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Differentiated tuition fees

Decree No. 2026-385 of May 19, 2026, regarding the procedures for exempting international students from tuition fees at French public institutions of higher education, amended the rules governing tuition fees for non-EU students. Until the publication of this decree, amU applied a policy of partial or total exemption for certain categories of students subject to differentiated tuition fees.

This is no longer possible. For more information, visit the dedicated page on the Aix-Marseille University (amU) website.

From now on, only the following categories of students are exempt from differentiated tuition fees (and therefore pay the national tuition rate):

 

Nationalities and Residency

  • Nationalities: Students of French nationality, as well as nationals of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), Monaco, Andorra, Quebec, and Switzerland.
  • Protection statuses: Refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary protection, and their children.
  • Residence in France:
    • Long-term residents (holders of a residence card or the designation “long-term EU resident”) and their minor children.
    • Holders of a residence permit marked “Residence permit for a family member of a citizen of the Union/EEA/Switzerland.”
    • Individuals who have been tax residents in France for more than 2 years.

Academic Background and Status

  • Levels of study: Doctoral students, graduate students in health sciences, and individuals enrolled in the Habilitation à Diriger des Recherches (HDR) program.
  • Specific Programs: Students in preparatory classes for the Grandes Écoles (CPGE).
  • Apprenticeship programs: Students enrolled in an apprenticeship program are not subject to differentiated tuition fees. In accordance with Article L. 6211-1 of the Labor Code, the program is free for the apprentice and their legal representative.

Cases of Full Exemption (No Tuition Fees Due)

Certain students are not subject to tuition fees because they are eligible for a full exemption:

  • Scholarship Recipients: Recipients of French government scholarships.
  • Cooperation Agreements: Students covered by a cooperation agreement with a foreign institution (provided that institution grants the same exemption to French students).
  • Exchange students: Exchange students, since they pay their fees at their home university (except for certain specific language courses, excluding special cases such as ISEP).

Maintenance of Status for Students Already Enrolled

Non-EU students already enrolled at amU in 2025–2026 and continuing in the same academic program will retain the benefits of the status they held in 2025–2026.

No additional costs for continuing education students

When a student is enrolled in continuing education, they are subject to the continuing education tuition rate set by the institution. The differentiated fees are therefore not added to this rate as an additional cost. They are not charged in addition to the continuing education rate already owed by the student or by the organization funding their education.

 

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