, France is an amazing place for international students to study.

Aside from the fact that tuition fees are low, most universities in France are among some of the best schools in the world.

Cheapest Universities in France for International Students

The list of the 15 cheapest universities in France for international students is as follows;

#1 University of Paris

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. The University of Paris, otherwise known as the Sorbonne is located in Paris, France, from around 1150 to 1793, and from 1806 to 1970.

This institution is known to be the second-oldest university in Europe and internationally highly reputed for its scholastic performance in the humanities ever since the Middle Ages – notably in theology and philosophy.

The university of Paris introduced several academic standards and traditions that have stood the taste of time ever since and spread internationally, such as doctoral degrees and student nations.

A very large number of popes, scientists, intellectuals, and royalty were educated at the University of Paris.

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#2. Jean Monnet University

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. Based in Saint-Étienne, Jean Monnet University is a French public university that was created in 1969. It is under the Academy of Lyon and belongs to the recent administrative entity denominated the University of Lyon, which gathers different schools in Lyon and Saint-Étienne.

Its main campus is situated in Tréfilerie, in the city of Saint-Étienne. It has arts, languages, and letters courses, law, medicine, engineering, economics and management, human sciences, and the Maison de l’Université (administrative building).

Metare campus is for the study of sciences and sports. This campus is situated in a less urbanized place in the city.

#3. Claude Bernard University

The Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 is one of the cheap universities in France for international students and is one of the three public universities of Lyon, France.

The major areas of study covered by the university are science and medicine. The main administrative, teaching and research facilities are situated in Villeurbanne. Other campuses are the domains of Gerland, Rockefeller, and Laennec.

Teaching is provided by Claude Bernard Lyon 1 university in the following fields: science and technology, health and sport. In addition, Lyon 1 helps each of its students to personally prepare their own career path.

This institution has been known for the establishment of a strong intellectual reputation both in France and throughout the globe and is continually pushing the boundaries of knowledge. It has also been after the promotion of education through research and constantly encouraging dialogue between science and society.

Its campuses, situated in the heart of an outstanding region, are lively places with a good number of activities. As well as enabling students to develop and achieve a sense of personal fulfillment: a University to live life to the full.

#4. Blaise Pascal University

Also known as Université Blaise Pascal, Blaise Pascal is one of the cheap universities in France for international students and is a public university established in 1854 with its main campus in Clermont-Ferrand, as part of Clermont-Ferrand University, France, with satellite locations in other parts of the region of Auvergne.

The Blaise Pascal University was created by the division of the University into two entities and was named after mathematician, scientist, and philosopher Blaise Pascal, who was given birth to in Clermont.

This institution offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees in Arts and Humanities, Engineering, Language and Cultural Studies, and Science and Technology. It also offers bachelor’s or master’s degrees in Business and Social Science.

#5. Henri Poincare University

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. Established in the year 1970, this University is otherwise known as Nancy 1 and is a public research university situated in Nancy, France. It was a member of the Nancy-Université federation, belonging to the French Nancy-Metz Academy.

As of the year 2012, Henri Poincaré University stopped existing and merged with the University of Nancy 2, the University Paul Verlaine in Metz, and the National Polytechnic Institute of Lorraine, to form the now known University of Lorraine.

The faculties that make up this school include science and technology, medical school, pharmacy, Dentistry, sports, engineering schools telecom while its three institutes of technology are nancy- brabois, longwy, and st. Die.

#6. Joseph Fourier University

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. This university is also known as Grenoble I. It was a French university located in the city of Grenoble and majored in the fields of sciences, technologies, and health. Presently, this university is part of the Université Grenoble Alpes. The origins of this scientific university can be traced all the way back to 1811 when a faculty of science was established in Grenoble by scientist Joseph Fourier.

This institution provides students with a high-quality education, giving them the enablement à to gain strong professional skills in courses like sciences, technology, medicine and society (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Computer Science, Biology, Medicine, Pharmacology, Mechanics, Engineering and Technology, Earth and Universe Sciences, Environment, Geography, Sports science, and Physical Education).

Joseph Fourier university runs many laboratories, many in association with CNRS, Grenoble-INP and other major institutions.

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#7. Paris 13 University

This institution is one of the thirteen universities in Paris which replaced the University of Paris in 1970. It is also identified as the University of Paris North (Université Paris Nord).

This university was created when the Rector of the Academy of Paris decided to create 13 autonomous multidisciplinary universities, which replaced the faculties of the University of Paris, and the faculty of Villetaneuse.

