Good news for Pakistani students: France is one of the most affordable top study destinations in the world, thanks to heavily subsidised public university fees. But smart budgeting still matters.
One of the first questions every Pakistani student asks is: “Can I actually afford to study in France?” The honest answer is for most students, yes, with good planning. France keeps public university fees remarkably low, and while living costs are real, they’re very manageable compared to the UK, USA, or Australia, especially if you choose your city wisely.
In this guide, we’ll give you a clear, realistic breakdown of every cost tuition, rent, food, transport, and the extras plus how to save money, how much you need to prove for your visa, and the budgeting mistakes that catch students out. Let’s plan your France budget properly.
Who is this guide for?
Pakistani students planning to study in France who want a clear, realistic picture of the total cost and how to make it affordable.
Here’s the secret: French public universities don’t charge full tuition the way American or British ones do. The French government subsidises around two thirds of the actual cost of education for every student including international students. You pay only “registration fees” (droits d’inscription), which are a fraction of the real cost.
Tuition depends heavily on whether you choose a public university or a private institution / business school (Grande École):
| Public Bachelor’s | ~€2,770 to 2,900/yr | Differentiated fee for non EU students at public universities. | |
| Public Master’s | ~€3,770 to 3,900/yr | Differentiated fee for non EU Master’s at public universities. | |
| PhD | ~€380/yr | Doctoral registration fees are low for everyone, including internationals. | |
| Grandes Écoles / Private | Several €1,000s €20,000+/yr | Business schools and private institutions set their own, higher fees. |
Scholarships can slash this:
Your “real” fee is what you pay
after
scholarships. Programs like the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship and others can dramatically reduce or even eliminate tuition, so always ask “what’s my net fee after scholarships?”
Not sure how this applies to you?Send us your details and a Westside adviser will tell you honestly where you stand. Free 30 minute assessment.
Ask on WhatsAppLiving costs are usually the bigger part of your budget. As a general guide, international students need roughly €800 to €1,200 per month in most cities, and €1,200 to €1,800 per month in Paris (mostly because of higher rent).
A typical monthly breakdown outside Paris might look like:
Two students paying the same tuition can have very different budgets purely based on their city. Here’s a rough monthly living cost comparison:
| City | Monthly living cost | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Paris | €1,200 to €1,800 | Capital, highest rent, most opportunities |
| Lyon | €800 to €1,100 | Big student city, strong balance |
| Toulouse | €700 to €1,000 | Affordable, aerospace & tech hub |
| Lille | €600 to €900 | Among the cheapest, big student population |
| Montpellier | €700 to €1,000 | Sunny, affordable, popular with students |
| Bordeaux | €800 to €1,100 | Attractive, moderate costs |
The “Paris tax” is real:
A small studio in Paris can cost as much as a two bedroom flat in Bordeaux. If budget is your priority, cities like Lille, Toulouse, and Montpellier offer excellent universities at far lower living costs.
Rent is where you’ll spend the most and also where you can save the most. Your main options:
Apply for CROUS & CAF early:
These two together can cut your housing costs dramatically. CROUS rooms are limited and fill quick, and CAF meaningfully lowers your monthly rent don’t miss out by applying late.
Beyond the monthly basics, budget for these one time or occasional costs so nothing surprises you:
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A big help: as an international student, you’re allowed to work up to 964 hours per year (around 20 hours a week during term). At the French minimum wage, this can cover a meaningful chunk of your living costs.
Don’t rely on work for everything:
Part time work is a helpful top up, not a substitute for proper funds. For your visa, you must still prove you can support yourself without depending on a job. Treat work income as a bonus, not your main plan.
For your student visa, you must prove you can support yourself. France generally expects you to show around €615 per month (about €7,380 per year) in available funds though showing a comfortable buffer above this is always wiser.
