salary of phd student in france

PhD, Postdoc, and Professor Salaries in France in 2024

France has a long academic tradition, and its universities are public and state-run, meaning that permanent academic staff are civil servants. Salaries are set by the government, and all figures in this article are pre-tax.

PhD candidates in France are employed as researchers. A French PhD typically takes three to six years. The government sets minimum salaries for doctoral students, which in 2024 range from €1,684.93 per month for those solely engaged in research, to €2,024.70 per month for those with teaching responsibilities​ ( Campus France )​ ( Campus France ). At some institutions, the salary can go higher, with institutions like UPEC offering a minimum of €2,074.78 per month for some doctoral contracts​ ( UPEC ).

Postdoc Salary

Postdoctoral positions in France allow researchers to further specialize in their field, usually lasting one to five years. While there is no national regulation for postdoc salaries, those employed by public institutions such as CNRS or INRIA can expect to earn between €2,000 and €3,700 per month ​ ( GitHub )​ ( Campus France ). More experienced postdocs in some regions may see salaries closer to €4,000 to €4,700 per month , depending on their experience and location​ ( GitHub ).

Maître de conférences (MCF) Salary

A maître de conférences (MCF) is equivalent to an associate professor and is a permanent position. MCF salaries are set by national legislation and do not vary by institution. The salary scale for MCFs in 2024 ranges from €2,169.63 to €3,865.97 per month for the classe normale and from €3,123.58 to €4,976.56 per month for the hors classe ​ ( Wikipedia ).

Professeur des universités (PU) Salary

Professors in France, known as professeurs des universités , are also civil servants. The salary range for this role depends on seniority and is divided into three ranks: 2e classe , 1re classe , and classe exceptionnelle . In 2024, salaries range from €3,102.15 to €4,531.39 per month for 2e classe , €3,865.97 to €5,473.28 for 1re classe , and €5,473.29 to €6,220.96 per month for the highest rank, classe exceptionnelle ​ ( Wikipedia )​ ( Campus France ).

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• PhD Study in France – 2024

Thinking of doing a PhD in France? The country has produced the likes of Claude Monet, René Descartes and Gustave Eiffel (to name a few) and is steeped in art, history and culture. No wonder more than 250,000 international students choose to complete their postgraduate study in France. From a variety of specialised courses to affordable tuition fees, France has a lot to offer.

Why study a PhD in France?

• Research and innovation hub – Did you know that France has produced 72 Nobel laureates? It’s not surprising given the French government’s emphasis on supporting research at higher education institutions in the country. This means more opportunities for innovation, research and funding wherever you study.
• Affordability – PhD fees in France are fixed by the State, and international students pay the same amount as French students, making it one of the more affordable study destinations in Europe.
• Specialisations – The French higher education system is proud of its specialisations. Many institutions, like the Grandes Ecoles and Schools of Arts and Applied Sciences, focus solely on providing teaching and courses in specialised areas.
• Live à la Française – Good food (primarily wine and cheese!) are an essential part of French culture and as a PhD student you’ll have the chance to experience it all. Not to forget the art and culture you’ll be exposed to on a daily basis. After all, France is not just a country, it’s a lifestyle!

What makes a PhD in France different from other countries?

Even though the basic structure of the programme is similar to most other PhDs around the world, the extra emphasis on professional research training sets the French PhD apart.

This means you’ll be required to complete some extra course components, like research courses and training sessions, along with writing your thesis .

Research courses include teaching sessions and seminars that account for up to 150 hours of your doctorate. These can include modules on research ethics, career-centric courses or even language courses.

Academic calendar for a PhD in France

A PhD programme in France is usually advertised as part of a doctoral school . It lasts for 3-4 years ending with a thesis submission and a public viva examination. Each academic year begins in September or October , and ends in May or June . The year is divided into two semesters with the first ending with a two-week break at Christmas and the second usually beginning in January and ending with a longer, two-month break in the summer.

