Toulouse is France’s aerospace capital and one of its largest student cities, with three public universities, leading engineering schools and rents well below Paris. For 2026–27, non-EU students at public universities pay €2,902 a year for a bachelor’s and €3,950 for a master’s, and applicants for a student visa must show €877.50 a month in funds for applications filed from 1 August 2026. This guide explains how studying in Toulouse works for Indian students: institutions, costs, the Campus France process, visa rules, work rights, housing and a realistic timeline. Last reviewed on 11 November 2026.
Why Students Choose Toulouse
- Aerospace and engineering. Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and the French space agency CNES have a major presence in the city, which shapes internships and graduate jobs, especially in engineering, data and electronics.
- A very large student population. Local guides put it at more than 100,000 students, so housing, canteens and student services are well developed.
- Lower costs than Paris. Private studios commonly cost about €450 to €650 a month, and a monthly student transport pass costs around €15.
- Range of fields. Law and economics, humanities, sciences and medicine, engineering and business are all available.
- The trade-off. Many programmes are taught in French, and the best engineering schools run separate competitive admissions.
Top Universities and Schools in Toulouse
| Institution | Known for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Université Toulouse III – Paul Sabatier | Sciences, medicine, engineering | Public; the main science campus is in the Rangueil area |
| Université Toulouse 1 Capitole | Law, economics, management | Public; check each programme’s teaching language |
| Université Toulouse – Jean Jaurès | Humanities, languages, social sciences, arts | Public |
| INSA Toulouse and Toulouse INP | Engineering | Separate admissions; INSA runs an integrated five-year engineering programme |
| ISAE-SUPAERO | Aeronautics and space engineering | Highly selective; own admission process and scholarships |
| TBS Education and Toulouse School of Economics | Business, economics | Own admission processes; business school fees are far above public fees |
Engineering schools often admit through entrance exams, preparatory-class results or a file review plus interview. Teaching languages, entry requirements and deadlines differ by programme, so read each programme page before you apply.
Tuition Fees in France for 2026–27
| Level at a public institution | Non-EU annual fee, 2026–27 |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s (licence) | €2,902 |
| Master’s | €3,950 |
| Doctorate | €398 |
These are the nationally set fees for non-EU students, as published on university pages for 2026–27. Some documents still show €2,895 and €3,941, the figures announced earlier in the year, so use the university’s current page. Every student also pays the CVEC student life contribution, €105 for 2026–27. A decree in May 2026 limits how many non-EU students a university can exempt from the differentiated fees, so do not count on a waiver. Business schools and private institutions set their own fees, so check each school’s website.
Cost of Living in Toulouse
| Expense | Typical cost (estimate) |
|---|---|
| CROUS residence room | From about €250 a month for 2026–27 |
| Shared flat (colocation), per person | About €350 to €450 a month |
| Private studio or one-room flat | About €450 to €650 a month, more in the centre |
| Electricity and gas | About €60 to €100 a month |
| University canteen (CROUS) meal | €3.30 for students |
| Student transport pass (Tisséo) | About €15 a month for under-26s |
Local guides put a student budget at roughly €950 to €1,300 a month for a private set-up, and less with a CROUS room or a flat share. Expect a security deposit of one month’s rent for an unfurnished place and two months for a furnished one, plus home insurance of around €70 a year. The CAF housing benefit can return roughly €100 to €250 a month to eligible students, including international students. These figures are estimates and change every year.
Student Visa, Campus France and Funds
Indian applicants for most French programmes go through Campus France India and the Études en France platform. Some schools run their own application portals, so read each programme’s instructions. After admission, you apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) on the France-Visas website, then validate it online after you arrive. Check Campus France and France-Visas for the current steps and fees.
- Proof of funds: €877.50 a month for applications filed from 1 August 2026. Older guides that say €615 a month are out of date.
- Documents: admission letter, passport, proof of accommodation or an address in France, and your financial evidence.
- CVEC: you obtain the CVEC certificate before you enrol. It costs €105 for 2026–27 for most students.
- Language: French-taught programmes ask for French (TCF or DELF), and English-taught programmes usually ask for an English test. Check each programme’s requirement.
Working While You Study and After Graduation
- During your studies: a student residence permit lets you work up to 964 hours a year, roughly 20 hours a week, with no separate work permit, at no less than the legal minimum wage (roughly €12 an hour gross). Internships that are part of your course do not count towards the 964 hours.
- After your degree: master’s graduates can apply for the post-study residence permit for job search or business creation, now called RÉCE (formerly APS). It is normally valid for 12 months and not renewable, although some situations may allow longer. Confirm the current rule with Campus France before you rely on it. In Toulouse’s aerospace sector, check each employer’s language and eligibility requirements before you plan around a particular job.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Eiffel Excellence Scholarship: a French government programme for master’s and PhD students, with a monthly allowance and other support. It is competitive, and universities nominate candidates.
- Charpak scholarships: run through the French Embassy in India for eligible Indian students. Check the current call for categories, eligibility and deadlines.
- School scholarships: INSA Toulouse, ISAE-SUPAERO and Toulouse INP each run merit-based scholarships tied to specific programmes. Check each school’s page.
- Campus France scholarship search: lists scholarships by level and country of origin.
Where Students Live
- Rangueil. The densest student area, next to Paul Sabatier, INSA Toulouse and the engineering campuses, with many residences and flat shares.
- Capitole and the city centre. Close to Capitole, Sciences Po Toulouse and TBS, but with the highest rents.
- Mirail area. Around the Jean Jaurès campus, generally cheaper than the centre.
- CROUS residences. The cheapest option, but apply early because places are limited. INSA and ISAE-SUPAERO also have their own on-campus residences for their students.
Rental scams are common, so never pay a deposit before you have seen the contract and, where possible, the flat. If you do not have a French guarantor, ask about the government’s Visale guarantee or a guarantor service. Our student accommodation page explains how we can help.
A Typical Application Timeline
Deadlines vary by programme, so use this as a rough guide for a September start.
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| October to December | Shortlist programmes, check language and test requirements, and register with Campus France India |
| January to March | Prepare documents and submit applications through Études en France or each school’s portal |
| April to May | Admission decisions and scholarship results |
| June to July | Visa application, CVEC certificate, and CROUS and housing applications |
| August to September | Travel, validate your visa online and attend orientation |
FAQs About Studying in Toulouse
Public university tuition for non-EU students is €2,902 a year for a bachelor’s and €3,950 for a master’s in 2026–27, plus the €105 CVEC. Living costs are commonly estimated at roughly €950 to €1,300 a month for a private set-up, and less with a CROUS room or flat share.
For applications filed from 1 August 2026, you must show €877.50 a month. Older figures such as €615 a month are out of date.
Yes. Airbus, Thales Alenia Space and CNES have a major presence, and INSA Toulouse and ISAE-SUPAERO are leading engineering schools. Admission to the engineering schools is separate and competitive.
Yes, up to 964 hours a year, roughly 20 hours a week, with no separate work permit, at no less than the legal minimum wage.
Not always. Some master’s and engineering programmes are taught in English, but French-taught degrees require a French test, and daily life and many jobs work far better with French.
Yes. Our counselling is free for students and covers study in France and elsewhere. Start with the free profile assessment.
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Sources: Campus France, 2026–27 fee pages of French public universities, Université de Toulouse housing guides, and Toulouse student-cost guides. Fees, funds and permit rules change often, so confirm them with Campus France and the institution before you apply.