Following the dismantling of the University of Paris, the buildings and land of the establishment were owned by the chancellor of the universities of Paris. The Chancery of Creteil universities provides budgetary control and the University of Legality.

This university offers to its students a wide range of academic training, in courses that include Arts, Humanities, Science, communication, economics and management, law, political and socials sciences, Health, Medicine and Human Biology and the physical and sports activities

Université Paris 13 Nord is a reputable academic institution and teaching center in the North of Paris.

#8. Pierre and Marie Curie University

This institution of higher learning, also known as Paris VI, is a public research university in Paris, France.

This university has more than 125 laboratories. It is one of the largest teaching institutes of science and medicine in Europe.

Its establishment came through in 1971 after the division of the famous University of Paris, it was divided among 18 different campuses into four French regions. And was one of the inheritors of the faculty of Sciences of the University of Paris, which was divided into several universities in the year 1970.

#9. École Normale Superieure (ENS Paris)

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. ENS Paris is a French higher education establishment outside the framework of the public university system, and a constituent college of a collegiate university based in the Latin Quarter of Paris known as PSL Research University.

Located in the scholastic Latin Quarter, just west of the Seine in the center of the city. This college is within walking distance of famous sights such as the Notre Dame Cathedral and the second-largest public park in Paris – the Jardin du Luxembourg,.

This is a research-led institute, the school is counted among the prestigious French universities which form the grandes écoles and is one of the cheapest universities in France for international students. It is particularly notable for its departments of humanities and science.

ENS Paris boasts an alumni community that includes 13 Nobel Prize winners, as well as all eight French Fields Medals winners. Most especially, the most coveted prize for young mathematicians.

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#10. Université Paris-Sud 11

Also known as the University of Paris XI, this university is a French university distributed among several campuses. Basically, in the southern suburbs of Paris including Orsay, Cachan, Châtenay.

The main campus of this university is located in Orsay and boasts of its wide scope of multidisciplinary courses, and is spread across four campuses in the southern suburbs of Paris.

Paris-Sud is one of the largest and most well-known French universities, particularly in science and mathematics.

#11. Université Paris Descartes

This institution of higher learning is the only university in Paris and the whole Ile-de-France region that teaches medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry all in one university. This institution was named after 17th-century philosopher René Descartes, who inherited its medical department.

This legacy is still evident, with the institution ranking within the top 150 for anatomy & physiology, pharmacy, and medicine in the latest QS World University Rankings by Subject.

#12. Catholic University of Lyon

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. This University is a private university based in Lyon, France, and is recognized as one of the cheapest universities in France for international students.

It was established in 1875 and combines respect for Christian heritage with a spirit of openness.

Since its establishment, this university stands at the confluence of the Saône and Rhône Rivers in the center of Lyon.

With its location at the heart of a regional capital, its establishment was done by lay Catholics. Its close ties to business and strong international links. This university seeks to promote academic excellence, creativity, and integrity.

This institution offers programs in courses like; Theology and Religious Sciences, Philosophy and Law, Human Sciences, Economics and Social Sciences, Language and Literature and Science

#13. Université Paris Dauphine

The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students. This university is a public research and higher education institution in Paris, France and is one of the cheapest universities in France for international students.

Dauphine was established as a faculty of economics and management in 1968 in the former NATO headquarters in western Paris, in the 16th arrondissement.

Dauphine is well known for its teaching in economics, finance, law, IT, social sciences finance and mathematics and business strategy.

#14. Universite d’Orleans

Situated in the city of Orleans, France, a one-hour ride from Paris and just a minute ride from the famous chateaux of the Loire River Valley is enough to get to this institution. Established in 1306 by Pope Clement V, the school has been an important center of learning since then.

The academic program it offers include Law, Economics, Management, History, Geography, Linguistics, Literature, Foreign Languages. As well as Classical Languages, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, and other fields.

#15. Universite de Montpellier

According to rankings, this university is the 279th among schools in the world and 11th in France. It is a French public research university in Montpellier in the southeast of France. The school is regarded as one of the most affordable universities in France for international students.

Established in 1289, the University of Montpellier is one of the oldest universities in the world.

Conclusion: Cheapest Universities in France for International Students

With the help of the information in this article, If your study abroad destination is France, I believe you can now choose an affordable university that supports your goal.

The fact that these universities are the cheapest in France for international students doesn’t mean they are of poor educational standards.

So, don’t feel reluctant to attend any of them because they are cheap.

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