Assessments during a PhD in France

Despite there being a major training component in French PhDs, the main form of assessment is the production of an original doctoral thesis.

First, your thesis will be examined by two external assessors , appointed by the head of your doctoral school. They will determine whether it is fit for presentation.

If your thesis is approved, a thesis jury will be appointed. This will consist of 3-8 members specialising in your field of research. At least half of the members will be French and external to your institution and doctoral school. The other half will be members of the National University Council (Conseil national des universités) . After presenting your research methods and results, you will debate and ‘defend’ them to the jury during a public viva voce (oral examination) . Don’t worry, even though at least half the members of the panel will be French, you don’t have to necessarily give your presentation in French.

Before your presentation, a description of your thesis is circulated within the university. Afterwards, your full thesis is also made available.

The jury will grade your thesis as: honourable , very honourable or very honourable “cum laude” . The highest grade in France is reserved for students who demonstrate exceptional qualities in their thesis and presentation.

What our guides cover

If you’re interested in studying your PhD in France, we’ve covered everything you need to know in our guides including:

• Applications : Find out whether you meet the entry requirements for a French PhD, and what you'll need to apply!
• Funding : Learn about the scholarships, bursaries and other funding opportunities on offer for PhD students in France.
• Student accommodation : The accommodation available for PhD students in France, and typical costs.
• Working in France as a student : How to work in France during your PhD, and post-study work opportunities.
• Visas : What visa you'll need to study a PhD in France and how to apply.

Think you’re ready to find the perfect project for you?

Search our database of PhD programmes in France .

Our postgrad newsletter shares courses, funding news, stories and advice

This guide tells you everything you need to know to apply for a PhD programme in France.

Our guide tells you exactly how much a PhD in France costs and how you can find the right funding for it.

Want to study a PhD in France? This guide gives a detailed introduction to the kind of visa you need to study in France and how to apply for it.

What's it like to live in France during a PhD? Our guide covers accommodation, student living costs, working and other key information.

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Undertaking a PhD in France

Are you considering doing your PhD in France? Below, discover everything you need to know. Learn more about the application criteria, project development process, and types of PhDs.

Advanced degree

In France, a PhD is the highest academic degree you can earn. Doctoral studies are a form of research-based training with the same value as professional experience. PhD students carry out research on a defined topic under the supervision of their thesis advisor(s). 

PhD students are enrolled in doctoral programmes run by institutions of higher education (i.e., universities or grandes écoles ), but they are trained within research laboratories. Students carry out original scientific research either on their own or as part of collaborative projects; the results form the basis for their dissertations. Students must also go through a thesis defence in which they present their findings to a committee that judges the quality of their work. Those who succeed are awarded doctoral degrees. 

Generally, earning a PhD requires 3 years of full-time research. One-year extensions may be granted under certain circumstances. In exceptional cases and for compelling reasons, a student may request a leave of absence of up to 1 year. Such requests are only granted once, upon approval by the establishment’s director. Any leave of absence is excluded when calculating thesis duration, given that the student suspends their training and research during that period.

To be eligible for doctoral studies, you must have a master’s degree. This requirement can be waived by an establishment’s director if approval is granted by the doctoral programme’s administrators. You need to show that you have an equivalent level of education or professional experience.

PhD programmes frequently have an international component. For example, doctoral students often take part in joint degree programmes or dual degree programmes, a situation that is facilitated under French law. 

Status of doctoral students

In France, the status of doctoral students depends on their funding source. Anyone doing a PhD is officially recognised as a student because they must be enrolled in a doctoral programme at an institution of higher education. In addition, many are also salaried workers because they are contractual employees.

International doctoral students with foreign grants have the status of students in France.

