15 Free and Cheap Universities in Paris for International Students

In Paris, there are a lot of affordable universities that you can find. Enrolling in these schools will help you fulfill your dream of studying in France without paying a lot. These institutions also provide well-rounded academic programs and curriculums, allowing students to earn a degree with less burden on their pockets.

Now, if you’re planning to study in Paris, you’ll have a lot of school options, as they are home to 44 universities. But if you’re looking for cheap universities in Paris, make sure to read more!

How do I get admission to affordable universities in Paris?

Applying to cheap universities in Paris requires you to complete different requirements depending on your degree and chosen university. These usually include admission forms, language proficiency scores, and a visa. Check out our full guide to studying in France for a more comprehensive guide!

What can I study at Best affordable universities in Paris?

International students can study a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels in Paris. For example, one of the best affordable schools in Paris is the CESI Graduate School of Engineering, which offers Maintenance and Data, Artificial Intelligence , and Digital Design to students seeking a bachelor’s degree. At the master’s level, the AgroParisTech offers Agronomy , Chemistry , and Sustainable Development .

Cheap Bachelor's Colleges and Universities in Paris for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Paris ordered by their tuition fee for international bachelor's students.

University Annual Bachelor’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Sorbonne University 0 Euros 100%
Paris Cité University 170 Euros 99%
National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations 170 Euros 99%
ESITC Paris 6,990 Euros 32%
ECE Paris 7,140 Euros 31%
CESI Graduate School of Engineering 7,500 Euros 27%
IPAG Business School 7,700 Euros - 8,900 Euros 25%
ESCE International Business School 7,900 Euros - 12,400 Euros 23%
ICD Business School 7,900 Euros 23%
ISC Paris Business School 8,500 Euros - 9,950 Euros 17%
Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication 9,250 Euros 10%
KEDGE Business School 10,000 Euros 3%
SKEMA Business School 12,000 Euros -17%
Paris Institute of Political Studies 13,200 Euros -28%
ESSEC Business School 14,000 Euros -36%

* Average Bachelor’s International Tuition is 10,300 Euros for universities in Paris.

1. Sorbonne University

Located in Paris, Sorbonne University is a top-performing research institution in France. They have been globally recognized for their engineering and science programs as they produce excellent graduates in the field. More than that, they have a huge contribution to academic research in France and Europe.

2. Paris Cité University

Paris Cité University is an educational organization that is in pursuit of academic excellence. It aims to maintain its reputation of being a catalyst of change through its ambitious and comprehensive educational offerings. The university has various research sites and advanced educational tools to aid the students as they strive to become experts someday.

3. National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations

The National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) is a public university in Paris, France that specializes in teaching languages and cultures from around the world. It was founded in 1669 by French statesman Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Undergraduate and graduate programs in language, civilization studies, and other related professional specializations are available at the institute.

4. ESITC Paris

ESITC Paris is a private institution specializing in the field of engineering. It is located in Paris and has been providing quality training for over 30 years. The school has undergone name changes from ESTP Cachan to ESITC Cachan, and finally ESITC Paris in 2017. It offers a post-baccalaureate level education in Engineering that can be completed in 3 to 5 years and alternate training options in partnership with EPF Paris.

5. ECE Paris

École centrale d’électronique (ECE) is an engineering school and a part of OMNES education, an institution with several schools worldwide. It has three campuses across France located in the cities of Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Bachelor’s, engineering, master’s, and exchange programs are offered through these locations.

ECE specializes in IT studies, including IT systems, finance, and networks. Thus, most of the school’s programs center on this discipline.

6. CESI Graduate School of Engineering

CESI Graduate School of Engineering is considered one of the best schools in the country that specializes in engineering courses. The institution is equipped with the necessary tools and resources to help students possess the skills needed for the current industry state. More than its strong foreign relations, the school ensures that they only teach relevant information in order to make students up-to-date with the recent changes in the industry.

7. IPAG Business School

IPAG Business School is a Paris-based private business school. It also has campuses in Nice, Los Angeles, and Kunming. It was founded in 1965 by French economist Jacques Rueff. IPAG’s mission is to promote appropriate management in a globalized and rapidly changing world through high-level research and appreciation for cultural and knowledge diversity.

8. ESCE International Business School

The Ecole Supérieure du Commerce Extérieur, also known as ESCE International Business School, is a business school in Paris, France. It is a member of the Grandes Ecoles Conference. ESCE’s curriculum differs from that of other business schools in that it emphasizes the market economy as well as environmental and social responsibility. Students are also taught using cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning.

