FindUniPath EditorialUniversité Marie et Louis Pasteur at a glance
- City
- Besançon
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- umlp.fr
Key takeaways
- Since the 2024/25 academic year, non-EU students liable for differentiated fees automatically get a partial exemption, whatever their finances, so they pay EU fees for the same diploma.
- National rates for 2026/27 are €178 (licence), €255 (master) and €398 (doctorate); the CVEC (€105) is extra.
- Our fact pack lists 15 English-taught master's plus the third year of a BUT in Computer Science.
- For 2026 entry, EIPHI master's applications on eCandidat ran from 1 February to 30 May 2026 depending on the track; Études en France opened on 1 October 2025.
- The EIPHI Graduate School says it awards many scholarships each year to strong international master's students.
On this page
At Marie and Louis Pasteur University in Besançon, non-EU students pay the same tuition as EU students, without having to apply for it. The university states that from the 2024/25 academic year, all non-EU students liable for differentiated fees systematically receive a partial exemption, whatever their financial situation.
Formerly the University of Franche-Comté, it has campuses in Besançon, Belfort, Montbéliard, Vesoul and Lons-le-Saunier. Its English-taught master's, mostly run by the EIPHI Graduate School, cover engineering, physics, photonics, mathematics and computing, which makes it a quiet but strong value choice.
Why this university is good value
- Automatic exemption: no hardship file, no committee; the reduction applies to all non-EU students subject to differentiated fees.
- Engineering and physics focus: EIPHI master's in energy, mechanics, photonics, electronics, IoT and computational physics.
- Scholarships: EIPHI says it awards many scholarships each year to high-quality foreign master's students.
- Regional costs: Campus France gives an average CROUS rent of about €350 a month in the regions, versus about €450 in Paris.
- French support: the Centre of Applied Linguistics (CLA) offers French courses and test preparation (DELF/DALF, TCF).
Tuition and fees
| Level | With automatic exemption | Without (national non-EU fee) |
|---|---|---|
| Licence / BUT | €178 | €2,902 |
| Master's | €255 | €3,950 |
| Doctorate | €398 | Not subject to differentiated fees |
| CVEC | €105 | €105 |
The university's page describes the exemption but does not print the amounts; the figures above are the national 2026/27 rates from Campus France. If you live in a country with a Campus France office, you also pay the local Études en France procedure fee.
Check that the policy still applies
The university's statement refers to the start of the 2024/25 year and does not mention a later end date or Decree 2026-385 of 19 May 2026, which changed national waiver rules. Before you accept an offer for 2027/28, confirm the fee with the university or the EIPHI Graduate School ([email protected]).
English-taught programs
From the international programs page and EIPHI site, examples of 2-year master's taught in English:
- Energy and mechanics: ENERGY – Electrical Energy Engineering; ENERGY – Thermal Energy and Engineering; Smart Mechanics; ARMAC (Control for Green Mechatronics)
- Physics and photonics: E-PHOT (Photonics, Micronanotechnology, Time-Frequency Metrology and Complex Systems); COMPUPHYS (Physics and Computational Physics)
- Electronics and computing: ELISE (Electronics and Libre Software for Instrumentation and Embedded Systems); IoT – Internet of Things (Montbéliard); SSE – Software and Systems Engineering
- Maths, health and other fields: Advanced Mathematics; BioMedical Engineering (ISIFC); M2 Innovative Drugs – Nanomedicine; BDEEM (Behavioral and Digital Economics for Effective Management); EMME (Ecology, Monitoring and Management of Ecosystems); Rare Book and Digital Humanities
- Bachelor's level: BUT Computer Science, 3rd year (IUT Nord Franche-Comté)
Note that Advanced Mathematics also expects good French. See English-taught programs in France to compare.
Admission requirements
- Degree: a 3- or 4-year bachelor's in a relevant field with very good results. No numeric minimum is published.
- Direct M2 entry: possible for holders of a 4-year bachelor's, but not automatic.
- English: "very good" English; the proof format depends on the program.
- Subject prerequisites: for example, E-PHOT requires physics, optics, electromagnetism and quantum physics.
- Documents: bachelor's diploma and transcripts, CV, motivation letter, passport and English proficiency evidence.
