Université Paris Cité at a glance
- City
- Paris
- Type
- Public university
- Website
- u-paris.fr
Key takeaways
- For 2026/27 Université Paris Cité renewed its moratorium, so non-EU students paid EU rates: €178 (licence), €255 (master) and €398 (doctorate).
- For 2027/28 the university says all non-EU students may now be subject to differentiated fees; the amounts it lists are €2,902 (licence) and €3,950 (master).
- Students already exempt and enrolled without interruption since 2025/26 or 2026/27 keep their exemption if they re-enrol in the same cycle.
- Our fact pack lists 26 fully English-taught master's, in biomedical engineering, cognitive science, physics, linguistics, chemistry and more.
- M1 applications go through Mon Master (February to 16 March 2027 for 2027/28); M2 through eCandidat per program.
On this page
Université Paris Cité charged non-EU students the same fees as EU students in 2026/27, but that changes for new students in 2027/28: the university says all non-EU students may now be subject to differentiated fees. The amounts it lists are €2,902 a year for a licence and €3,950 for a master's, unless you fall into an exempt category.
It still makes this best-value list because it has one of the largest English-taught master's catalogues in Paris, 26 programs in our data, many in high-demand fields such as biomedical engineering, AI and cognitive science, plus several exemption routes. Just plan your budget with the 2027/28 rules in mind.
What changes in 2027/28
The university's board renewed the moratorium on differentiated fees for 2026/27. Following the decree of 19 May 2026, the fees page says that for 2027/28 "all non-EU students" may now be subject to differentiated fees.
| Level | 2026/27 (moratorium) | If differentiated fees apply |
|---|---|---|
| Licence | €178 | €2,902 |
| Master's | €255 | €3,950 |
| Doctorate | €398 | Not subject to differentiated fees |
The €2,902 and €3,950 figures are labelled on the page as 2026/27 national amounts, so 2027/28 amounts may differ slightly. The CVEC (€105 in 2026/27) is extra.
Who does not pay differentiated fees
- Doctoral students, long-cycle health students and HDR candidates; apprentices and DU/DIU students
- Refugees and subsidiary-protection beneficiaries; long-term resident card holders and their minor children
- People attached to a French tax household for at least two years; family members of EU/EEA/Swiss citizens
- CROUS scholarship holders and French government (BGF) scholarship holders
- Students already exempt and enrolled without interruption since 2025/26 or 2026/27 who re-enrol in the same cycle
Budget for €3,950
If you start a master's at Paris Cité in 2027/28 and none of the exemptions above apply, plan for €3,950 a year plus the CVEC. A French government scholarship such as France Excellence is one of the few routes to a full exemption.
English-taught programs
All English-taught degrees are master's; bachelor's programs are French-taught. Examples from the programs taught in English page:
- Biomedical engineering (BME-Paris): Molecular and Cellular Biotherapies, BioMechanics, NeuroTechnologies, BioImaging
- Cognitive science: Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Linguistics and AI, Computational Neuroscience and AI, Philosophy, Psychology, Cognitive Science and Society
- Physics: International Centre for Fundamental Physics (ICFP), Nanotechnologies and Quantum Devices, NPAC (particles and cosmology), Physics of Complex Systems (i-PCS)
- Life and earth sciences: In Silico Drug Design (ISDD), Solid Earth Science (IPGP, M2), Development, Inflammation, Regeneration (M2), Public Health – Comparative Effectiveness Research (M2)
- Other fields: Frontiers in Chemistry, Economics and Psychological Sciences, Computational Linguistics, LOGOS, TELPh, Double Master in Film Studies and English Studies, AIRE (Learning Planet Institute)
See more programs across France in English-taught programs in France.
Admission and language requirements
- Degree: a licence or bachelor's (180 ECTS) in a relevant field; M2-only programs need an M1 (240 ECTS) or four years of higher education. Selection is on file.
- English: B2 minimum; C1 for Cognitive Science, BME-Paris and English Studies (IELTS 7, TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130 for English Studies). i-PCS accepts IELTS 5.0.
