Study in Avignon, France

About Avignon

Avignon is a city of 92,188 inhabitants (INSEE, 2023) on the Rhône in Provence, in south-eastern France. Its historic centre, shaped by the period when the popes lived in the city in the 14th century, is compact and walkable, and every July it hosts the Festival d'Avignon, a theatre and performing arts festival that held its 80th edition in 2026.

For students, Avignon offers a medium-sized university with a long history and a lively cultural scene. It is also a good place to learn French, with university courses for foreign students throughout the year.

Studying in Avignon

Our directory lists one university in Avignon: Avignon Université. Pope Boniface VIII founded a university in Avignon on 2 July 1303; like all French universities it was abolished in 1793. Higher education returned to the city in 1963, and the institution became a full university on 17 July 1984.

Today the university is organised in four divisions on two campuses. The Hannah Arendt campus, in the former Sainte-Marthe hospital in the city centre, houses culture, heritage, history, law, languages and social sciences. The Jean-Henri Fabre campus, on the Agroparc technology park, houses agricultural, environmental and health sciences, the computer science centre (CERI, bachelor's to PhD) and the university institute of technology (IUT, since 1990).

The university welcomes several hundred foreign students each year. It teaches three international master's programmes in English: EMILDAI (an Erasmus Mundus master's in law, data and artificial intelligence), AI4CI (artificial intelligence for connected industries) and MAFEN (agriculture, food sciences, environment and nutrition). A welcome desk, open from early September to mid-October, helps with residence permits and housing, and a buddy programme pairs international and local students.

Learning French

The university's Languages Service runs French courses all year, including intensive courses and three-week summer courses in June and July. It is also an exam centre for DELF and DALF, with sessions in May and December for levels A1 to C1, and for the TCF.

Cost of living and housing

At public universities, students from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland pay €2,902 a year for a bachelor's degree and €3,950 for a master's in 2026-27; EU students pay €178 and €255, according to Campus France. Housing is the largest expense. The regional student services agency (Crous) offers renovated 14 m² rooms in the Chabran residence for €314 a month, all charges included; applications open on 1 March. Students can apply to the CAF for housing benefit, which can cover up to half the rent, and Visale offers a free rent guarantee for students who have no guarantor in France.

Getting around and daily life

The Orizo bus network serves the whole Grand Avignon area. From the TGV station, bus line 10 connects with line 2 to the city-centre campus, and line 3 runs directly between the two campuses. Vélopop offers 200 electric bikes at 17 stations in the city.

Students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland need a student visa, applied for on the official France-Visas website; EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not.

Frequently asked questions

Is Avignon a good place to learn French?

Yes. Avignon Université offers intensive French courses all year and three-week summer courses, and it is an exam centre for the DELF and DALF.

How much are university fees in Avignon?

In 2026-27, non-EU students pay €2,902 a year for a bachelor's degree and €3,950 for a master's at public universities such as Avignon Université; EU students pay €178 and €255.

Can I study in English in Avignon?

Yes, at master's level. Avignon Université teaches three international master's programmes in English, in law and AI, AI for industry, and agriculture and food sciences.

How much does student housing cost in Avignon?

A renovated 14 m² room in a Crous residence costs €314 a month, all charges included, and housing benefit from the CAF can cover up to half the rent.