There are different types of doctorates in France. Here are some common examples: 

Traditional PhD 

• 3 years of work in a single research laboratory
• Leads to a French degree
• Enrolment and thesis defence occur at a single institution
• Single thesis advisor (or co-advisors, if necessary)

Jointly supervised PhD

• Thesis jointly supervised by a set of co-advisors—one from the student’s main research laboratory (affiliated with the enrolment institution) and one from a separate institution, either in France or another country
• Enrolment and thesis defence occur at the institution affiliated with the main research laboratory
• Single degree granted by the above institution 
• Thesis research might arise from a national and/or international collaboration

Dual degree PhD

• Thesis jointly supervised by a set of co-advisors, with research taking place in two laboratories
• Individual dual degree agreement ( convention individuelle de co-tutelle ) establishes a research framework
• Enrolment occurs at two institutions—one in France and one abroad
• Tuition is paid to a single institution
• Single thesis defence but two degrees (one from each institution)

Professional PhD

• Research carried out at a private company partnered with a publicly funded laboratory and its affiliated institution of higher education
• Thesis jointly supervised by a set of co-advisors—one from the company and one from the laboratory
• Work is split between the company and laboratory
• Student contractually employed by the company
• Degree is granted by the institution of enrolment
• Excellent opportunity to gain professional experience 

Doctoral training

The first step in your doctoral studies is to enrol at an institution (university or grande école ) with an official PhD programme that is under the aegis of the French Ministry of Higher Education and Research. Such doctoral programmes are structured to provide a high level of personalised training and supervision during your thesis work:

• You are under the supervision of one or more thesis advisors
• You carry out your work within an affiliated research unit and take part in laboratory activities
• You can participate in courses and seminars designed to establish a solid scientific foundation and guide the development of your research

Your thesis committee will ensure your studies are advancing smoothly, notably by evaluating your training conditions and research progress. To enhance your employability, your doctoral programme and thesis advisor will

• Encourage you to attend national, European, and international conferences and publish in national, European, and international journals
• Design a training programme compatible with your PhD project
• Help you exploit your skills and training

In France, you can write and defend your thesis exclusively in English. However, your thesis summary must be translated into French.

Your PhD project

To begin your PhD, you must find a host research laboratory, a thesis topic, a thesis advisor, and funding. We recommend that you begin this process at least 1 year before your target start date. You can begin by looking at the list of thesis topics posted by doctoral programmes and institutions of higher education. You can also directly contact laboratories working in your area of interest. As a general rule, your future thesis advisor will help you with funding.

International students may be able to find other sources of funding, such as fellowships from embassies, the governments of their home countries, and/or partnership agreements between institutions.

Enrolling in a doctoral programme

Once you have resolved all of the above, you must submit your project to your doctoral programme for approval. Your thesis advisor and the laboratory director will evaluate the quality and feasibility of your proposal.

If their assessment is favourable, the director of the doctoral programme will allow you to enrol. You will be informed of the decision by the head of the doctoral programme (the university or grande école president). The French Ministry of Higher Education and Research establishes the amount of tuition paid by bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral students. Tuition levels are the same everywhere in France.

In 2023, annual tuition for doctoral students was €380. There is also a campus activities fee (CVEC) of €92. In certain cases, both may be waived.

Useful link

• Getting a PhD in France—directory of doctoral schools

Related articles

• Doctoral studies at INRAE
• Joining INRAE
• Working conditions & benefits 
• Publishing results & managing data

Last update: 20 March 2024

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Co-financing of 3-year doctoral contracts

France’s ministries of Europe and foreign affairs (MEAE) and of higher education and research (MESR) have implemented a program of support for foreign doctoral candidates wishing to complete a PhD in France on a topic related to earth systems, climate change and sustainability, or the energy transition.

You are an international student

Where to find thesis subjects (call is closed).

The list of thesis subjects financed as part of the "Make Our Planet Great Again" initiative are accessible on the Campus France portal dedicated to PhDs in France

How to apply?

It's very easy: everything is online.

You have found your thesis subject of interest? 

Send a message  with your CV to the contact mentioned at the bottom of the page of your chosen thesis subject. 

The deadline for a registration is April 22, 2018 (The deadline for some PhD topics may be extended up to May 4th)

​ Are you eligible?

