Your complete blueprint to studying in France.
From CAF housing allowance to move-in day — your complete guide to studying in France. Visa calculator, city explorer, cost breakdown, and verified homes.
Discover the best student housing near top French cities and universities
Why France
Straight from students who've made the move. The real reasons to go, and the real things to prepare for.
France is home to some of the world's most prestigious institutions — Sciences Po, HEC Paris, CentraleSupélec, and Sorbonne are globally ranked. Public universities charge €170–€3,770/year in tuition. For a world-class engineering, business, or humanities education, France offers exceptional value.
After completing a Master's or higher degree in France, non-EU students can apply for a one-year temporary residence permit (APS) to find work. Find a job and you can transition to a skilled worker visa. France's Tech Visa also fast-tracks high-potential graduates.
Non-EU student visa holders can work up to 964 hours per year (approximately 20 hours/week) without needing a separate work permit. French minimum wage (SMIC) is €11.65/hour. Many students cover a significant portion of living costs through part-time work.
France is the world's 7th largest economy and home to 40 of the Fortune Global 500. Paris is Europe's second largest startup ecosystem. A degree from a French grande école or top university opens doors across Europe and internationally.
France has some of the most complex admin processes for international students in Europe. The visa, titre de séjour (residence permit), CAF housing allowance application, and university enrolment all need to be sorted in a specific sequence — and mistakes can cascade. The cities are vibrant, but the admin overhead before and after arrival is significant. Start 6 months before your semester. Do not leave it to the last minute.
Answer 7 questions. Get a personalised visa likelihood score and specific tips to improve it.
All fields affect your score. Be accurate.
Your nationality
Degree level
University tier
French language level
Prior French/Schengen visa refusals
Gap years since last qualification
Financial evidence status
Based on French Consulate data and community-reported outcomes
Strong chances → Your profile is solid. Make sure your bank statement shows sufficient funds (€615+/month), your admission letter is unconditional, and your health insurance proof is in order. French consulates are document-driven — completeness matters more than interview performance.
This is an indicative tool based on published French Consulate data and community-reported outcomes. It is not legal advice. For a complex case, consult an accredited immigration adviser or lawyer.
Six steps. Know what happens at each, how long it takes, and what trips people up.
Monthly estimates for 2025/26. Shared accommodation, including rent, food, and transport.
Rent (shared): €900–€1,400
Rent (shared): €550–€900
Rent (shared): €450–€750
Rent (shared): €500–€800
Rent (shared): €400–€700
| City | Rent (shared) | Budget / mo | Moderate / mo | Comfortable / mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paris | €900–€1,400 | €1,600 | €2,100 | €2,800 |
| Lyon | €550–€900 | €1,050 | €1,400 | €1,900 |
| Toulouse | €450–€750 | €900 | €1,200 | €1,650 |
| Bordeaux | €500–€800 | €950 | €1,250 | €1,700 |
| Montpellier | €400–€700 | €850 | €1,150 | €1,550 |
Every city Acolyte covers in France — with verified properties ready to browse.
Do these two things before anything else. They unlock rent payments, CAF applications, and university enrolment.
Open online with just your passport — no French address required initially. Free account, English app, instant IBAN. Used by tens of thousands of international students across France. Set this up before you fly.
This should be your first account.
Many French landlords and the CAF (housing allowance) require a French bank account. BNP Paribas offers a student account with no monthly fees. Worth opening once you have your university enrolment certificate.
€2/mo
Unlimited calls, SMS, and 50MB data for €2/month. The cheapest option in France. Available at Fnac and online. Perfect for your arrival week before switching to a data plan.
€10/mo
15GB data on SFR network (second-best coverage in France). Good app and prepaid option. Popular with students for value and reliability.
The actual rules — no hedging. If your situation is complex, your university's International Office can advise.
During holiday periods, you can increase your working hours within the annual 964-hour cap. Keep records of your employment contract and payslips. URSSAF tracks contributions, so stay compliant.
After completing a Master's or higher degree in France, non-EU students can apply for a one-year APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) to find skilled employment. Find a qualifying job and you transition to a salarié or passeport talent visa. France's Tech Visa fast-tracks innovative graduates.
Acolyte's France community — visa tips, CAF application help, apartment hunting advice, and scams flagged. When you join, you're matched with an Aco Buddy already studying in France.
When a friend books a verified property through your link, we transfer £50 straight to your bank.
Student reviews
“The visa and titre de séjour process nearly broke me. Acolyte's team walked me through the exact sequence and I didn't make a single mistake. When I landed in Paris, my room was ready, my IBAN worked, and I felt like I had an unfair advantage over everyone else who figured it out alone.”
“I moved to Lyon for my Masters. Finding a CROUS place was nearly impossible — everything was gone months before semester started. Acolyte had a verified private room near Université Lyon 1 available when every other option had vanished. I booked it in 20 minutes.”
“My parents weren't sure about France — they thought the UK was safer. I showed them the physical inspection report on my Toulouse flat, the address verification, and the Acolyte support chat logs. My dad's exact words: 'This is exactly what we needed to see.'”
France offers four main options: CROUS residences (government-subsidised student halls), private shared apartments (colocations), private studio rentals, and purpose-built private student residences. CROUS rooms are the most affordable at €150–450/month but extremely competitive — apply immediately after receiving your admission letter. Colocations balance cost and social life at €400–700/month. Private studios offer independence but cost more.
Every listing verified. Every city covered. Support from day one.
