France University Fees 2026-27: What Non-EU Students Need to Know

France university fees for some non-EU students have changed for the 2026-27 academic year. Public universities now face tighter limits on how many international students they can exempt from the higher, differentiated tuition fees.

This does not mean every non-EU student automatically pays the higher rate. Your nationality, status, university and any exemption already granted can make a difference.

How much are the 2026-27 fees?

For the 2026-27 academic year, the differentiated registration fees are:

• €2,902 per year for a licence-level degree or another national qualification leading to a licence grade.
• €3,950 per year for a master-level degree or another national qualification leading to a master grade.

For comparison, the standard public-university registration fees are €178 for a licence and €255 for a master in 2026-27.

Who is not normally affected?

The differentiated fees do not apply in the same way to everyone. Service Public lists several groups outside the system, including citizens of EU member states, the European Economic Area and Switzerland.

Other exemptions can also apply depending on the student’s status or an agreement between institutions. This is why you should check your own university’s rules rather than assuming the headline fee applies to you.

What changed in 2026?

A decree from 19 May 2026 reduced the freedom universities have to grant their own exemptions from differentiated fees.

For the 2026-27 academic year, a university can exempt up to 30% of its foreign students under the relevant university exemption arrangements. That ceiling falls to 25% for 2027-28 and is planned to reach 20% later.

Some students covered by particular international agreements are outside these limits.

What if you already had an exemption?

Students who received an exemption for 2025-26 can continue to benefit from it until the end of the university cycle they are already completing, provided they continue a corresponding course at the institution that granted the exemption.

Students who had already been granted a 2026-27 exemption before the decree took effect on 21 May 2026 also keep that exemption.

What should international students do now?

1. Check the exact fee shown by your university. Do not rely only on national headline figures.
2. Ask whether you qualify for an exemption. Universities can have their own criteria within the national rules.
3. Keep written confirmation of any exemption. This is especially important if you received it before the new rules came into force.
4. Budget for the CVEC separately. The student and campus life contribution is separate from tuition fees.

If you are planning your move, Babylon’s Study in France guide covers the wider university system, while our Moving to France guide covers practical relocation basics.

Key takeaway

The biggest change is not a brand-new fee. It is the tighter limit on how many non-EU students universities can exempt from the differentiated fees. For 2026-27, students who are not exempt may face €2,902 for licence-level study or €3,950 for master-level study.

Official sources

• Service Public: university fees for some non-European students from 2026
• Service Public: university registration fees in 2026

FAQ

Do all non-EU students in France pay €2,902 or €3,950?

No. Exemptions and exclusions still exist, so students should check their individual situation with their university.

Do the higher differentiated fees apply to doctorates?

Service Public states that differentiated fees do not apply to doctorates. The standard 2026-27 doctoral registration fee is €398.

Can a university still waive the higher fees?

Yes, but the number of university-granted exemptions is now more restricted. For 2026-27, the relevant ceiling is 30% before falling in later academic years.