Your profile is eligible to apply for the PhD/Doctorate program "Make Our Planet Great Again" if:

• you have a Master's degree or you will pass a Master's degree before August 31, 2018
• you have lived in France for less than 90 days since April 1, 2016
• you are exclusively a foreign national

there is no condition in relation with age

Students are selected by chosen French institutions.

What revenue do chosen candidates receive?

If you are selected by a French institution, you will have a 3-years employment contract in France. The employment contract will start on December 31, 2018 at the latest .

You will benefit from a pay from your host institutions of a minimum of 1,758 Euros gross per month .

April 22, 2018 : applications deadline

April 23 to May 7, 2018 : PhD schools select and rank at most 3 candidates per subject

May 7 to June 12, 2018: Expertise of subject projects/candidates

From June 14, 2018: Notifications of chosen subject projects/candidates 

Starting on September 2018: Candidates are greeted in their institutions

You are a French institution

The application period for French institutions is now closed. It was open from March 12 to 30, 2018.

How to join the program?  

The French institution must offer a thesis subject and ask for a cofunding on the " Applying to call for projects " page. The institution sends a commitment letter for a cofunding of the PhD student's salary if the subject is chosen. Chosen institutions then launch an international call for applications to recruit a PhD student. The call is also relayed by Campus France and sent to all students who showed interest on the website www.makeourplanetgreatagain.fr . Institutions then publish a list of 3 candidates by subject chosen to be confirmed by the international jury.

What funding do institutions receive?

Selected institutions will receive a 50,000€ cofunding subsidy over 3 years to recruit a PhD student. 

• French institutions commit to welcome a PhD student in France with an employment contract (doctoral contract or other) during 3 years .
• The minimum salary paid must be 1,758 Euros gross per month .
• An annual funding of 16,666€ will be paid to chosen institutions .

Selection process

Consistent with the aims and requirements of this call for projects, the selection process convenes experts and an international jury representing the various subjects.

What students are eligible? 

Students are selected by chosen French institutions . Students must hold or be about to pass a Master's grade degree. Students must not have lived in France since April 1, 2016. They must be exclusively foreign nationals. there is no condition in relation with age . The employment contract will start on December 31, 2018 at the latest .

Subjects and schedule of the program

Research subjects.

Three main research topics are priorities: Earth system sciences , Climate change and sustainability sciences , and Energy transition . 

Week of February 26, 2018 : Pre-launch phase of application process

March 12, 2018 : Institutional application period opens

March 30, 2018 at 23:59 CET: Institutional application period ends

April 5 - 20, 2018 : List of approved dissertation topics is published ; student application period

April 23 to May 4, 2018 : PhD schools select and rank at most 3 candidates per subject

May 5 to June 12, 2018: Expertise of subject projects/candidates

How to apply as a student?

Apply directly to the institutions that will be laureates and will propose funding . The application will be held from April 5 to 22, 2018. The list of topics will be available on the "PhD in France" portal by Campus France.

Can I apply to more than one PhD topic?

Yes , institutions will choose you, but we recommend not to apply to more than 3 different PhD topics , your application must be targeted and not go all over the place.

Will I receive a scholarship or salary?

You will receive a salary, not a scholarship . You will sign an employment contract with the French host institution. Your net monthly salary will be around 1,350 €/month (1,758 €  gross/month).

Do I have to send a research project to French institutions?

No , you must apply directly to PhD topics that will be offered by French institutions and their doctoral schools.

Do I have to speak French?

No , if you do not speak French, you can write your thesis in English and do your thesis defence in English. Of course we recommend to learn French during your stay in France!

I am already a PhD student, can I come in France to finish my PhD?

This program is exclusively for those who are not already registered in a PhD . f you are already registered in a PhD program and would like to travel to France for a short stay, you must apply to the "Short Stay" program .

I won't pass my master (or equivalent) until 2019, can I participate?

No , this call is open to candidates who already hold a master's degree or who will graduate before 31 August 2018 .

Which visa should I apply for?

