Study Abroad Programs in Paris, France

Intro How Costs & Scholarships

Few cities in the world are as enticing as Paris. Countless prospective students around the world dream of that rose-tinted Parisian life: walking to class along the Seine, a flaky croissant in one hand and an indulgent chocolat chaud in the other, perhaps having a lively discussion about literature or art.

The reality of Paris is, of course, not as picture-perfect (when is it ever?). However, as a student in the city of lights, you’ll get to experience something much better: an authentic Parisian life. It may be gritter than you imagined, but we guarantee that those riverside strolls and flaky croissants will never get old.

The good thing about moving to one of the tourism capitals of the world is that you will never run out of informational resources about the city. Combine this with your university's support for newcomers and you will have more than enough help to plan your trip.

Course Types

You can enroll in a university in Paris in one of three ways: by enrolling directly with them, by doing an exchange program with your university, or by paying a third-party organization to help you with the process.

There are many universities in Paris, but the largest and most famous by far is the Sorbonne. It is actually made up of 13 independent universities with separate campuses across Paris and its suburbs. Look up each individual university and its courses to decide which one is for you.

Housing

Many universities have student accommodation, which is usually the cheapest option (although not cheap, per se). Places in these are limited, however, so many students end up renting privately. Studios can be expensive, but you can find flatmates on websites like Le Bon Coin and A Partager.

Transportation

The Paris Metro is by far the easiest way to get around the city -- just keep an eye out for pickpockets. If you are under 26, you can buy an Imagine R Pass, which allows for unlimited travel for €324 a year. Otherwise, a Navigo monthly pass is your best bet.

There is also a bus network, which can be useful for getting around locally. That said, the city center of Paris is extremely walkable, so you can save a lot of money by getting around on foot.

Paris is an expensive city to live in, and yet it consistently ranks near the top of the best cities in the world for students. The key is to know where to save money and to embrace living like a local.

But one of the best things about studying in France is that it is actually pretty inexpensive, especially when compared to the American system.

At a public university like the Sorbonne, a Bachelor's degree costs €170 a year for EU students and €2,770 a year for international students (€243 and €3,770 for a Masters, respectively).

If you do need support, then there are several scholarships available for international students. Look for French government scholarships, but also for those from individual universities in Paris and international colleges with Parisian exchange programs.