Cost of Living in France for Indian Students
France, as a country, needs no introduction. People know the country and also know that it is one of the most expensive countries to stay in. In fact, this is not too far from the truth. Some of the French cities are rather expensive to stay in. But on average, if we were to look at the country from a student’s point of view…then how costly is it? Read the article to gain insight into the cost of living in France.
Nothing too extravagant but yes, France is a tad more than other European countries like Germany and Italy. Comparing it to the UK and the USA, well, it’s cheaper but just. As a student, there are many costs that would affect your day-to-day costs. The biggest would be the rentals/accommodation as well as the cost of food and sustenance. Here is a breakup of the basic utilities and the costs that a student would have to incur.
Living in France for International Students
There are many factors which would decide how much would international students have to spend to live in France or what would be the cost of living in France. Your choice of accommodation, its location and your lifestyle would majorly decide how much would you have to spend on living. France as a country is basically towards the expensive side as compared to other study-abroad destinations, making it difficult for many students to afford it. But the good part is that many scholarships and part-time employment opportunities exist which can help ease your burden with regard to your overall stay over there.
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It is always a good idea to choose a shared accommodation so that the rent is shared by another person or persons. Also, cooking your meals yourself can save your spending from moving towards the higher side. Eating at restaurants or high-end cafes can be done once every one or two months, depending upon your budget. Avoiding frequent outside food will not only keep you healthy but will also help you save money.
Particulars |
Average Monthly Cost in EUR |
Average Monthly Cost in INR |
---|---|---|
Rental for 1 bedroom apartment |
550 |
37,603.50 |
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Water, etc.) |
140 |
9,571.80 |
Monthly Pass (Transport) |
48 |
3,281.76 |
Telephone, Internet, etc. |
28 |
1,914.36 |
Recreation |
100 |
6837.00 |
Food and Drink |
145 |
9,913.65 |
Monthly Average Spend |
1,011 |
69,122.07 |
These, as mentioned, are only indicative costs and give a fair enough idea of the average. What is important to note, however, is that the bigger the city, the higher the cost of living! For instance, rentals in Paris are almost twice as much as the country average at about €928 per month for a single room accommodation. Also, the other things would be more are well. The city averages at about €180 per month for basic utilities and recreation costs way more – after all, there is so much to see and do in a city like Paris.
Cost of Transportation in France
Students in France have various options when it comes to commuting. They can opt for buses or coaches, trains, taxis, etc. depending upon their budget. The most budget-friendly option would be a bus as it charges the least of the many options available and also offers certain discounts to students travelling. Many universities and colleges have offices of transport companies inside their campuses where students can register for yearly or monthly passes once their session begins.
Public Transport: If you're a student aged 26 or below you are eligible for special transport costs while subscribing to public conveyance. You will be required to show your student ID for the same. Students residing in Île-de-France can make use of the Imagine'R card that allows them to travel unlimited throughout Île-de-France. They will have to shell out less than 350 euros yearly. Another special pass called the Ticket Jeune is for the same age group but is valid for 24 hours on Saturday, Sunday, or any band holiday. With this students can commute freely within a limited area for only four euros.
Students can also travel by coaches which are affordable in comparison to trains and offer facilities such as Wi-Fi, comfortable reclining seats, and electric sockets for charging purposes. Another option is the self-service bicycle rental scheme which exists in the majority of the big cities of France. Students living outside their college campus can subscribe for the same annually by paying an average of 15-30 euros.
Cost of Living in French Universities
The table below lists the monthly university accommodation/on-campus housing rent for students at different renowned French institutions.
Institute | Semester Accommodation Cost (Euro) | Accommodation Cost (as per conversion rate of €1 INR 89.49) |
---|---|---|
University of Paris | €6075 - €13,650 | INR 5,43,663 - INR 12,21,566 |
Institut Polytechnique De Paris | €400 - €950 (per month) | INR 35,797 - INR 85,017 |
Nantes University | €400-600 |
INR 35,797 - INR 53,695 |
Ecole normale supérieure de lyon | €300 - €650 |
INR 26,848 - INR 58,170 |
Université Côte d'Azur | €360-460 |
INR 32,217 - INR 41,166 |
City-Wise Cost of Living in France
The rates also vary if you are looking at city centre properties or are willing for accommodation in the suburbs. Also, three-bedroom accommodation, if taken on sharing basis, would cost a student much less. Also, campus accommodation, again, would be cheaper as well and a great place for students to explore. It’s all about finding your balance. Here’s a comparative look at the top student cities in France and their monthly average expenses.
