The Prime Minister announced Monday, November 19, the increase in tuition fees for non-European students. The objective is to improve the reception conditions of students and increase the attractiveness of French universities on the international scene.
The government will increase tuition fees for non-European students in France, in order to fund more scholarships and improve reception conditions, announced Monday, November 19, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.
France aims to raise by the year 2027 to 500 000 the number of foreign students it welcomes each year, against just over 300 000 currently, said the Prime Minister in presenting this strategy of "attractiveness".
As the first non-English-speaking host country, France remains the world's fourth destination for international students, but has lost its third place in recent years to Australia. Despite a recovery since 2016, the number of foreign students fell by 8% between 2010 and 2015 and the government identifies a "risk of dropping out" French, against a background of soaring numbers of international students. "We can do much better," said Edouard Philippe presenting the strategy called "Welcome to France" .
Simplified procedures to study in France
The visa policy will be "improved" : student files will be prioritized and formalities simplified and accessible online. The number of students having access to courses in English, as well as French as a Foreign Language (FFL) courses, will be doubled. Each foreign student will be designated a referent to accompany him. A fund endowed with 10 million euros in 2019 is planned, as well as a label for hosting foreign students for higher education institutions. Another fund of 5 and 20 million euros is planned for the development of French campuses abroad.
But the main measure, which raises concerns among student unions, is an increase in tuition fees for non-European students at the university, in order to fund more scholarships or fee exemptions elsewhere. Currently, these students (a hundred thousand) pay the same fees as French students.
2,770 euros to register in license
From the start of the 2019 academic year, they will have to pay € 2,770 in a bachelor's degree and € 3,770 in a master's and PhD degree, according to the government, ie "one-third of the real cost" of a foreign student for public finances. in addition, 14,000 fee waivers will be created, targeting mainly students from developing countries. In the end, with other exemption agreements, "one in four international students will qualify for an exemption or scholarship," according to the government.
Edouard Philippe defended a "strong choice" , "which will allow us to better welcome students who choose France" , but "a measured choice" .
Low tuition fees would discourage some
"We will remain well below the 8,000 to 13,000 euros of our Dutch neighbors and tens of thousands of pounds in Britain, and most European countries, without mentioning of course the situation on the North American continent" , he said.
Paradoxically, the low cost of tuition fees in France also discouraged some candidates, who were worried about the quality of the lessons, Matignon also said.
Only students living outside the European Economic Area are concerned: students from the EEA will continue to pay the same fees as a French student, under European rules.