France has announced a major policy shift in its higher education system, ending the long-standing flexibility that allowed universities to keep tuition fees low for most international students. Starting from the 2026–27 academic year, non-EU students will be required to pay standardised higher fees, with limited scope for exemptions.
Higher Education Minister Philippe Baptiste confirmed the change, stating, “Differentiated fees are now the rule, exemption is the exception.” Under the new structure, non-EU students enrolling in bachelor’s programmes will pay €2,895 per year, while master’s students will be charged €3,941 annually.
Until now, many French universities had been waiving these higher rates and instead charging international students the same low fees as domestic students—€178 for bachelor’s and €254 for master’s programmes—citing equal access and inclusivity. However, this flexibility has now been significantly restricted.
Going forward, fee exemptions will be capped at just 10% of non-EU students. In addition, the government plans to allocate 60% of scholarships to priority fields such as digital technologies, artificial intelligence, quantum studies, and biotechnology.
The announcement has raised concerns within the higher education sector. France Universités, the representative body for French universities, criticised the move, stating that it contradicts the values of openness and global academic exchange traditionally upheld by French institutions. It warned that limiting exemptions and increasing fees could negatively impact international student mobility and create administrative challenges.
The organisation also expressed concern that reducing universities’ autonomy in setting international fee policies could weaken France’s global academic position. It further suggested that doctoral students should be exempt from the new fee structure and called for greater flexibility in postgraduate education policies.
Despite the criticism, the reform is part of France’s broader “Choose France for Higher Education” strategy, which aims to attract 500,000 international students by 2027. Currently, France hosts over 440,000 international students, reflecting strong growth in recent years.
Education experts believe that while the new fee structure signals a shift toward a more structured funding model, France still remains relatively affordable compared to other global study destinations. However, students are now expected to evaluate options more carefully, focusing not just on cost but also on employability, course quality, and long-term career outcomes.
India, one of the fastest-growing student markets for France, currently sends over 9,000 students annually, with strong double-digit growth. Under a bilateral roadmap between India and France, the target is to reach 30,000 Indian students by 2030.
Experts suggest that while the policy may change cost dynamics, France will continue to remain an attractive destination for international education, provided students plan strategically and align their choices with long-term opportunities.
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