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France is changing its approach to international education, focusing not just on increasing the number of foreign students, but on attracting talented specialists in priority directions for the country. The new Choose France for Higher Education strategy emphasizes master's programs, doctoral programs, STEM fields, and a closer connection between education and labor market needs.
Today, nearly 420,000 foreign students study in France, and by 2027 the country plans to reach 500,000. Despite the pandemic, France managed to maintain growth in international enrollment: over the past 5 years, the number of students from abroad has increased by 17%.
One of the main changes in the strategy will be a new approach to tuition funding for students from non-EU countries: starting from the 2026/27 academic year, France plans to unify the increased fees for such students. Currently, universities can independently exempt foreigners from additional payments, and the rules are applied unevenly. The official, universal rates will be €2,770 per year for undergraduate programs and €3,770 for master's and other postgraduate programs. The country's authorities emphasize that these amounts cover only a portion of the actual cost of education and remain significantly lower than prices in popular English-speaking countries.
In addition to these changes, France intends to invest more actively in support for international students: additional funds are planned to be directed toward developing services, creating dedicated support offices, and expanding the range of programs taught in English.
Starting from the next academic year, 60% of France's state scholarships will be allocated to programs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. At the same time, the country wants to strengthen its position at the postgraduate level — France already holds one of the leading places in the world in terms of the number of foreign doctoral students: around 38% of them come from abroad.
The development of English-language programs will also continue: in recent years their number in France has grown by 30%, reaching 1,460 courses — mainly at the master's level. Authorities believe this will help the country become more attractive to students who do not speak French.
Another important objective of the updated strategy is addressing the labor shortage. The French government explicitly states that the country needs international specialists to support the economy and the labor market, so today's international students are viewed as future professionals who will be able to remain and work in the country after completing their studies.