If you are a national of a European country , you do not have to apply for a visa. If your nationality is non-European , you need to apply for a visa " passport - Talent, researcher mention "

Where should I do my PhD?

You have to do your PhD in France in the host laboratory and the doctoral school of the French higher institution that support your application.

  If you have a question...

... and want a customised answer, write to  [email protected] . You will receive an answer as early as possible. 

If you want to stay tuned with news and calls for projects about Make Our Planet Great Again...

... and receive our emailings, send an email to  [email protected] . Your email address will automatically be included to our mailing list. 

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Follow the main steps to come study in France

Taxes in France for PhD students and researchers

You’ve received a salary in France, paid by a French organization, you work in France, whether as an employee or not, and France is your country of residence (for more than 183 days a year): then you must submit a tax return to the French tax authorities every year.

& TAXES

Important! If you’re a couple and one of you lives abroad and the other in France, you are considered as a “mixed” couple. You can be regarded as tax resident in France and your spouse as non-resident. You could be taxed differently.

France introduced withholding tax in 2019: the tax is deducted from your salary every month. You must declare your income to the French tax authorities once a year, so they can assess what you’ve paid and what you should be paying depending on your situation.

When you signed your work contract , your employer applied a default withholding tax rate to your income (this rate depends on your income and your personal situation).

• If you already have a tax number, you can personalize your withholding tax rate in your personal space of the impots.gouv.fr website.
• If your situation changed (your income increases or decreases, you have a child, etc.), you can also modify your withholding tax rate during the year so that it corresponds as closely as possible to your new situation.

If you don’t have a tax number, you can request one from your local tax office (Service des Impôts des Particuliers), either at the counter or by filling in a form available in the “ Contact and Appointments ” section of impots.gouv.fr website > “Vous êtes particulier” > “Votre demande concerne l’accès à votre espace particulier” > “Je n’ai pas de numéro fiscal”.

Declaring your income

Income in year N has to be declared each year in April or May of year N+1.

The annual tax return enables the calculation of your total income and the adjustment of the amount you have to pay so that it corresponds to your real income and actual personal situation (dependent family, tax-deductible amounts, change of situation, etc.):

• if you have paid more income tax than you should have, you can be reimbursed for the overpayment
• if you have paid less income tax than you should have, you will receive a schedule for payment of the unpaid balance.

Once your space has been created on the impots.gouv.fr website, you can access the online tax return service.

If you’re unable to declare your income online, you must submit a hard-copy tax return ( form no.2042 ). You will be able to declare your income online the year after you receive your login details.

Official website for declaring your income online

Completing a tax return doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pay income tax.

France has signed several tax treaties with various countries with a view to resolving special cases and/or avoiding double taxation. A large number of international researchers fall under these tax treaties.

Important! Not declaring your income, late submission of a tax return and submission of an inaccurate return can lead to sanctions.

Property tax

Property tax on primary residences was abolished as from 1 January 2023. The only property tax now levied is on secondary residences.

Contacts and information

International portal for taxes in France

You can contact the tax authorities by email via the secure messaging on your personal space on impots.gouv or on the email address referenced on your tax notice.

This content may also interest you

Working in france.

You want to work in France during or after your studies? Consult this page and get all the informations you need.

Planning and managing your budget

For a successful stay, make sure you have sufficient financial resources in relation to the cost of living in Lorraine.

Who is this post for?

Public(s) involved

• -->PhD student -->
• -->Professor/Researcher -->
• -->Everyday life -->

When to expect ?

• -->During my stay -->

Master, PhD and Postdoc Scholarships

• Comparison of Salary of PhD Students in Europe

This post concerns the Comparison of the Salary of PhD Students in Europe. The purpose of this post is to compare the salaries of PhD students in Europe. The table includes ten countries in Western Europe. In this post, the salaries of PhD students in different European countries including Denmark , Germany , Switzerland , Sweden , Finland , Austria , Norway , Ireland , France , Netherlands and the UK . are compared.

