Studying in France for Saudi students: the complete 2026 guide

Every year, hundreds of Saudi students choose France for their higher education. Some come through the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques (Safeer) scholarship, others through Eiffel grants, and many fund themselves directly. France offers world-class universities, public tuition of just 170 to 380 euros per year, and a vibrant Muslim community of over 5 million. This guide walks you through everything a Saudi student needs to know in 2026, from the first question (am I eligible?) to settling into your first French apartment.

Can Saudi students study in France in 2026?

Yes. There are three main paths for Saudi nationals:

1. Safeer scholarship (Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques): fully funded, government-managed, covers tuition plus a monthly stipend.
2. Eiffel scholarship: merit-based, funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, available for Master and PhD programs.
3. Self-funded: most top programs accept direct international applications, with no scholarship required.

The Saudi Ministry of Education recognises all major French universities and grandes écoles, including the Sorbonne, HEC Paris, Polytechnique, Sciences Po, Dauphine-PSL, and the CTI-certified engineering schools (INSA, École des Ponts, Centrale).

For more on the Safeer scholarship specifically, see our guides on Safeer eligibility 2026 and the month-by-month Safeer timeline.

Is studying in France free?

This is one of the most common questions Saudi families ask, and the answer surprises many.

Public universities are nearly free, even for non-EU students. Tuition fees set by the French Ministry of Higher Education for 2025-2026:

• Licence (Bachelor): 175 euros per year
• Master: 250 euros per year
• Doctorate: 380 euros per year

Yes, you read that correctly. A full Bachelor at the Sorbonne or Aix-Marseille University costs less than the price of one course at most US private universities.

Grandes écoles and private schools are not free. Annual tuition typically ranges from 8 000 to 50 000 euros, depending on the school. Business schools (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC) and top engineering schools fall in this range. Safeer scholarship usually covers these full fees plus a monthly living allowance.

What does it cost to live as a Saudi student in France?

Living costs vary widely by city. Here are realistic monthly estimates for 2026:

City	Monthly budget	Rent share
Paris	1 100 to 1 400 euros	650 to 950 euros
Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux	800 to 1 100 euros	450 to 700 euros
Toulouse, Lille, Strasbourg	750 to 1 000 euros	400 to 650 euros
Smaller regional cities	650 to 900 euros	350 to 550 euros

The main monthly expenses for a Saudi student in France:

• Rent: 350 to 950 euros depending on city and apartment type
• Food: 200 to 300 euros (halal options widely available in major cities)
• Transport: 30 to 90 euros (student passes available everywhere)
• Phone and internet: 25 to 40 euros
• Health insurance: free for students via French social security

For a detailed monthly breakdown including hidden costs (deposits, CAF lag, banking), see our student budget guide.

Requirements: what you need to apply in 2026

Minimum requirements for Saudi students applying to French universities:

• Saudi Tawjihi (baccalaureate) with minimum GPA usually 80 percent (varies by program)
• French language: DELF B2 or TCF B2 for French-taught programs
• OR English language: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80 for English-taught programs
• Visa: long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) from the French embassy in Riyadh
• Campus France registration: mandatory for most public universities

For visa specifics including documents and processing times, read our student visa for France guide.

Studying in France without TCF: English-taught programs

If your French is not yet B2 level, do not worry. Many of the best French programs are taught entirely in English:

• Business schools: HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, EMLyon offer most Master programs in English
• Engineering schools: CentraleSupélec, École Polytechnique, IMT, INSA offer international Master tracks
• Sciences Po: most graduate programs available in English
• Public universities: many Master programs at PSL, Sorbonne University, Aix-Marseille

You can absolutely study in France without TCF certification if your program is in English. Even so, learning A2-B1 French before arrival is strongly recommended for daily life (administration, shopping, social).

For language strategies, see our guide on French requirements and our French learning tips for Saudi students.

Choosing your specialty for Vision 2030

The most in-demand specialties for Saudi students in 2026, aligned with Vision 2030 sectors:

• Engineering: aerospace (Airbus alumni network), renewable energy, civil and structural engineering for NEOM-scale projects, see our engineering studies guide
• Business and management: finance, entrepreneurship, hospitality (for tourism Vision 2030), see business school guide
• Medicine: PASS, L.AS, EDN pathways, see our medical studies guide
• Architecture and urban planning: directly aligned with NEOM, Diriyah Gate, Red Sea Global, see our architecture guide
• Social sciences: international relations, public policy, development studies, see our social sciences guide

If you are still undecided, our guide on choosing a major walks you through the decision process.

When does the academic year start in France?

The French academic year runs from early September to end of June. If you are reading this in May 2026, you have two realistic targets: the imminent September 2026 intake (fast-track, last-minute admissions) or the much more comfortable September 2027 intake (standard 12 to 16 month preparation).

