Studying in Europe from Africa: France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the 2027 comparison

Studying abroad

10 min read

20 Oct 2026

Studying in Europe from Africa: France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, the 2027 comparison

Admission, language, tuition fees, funds required for the visa and the right to work: the four main European destinations compared point by point. All amounts come from official 2026-2027 sources.

Espero AKPOLI

Founder · Compatri, the social network for diasporas

Information checked on 20 October 2026.

To study in Europe from French-speaking Africa, France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland have neither the same rules nor the same costs. None of these countries is "the best" in absolute terms. France has the most structured procedure, with Campus France (the French government agency for international students) and a national calendar. French-speaking Belgium asks for more funds for the visa and charges an extra fee to students from certain countries. Germany almost never charges tuition fees, but requires German or an English-taught programme. Switzerland has fees that change from one university to another and the earliest application deadlines. This comparison brings together, country by country, the amounts and rules published by official sources for the 2026-2027 year and the 2027 intake.

Studying in Europe from Africa: the comparison table

	France	Belgium (Wallonia-Brussels Federation)	Germany	Switzerland
Where to apply	Études en France platform (Campus France)	Directly with the institution, after the equivalence of your diploma	University, uni-assist or Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung	Directly with the university
Typical deadline	15 December 2026 for a Licence 1 (DAP)	Depends on the institution (ULB: 16 February to 31 March)	15 July (winter semester), 15 January (summer semester)	28 February for an applicant who needs a visa (UNIL)
Language	French, TCF required for the DAP unless exempt	French (Dutch in Flanders)	German (at least B2 in most cases) or English	French, German or Italian depending on the university
Tuition fees in the public sector	€2,902 (licence), €3,950 (master's) per year, exemptions possible	€1,194 minerval, plus €4,175 for non-exempt countries	Generally free, €1,500 per semester in Baden-Württemberg	Variable: CHF 500 per semester at UNIGE, CHF 2,190 at EPFL
Funds for the visa	€877.50 per month	€1,062 net per month	€992 per month (€11,904 per year)	No single federal amount, CHF 2,000 per month stated by EPFL
Work during studies	964 hours per year	20 hours per week outside holidays	140 working days per year	15 hours per week, after six months
Visa timeline	Depends on the country, after admission	90 days at most	From 2 to 6 weeks (Abidjan) to about 3 months (Algiers)	Apply at least 3 months before the start of classes

Above all, remember the order of the deadlines: Switzerland closes as early as February for applicants who need a visa, France as early as December for a first year, Belgium in spring, Germany in July.

France: the Campus France procedure

Admission. If you live in one of the 75 countries under the Études en France procedure (including Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Mali, Morocco, DRC, Senegal, Togo and Tunisia), everything goes through the Campus France platform. For a first year of licence (bachelor's), it is the demande d'admission préalable or DAP (prior admission request): three universities at most, submission by 15 December 2026 at the latest, decision by the institutions on 30 April 2027, your answer by 31 May 2027 at the latest. For an L2, an L3 or a master's, it is the hors DAP (non-DAP) route, with a deadline set by the Campus France office in your country: see our Campus France calendar.

Language. Teaching is in French. The DAP requires the TCF tout public (French language test) with written expression, unless you are exempt: nationals of a state where French is the only official language, secondary studies mostly in French, DELF B2 or DALF, among others. The exemption must be proven by 15 December at the latest.

Tuition fees. In 2026-2027, the differentiated fees for a non-European student amount to €2,902 per year in licence and €3,950 in master's, compared with €178 and €255 for other students. Universities can still exempt some of their international students, but the decree of 19 May 2026 caps these exemptions at 30% in 2026-2027, 25% in 2027-2028, then 20%. Some universities, such as Paris Cité, still apply a partial exemption that brings the fees down to €178 and €255 in 2026-2027: check each university's page.

Funds. The student visa and residence permit require at least €877.50 per month. Our article on the minimum funds for a student visa details the accepted proofs.

Work. The student residence permit allows you to work 964 hours per year, i.e. 60% of the legal working time, without authorisation. Algerian students fall under a specific regime: 50% of the annual working time, with a mandatory authorisation. See our guide to working while studying in France.

