Study in Marseille, France

About Marseille

Marseille is France's second-largest city and its main port on the Mediterranean, the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. According to INSEE, the French statistics office, the city had 886,040 inhabitants in 2023, and 114,721 of them were aged 15 to 24.

For students, Marseille combines a large public university with a business school whose campus lies next to the Calanques National Park. It suits students looking for a degree or an exchange semester in a big, diverse city on the coast.

Studying in Marseille

Our directory currently lists one active school in Marseille: KEDGE Business School, a private French grande école of management with public-interest status. KEDGE was created in 2013 by the merger of BEM in Bordeaux and Euromed Management in Marseille, whose roots go back to the École Supérieure de Commerce de Marseille, founded in 1872. The school moved to the Luminy campus in 1968, next to the Calanques National Park, and now teaches on 11 campuses in France and abroad. According to the school, 16 programmes are offered on the Marseille campus, and continuing education is taught at its World Trade Center site in the city centre.

KEDGE's Programme Grande Ecole, which leads to a master's degree (grade de master), is taught in French and English on the Bordeaux and Marseille campuses. Its specialised Master of Science programmes are taught entirely in English and are open to international students; online applications carry a €120 fee.

The city's public university is Aix-Marseille Université (amU), created on 1 January 2012 by merging the three universities of the area. It has 84,000 students on five campuses. Most university degrees are taught in French.

Cost of living for students

At public universities, tuition for the 2026-27 academic year is €178 a year for a bachelor's degree and €255 for a master's degree for students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland, according to Campus France. Non-EU students at institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education pay differentiated fees of €2,902 and €3,950 a year. Degree students also pay the Student and Campus Life Contribution (CVEC), €105 for 2026-27. Private business schools such as KEDGE set their own fees.

No official source gives a typical rent for Marseille. Campus France notes that in large cities prices are often close to those of Paris. Rooms in CROUS residences, the public student halls, cost €350 a month on average outside Paris, but demand far exceeds supply, so it is worth applying early and looking at private rentals at the same time. Students who rent may be eligible for housing assistance (APL or ALS) from the CAF.

Getting around and daily life

The RTM runs Marseille's metro, trams, buses, the lanavette shuttles and the ferry boat. On fares in force from 1 July 2026, students aged up to 25 can buy an annual Pass Annuel Etudiant for €220, which gives unlimited travel for 12 months; the standard monthly pass costs €73. From Luminy, the city centre is about 20 minutes by bus.

Marseille Provence Airport is linked to the Vitrolles - Aéroport Marseille Provence railway station by a shuttle bus of about 5 minutes, and up to 73 regional TER trains a day stop at that station.

Non-EU students staying more than three months need a long-stay student visa. International students may work up to 964 hours a year alongside their studies.

Frequently asked questions

Which universities and schools are in Marseille?

The public university is Aix-Marseille Université, with 84,000 students. Our directory lists KEDGE Business School, whose Marseille campus is at Luminy.

Can I study in English in Marseille?

Yes, at master's level in particular: KEDGE's specialised Master of Science programmes are taught entirely in English. Most public university degrees are taught in French.

How much is public transport for students in Marseille?

From July 2026, students aged up to 25 pay €220 a year for unlimited travel on the RTM network.

Can international students work while studying in Marseille?

Yes. French law allows international students to work up to 964 hours a year; non-EU students need a valid student residence permit.