International students: differential tuition fees and exemptions for academic year 2026–2027

Changes to the regulations

Following the entry into force of Decree No. 2026-385 of 19 May 2026 concerning the exemption arrangements for tuition fees applicable to foreign students, non-European students (i.e. students from countries outside the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland) are, except in specific cases, required to pay differential tuition fees.

The exemption schemes previously applied are therefore no longer automatically renewed under the same conditions.

All non-European students may now be subject to differential tuition fees unless they fall within a category exempted by regulation or benefit from an exemption decision granted by the University.

Consequently, having benefited from an exemption during a previous academic year does not automatically entitle a student to the same exemption for the following academic year.

For information purposes, the differential tuition fees applied during the 2025–2026 academic year were as follows:

  • Bachelor's degree enrolment: 2 895 €
  • Master's degree enrolment: 3 941 €

For further information on tuition fees, please consult the official website: Droits d'inscription | Étudiant.gouv

Am I subject to differentiated tuition fees?

You are not subject to differentiated tuition fees if you are:

  • A French citizen;
  • A ward of the Nation (Pupille de la Nation) or a ward of the Republic (Pupille de la République);
  • A citizen of a country within the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, Monaco, Andorra, or Quebec (Canada);
  • A doctoral student, a student enrolled in the third cycle of health studies, or a candidate registered for the Habilitation to Direct Research (HDR);
  • A refugee or beneficiary of subsidiary protection;
  • A holder of a long-term resident permit (including your minor children);
  • A family member of a citizen of the EU, EEA, or Switzerland;
  • Attached to a French tax household for at least two years;
  • Enrolled in a Preparatory Class for the Grandes Écoles (CPGE).

You are subject to differentiated tuition fees if:

  • You are a non-European international student and do not fall into any of the categories listed above.

Can I be exempted?

The exemption is partial, meaning that exempted students remain liable for the standard national tuition fees.

Exemptions provided by regulations

You may benefit from an exemption if you are:

  • Covered by an agreement between France and your country that provides for reciprocal tuition fee exemptions;
  • Admitted through a European or international mobility programme that meets the conditions set out by the applicable regulations.

Exemptions granted by the University

In accordance with the regulations in force, the University may grant full or partial exemptions from differential tuition fees, within the 30% quota established by the regulations for the 2026–2027 academic year.

Such exemptions may be granted:

  • To students who submit an application based on their personal circumstances;
  • Within the regulatory quota applicable to exemptions granted on individual grounds.

Students may therefore apply for an individual exemption. The application procedure and assessment criteria will be communicated shortly. Information relating to this procedure will be published no later than the end of June 2026.

Special case: students already enrolled at Lyon 1

Non-European students enrolled at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University during the 2025–2026 academic year who already benefit from an exemption will continue to do so, provided that they:

  • Continue their studies at Lyon 1;
  • Remain within the same cycle of study (Bachelor's degree, Master's degree, or Short Medical Specialisation Diploma – DES court);
  • Continue in the corresponding programme of study.

Students admitted through the Etudes en France procedure

Students admitted through the Etudes en France procedure and notified of their admission before the publication of the Decree benefit from a partial exemption from differential tuition fees in accordance with the provisions applicable to that scheme.

I am a new international student: am I concerned?

Any non-European student enrolling for the first time at Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University is subject to differential tuition fees unless they fall within one of the exemption categories listed above.

Please note: administrative enrolment is not considered complete until these tuition fees have been paid.