9. ICD Business School

ICD Business School is a business school based in Paris, France. It has a second campus in Toulouse. It was established in 1980. The school provides a variety of degree programs ranging from Bachelor’s to Master’s levels. ICD specializes in sales, marketing, business development, and events management. They also have over 79 international partner universities for exchange students.

10. ISC Paris Business School

ISC Paris Business School is a great training ground for business students. It offers a wide range of courses, from bachelor’s to master’s degrees. It seeks to level up the knowledge of the students by giving them rigorous coursework that is aligned with the current trends in the business industry.

11. Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication

The Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication (ISIT) is located in Paris, France. It began as an association in 1957. Intercultural Management, Digital Design, and Translation are among the programs available at the institute. ISIT seeks to train intercultural professionals who are fluent in at least three languages, specifically in English and French.

12. KEDGE Business School

KEDGE Business School is an excellent educational institution that provides training to aspiring business students. The school maintains an internationally-aligned curriculum to expand the students’ knowledge and allow them to secure employment abroad. It also supports academic exchange programs and participates in research collaborations, enabling students to learn a mix of practical and theoretical concepts.

13. SKEMA Business School

SKEMA Business School is committed to providing innovative education to future business professionals. Internationalization is at the core of SKEMA’s education. Besides its three French campuses, this institution also has campuses in China, Brazil, the United States, and South Africa. This gives students the opportunity to be exposed to different points of view and learn from the challenges of other regions.

14. Paris Institute of Political Studies

The Paris Institute of Political Studies is a public research university offering degrees in social sciences and humanities. The university strives to help students, as future leaders of society, have a deeper understanding of different social phenomena and find out ways to make society better. Students at the university are given several opportunities to learn in an international environment through internships and exchange programs. 

15. ESSEC Business School

The École Supérieure des Sciences Économiques et Commerciales, or commonly referred to as ESSEC Business School, is a private university in France. It was founded in 1907 and has since built campuses in Morrocco and Singapore. More than half of the student population at the university are international students.

Cheap Master's Colleges and Universities in Paris for International Students

Here is the list of affordable institutions in Paris ordered by their tuition fee for international master's students.

University Annual Master’s International Tuition % Cheaper than Average*
Sorbonne University 0 Euros 100%
École Normale Supérieure 0 Euros 100%
AgroParisTech 243 Euros 98%
Paris Cité University 243 Euros 98%
National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations 243 Euros 98%
Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology 243 Euros - 600 Euros 98%
Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University 250 Euros - 6,500 Euros 98%
School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences 256 Euros 98%
Engineering School of the City of Paris 2,180 Euros 80%
Chimie ParisTech 3,770 Euros 64%
ESPCI Paris – PSL 3,770 Euros 64%
Télécom Paris 4,150 Euros 61%
IPAG Business School 9,100 Euros - 16,000 Euros 13%
Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication 9,175 Euros 12%
Leonard de Vinci Graduate School of Engineering 9,300 Euros - 14,900 Euros 11%

* Average Master’s International Tuition is 10,500 Euros for universities in paris.

1. Sorbonne University

Located in Paris, Sorbonne University is a top-performing research institution in France. They have been globally recognized for their engineering and science programs as they produce excellent graduates in the field. More than that, they have a huge contribution to academic research in France and Europe.

If you're looking to save the most on your graduate studies abroad, Sorbonne University should be at the top of your list. International students here pay only 0 Euros annually for their master's degree.

2. École Normale Supérieure

One of the universities you should definitely check out for practical reasons is École Normale Supérieure. Here, you can finish your master's degree with minimal stress on your finances. After all, the tuition rate for graduate studies at École Normale Supérieure is 0 Euros.

École Normale Supérieure in Paris is at the forefront of providing breakthrough innovations that will help the community to prosper in the coming years. The institution has strong relations with numerous enterprises and industry leaders, allowing it to invest significantly in research and development. It seeks to train intelligent students with a passion for science and technology.

3. AgroParisTech

The Paris Institute of Technology for Life, Food and Environmental Sciences, or simply AgroParisTech is one of the public universities in France. Founded in 2007, the university offers degree programs in Agronomy, Life Sciences, and Engineering. It is home to around 2,300 students, with 16% international enrollment.

The tuition fee at AgroParisTech for incoming international master’s students is 243 Euros. With its cheap rates, you can guarantee you’ll get a quality education without breaking the bank!

4. Paris Cité University

Another affordable university to consider in Paris is Paris Cité University.

Paris Cité University is an educational organization that is in pursuit of academic excellence. It aims to maintain its reputation of being a catalyst of change through its ambitious and comprehensive educational offerings. The university has various research sites and advanced educational tools to aid the students as they strive to become experts someday.

The tuition fee in Paris Cité University for master’s program for foreign students starts from 243 Euros.