- French too, for some: ISDD and Computational Linguistics also require B2 French.
- Documents: diploma and transcripts, CV, cover letter, certified English test, passport.
Our language tests and admission requirements guide explains how to prove your level.
Deadlines for 2027/28
| Route | Who | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Master (M1) | Non-EEF residents and EU applicants | February – 16 March 2027 (Campus France calendar) |
| eCandidat (M2, L2/L3) | Direct applicants | Published per program on eCandidat |
| Études en France | Residents of EEF countries | Through your local Campus France office |
| Program-specific sites | e.g. Cognitive Science | Check the program page |
Paris Cité says the 2027/28 submission phase "will be communicated soon". For 2026/27, the Mon Master window ran from 17 February to 16 March 2026.
Scholarships
- France Excellence Eiffel: €1,200 a month for master's students; the 2027/28 call is open and the university must submit by 6 January 2027. Note it does not cover tuition.
- SMARTS-UP: the university's program for international master's students.
- CROUS and French government (BGF) scholarship holders are exempt from differentiated fees.
- France Excellence for Afghan students (2027 call): includes a tuition waiver for national degrees at public universities; deadline 31 May 2027.
See all options in our France scholarships guide.
Living in Paris
The visa requires proof of at least €877.50 per month from 1 August 2026. Campus France's average CROUS rent in Paris is about €450 a month, and private studios start at about €800 (Service-Public). Combined with possible €3,950 fees, Paris Cité is now a bigger investment than in previous years.
Applying from Afghanistan
Route and scholarship
Paris Cité's data says Afghan residents apply directly via Mon Master (M1) or eCandidat (M2). 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. That scholarship would also waive tuition at a public university, which matters now that Paris Cité's moratorium has ended.
Honest pros and cons
Benefits
- 26 English-taught master's in Paris, many in fast-growing fields
- Clear list of exempt categories
- Doctoral fees stay at €398
- Strong research environment, including IPGP
Difficulties
- New non-EU students in 2027/28 may pay €3,950 a year for a master's
- Several programs require C1 English, some also B2 French
- Paris living costs are high
- M2 deadlines are spread across eCandidat and program sites
How to apply step by step
- 1
Check your fee status
See if any exemption applies; otherwise budget for differentiated fees.
- 2
Pick programs and check languages
Note B2 or C1 English and any French requirement.
- 3
Apply on the right platform
Mon Master for M1 (February to 16 March 2027), eCandidat for M2, or Études en France if you live in an EEF country.
- 4
Ask about Eiffel early
The university must submit nominations by 6 January 2027.
- 5
Apply for the visa
Follow our France student visa guide.
- 6
Enrol
Pay fees and the CVEC, then validate your VLS-TS within 3 months of arrival.
Compare alternatives with lower fees in our complete guide to studying in France and the France hub, and track deadlines for free on FindUniPath.
Frequently asked questions
Is Université Paris Cité free for international students?
Not exactly. In 2026/27 non-EU students paid EU rates (€255 for a master's) under a moratorium. From 2027/28 the university says all non-EU students may be charged differentiated fees (€3,950 a year for a master's) unless exempt.
Who is exempt from differentiated fees at Paris Cité?
Among others: doctoral students, refugees, long-term residents, people in a French tax household for two years, CROUS and French government scholarship holders, and students already exempt who continue in the same cycle.
What English level does Paris Cité require?
At least B2. Cognitive Science, BME-Paris and English Studies require C1; English Studies asks for IELTS 7, TOEFL 100 or Duolingo 130.
When are Paris Cité master's applications for 2027/28?
M1 applications go through Mon Master from February to 16 March 2027. M2 dates are published per program on eCandidat.
Official sources
Checked on 16 October 2026. Rules, fees and dates change — always confirm on the official page before you apply.
- 1.Université Paris Cité — Droits d'inscription, tarifs et exonérations
- 2.Université Paris Cité — Programs taught in English
- 3.Université Paris Cité — Candidater
- 4.Campus France — Applying to higher education in France
- 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