Education loan for studying in France
French public universities charge modest tuition, so the borrowing is mostly living costs. Private business and engineering schools are a different proposition entirely, with fees comparable to the UK — and the two need completely different plans.
Public and private are different plans
| Public university | Private school | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | Modest | Comparable to the UK |
| The loan is mostly | Living costs | Tuition |
| Likely size | Small, often unsecured | Large, often secured |
Establish which you are applying to before sizing anything. The two are not variations of the same plan.
Campus France sets the clock
- The Campus France procedure has its own deadlines, frequently earlier than the university's.
- A language certificate is needed for French-taught programmes — see /test-prep/french/levels.
- Proof of funds is required for the visa, separate from tuition.
- Work backwards from the Campus France date, not the course start.
See /scholarships/in-europe and /cost-of-living/france for the rest of the budget.
Lenders covering France
11 lenders from the twelve we list, with the rate each one publishes and how old it is on their own page.
For France — FAQs
2 questions
At public universities, tuition is modest and living costs dominate. Private business and engineering schools charge fees comparable to the UK.
Work backwards from the Campus France deadline, which is usually earlier than the university's own.
Not sure which lender fits? A counsellor compares what you would actually be offered across all twelve — free, and with no application.
Sources
Checked against these sources on 1 October 2026.