France has 2.32 million students in higher education, of which 285,000 are international (12%). It is the second biggest recipient of international students in Europe, behind the UK. The country is expecting the number of non-EU students to increase rapidly, having made its fees for international students significantly more competitive. As a consequence, the international student population is anticipated to rise from 12% of the student population to 30% of all students by 2020.

Paris is the country’s biggest recipient of international students. In the case of Strasbourg, on the German border, some 20% of its student body is from outside France. Students in France benefit from low tuition fees, even for international students, small class sizes and intensive teaching methods.

Student housing provision in France is estimated to total 342,500 rooms. Of this, 161,500 are publicly owned, 40,000 are social housing units dedicated to students, both managed by CROUS (the French public student body). The remaining 100,000 are privately owned and managed. Accommodation is a mix of single rooms and studio apartments, the latter particularly desirable among European students.

Increased funding from government should see the amount of CROUS managed accommodation more than double by 2020, growing to 220,000 units. As a consequence, the national student housing provision rate is expected to reach 24% by 2020.

The French student housing market is dominated by domestic investors, notably real estate companies, though some international players have entered the market in recent years.

The average student housing provision rate is 11%. This provision rate ranges, from around 6% in Paris, to around 25% in Grenoble. The average rent for public student housing is €86 per week. Rents vary from €65 in Lyon to €117 in Paris. Students under the age of 20 are eligible for state aid toward their rented accommodation, known as ‘Allocation de logement sociale’ or ALS. This includes both student residences and private rented accommodation, to the value of up to €210 per month.

The number of international students is growing rapidly. This should support demand for purpose-built student accommodation, particularly in established student cities with international profile, such as Paris. However, government funding of new supply may soften demand, if it meets its targets.

Taken from
Spotlight: European Student Housing