Advertisement

French university costs of more than €7,000 a year challenge meritocracy

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
French university costs of more than €7,000 a year challenge meritocracy
French university students. Photo: Gerard Julien AFP.

A new study by a French research institute found that many parents struggle to support their children in higher education.

Advertisement

A survey of more than 500 parents conducted by French research institute CSA Research found that the average costs for a university student in France exceed €7,000 per year. 

The costs are even higher for students who choose a specialization in commerce or engineering, sometimes rising to above €10,000 per year. 

One in two families is forced to make substantial sacrifices to support their children in higher education, reports French daily Le Monde – according to Céline Francois, marketing director of Crédit Cofidis, which commissioned the study. 

READ ALSO: International School of Paris is prepared for mass Brexodus

Students who opt for universities in Paris will encounter costs one third higher than anywhere else in France, primarily because the average accommodation expenditure for Paris students is above €4,000. The average in regions outside the capital is €1,320. 

Households with an average income below €4,500 are often forced to take loans to cover the costs, adds the study. More than 50 per cent of families with an income lower than €4,500 receive accommodation and hardship benefits, however, amounting to €1,736 per year. 

READ MORE: Anti-reform students blockade French universities (but many just want to take their exams)

More

Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.

Please log in to leave a comment.

See Also