France Has Raised Tuition Fees for Non-EU Students: What Indian Applicants Must Know

Studying in France will now be a slightly costlier affair for Indian students as the cost of studying in the country has been raised for non-EU students including Indian students. Read this article to know where and how much the cost of studying in France has increased. 

France has always been among the most affordable countries for Indian students - providing quality European education. However for the academic year 2026-27 - the French government has officially raised tuition fees for non-EU students. With that, the applications already underway might also get affected. This change has been implemented across all public and private higher education institutes in France. With 82% of all students in France attending the public institutions, this change is more concerning for applicants eyeing the public universities rather than those aiming to get into the private institutions. 

What Has the French Government Announced?

France's Higher Education, Research and Space Minister Philippe Baptiste announced that almost all non-EU students coming to France for the 2026/27 academic year will be required to pay an annual tuition of €2,895 for a bachelor's programme and €3,941 for a master's degree.

Since 2019, French universities have been encouraged - but not obliged - to set non-EU tuition fees higher, as described, for the non-EU international students. However, most French universities used to charge an EU fees even from the non-EU applicants. But that discretion has now been removed. Universities are no longer free to maintain low fees for international students; the new rates are mandatory. So, all international students are now required the non-EU international fees at French public universities. 

How Much Has the Fees Increased?

Check the increase in non-EU fees at French public higher education institutions from 2025 to 2026, below. 

Here is the difference/amount increased for Indian students - 

This increase, as we see, is nominal and can easily be covered by students. 

Average fees at private institutes in France, including the business schools, range from €6,000 to €18,000 per year. 

Importantly, doctoral students are not subject to the new differentiated tuition fees, which offers some relief for PhD aspirants.

The point to be noted here is that - even under the new structure, the French state will continue to cover only two-thirds of the actual cost of a student's education.

Who All Will Be Affected?

The fee hike applies to all non-EU students enrolling for the first time at a French public university from September 2026. This directly includes Indian students at the bachelor's and master's level.

However, the following students will remain unaffected from this fee change - 

• Students enrolled in 2025–26 are exempt from the differentiated tuition fees until the end of their current degree level. The increase applies only to new enrolments from September 2026 onwards.

• Doctoral students

• Students from countries with bilateral agreements with France (such as Canada's Quebec province)

Can You Get an Exemption or Scholarship?

Yes, exemptions may still be there but limited; with no more than 10% of non-EU students eligible for fee waivers - primarily those on scholarships or facing financial hardship.

Around 60% of scholarships will be offered to students in priority fields like health, digital technologies - AI, quantum science, biotechnology, environment, energy, space, food systems, IT and communications. Indian applicants targeting these sectors stand the strongest chance of securing financial support.

What Should Indian Students Do Now?

Under the light of these changes, Indian students who are midway the application process for the September 2026 intake, must re-analyse their budget. It will be beneficial for them to pick a course in the highly in-demand fields like AI, biotech and health sectors - in which the chances of receiving a scholarship are also high. 

For students who are already enrolled, there is no need to worry about the new fees structure for 2026-27 as theirs won’t change until the completion of their degree. 

This was all about the fees increase at French public universities in 2026-27. Those in the process should hurry and apply - to avoid the hiked fee.