The Governing Board at Sorbonne University unanimously approves its exemption policy for international students for the 2026-2027 academic year
Welcoming international students is a cornerstone of Sorbonne University’s mission. On 9 June, the Governing Board reaffirmed its commitment as a university that is open to the world. It expressed its deepest concern following the publication of a national decree aimed at introducing higher tuition fees for international students from non-EU countries.
On 7 July 2026, the Governing Board at Sorbonne University unanimously approved its exemption policy for the 2026-2027 academic year. It will ensure that all non-EU students will pay the same tuition fees as other students, whilst complying with the provisions of the ministerial decree of 19 May 2026.
Sorbonne University remains firmly committed to welcoming international students. Their presence enriches the academic community and contributes to the vitality and attractiveness of numerous academic programmes, as well as to research and innovation. International students also play an essential role in the training required for numerous professions whose expertise supports France’s economic development and strengthens European sovereignty.
This exemption policy also intends to avoid aggravating the financial vulnerability of non-EU students, who are already adversely affected by several recent measures, notably the withdrawal of personalised housing allowance for non-scholarship students and the doubling of the revenue stamp fee required to obtain a student residence permit.
This policy is fully consistent with the duty of public service in French higher education and with the values of universality that underpin the French university model, founded on openness, accessibility and international cooperation. This vote made by the Governing Board at Sorbonne University reaffirms the university’s determination to welcome students without discrimination of origin or financial means, in accordance with principles of equality.
At Sorbonne University, newly-arrived non-EU students and those changing degree programmes are eligible to apply for partial or total exemption from differentiated tuition fees, and they account for less than 30% of the total number of non-EU students. The national decree of 19 May 2026 stipulates that universities can exempt up to 30% of the total number of non-EU students from differentiated tuition fees for the 2026/2027 academic year. As a result, Sorbonne University is therefore able to exempt all non-EU students who apply for the exemption and who meet the criteria approved by the Governing Board on 7 July 2026.