The cost for a first year of study in France: information and our advice!

Each project that a student begins in his or her life requires careful consideration. Most students therefore plan to continue their studies in France. Some in universities, others in private schools and they all have one city in common: Paris. Capital of France, but also of fashion and gastronomy, it is important to know that before leaving, you need a budget. If you are in the middle of the process or are in the process of applying for a study visa, you are aware that you must have financial support. And this, in order to prepare your stay and meet several expenses when you arrive in Paris. In order to have a more precise idea on the cost of student life in Paris, here are some advise to follow.

What budget should you plan for a year of study in France?

In order to obtain your study visa for France, you will have to justify sufficient resources. Depending on the organization in which you will continue your studies, fees will be paid before and after your departure. Indeed, the costs of building the file in your country of origin are also to be expected. Once in France, you will face other expenses such as registration fees, accommodation, food, transport or insurance, etc.

Please note: the estimated figures which follow are updated and date from January 2020.

Before arriving in France

By deciding to live the Parisian dream, if you are a non-European national, you will go through the Campus France organization, the constitution of the file can amount to 200 €.

Once the file is established, the passage by the French Consulate of your country is required. For this, the filing fees are around € 99. In addition, a bank proof of € 7,000 is required in order to live properly.

Registration fees

The fees for your registration depend on the type of establishment you have chosen. Indeed, a university registration is cheaper than a school registration. However, following a new law in force, certain public establishments have revised their registration fees up to more than € 3,000 for a master's, for example. On the other hand, if you enroll in a large school, fashion or business, the amount will be more substantial. It therefore takes between € 3,500 and € 7,000 per year.

Housing

It must be admitted that housing is by far the first and greatest concern of students, whether foreign or French. Finding an apartment, a studio or a room in Paris is a real headache. Thus, a minimum budget of € 800 is to be expected. In most cases, to find rent in Paris, and even in the suburbs, the owners demand to have a guarantor who earns the rent three times. For example, if your rent is € 800, your guarantor must receive € 2,400. Conversely, if you do not have a guarantor, two solutions are available to you:

1- Pay in advance: the owner can offer you to pay a year of rent in advance, sometimes six months. In addition to a deposit which is often the price of a month's rent. This will be returned to you when you leave the accommodation, provided you leave it as it was at the time of the inventory.

2- Go through a Garantme organization: although you do not have a guarantor who is close to you, Garantme which highlights your solvency and the seriousness of your file with the owner. The organization guarantees if you cannot pay your rent. Do not hesitate to contact us for a discount on your pack.

3- Go through Excuse My French: working every day to offer you a quality service, we have contracts that simplify the process. By contacting us, we will help you find the accommodation that suits you.

Registration at the OFII

Depending on your country of origin, the OFII procedure is essential for registration. Indeed, in order to recover your residence permit with the mention "student", you will have to pay a stamp ranging from 60 € to 79 €.

Opening a bank account

As a student, several banks offer bank cards adapted to students. To open a bank account, it takes at least a week to wait for validation. Thereafter, you must wait another week to receive the means of payment: Credit Card and checkbook. However, we recommend that you keep cash on hand to cover any daily expenses. And this, while your bank is validated. It takes around 50 € per year for the card and depending on the bank.

Other expenses

In France, students benefit from advantages and reductions, in particular on leisure and transport. In addition, affordable meals are served in university restaurants.

Telephone: In order to communicate with your loved ones, you must subscribe to a telephone subscription. To do this, you must wait until you have a bank details so that direct debits are made from your bank account. A subscription costs on average € 12 / per month and therefore € 144 per year + € 10 purchase of the SIM card. That said, while waiting for your subscription, you can take a temporary card of 5 or 10 €.

Transport: as for the telephone, the subscription to transport requires a RIB. For Navigo pass, two options are possible:

· If you are under 26: you can benefit from the imagine R card for the 5 zones. Which makes you € 350 per year and therefore € 38 / month over 9 months. Also count 8 € administration fees.

· If you are over 26 years old: for the 5 zones, you can pay for a Navigo PASS at once, or you can recharge it every month. The monthly subscription is € 75.20, in other words, € 902.4 per year. Otherwise, if you subscribe to an annual subscription, you will benefit from a free month. The amount will therefore be € 827.2 / year.

Practical advice

It is clear that life in Paris is not the most accessible, but it is quite possible to get out of it thanks to the discounts and offers for students. However, we advise you to plan a larger budget in the first months for expenses relating to your installation (charges, telephone, insurance, social security, shopping, food, etc.)

To sum up :

The cost of administrative procedures

Daily costs of a student under the age of 26 / month

Daily costs of a student over 26 years / month

Ideally, going through our services will guarantee you an adequate follow-up, proposals and offers adapted to each profile. Thus, we will offer you the subscriptions to favor in order to avoid possible paperwork, an additional surcharge for you! Now you just have to do the math!