What is the cost of living for a student in Lyon, France?

Your tuition fees in Lyon will largely depend on the institution you are studying at. Universities are public and state-funded, which means that tuition fees are more affordable than in other countries, while such institutions still provide a high quality education.

In this case, the cost will be:

• €170 for one year at licence level
• €243 for one year at master level
• €601 for one year in an engineering school
• €380 for one year at doctoral level

These tuition fees are the same for European Union, European Economic Area, Andorra, Switzerland and Quebec residents.

If you are not a European resident, you will pay higher tuition fees if you start for the first time for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree or a programme in an engineering school at the start of the academic year. In that case, the tuition fees are:

• €2,770 for one year at licence level
• €3,770 for one year at master level

For more information on the costs depending on your situation, please consult the Campus France website.

On the other hand, private schools have costs that are more in line with what you can expect in some countries, such as the United States. You can find many that offer internationally recognised diplomas in all kinds of fields. In this case, the cost varies greatly depending on the institution, its recognition and the level of study. In a private school, a year’s tuition usually costs between €3,000 and €10,000.

Note that in France, many programmes are offered “en alternance”. This means that you spend one or more years alternating between periods of classroom study and periods of work in a company. For example, you might spend a week at university and then a week in a company. The first advantage is that you learn quickly by doing, but there is more: If you choose this format, your host company will pay your tuition fees. This makes studying in Lyon much more affordable!

The cost of student accommodation in Lyon is on par with what you would expect in a major European city, but there are specific solutions for students, and depending on the district you choose to live in, the price of accommodation can be much lower.

First, you can choose accommodation with CROUS, a government organisation dedicated to helping students. They offer a wide range of student residences and flats. You can choose from many options, all over Lyon and in neighbouring towns, and several types of flats. A large apartment in the centre will of course be more expensive than a studio in the suburbs, but in all cases the prices will be lower than average. With the CROUS, you can expect to pay between €200 and €600 for your student accommodation in Lyon.

You can also choose to rent your own apartment. In this case, prices will be higher, but you can easily make it affordable by sharing with other students. Prices vary according to the area you choose. The average rent for an apartment in Lyon is €17.2 per square metre*.

There are many different subdivisions of the city, called arrondissements, and each has its own characteristics that affect the price of renting. Here are the prices per square metre for each of them*:

• €18.3 in the 1st arrondissement
• €19.2 in the 2nd arrondissement
• €17.2 in the 3rd arrondissement
• €17.3 in the 4th arrondissement
• €16.8 in the 5th arrondissement
• €18.9 in the 6th arrondissement
• €16.6 in the 7th arrondissement
• €16.2 in the 8th arrondissement
• €15.7 in the 9th arrondissement

*Prices in Octobre 2023

During your student life, you will not be working all the time. You will need to make time for yourself and to enjoy your life as a student in Lyon. You are probably also wondering what you will pay for your groceries. Here are average prices examples for some common products:

• €1.1 for a litre of milk
• €3.4 for 12 eggs
• €19 for a kilo of cheese
• €0.8 for a 1.5 litre bottle of water
• €2.3 for a kilo of potatoes
• €3.6 for a kilo of tomatoes
• €14.9 for a kilo of chicken
• €2.1 for a kilo of rice

As for leisure:

• €30 for a 3-course meal in a restaurant
• €11 for a menu in a fast food restaurant
• €6.8 for 0.5 litre of draught beer
• €2.8 for a cup of cappuccino
• €13 for a cinema ticket

All in all, Lyon is more expensive than average, which is easily explained by the fact that it’s one of the largest cities in France, but it is also one of the most attractive, especially for students.

The local transport company, TCL, gives young people and students access to lower prices. The exact cost of the subscription depends on your situation.

If you are under 25 or a student aged between 26 and 27, the monthly subscription is €25 and the annual subscription is €250. If you are a student on a scholarship, you can benefit from a monthly subscription of €10. In some cases, transport can be completely free (for example, if you are an asylum seeker or in the process of obtaining a residence permit).

With 4 metro lines, 7 tram lines and over 100 bus lines (including many night buses), the network efficiently covers the Lyon area. You don’t have to live near your university or in the centre of Lyon. You can live in the neighbouring towns, where rents are more affordable, and simply use public transport to get to your classes quickly every day.

This is one of the best things about France: you will benefit from a healthcare system that is both high quality and very affordable. The country offers a social security system that covers at least part of your medical expenses.

If you are a European student with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or a temporary certification, you will automatically benefit from it. Other students must register online to benefit from social security. Registration is free and mandatory.

With social security, you can benefit, among others, from the following:

• A visit to the doctor costs €25 and €16.50 is reimbursed. Some have the option of charging more (dépassements d’honoraires), in which case the reimbursement is €15.10.
• In a public hospital, 80% of the cost is reimbursed for the first 30 days, and 100% for all subsequent days. You will also have to pay the forfait hospitalier, which is €20 per day in a hospital and €15 in a psychiatric ward.

As you can see, social security doesn’t cover 100% of health costs. This is why it is recommended that you also subscribe to an health insurance to cover the rest.

Lyon welcomes students from around the world! If you want to enjoy a top-quality education in a dynamic and beautiful city, prepare yourself with Lyon Campus!