September 2026 intake (urgent, 4 months left)

• Right now (May to June 2026): focus on grandes écoles and private schools still open with rolling admissions, see our list of grandes écoles still accepting applications
• June to July 2026: secure admission, apply for student visa at the French embassy in Riyadh
• August 2026: housing, flights, banking
• Early September 2026: arrival in France
• September to November 2026: OFII medical check, CAF housing aid, French bank account

September 2027 intake (recommended, 16 months ahead)

• Campus France applications: typically opens November 2026, deadline February to March 2027
• Grandes écoles direct admissions: vary widely, often January to April 2027
• Eiffel scholarship applications: deadline usually January 2027
• Safeer scholarship cycle: applications typically open early 2027, see our Safeer month-by-month timeline
• Visa application: June to July 2027
• Arrival in France: late August to early September 2027

Applying step by step

The realistic 16-month roadmap for a September 2027 academic start (the recommended timeline for a thorough Safeer or Eiffel application):

1. May to July 2026 (now): decide your specialty, research universities, start French classes if not already at B2
2. August to October 2026: prepare TCF or IELTS, draft motivation letters, build your shortlist of 8 to 12 target programs
3. November 2026 to January 2027: open Campus France account, prepare all documents (transcripts, certificates, letters of recommendation)
4. February to April 2027: submit Campus France applications + direct grandes écoles applications
5. April to June 2027: wait for admission decisions, accept your preferred offer
6. June to July 2027: apply for the long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) at the French embassy in Riyadh
7. July to August 2027: secure housing (CROUS, Studapart, private rental), book flights, set up banking
8. September 2027: arrival in France, OFII medical check, CAF housing aid registration, open a French bank account

If you target September 2026 instead, compress steps 1 to 5 into May to July 2026 (only realistic for self-funded students applying to grandes écoles or private schools with rolling admissions, not for Safeer or Eiffel which follow annual cycles).

For motivation letter best practices, see our writing guide. For banking, OFII, and other admin once in France, see our bank account guide and OFII registration guide.

Life as a Saudi Muslim student in France

France has over 5 million Muslims and more than 2 500 mosques. The Muslim infrastructure is strongest in:

• Paris: Goutte d'Or (18th), Saint-Denis, Argenteuil, Grande Mosquée de Paris (5th)
• Marseille: large Maghrebi and Comorian Muslim communities
• Lyon, Lille, Strasbourg: well-established mosques and halal districts
• Toulouse, Bordeaux, Montpellier: smaller but vibrant communities

Daily realities for Saudi Muslim students:

• Prayer rooms: available on most major campuses (Sciences Po, HEC, Dauphine, Sorbonne)
• Five daily prayers: easy to maintain, with prayer apps adjusted to French city times
• Halal food: widely available in supermarkets and restaurants in major cities
• Hijab: allowed at universities (the ban applies only to public schools age 6 to 18)
• Saudi student communities: strong WhatsApp networks in Paris, Lyon, Marseille

For a deeper dive on Muslim life in France including Ramadan and Eid, see our halal food and Muslim life guide and French university cultural codes.

Working while studying and after graduation

During your studies: non-EU students can work up to 964 hours per year, which is around 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during holidays. This includes both campus jobs and external employment.

After graduation: the APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) allows you to stay in France for 12 to 24 months to find a qualified job. After that, the Passeport Talent visa offers long-term residency for skilled professionals.

Many Saudi alumni use this period to gain international work experience before returning to KSA. See our detailed post-study work visa guide.

When you return to KSA, your French degree becomes a powerful asset for Vision 2030 careers at NEOM, Diriyah Gate, Red Sea Global, Saudi Aramco, SABIC, PIF, Riyadh Air, and AlUla projects. See our careers guide for Saudi graduates.

How AQI helps Saudi students study in France

Al Qantara Institute is the Franco-Saudi cultural institute founded by alumni of HEC Paris, Polytechnique, Sorbonne, and Dauphine-PSL. We offer three ways to engage with France, designed to support Saudi students at every stage of their journey:

Pricing is shared after a free discovery call so we can match the right scope to your situation. Whether you are at the very beginning of your project or already admitted and preparing to leave, we can help. Start with a free 30-minute call to discuss your situation.

Frequently asked questions

Can Saudis study in France?

Yes. Saudi students can apply through three paths: the Safeer scholarship (Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques), the Eiffel scholarship, or as self-funded students. All major French universities accept international applicants.

Is studying in France free?

Public universities cost 175 to 380 euros per year for non-EU students. Grandes écoles and private schools cost 8 000 to 50 000 euros per year. Safeer scholarship typically covers full tuition plus monthly stipend.

What are the requirements to study in France?

Saudi baccalaureate (Tawjihi), French B2 or English B2, Campus France registration for public universities, and a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) from the French embassy in Riyadh.

How much does it cost to live in France monthly?

Realistic monthly budget ranges from 650 to 900 euros in smaller cities, 800 to 1 100 euros in regional capitals like Lyon or Marseille, and 1 100 to 1 400 euros in Paris.

What is the most in-demand specialty for Saudi students in France?

Engineering, business management, medicine, architecture and urban planning, and social sciences. These align with Vision 2030 priority sectors including NEOM, Diriyah, Red Sea, and renewable energy.