Deadlines (last published: 2026/27 intake)
| Route | Who | 2026 dates |
|---|---|---|
| eCandidat | Applicants from Europe and countries without a Campus France office | 1 Feb – 30 May 2026, depending on track |
| Études en France | Applicants from countries with a Campus France office | Opened 1 Oct 2025; deadline set by each country |
Dates for 2027/28 are not published yet. If you live in an Études en France country, such as Pakistan, India or Iran, the procedure usually opens in October, so check your Campus France office now.
Scholarships
- EIPHI Graduate School scholarships for high-quality foreign master's students, awarded each year.
- France Excellence Eiffel: apply through the university, whose internal deadline is earlier than Campus France's 6 January 2027 submission date.
- Victor Hugo scholarships: only for nominees of Latin American partner universities, so most readers are not eligible.
- France Excellence for Afghan students (2027 call): deadline 31 May 2027.
More in our France scholarships guide.
Living costs and student life
Tuition is low, but the visa still requires proof of at least €877.50 per month (rule from 1 August 2026). Campus France gives an average CROUS residence rent of about €350 a month in the regions, and private studios outside Paris start at about €400 (Service-Public). You may work up to 964 hours a year with a student permit.
- Welcome: the university runs a welcome event for new students, called Bienvenue aux étudiants, across its campuses in September.
- Community: the ESN student association offers a buddy system and an international student guide, and hosts the Nuit des Étudiants du Monde in Besançon each year.
- Learning French: the CLA, UFRs, Centre Polyglotte and CeLAB offer French courses, some of them credited. Even in an English-taught master's, everyday French helps with housing, part-time jobs and internships.
Applying from Afghanistan
eCandidat or Campus France?
The EIPHI page says applicants from countries without a Campus France office, which includes Afghanistan, use eCandidat. The French government's 2027 call for Afghan applicants says people living in Afghanistan apply through Campus France in India, Iran or Pakistan and Études en France, and only those embassies issue their student visas. Afghans living in Pakistan or Iran must use Études en France. Confirm your route before you pay any fee.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- Automatic EU-level fees for non-EU students
- Many English-taught engineering and physics master's
- Scholarships through the EIPHI Graduate School
- Lower regional living costs
Difficulties
- Fee policy not restated for 2027/28
- Programs are spread over several campuses and towns
- Smaller job market than Paris or Lyon
- English score requirements are not standardised; check each program
How to apply step by step
- 1
Choose a master's
Read the EIPHI or program page for prerequisites and English proof.
- 2
Find your platform
Études en France if your country has a Campus France office; otherwise eCandidat.
- 3
Prepare your file
Diploma, transcripts, CV, motivation letter, English proof; see France admission requirements.
- 4
Ask about scholarships
Mention EIPHI and Eiffel scholarships when you apply, as internal deadlines are early.
- 5
Apply for the visa
Show €877.50 per month; follow our France student visa guide.
- 6
Enrol
Pay the CVEC, enrol and check that the partial exemption appears on your fees.
Read the complete guide to studying in France, see the France hub and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
Do non-EU students pay EU fees at Marie and Louis Pasteur University?
Yes, under the policy introduced for 2024/25: non-EU students liable for differentiated fees automatically get a partial exemption so they pay the EU amount. Confirm it still applies for your year of entry.
Is Marie and Louis Pasteur University the same as the University of Franche-Comté?
Yes. It is the former Université de Franche-Comté, with campuses in Besançon, Belfort, Montbéliard, Vesoul and Lons-le-Saunier.
How do I apply to an EIPHI master's?
Use Études en France if your country has a Campus France office; otherwise apply on eCandidat. For 2026 entry, eCandidat ran from 1 February to 30 May 2026 depending on the track.
Does the university offer scholarships to international students?
The EIPHI Graduate School says it awards many scholarships each year to strong foreign master's students, and the university can nominate you for the Eiffel scholarship.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.Université Marie et Louis Pasteur — Venir étudier
- 2.Université Marie et Louis Pasteur — Formations internationales
- 3.EIPHI Graduate School — How to apply
- 4.EIPHI Graduate School — Master E-PHOT
- 5.Campus France — Tuition fees in France
- 6.Campus France — France Excellence Eiffel scholarship
- 7.Service-Public — Student long-stay visa (VLS-TS)
- 8.Campus France Iran — France Excellence call for Afghan applicants 2027
- 9.Campus France — Working as a student