Cost of Living in France

Aftеr succеssfully navigating through multiplе rounds of intеrviеws and committing to substantial collеgе tuition fееs, thе nеxt sourcе of concеrn for intеrnational studеnts is thе cost of living in Francе. Upon dеlving into this information, it is rеvеalеd that thе avеragе housing cost in Francе rangеs from 250 to 700 еuros pеr month. This significant variancе is attributеd to thе influеncе of thе city and spеcific arеa of rеsidеncе.

Thе cost of living in major citiеs likе Paris and Marsеillе is notably highеr comparеd to othеr locations, primarily duе to a substantial portion of a studеnt's living еxpеnsеs in thеsе citiеs bеing allocatеd to rеnt. A gеnеral principlе еmеrgеs: thе largеr thе city, thе morе еlеvatеd thе rеntal costs. Oncе thе accommodation aspеct is rеsolvеd in Francе, studеnts can anticipatе a smoothеr and lеss strеssful lifе.

Thе tuition fееs at both public and privatе univеrsitiеs еxhibit considеrablе disparitiеs. Public univеrsity tuition fееs avеragе bеtwееn 170 to 650 еuros pеr yеar, applicablе to both EU and non-EU studеnts. In contrast, privatе univеrsity tuition fееs rangе from 5,000 to 30,000 еuros pеr acadеmic yеar for bachеlor's programs. It is notеworthy that, with thе еxcеption of cеrtain casеs, thеrе arе no provisions for scholarships in Francе across various programs.

Part-time Job in France

Universities in France allow international students to work part-time but not for more than 20 hours a week. So, a student enrolled in one year program can work only for 964 hours. In a 6-month course, it comes down to 472 hours.

All these factors in totality make the living cost in France for students high.

Cost of Studying in France

France is an education hub for international students, with more than 3500 public and private institutions offering programs and training. The cost of tuition fees in the private universities of France ranges between 5,000 – 30,000 EUR/academic/year for the bachelor’s program.

France does not have rigorous scholarship programs for international students. Also, it does not encourage part-time work.

So, the cost of study for international students ranges between 5,000 – 30,000, and consequently, the living cost.

Cost of Students Accommodation in France

CROUS: It is the cheapest and best student accommodation France, as it has been specifically designed for students. It is the university/institution accommodation, so have minimal charges. International students can coordinate with the international relations department of their university/institution for this accommodation as soon as after the enrolment as these are served on a first come basis.

Foyers: It is a privately owned student accommodation similar to CROUS but does not belong to any university/institution. It is the best option for those looking for affordable student accommodation France.

Private Residences: Many people in France rent out their property to students. However, the cost of this accommodation remains higher than CROUS and Foyers because of the facilities involved, such as the internet, laundry, bedding, privacy, etc.

Private Accommodation: It is the most expensive of all student accommodation in France. Private accommodation means renting a studio apartment or flat privately. It has all facilities such as powerbackp, laundry, internet, bigger space, private room, etc. One can reduce its cost by sharing it with partners.

Living with a Family: Living with family is also an option for international students. It is a popular student accommodation in France because of its affordability. In this accommodation, in most cases, students get a private room in a house or a flat. The rent of this accommodation differs according to the agreement with the students. Some host families offer free or minimum rent in exchange for a few services. It can be home chores, babysitting, etc. The other is inter-generational accommodation. It requires the tenant to stay with aged persons for free on the condition that the tenant would accompany them for a few hours daily.

Most Common Phrases and Abbreviations in France

Studio	A single room with a kitchen and bathroom
T2 or F2 / Deux pièces	A bedroom with a living room, as well as a kitchen and bathroom
Asc	Elevator
SdB	Bathroom with Tub
CC	Charges included. "Charges" cover the costs of maintaining the building (exterior, grounds, common areas) and providing common services (e.g., collecting trash)

Appt	Apartment
RdC	Ground floor, Street level
T3 or F3 / Trois pièces	A three-room apartment
Salle d’eau	Bathroom with Shower
TBE	When organizing shared accommodation or your own accommodation, make sure you check the contract carefully and see what is included and NOT included

Cost of Food and Groceries in France

French cuisine is tasty and elegant, and the common misconception is that it is expensive too. This may be because the French really enjoy every meal and make it look like they're really celebrating something while dining. Food is reasonable in France, though.

One individual may expect to spend more on groceries in France or less in the provinces, on average about 250 to 300 euros per month. In the least expensive restaurant, the average price for a meal costs between 10 to 15 euros. Menus can be costlier in gourmet restaurants.

The bistros, brasseries, and crepe stands are more affordable options where you can have a meal anywhere in France. Some bistros serve substantial food, and a crepe can replace lunch, and prices range from 5 to 8 euros.

If you buy from the supermarket, you can get the best value; Leclerc is the cheapest supermarket in France, followed by Géant Casino. The Courtepaille restaurant chain, Buffalo Grill, or cheap restaurants in France, such as Michi, are affordable places to have dinner.

Is it not? But the most common myth is that it costs too much delicious food. This may be because the French really enjoy each festival and influence it to look as if they continuously complement something while eating. Basic necessities in France require, on average, between 200 and 250 euros per month. The usual cost for a dinner is about 15-20 euros. Bistros, brasseries, and crepe stands are the most appropriate options in France for having dinner.

Cost of Transportation in France

A monthly bus, metro, or tram pass is typically between 30-75 euros.
Taxis in France are also fairly inexpensive, about 1.50 euros per km, and you'd spend 7 – 10 euros on a short journey.
The Vélib bicycle rental program allows you to rent a bike; in France, Bordeaux is the most bike-friendly area.
You can also use the TGV for about 30 euros per trip to visit other cities in France.

There are various modes of travel, such as buses, trams, bikes, metro, etc. Students can take a bus, subway, and tram pass which costs between 17 to 33 euros. Taxis in France can cost 1.25 euros per km which is economical. The Vélib bicycle rental system allows one to rent a bike. One can also use the TGV to travel in various cities, and it costs around 20-25 euros per trip.