FrancevsUnited Kingdom
Live 2026 data · Tuition, rent, visa, salaries, PR pathways & more
France
54
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,308
Salary/mo
$2,616
United Kingdom
50
GoScore
Budget/mo
$1,764
Salary/mo
$3,024
AI insights unavailable
Study Abroad GoScore Ranking
GoScore 0-100 · Weights: affordability, PR pathway, safety, career & quality of life
Key Comparison Metrics
Public university tuition / year
Monthly student budget
Part-time wage / hour
Student visa fee
Post-study work visa
IELTS band required
Safety index
Quick Verdict — 2026
France wins for students (GoScore 54 vs 50). A 2-year master's costs $37,432 in France — 57% less than United Kingdom, saving $50,264.
United Kingdom wins for working professionals (GoScore 57 vs 55). Professionals in France retain $473/month after expenses — $32/month more than in United Kingdom.
United Kingdom is stronger for permanent residence (GoScore 64 vs 62). PR takes ~5 years in United Kingdom vs ~5 years in France.
France vs United Kingdom: Complete Cost & Immigration Analysis 2026
Total Cost of a 2-Year Master's Degree
Total cost of attendance in France — tuition ($6,040) plus living ($31,392) — is $37,432. In United Kingdom: $87,696 ($45,360 tuition + $42,336 living).France is 57% cheaper, saving $50,264 over the degree.
Can Students Cover Rent With Part-Time Work?
In France, 20 hrs/week at $13/hr earns $1,036/month — covering 100% of outside-city rent. In United Kingdom, the same hours earn $1,154/month — covering 92% of rent.
Real Monthly Savings After Living Expenses
After rent, groceries, transport, and utilities, a professional in France retains $473/month from $2,616. In United Kingdom: $441/month from $3,024. Over 5 years the gap compounds to $1,920. Tech salaries: $4,905/mo (France) vs $5,670/mo (United Kingdom).
Permanent Residency Timeline
France: PR pathway ~5 years. United Kingdom: ~5 years. Post-study work visas: 12 months (France) and 24 months (United Kingdom). Student visa fee: $108 vs $618.
IELTS Score Required
Minimum IELTS band: 6.0 (France) and 6.0 (United Kingdom).Take a free IELTS mock test on mockDe to benchmark your exact skill-level gaps before applying.
| Metric | 🇫🇷 France | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
|---|---|---|
| Study GoScore | 54 | 50 |
| Work GoScore | 55 | 57 |
| Settle GoScore | 62 | 64 |
| Public university tuition / yr | $3,020 | $22,680 |
| Monthly student budget | $1,308 | $1,764 |
| Avg net salary / month | $2,616 | $3,024 |
| Rent 1-bed (city centre) | $1,526/mo | $1,890/mo |
| Post-study work visa | 12 months | 24 months |
| PR pathway | 5 years | 5 years |
| Safety index | 55 / 100 | 54 / 100 |
Fascinating Facts: France & United Kingdom
Understanding a country beyond spreadsheets — unique facts about each destination that shape the experience of living and working there.
🇫🇷 France
- 1.
French public universities charge just €2,770/year for non-EU international students — one of the lowest tuition rates for a G7 country.
Source: Campus France 2024
- 2.
France is the 4th most popular study destination in the world with over 430,000 international students.
Source: Campus France 2023
- 3.
The Talent Passport (Passeport Talent) visa grants skilled workers and graduates earning above €35,000/year a 4-year work and residence permit.
Source: Service-Public.fr 2024
- 4.
Paris was ranked the world's #1 city for arts, humanities, and social science students (QS Best Student Cities 2024).
Source: QS 2024
- 5.
France has the most Michelin-starred restaurants (622) of any country — uniquely advantageous for hospitality, culinary arts, and tourism management students.
Source: Michelin Guide 2024
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- 1.
The UK Graduate Route visa requires no employer sponsorship — graduates can work in any job for 2 years (3 years for PhD holders) after completing their degree.
Source: UK Visas and Immigration 2021
- 2.
Indian students surpassed Chinese students as the largest international student group in UK universities in 2022 — with 126,535 new visas issued.
Source: HESA 2022-23
- 3.
The NHS surcharge (£776/year) paid with a UK student visa grants full access to the National Health Service — comprehensive healthcare at minimal cost.
Source: UKVI 2024
- 4.
London has been ranked the world's top student city for 10 consecutive years by QS Best Student Cities.
Source: QS Best Student Cities 2024
- 5.
4 UK universities — Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL — appear in the global top 10 (QS 2025).
Source: QS 2025
Popular Comparisons
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Data Sources
Editorial
Compiled by mockDe Editorial Team
Verified by IELTS-certified advisors with study-abroad counselling experience.
Freshness
Data reflects 2026 benchmarks.
Last reviewed June 2026.
AI verdict cached permanently; regenerated on data change.
All figures in USD. AI insights by Gemini Pro. Values are indicative — verify official sources before making relocation decisions.