5. National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations

Aside from its outstanding quality of education, National Institute of Oriental Languages ​​and Civilizations has some of the lowest tuition fee prices for foreign students who are planning to take a master's degree here. International master's students only pay as low as 243 Euros yearly.

The National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) is a public university in Paris, France that specializes in teaching languages and cultures from around the world. It was founded in 1669 by French statesman Jean-Baptiste Colbert. Undergraduate and graduate programs in language, civilization studies, and other related professional specializations are available at the institute.

6. Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology

Arts et Métiers Institute of Technology is an internationally renowned institution that specializes in engineering and technology and is committed to training excellent professionals that will make important breakthroughs in the future. It has 8 campuses throughout France, 15 research laboratories, and 2 institutes that conduct studies related to the environment and virtual reality. This university focuses on giving students enough work experience in order to prepare them for the challenges of their careers. That’s why all programs have two mandatory internships, and different work fairs are regularly held with business partners. It also has an incubator where professionals support and help develop the student’s entrepreneurial projects.

7. Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University is known for being the main university in the areas of humanities and social sciences in France, not only for its wide variety of programs but also for its outstanding research performance. In fact, research is one of its main focal points, which is why it has 37 research teams and multiple institutes that specialize in areas like demography, labor, geography, and social development. The university is also known for the importance it gives to international collaborations. It has a large international student population, 150 partnerships with universities abroad, and dozens of foreign professors and researchers.

8. School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences

School for Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences seeks to disseminate scientific work through partnering with other international institutions. It also participates in various academic exchanges in order to expose students to diverse perspectives and industry work. Over the years, the institution has been successful in maintaining its excellent reputation and continues to attract students from all over the world.

9. Engineering School of the City of Paris

Founded in 1959 to enlighten the junior civil servants for the City of Paris, EIVP nowadays also illuminates young professionals in the private sector. They must deal with the educational disciplines linked to cities: building, urbanism, transportation, and surroundings. EIVP students are picked through an exacting, highly competitive process and are exceptionally well-trained students who join the school every year.

10. Chimie ParisTech

The École nationale supérieure de chimie de Paris, also known as Chimie ParisTech, is an engineering school located in Paris, France. It was established in 1896 by chemist Charles Friedel and is now one of France’s most prestigious and selective chemical engineering colleges. The institution offers an engineering cycle program as well as Master of Science and Technology degrees.

11. ESPCI Paris – PSL

ESPCI Paris – PSL is an elite institution that has been in the education industry since 1882. This research center is part of the PSL University (Paris Sciences et Lettres University), and together both institutions provide exemplary academic programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. The institute is an active contributor to the PSL’s curriculum, particularly in the fields of physics and chemistry. Moreover, ESPCI Paris is internationally recognized for its significant contributions to the innovation industry. It leads in scientific excellence that has attracted many renowned scientists and innovators.

12. Télécom Paris

Télécom Paris is an institution that specializes in scientific and technological education. Its main objective is to train professionals that will develop high-quality solutions that will serve the economy while being aware of their communities and the environment. Its education model focuses on being both multidisciplinary and specialized. This is done through a 1st-year core curriculum that includes a broad scope of subjects, including sciences and humanities, and a highly specialized 2nd and 3rd-year curriculum. Research is also fundamental, which is why it has multiple laboratories that carry out studies in data science, applied mathematics, networks, etc.

13. IPAG Business School

IPAG Business School is a Paris-based private business school. It also has campuses in Nice, Los Angeles, and Kunming. It was founded in 1965 by French economist Jacques Rueff. IPAG’s mission is to promote appropriate management in a globalized and rapidly changing world through high-level research and appreciation for cultural and knowledge diversity.

14. Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication

The Institute of Intercultural Management and Communication (ISIT) is located in Paris, France. It began as an association in 1957. Intercultural Management, Digital Design, and Translation are among the programs available at the institute. ISIT seeks to train intercultural professionals who are fluent in at least three languages, specifically in English and French.

15. Leonard de Vinci Graduate School of Engineering

The Leonard de Vinci Graduate School of Engineering (ESILV) is an engineering school located in Paris, France. It was established in 1995. Data Science, Cybersecurity, Health Engineering, Energy, Computational Mechanics, Industry, Financial Engineering, Creative Technology, and Actuary are the school’s nine major specializations. ESILV is one of the top four postgraduate engineering schools in Ile-de-France.


It's important to take a look at all your options when selecting where to attend post-secondary school. With so many different types of schools, degrees, and universities in Paris, it can be tough to know where to start looking.

So, make sure to explore the best public universities in Paris as well if you're looking for affordable education!

We hope that this article on free and affordable institutions in Paris for international students was helpful!