Timeline. Allow almost a year between the platform opening in October and getting the visa the following summer. The whole journey is described in our complete Campus France guide. To assess your file before applying, the free Campus France simulator compares your profile with admitted students. If you want support from start to finish, Compatri also offers personalised Campus France support, a paid service whose price is given at the first conversation. Compatri is not Campus France and decides no admission.

Belgium: direct application and higher funds

Admission. There is no equivalent of Campus France. For a first cycle in the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, you first need the equivalence of your secondary-school diploma, then you apply directly to the university or the haute école (university college). Each institution sets its dates: at ULB, non-European students submit their bachelor's or master's application from 16 February to 31 March. Once you have the enrolment certificate, you apply for a D visa for studies at the Belgian embassy or consulate, sometimes through a provider such as VFS Global or TLS Contact.

Language. Classes are in French in Brussels and Wallonia, in Dutch in Flanders. The requirements for proof of level vary by institution: check them on its admission page.

Tuition fees. At the universities of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the full minerval (registration fee) rises to €1,194 in 2026-2027. Students from outside the European Union also pay an additional contribution of €4,175, unless they are nationals of a country exempted by ARES circular no. 2026-001. The list includes Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, Niger, the DRC, Senegal, Chad and Togo. Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Gabon are not on it: their nationals therefore pay €1,194 and €4,175, i.e. €5,369 per year, unless another exemption applies. These rules concern universities; hautes écoles and Flemish institutions have their own fee scales.

Funds. The Office des étrangers (Belgian Immigration Office) requires €1,062 net per month for 2026-2027. Possible proofs: a blocked account of €12,744 (twelve months), a scholarship or a loan, or a commitment of financial support (annex 32).

Work. The student residence permit allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year, without limit during holidays, with no additional authorisation.

Timeline. The authorities have 90 days to decide on the visa from the acknowledgement of receipt. The Immigration Office therefore advises applying at least 90 days before classes start. All the details are in our guide to studying in Belgium from Africa, and in our article on Maghreb students in Belgium.

Germany: almost no fees, but language first

Admission. Depending on the country of your diploma and the subject, you apply directly to the university, through uni-assist or through the Stiftung für Hochschulzulassung. At most institutions, applications for the winter semester run from early May to 15 July, and for the summer semester from early December to 15 January. If your diploma does not give direct access to studies, you first go through a Studienkolleg: usually two semesters, then an exam, the Feststellungsprüfung, which opens access to university. The admission database of the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) tells you which case applies to you.

Language. Most institutions require German at level B2 at least, and each chooses the certificates it recognises. International programmes taught in English ask for proof of English instead.

Tuition fees. There are generally no fees for a bachelor's or for most master's programmes at public institutions. Baden-Württemberg is the exception: €1,500 per semester for students from a non-EU country, since 2017. Bavaria also allows its institutions to set fees. Every student also pays a semester contribution, from €70 to €430 according to the DAAD.

Funds. The German embassy in Abidjan asks for at least €992 per month, i.e. €11,904 for one year, proven when you apply: a blocked account opened before the application, or a formal declaration of commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung).

Work. The German Residence Act allows up to 140 working days per year. A day of four hours or less counts as half a day, and student jobs at the university are not counted.

Timeline. Visa processing time depends on the embassy: from 2 to 6 weeks in Abidjan, about three months in Algiers. Our guide to studying in Germany goes into detail.

Switzerland: variable fees and early deadlines

Admission. You apply directly to the university. Only some foreign diplomas give access to the bachelor's, often with a minimum average or an additional exam (ECUS). At the University of Lausanne, the general deadline is 30 April, but it is brought forward to 28 February for applicants who need a study visa.

Language. French in Geneva, Lausanne or Neuchâtel, German in Zurich or Basel, Italian in Ticino. The University of Geneva sets a French exam for holders of many diplomas, with possible exemptions.

Tuition fees. They vary by institution. The University of Geneva lists CHF 500 per semester. EPFL has tripled its fee for foreign students who came to Switzerland for their studies: CHF 2,190 per semester since autumn 2025, CHF 2,240 with the other fees.

