France to Increase Tuition Fees for Non-EU Students

Starting in the 2026-27 academic year, France will implement a significant increase in tuition fees for non-European Union students, marking a notable shift in its approach to international higher education. The new fees will be €2,895 per year for bachelor's programs and €3,941 per year for master's degrees.

This reform, announced by the French government and represented by Higher Education Minister Philipp Baptiste, removes previous flexibility that allowed universities to waive or reduce fees for international students, replacing it with a standardized national framework. The policy has sparked concerns within the higher education sector, with critics warning of wider consequences for access to universities.

The changes are seen as contradictory to France's traditional values of openness and hospitality towards international students. Additionally, the government plans to allocate around 60 scholarships, prioritizing fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, digital technology, and biotechnology.

This policy shift is expected to affect student applications for the 2026-27 academic year, including those already in the admissions process.