Tuition fees for graduate studies in France will remain unchanged
As noted by RFI, the decision was made based on a report presented last week that highlighted the "essential role" of graduate students in French scientific research. Furthermore, according to Frédérique Vidal, the Ministry of Education intends to "work on expanding access to graduate studies within the research programs planned for 2020."
Nevertheless, the ministry does not plan to increase by 10-15% the number of students that universities can exempt from tuition fees at their discretion. "Since the tuition fee increase applies only to newly admitted students, institutions can easily exempt them this year within the current limit," said the Minister of Education.
Recall that in November, the French government announced it would increase university tuition fees for young people from non-EU countries, while expressing a desire to attract more international students. According to the minister, this paradox will be resolved simply: "The university tuition fees paid by wealthier students will allow us to exempt and even provide scholarships to less affluent students."
Amid protests against the tuition fee increase and some universities' outright refusal to raise fees for international students, Frédérique Vidal tried to reassure everyone by promising that "at the end of March, the government will adopt a decree to guarantee stable tuition fees for French and European students in the future, with increases not exceeding inflation."