Funds. There is no single federal amount. The directives of the State Secretariat for Migration accept a declaration of commitment from a solvent person living in Switzerland, a certificate from a bank recognised in Switzerland, or a guaranteed scholarship. EPFL states CHF 2,000 per month, specifying that the exact amount is set by each embassy or consulate. Check with the Swiss representation in your country.

Work. A side job can be authorised six months after arrival at the earliest, at most 15 hours per week outside holidays, if the school certifies that it does not delay the studies.

Timeline. EPFL advises applying for the visa at least three months before classes start and warns that embassy appointments can take time. Our guide to studying in Switzerland details every step.

What about Ukraine?

The security situation outweighs every decision: as of 29 September 2026, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally advises against travelling there, whatever the reason. Check the official travel advice of your country and of France before any plan. Our article on studying in Ukraine reviews the situation of students.

How to choose between the four countries

Your starting budget: Belgium asks for the highest monthly funds of the three eurozone countries (€1,062, compared with €992 in Germany and €877.50 in France).
Your nationality: in Belgium, a Senegalese or Ivorian student does not pay the €4,175 contribution, a Moroccan or Gabonese student does.
Your language: without German, Germany is limited to English-taught programmes or goes through a language year.
Your calendar: if you are reading this in October, the French DAP and Swiss applications are the most urgent.

Nothing stops you from applying in several countries in the same year, as long as you meet each deadline and only block the required funds once.

Compatriots are waiting for you in each country

The rules can be read on official websites; life on the ground is known by those who left before you. On Compatri, you will find the communities from your country in every European city: the Cameroonian diaspora in Germany, the Senegalese diaspora in France, or the cities of Belgium, Germany and Switzerland. You can join them even before you leave: read how to join your community before leaving.

Compatri is neither Campus France, nor an embassy, nor a legal advice service. For a specific case, the institution you are aiming for and the diplomatic representation of the host country remain your official contacts.

Official sources

Studying in Europe Students Visa and residence permit Scholarships Africa Tips

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Which European country is the cheapest for an African student?

In tuition fees, Germany: its public universities generally charge no fees for a bachelor's or most master's programmes, except in Baden-Württemberg (€1,500 per semester). In funds required for the visa, France is the lowest of the three eurozone countries at €877.50 per month, compared with €992 in Germany and €1,062 in Belgium. The real cost also depends on the city and university you choose.

How much do you need in your account for a student visa in Europe?

According to official 2026-2027 sources: €877.50 per month in France, €1,062 net per month in Belgium (i.e. €12,744 for a twelve-month blocked account), €992 per month in Germany (€11,904 for one year). Switzerland sets no single federal amount: EPFL states CHF 2,000 per month and refers to the amount required by each embassy.

Do African students pay more in Belgium?

It depends on their nationality. At the universities of the Wallonia-Brussels Federation, the minerval is €1,194 in 2026-2027, and students from outside the European Union also pay €4,175, unless they come from a country exempted by ARES circular no. 2026-001. Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mali, the DRC, Senegal or Togo are exempt; Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Gabon are not.

Can you study for free in Germany without speaking German?

Yes, in international programmes taught in English, which ask for proof of English instead of German. Outside Baden-Württemberg and unless a Bavarian institution sets fees, public universities generally charge no tuition fees, but every student pays a semester contribution of €70 to €430 according to the DAAD. For a German-taught programme, most institutions require at least level B2.

How many hours can an international student work in France, Belgium, Germany and Switzerland?

In France, 964 hours per year without authorisation (Algerian students fall under a 50% regime with authorisation). In Belgium, 20 hours per week during the academic year and without limit during holidays. In Germany, 140 working days per year, a day of four hours or less counting as half a day. In Switzerland, six months after arrival at the earliest, at most 15 hours per week outside holidays, with an authorisation.

When should you start your applications for the 2027 intake?

From autumn 2026. For a first year of licence in France, the DAP must be submitted by 15 December 2026 at the latest. At the University of Lausanne, the deadline is 28 February for an applicant who needs a visa. At ULB, non-European students submit their application from 16 February to 31 March. In Germany, most universities close on 15 July for the winter semester.