France has announced a major increase in tuition fees for most non-European Union students beginning from the 2026–2027 academic session, signaling a significant shift in the country’s international education funding policy and raising concerns among prospective students worldwide.
Under the new policy, non-EU students will pay €2,895 annually for bachelor’s degree programmes and €3,941 for master’s programmes in public universities. The reform replaces the previous system that allowed institutions to waive or reduce tuition for many foreign students, introducing instead a standardised national fee structure.
France’s Higher Education Minister, Philippe Baptiste, defended the move, declaring that “differentiated fees are now the rule, exemption is the exception.” The government has also limited fee exemptions to only 10 percent of international students.
In a further policy shift, France plans to channel nearly 60 percent of its scholarship opportunities into strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, quantum science, biotechnology, and digital technology, reflecting the country’s growing focus on innovation-driven sectors.
However, the decision has sparked criticism from France Universités, the body representing French universities, which warned that the new fee regime could undermine France’s long-standing image as an accessible and welcoming destination for global education.
The organisation argued that the policy appears to conflict with the “humanistic values of hospitality and openness” traditionally associated with French universities. It also warned that the increased costs may discourage international students and create additional administrative pressure through expanded scholarship management systems.
The new policy is expected to affect students already preparing applications for the 2026–2027 academic year, particularly students from developing countries who rely heavily on affordable tuition options in Europe.
Meanwhile, in Nigeria, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Kaduna State University chapter, has threatened to resume industrial action if the Kaduna State Government fails to meet its demands before the end of May 2026.
Speaking on behalf of the union, a member of the media committee, Dr. Usman Sadiq, said lecturers are becoming increasingly frustrated over what he described as unfulfilled promises made during previous negotiations with the government.
According to him, key aspects of the 2009 agreement reached between ASUU and the Federal Government have not been implemented by the Kaduna State Government, despite several northern states already complying with the agreement.
He also lamented the non-payment of promotion arrears, revealing that some lecturers who were promoted as far back as three years ago are yet to receive salary adjustments corresponding with their new ranks.
Dr. Sadiq further criticised the university’s current administrative structure, saying excessive approval procedures are slowing down academic operations and affecting urgent activities such as laboratory maintenance and research work.
He noted that worsening economic conditions and lack of motivation have pushed many experienced lecturers to leave the university, while others are actively planning to resign.
In one of the strongest remarks during the interview, Sadiq claimed that nearly 80 percent of professors in the institution have parked their vehicles because they can no longer afford transportation costs to work.
Despite the concerns, the union acknowledged the government’s effort in clearing previously withheld salaries, describing it as a positive step.
However, ASUU warned that patience among lecturers is running out and insisted that failure to address the outstanding issues before the end of May could trigger another strike, raising fresh fears of academic disruption for students at the institution.