Cost of Studying in France from Nepal (2026)
Tuition, living costs, CVEC, visa and insurance for Nepali students — in EUR and approximate NPR.
France is one of the lowest-cost world-class study destinations on the planet — and it surprises most Nepali families. Because public universities are subsidised by the French government, even the “differentiated” tuition charged to non-EU students is a small fraction of what you would pay in the UK, USA, Australia, or Canada for a comparable, globally ranked degree.
That said, France is not free, and Paris in particular is expensive to live in. Between tuition, living costs, the mandatory CVEC contribution, the visa, and insurance, you should plan a realistic annual budget before you apply. This guide breaks down every cost a Nepali student faces, in euros and an approximate NPR range, so there are no surprises.
All NPR figures use an approximate rate of EUR 1 ≈ NPR 150 and are clearly labelled approx. — the live exchange rate moves daily, so treat them as planning estimates, not exact amounts. If you are still comparing destinations, see how France stacks up on our compare study-abroad countries page and our list of the cheapest countries to study abroad.
Total Cost at a Glance
For most Nepali students at a public university outside Paris, the all-in cost of one year lands between EUR 12,000 and EUR 18,000 (approx. NPR 18-27 Lakh). Studying in Paris, or at a grande école or private business school, pushes this much higher. Here is the high-level picture.
| Cost Category | Per Year (EUR) | Approx. NPR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition (Public, Bachelor / Licence) | EUR ~2,895 | approx. NPR 4.3 Lakh |
| Tuition (Public, Master) | EUR ~3,941 | approx. NPR 5.9 Lakh |
| Tuition (Grande École / Private) | EUR 10,000 - 38,000 | approx. NPR 15 - 57 Lakh |
| Living expenses (outside Paris) | EUR 8,400 - 12,000 | approx. NPR 12.6 - 18 Lakh |
| Living expenses (Paris) | EUR 14,400 - 21,600 | approx. NPR 21.6 - 32.4 Lakh |
| CVEC (student life contribution) | EUR ~105 (one-time/yr) | approx. NPR 15,750 |
| Long-stay visa (VLS-TS) | EUR 50 (one-time) | approx. NPR 7,500 |
| Top-up insurance (mutuelle, optional) | EUR 200 - 600 | approx. NPR 30,000 - 90,000 |
Note: the figures above are typical ranges and the public-university tuition figures reflect the differentiated non-EU fees that France is applying for the 2026-27 intake. Many institutions still grant partial or full exemptions (exonération), which can drop your tuition to the EU rate of about EUR 178-254. Always confirm the exact fee on the official programme page.
Tuition Fees for Nepali (Non-EU) Students
At public universities, France charges non-EU students a differentiated tuition fee. For the 2026-27 academic year this is approximately EUR 2,895/year for a Licence (bachelor's) and EUR 3,941/year for a master's — still among the cheapest world-class tuition anywhere.
- Public university bachelor's (Licence): EUR ~2,895/yr (approx. NPR 4.3 Lakh)
- Public university master's: EUR ~3,941/yr (approx. NPR 5.9 Lakh)
- With exemption (exonération): the EU rate of about EUR 178 (bachelor) or EUR 254 (master) — many universities still grant this on merit or need
- Grandes écoles, private & business schools: EUR 10,000-38,000/yr (approx. NPR 15-57 Lakh) — e.g. engineering schools, HEC, INSEAD-style MBAs, Sciences Po
You can verify the current official tuition framework on the Campus France tuition fees page. Because the differentiated-fee policy is changing for 2026-27, always confirm the exact figure with your chosen institution before you transfer any money.
Cost of Living in France
Outside Paris, plan for EUR 700-1,000 per month (approx. NPR 1.05-1.5 Lakh). In Paris, realistically budget EUR 1,200-1,800 per month (approx. NPR 1.8-2.7 Lakh), driven almost entirely by rent. Cities like Toulouse, Lyon, Grenoble, Lille, Montpellier, and Rennes are far more affordable than the capital.
| Monthly Item | EUR | Approx. NPR |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (CROUS / studio, outside Paris) | EUR 350 - 650 | approx. NPR 52,500 - 97,500 |
| Rent (Paris studio) | EUR 700 - 1,100 | approx. NPR 1.05 - 1.65 Lakh |
| Groceries & food | EUR 200 - 300 | approx. NPR 30,000 - 45,000 |
| Transport (student pass) | EUR 20 - 75 | approx. NPR 3,000 - 11,250 |
| Phone, utilities & misc. | EUR 100 - 200 | approx. NPR 15,000 - 30,000 |
Tip: France offers a housing subsidy called CAF/APL that can refund a meaningful share of your rent (often EUR 100-200/month) once you have a tenancy and a bank account. Subsidised CROUS student housing is the cheapest option but in high demand — apply the moment you accept your offer.
Financial Proof: How Much Money Must You Show?
For the VLS-TS long-stay student visa, you must prove you can support yourself. The official minimum is EUR 615 per month, which is about EUR 7,380 for the year (approx. NPR 11.1 Lakh). This is in addition to your tuition.
- Official minimum: EUR 615/month (approx. NPR 92,250/month)
- Recommended for a strong file: EUR 800-1,000/month, especially if you will study in Paris — consulates increasingly want to see realistic funds to avoid “insufficient resources” refusals
- Funds must be genuinely available and traceable — sudden large deposits raise questions, so build a steady balance over several months
For Nepal-specific documentation — bank balance certificates, source-of-funds, education loans, and Nepal Rastra Bank rules — read our financial documents guide for Nepali students. The exact visa steps are covered in our France student visa guide.
Visa, CVEC & One-Time Costs
- VLS-TS visa fee: EUR 50 (approx. NPR 7,500), paid at VFS Global in Kathmandu
- Campus France procedure fee: a non-refundable processing fee paid during the mandatory Études en France pre-application — confirm the current amount on the Campus France Nepal platform
- OFII tax: about EUR 60 (approx. NPR 9,000), paid after arrival when you validate your VLS-TS
- CVEC (Contribution Vie Étudiante et de Campus): about EUR 105/yr (approx. NPR 15,750) — mandatory before enrolment, scholarship holders are exempt
- Health insurance: social-security registration is free and mandatory; an optional top-up mutuelle costs EUR 200-600/yr (approx. NPR 30,000-90,000)
- Flights (Kathmandu to Paris): roughly NPR 70,000-1.4 Lakh one-way depending on season and airline
How to Reduce Your Costs
- Choose a public university outside Paris. Toulouse, Lyon, Grenoble, Lille, and Montpellier cost far less than the capital for similar academic quality.
- Request a tuition exemption (exonération). Many universities reduce non-EU fees to the EU rate on merit or need — ask during admission.
- Apply for scholarships early. The France Excellence Eiffel programme and Erasmus Mundus can cover most of your costs — see our France scholarships guide and our overview of scholarships for Nepali students.
- Claim CAF/APL housing aid to refund part of your rent each month.
- Work part-time. Up to 964 hours/year (about 20 hrs/week) at the SMIC of around EUR 11.88/hour can cover a chunk of living costs.