The UFR Council of the Faculty of Sciences at AMU, meeting on Friday, May 22, 2026, took a stand against the differential tuition fees proposed for non-EU students and unanimously approved the text drafted by the CDUS*.
CDUS Expresses Concern and Disapproval Regarding the Proposed Decree on Differential Tuition Fees for Non-EU Students
The CDUS wishes to draw attention to the consequences of the draft decree regarding differentiated tuition fees for non-EU international students. Although the proposal has evolved—with a cap of 20% (excluding students receiving scholarships or admitted under reciprocal cooperation agreements) by 2028, compared to the 10% initially planned for the start of the 2026 academic year, and two intermediate stages (30% in 2026, 25% in 2027)—our concerns remain.
First, it is important to note that non-EU students submitted their applications via the “Études en France” platform for the 2026 academic year without knowing the new enrollment procedures. Responses from the academic staff were sent to them under these same conditions. To date, the absence of a decree continues to create significant uncertainty among students and academic staff regarding the management of enrollment for the upcoming academic year. Consequently, a breakdown in trust with students who applied based on conditions that are subject to change is already taking place.
International students are an asset to universities and to the socioeconomic development of local regions. With a cap of 20% on possible tuition waivers by 2028, many non-EU students could turn to other countries or face increased financial hardship, particularly those from the most disadvantaged countries.
However, in the context of reindustrialization and digital development, France is sorely lacking in scientists, whether at the bachelor’s or master’s level. The expected decline in the number of domestic students over the next 15 years due to demographic decline risks exacerbating this shortage. Among the solutions to address this, welcoming international students remains a key strategy, as they currently account for up to 50 percent of the student body in certain programs. These students also enroll in “Graduate Programs,” further enhancing the internationalization of our academic offerings.
Traditionally, non-EU students tend to gravitate toward disciplines such as engineering (civil engineering, electronics, robotics, automation, electrical engineering, etc.), computer science, and mathematics. These fields, where industry demand is particularly strong, also boast a very high employment rate for our Master’s graduates. Furthermore, within these same disciplines, several research teams that have been awarded ANR grants or other funding opportunities are turning to non-EU students to recruit doctoral candidates. Training them beforehand in our master’s programs therefore constitutes a major advantage.
The CDUS reaffirms its commitment to an open, inclusive university founded on the international exchange of knowledge and talent. International students are a key driver of scientific cooperation, academic influence, and the development of international partnerships.
The CDUS calls for the admission of non-EU students to continue under current conditions, that is, by allowing institutions autonomy in their decision-making. This will strengthen their international appeal, lay the groundwork for future scientific cooperation, and develop their ability to attract talent from around the world, while also helping—depending on the region—to address skill shortages in industries facing labor shortages.
*Conferences of Deans and Directors of Science Departments