City |
Paris |
Montpellier |
Lyon |
Lille |
Toulouse |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rental for 1 bedroom apartment |
988.00 |
633.00 |
520.00 |
533.00 |
528.00 |
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Water, etc.) |
180.00 |
140.00 |
142.00 |
110.00 |
105.00 |
Monthly Pass (Transport) |
68.00 |
48.00 |
56.00 |
52.00 |
44.00 |
Telephone, Internet, etc. |
26.00 |
30.00 |
29.00 |
28.00 |
28.00 |
Recreation |
150.00 |
100.00 |
110.00 |
100.00 |
110.00 |
Food and Drink |
168.00 |
186.00 |
162.00 |
157.00 |
128.00 |
Monthly Average Spend (in EUR) |
1,580.00 |
1,137.00 |
1,019.00 |
980.00 |
943.00 |
Monthly Average Spend (in INR) |
108,024.60 |
77,736.69 |
69,669.03 |
67,002.60 |
64,472.91 |
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As is evident, leaving aside Paris, all the famous cities have a cost of living closer to the country's average. This again would vary from region to region and as a student, you are sure to find an optimal solution. The only advice we wish to furnish at this point is that when planning, keep these figures at the basic. Optimizing would happen later but when planning, it would be wise to keep these figures in mind as the very basic.
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Cost of Living in France FAQs
Q. How much money is required to live comfortable in Paris as an international student?
A. According to Campus France, a total of 1000 euros is required to cover the monthly cost of food, transportation and housing in Paris, France. However, only students can easily rely on a monthly budget of 800 euros anywhere else in France apart from Paris.
Q. What is the cost of living in France for a single person with rent?
A. In France, the cost of living for a single person with rent can vary depending on the city. But according to some estimates, expect to spend around €900 per month. This includes rent and other expenses like groceries and transportation.
However, this is just an average. Paris will be more expensive, while smaller cities can be cheaper.
Q: Why Indian students choose to study at ESSEC Business School - France?
Indian students choose to study at ESSEC Business School in France because:
- Academic excellence: ESSEC Business School is a top-ranked institution in France and is known for its high-quality education. The school has been ranked among the top schools in France and is recognised globally for its academic programs.
- International exposure: The school has a strong international network and welcomes over 200 graduate exchange students each year from top business schools and universities around the world.
- Career opportunities: ESSEC Business School has a strong connection with top companies, such as L'Oréal, Danone, and Procter & Gamble.
Q: How expensive is it to live at ESSEC Business School - France?
According to the ESSEC Business School's official website, the estimated cost of living in France for a student is between €7,000 and €11,000 per year, with an average of €8,000. This includes housing (which includes utilities, charges, and insurance), meals, local transport, telephone, health insurance for the year, and miscellaneous expenses (excluding leisure). The cost of accommodation varies depending on whether you choose to live on or off-campus, with one-bedroom apartments in Paris starting at €800 per month.
Q: What is the cost of a student visa for France?
International students going to France to pursue higher education are required to apply for a student visa before arriving in France. International students enrolled in bachelor/master courses are required to apply for a “Long Stay National Visa”. The cost of processing the ‘Long Stay National Visa’ for study purposes is EUR 99/INR 8,923. This application fee is needed to be paid at the nearest BNP Paribas Branch.
*EUR/INR = 90.13
Q: What are the English language requirements at Excelia School of Business?
At Excelia School of Business, students who are admitted to a programme taught in English and whose native language is not English are required to submit an officially recognised English test (IELTS/TOEFL/TOEIC/Cambridge). The required level is B2 and the minimum score details are mentioned below:
Exam | Minimum Score |
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) Internet based | 72-94 |
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) | 5.5-6.0 |
TOEIC | 785-940 |
Q: Why to choose ESSEC Business School - France for MBA in France rather than HEC Paris?
ESSEC Business School and HEC Paris are both prestigious institutions offering MBA programs in France. In terms of global standing and recruitment, HEC Paris has a better reputation outside of France. However, ESSEC Business School offers a more affordable option for students, especially those taking loans. ESSEC Business School is ranked around 13 in Europe in QS rankings 2023 and has a more affordable tuition fee, reduced to approximately 35,000 Euros with a scholarship.
HEC Paris is ranked as the top business school in Europe in QS rankings 2023 and has a higher tuition fee of 98,000 Euros.
Q: Is getting part-time jobs easy while studying at Istituto Marangoni - France?
Getting part-time jobs while studying at Istituto Marangoni in France is possible, but it can be challenging due to the busy schedule of students. The school recommends seeking a job after completing studies, although students may have opportunities to work on projects developed by the school's teams, such as working as a dresser during Fashion Week. Additionally, international students in France can find part-time jobs both on and off-campus, with wages varying depending on the job, such as translators earning EUR 21 - 27 per hour.
Q: What is Grandes Ecoles in France?
Q: What is the cost of a student visa for France?
International students going to France to pursue higher education are required to apply for a student visa before arriving in France. International students enrolled in bachelor/master courses are required to apply for a “Long Stay National Visa”. The cost of processing the ‘Long Stay National Visa’ for study purposes is EUR 99. This application fee is needed to be paid at the nearest BNP Paribas Branch.
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Hi Tejasa, please refer to the below link and check out the fee structure for undergraduate colleges in France: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/france/bba-colleges-dc Learn more about studying and staying in France: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/student-guide-to-france-guidepage-269
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Hi Amar, please go through the below URL and learn more about the part-time work options in France: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/part-time-work-options-for-international-students-in-france-articlepage-533
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