Sudden deposits are a red flag:
A large amount appearing in your account just before applying raises doubts. Build and show your funds steadily over time. Consistent, well documented finances are one of the strongest parts of a student visa application.
| Public Bachelor’s tuition | ~€2,770 to 2,900/year (non EU) |
| Public Master’s tuition | ~€3,770 to 3,900/year (non EU) |
| PhD | ~€380/year |
| Private / Grandes Écoles | Several €1,000s up to €20,000+/year |
| Living cost (most cities) | €800 to €1,200/month |
| Living cost (Paris) | €1,200 to €1,800/month |
| Groceries | €150 to €350/month |
| Transport pass | ~€30 to €86/month (student rates) |
| CAF housing aid | ~€100 to €250/month reduction |
| CVEC (annual) | ~€100+ |
| Part time work | Up to 964 hours/year |
| Funds to prove (visa) | ~€615/month (€7,380/year) |
Money problems can derail your studies or even your visa. Avoid these common mistakes:
| Underestimating rent (especially Paris) | Assuming a low budget works in Paris leads to a nasty shock, since rent is the single biggest cost. | Fix it first: Research real rents in your city, and strongly consider affordable cities and CROUS housing. |
| Showing sudden funds for the visa | A large deposit appearing just before applying is a top reason for visa doubts and rejections. | Fix it first: Build your funds steadily and show consistent, genuine bank statements over time. |
| Forgetting one time costs | CVEC, deposits, insurance, flights, and setup costs add up and can blow an unplanned budget. | Fix it first: Budget a clear buffer for one time and setup costs on top of your monthly figure. |
| Relying on part time work to survive | Counting on a job to cover essentials is risky hours are limited and work isn’t assured. | Fix it first: Plan to fund your studies without work, and treat any earnings as a helpful extra. |
| Missing CROUS, CAF & scholarships | Not applying for housing aid or scholarships means paying far more than you need to. | Fix it first: Apply for CROUS, CAF, and every scholarship you’re eligible for early. |
Money is one of the most important and most stressful parts of studying abroad. The good news is that France is genuinely affordable with the right planning, and that’s exactly where we come in.
At Westside Visa, our consultants in DHA Lahore help Pakistani students plan and afford their France journey. We help you:
Whether you’re aiming for an affordable public university or a top business school, we help you make the numbers work honestly and realistically. Think of us as your teammate experienced, transparent, and fully on your side.
Planning your studies in France? Continue here:
With the right city, housing, and scholarships, studying in France is more affordable than you think. Westside Visa helps you plan every rupee and euro, with honest, expert advice you can trust.
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At a public university, tuition is roughly €2,770 to 2,900/year for a Bachelor’s and €3,770 to 3,900/year for a Master’s, plus living costs of about €800 to €1,200/month in most cities (€1,200 to €1,800 in Paris). Private business schools cost much more. With CROUS housing, CAF aid, and scholarships, the total can be very manageable.
Cities like Lille, Toulouse, Montpellier, and Saint-Étienne offer the lowest living costs while still having strong universities and large student populations. A student in Lille can live on roughly €600 to €900/month after CAF support, compared to €1,200 to €1,800 in Paris.
France generally expects you to show around €615/month (about €7,380/year) in available funds for your student visa. It’s wise to show a comfortable buffer above this, with consistent, genuine bank statements rather than a sudden lump sum.
Yes. International students can work up to 964 hours per year (around 20 hours a week during term), with more allowed during holidays within that limit. It’s a helpful top up for living costs, but you shouldn’t rely on it to cover everything your visa still requires proof you can support yourself.
CAF is the French housing aid body. It pays eligible students a monthly housing subsidy typically €100 to €250 depending on rent and city and it applies to international students too, not just French nationals. It can meaningfully reduce your effective rent.
Yes. Scholarships like the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship, France Excellence, Erasmus+, and university specific awards can significantly reduce or even eliminate tuition, and some support living costs. Always calculate your “net fee after scholarships” it can change everything.
Yes from building a realistic budget for your city and course to finding scholarships, planning CROUS and CAF, and preparing your proof of funds correctly for the visa. Contact us to plan your France budget properly.
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