Cheapest universities in France 2023
France’s educational system is regarded as one of the best in Europe. Several universities in the country have consistently been named among the best in the world. It is self-evident that being associated with famous universities would come at a premium price. However, several universities in France offer inexpensive tuition prices to overseas students. The cheapest universities in France for international students will be discussed below.
Many French colleges have very low tuition fees, which is an added benefit for potential students. As a result, it is one of the most compelling reasons to pursue higher education in France. Let’s look at universities that are within your budget:
Here is a list of the cheap universities in France
1. Université Paris-Saclay
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: $190 Per Year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $278 Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/registration-fees-cvec-financial-aid
Graduate Tuition Fee Link https://www.universite-paris-saclay.fr/en/admissions/tuition-fees
In the center of Paris, the University of Paris-Saclay is a public research university. Its roots can be traced back to 1150 when the University of Paris was founded.
As one of France’s most prestigious institutions, it is well-known for its Mathematics curriculum. It also offers degrees in a variety of subjects, including science, law, economics, management, pharmacy, medicine, and sports science. Université Paris-Saclay is also the cheapest institution in France, with a tuition fee of $206 per year.
To date, Paris-Saclay has over 28,000 students enrolled, with 16 percent of them being foreign nationals.
2. Aix-Marseille Université
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: $3,170 Per Year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $4,310 Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/registration-fees-cvec-financial-aid
Graduate Tuition Fee Link https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/registration-fees-cvec-financial-aid
The Aix-Marseille Université (AMU) was founded in 1409 as the University of Provence and is located in the lovely region of Southern France. The public university, like many other institutions, was formed by the amalgamation of many schools.
The cheap university in France currently offers studies in arts and literature, health, science and technology, political science, economics, and literature.
AMU has around 68,000 students, with non-EU students accounting for 13% of the total.
3. Université d’Orléans
Tuition Fee for Undergraduate Programs: $3,170) Per Year
Tuition Fee for Graduate Programs: $435 Per Year
Undergraduate Tuition Fee Link https://www.univ-amu.fr/en/public/registration-fees-cvec-financial-aid
The university offers graduates and undergraduates degrees in Social science, Arts, Linguistics, Humanities, amongst others in Bourges, Blois, Issoudun, Chateaurox, Orleans, and Tours.
Studying in France on a budget — what the fees above actually mean
Tuition is only one line in the budget, and on its own it is a poor guide to whether you can afford to study in France. A country with low tuition and high living costs can end up more expensive than one with higher tuition and cheap accommodation. Work out the total annual cost before you compare anywhere.
How to check a tuition figure before you rely on it
Fee figures on any website — including this one — go out of date. Universities revise tuition annually, and governments change policy. Before you rely on a number:
- Open the university’s own website and find the fees page for international or non-national students. That is the only figure that counts.
- Check the academic year the figure applies to. A 2023 fee table tells you very little about what you will pay in 2026/2027.
- Confirm whether the price is per year, per semester or per credit. Per-credit pricing is common and makes cheap-looking programmes expensive.
- Check whether international students pay a different rate. In many systems local and EU students pay far less than everyone else.
- Email the admissions office and keep the reply. A written quote protects you.
A live example of why this matters: Norway’s public universities were free for everyone until 2023, when parliament introduced cost-covering fees for non-EU/EEA students — and non-European enrolment fell by roughly 80% within two years. In June 2025 the government proposed letting institutions set their own fees again, including at zero, from August 2026. Anyone relying on a five-year-old “tuition-free” article would have got it badly wrong in both directions.
Entry route: France is in the Schengen area, so you will apply for a national long-stay student visa (type D) at the embassy or an accredited visa centre in Abuja or Lagos, not a short-stay Schengen visa. Expect to show an admission letter, proof of funds in a blocked or verifiable account, health insurance and accommodation. A major advantage: once you hold a residence permit you can travel across the Schengen area.
Language of instruction: most degree programmes in France are taught in the local language, with a smaller selection available in English — usually at postgraduate level. Check the language of instruction for your specific programme before anything else, because this single detail rules out more applicants than tuition cost does. Where an English-taught programme exists, ask whether an IELTS or TOEFL waiver applies to Nigerian degree holders.
Build a realistic total-cost budget
Before applying to any institution in France, price all of the following. Applicants routinely underestimate the second half of this list:
- Tuition for international students, for the correct academic year
- Application and acceptance fees, which are usually non-refundable
- Accommodation — on-campus versus private rent can differ enormously
- Living costs — food, transport, data, utilities
- Health insurance, which is compulsory in most study destinations
- Visa or permit fees, plus biometrics and courier charges
- Flights, and a return flight if the visa requires proof of one
- Proof of funds — money you must show you hold, on top of what you actually spend
- Document costs — transcripts, notarisation, apostille, translation, courier
- The naira exchange rate, and how a further depreciation would affect year two
How to bring the cost down honestly
- Apply for scholarships in parallel, not afterwards. Most funding deadlines fall before or alongside admission deadlines, not after.
- Look at government scholarships from France itself. Many countries fund international students directly, and these are often less competitive than the famous named awards.
- Ask about assistantships and tuition waivers at postgraduate level. Teaching or research assistantships can cut or eliminate tuition.
- Ask about fee instalments. Many institutions allow termly payment, which matters when you are converting naira.
- Check student work rights on your visa — how many hours, and whether you may work at all. Never plan a budget that depends on illegal work.
- Compare smaller cities. Rent outside the capital is often the single biggest saving available.
A warning about agents
No agent can guarantee you admission or a visa. If someone promises either in exchange for money, walk away. Legitimate agents are paid by institutions, publish their registration details, and will never ask you to send money to a personal account. Apply directly to the university wherever you can — almost every institution accepts direct applications, and it is free or cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Can Nigerians study in France?
Yes. Nigerian students are admitted to institutions in France subject to meeting the academic entry requirements, the language requirement and the immigration rules set out above.
Is the cheapest university the best choice?
Not automatically. Check that the institution is recognised by the national regulator in France and, if you plan to return home or move on, that its degrees are accepted where you intend to work. A cheap degree from an unrecognised institution costs you everything.
Do I need IELTS to study in France?
It depends on the programme and the institution. Where teaching is in English, many institutions waive the test for applicants whose previous degree was taught in English — which covers most Nigerian graduates. Always confirm in writing before paying for a test.
How much money do I need to show?
That is set by the immigration authorities, not the university, and it changes. Check the official government source for France shortly before you apply, because the figure is usually updated annually.
Can I work while studying?
Some countries permit limited part-time work on a student visa and some do not. Confirm the rule for your specific visa type, and treat any earnings as a supplement rather than the basis of your budget.
Related guides
- Full list of universities in France
- International scholarships for Nigerians
- Best scholarships for Nigerians and Africans
- More study-abroad and scholarship guides
Tuition fees, visa rules and proof-of-funds thresholds change every year. Always confirm the current figures on the official university and government websites for France before you apply or pay anything.