A comparison of the salaries of PhD students in Europe

In the chart below you will find the minimum and maximum gross (before tax) salaries for PhDs in various European countries. The list will grow as more countries are added. PhD students in Europe earn varying salaries depending on the country, the institution they are affiliated with, and their field of study. We, therefore, present a table showing the minimum and maximum before-tax salaries of PhD students in Europe.

Comparison of PhD students’ minimum salaries (before tax) in Europe

The average minimum salary for a PhD student in Europe is €2,600 per month. It is important to note that this figure includes all the different fields and not just science or engineering. The values listed here include the minimum salaries of PhD scholarships and funded positions.

The average salary for a PhD student in Europe varies depending on the country as well as the university. The highest average salary was found in Denmark with €49,802 per year and the lowest was found in Ireland with €16,000 per year.

Chart of Comparison of PhD students’ Minimum Yearly Salaries (before tax) in Europe

Comparison of PhD students’ maximum salaries (before tax) in Europe

The average maximum salary for a PhD student in Europe is around €3,500 per month. The figure in this table includes all different fields, not just science or engineering. It also includes the maximum salaries of PhD scholarships and funded positions.

Chart of Comparison of PhD students’ Maximum Yearly Salaries (before tax) in Europe

This chart compares the minimum and maximum PhD salaries (before taxes) in different European countries.

It is very interesting that even though Denmark has the highest minimum PhD salaries, Switzerland has the highest maximum PhD salaries. It shows that the salary of a PhD student in Switzerland could differ significantly among Swiss universities.

Remarks about the salary of PhD students in Germany and the UK

Regarding the table above, there are a few remarks. Germany does not have a minimum salary for PhD students, so they could do their PhD without a salary. Furthermore, if PhD students receive a stipend or scholarship, the numbers might be very different (generally lower than the salaries listed above). Throughout the UK, the values in the table represent the annual stipend of PhD students. Since this is a stipend, the student does not pay any taxes on it, so we can also call it after-tax income. The last thing to note is that the maximum value is more reserved for exceptional cases (especially in Switzerland). We recommend you read the salary pages of each country if you want to know the exact salary allocation and the details.

Interested in discovering the salary figures for PhD and postdoctoral positions in Europe?:

• PhD Salary in Denmark
• Postdoc Salary in Denmark
• Salary of a PhD student and Postdoc in Norway
• PhD Salary in Switzerland
• Salary ladder for PhD students in Sweden
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in Germany
• Salary of PhD and Postdoc in Ireland
• Salary of Postdocs in France
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in the UK
• Professors’ salary in the UK
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in the Netherlands
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in Finland
• Salary of PhD student and Postdoc in Austria
• Salary of Marie-curie postdoctoral fellowship
• Salary of PhD student in Marie-Curie ITN
• Doctorate Degree Business Administration Salary

Fully Funded PhD Positions with Salary

• Germany – Fully Funded PhD
• Switzerland – Fully Funded PhD
• Denmark – Fully Funded PhD
• UK – Fully Funded PhD
• Sweden – Fully Funded PhD
• Finland – Fully Funded PhD
• Netherlands – Fully Funded PhD
• Norway – Fully Funded PhD
• Belgium – Fully Funded PhD
• Austria – Fully Funded PhD
• Australia – Fully Funded PhD
• France – Fully Funded PhD
• New Zealand – Fully Funded PhD
• Canada – Fully Funded PhD
• USA – Fully Funded PhD
• Luxembourg – Fully Funded PhD
• Spain – Fully Funded PhD
• Italy – Fully Funded PhD
• Iceland -Fully Funded PhD

All academic positions (the latest ones) will be updated by the Fastepo Team. Also, please follow our Facebook page to not miss any new vacancies. Alternatively, if you don’t enjoy reading text, check out our YouTube channel for videos about PhDs and Postdocs.

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Increasing phd stipend 2023-2024 in uk, professors salary in the uk, phd salary in sweden.

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Doctorate (PhD) Degree

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Years of Experience

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