French families have to spend more than 7,000 euros a year to finance a child through higher education – even turning to credit – despite the country’s relatively low tuition fees, a survey has found, reports Times Higher Education.
Fees cost families on average 1,897 euros a year per child, but other costs such as housing, food and transportation mean average expenses of 7,118 euros annually, according to the research, which was commissioned by a credit company, Cofidis
Business schools were the most expensive option – at 10,735 euros a year – while universities were somewhat cheaper, at 6,473 euros, reports Le Monde.
Study in Paris was particularly expensive, costing families about 4,000 euros in housing expenses alone per year.
The results raise questions over whether all youngsters have equal access to higher education in France – the issue animating protests and sit-ins at universities throughout the country against government reforms to make admission more selective.
While the government believes that changes are necessary to make sure students are better prepared for their courses and so less likely to drop out, opponents believe that they will widen social inequality as less privileged youngsters find it harder to navigate a more selective system.