Study in Nantes

France's most liveable city — creative, green, and affordable with strong engineering and business schools.

Students

60,000+

Monthly Budget

€900

Studio Rent

€650/mo

Safety Rating

4/10

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Overview

Total Students

60,000+

International %

~12%

Safety Rating

4/10 (Numbeo safety index: 41.5)

City vibeCreative, green, dynamic — named most liveable French city multiple times

English programs✅ Available — see universities section

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Housing & Cost of Living

Studio rent

€650/mo

Avg. unfurnished

Shared room

€370–520/mo

Colocation

Monthly budget

€900

All-in estimate

CAF aid

€100–300

Housing benefit

Best neighborhoods

BouffayHauts-PavésZolaDoulon

💡 CAF tip: Apply for CAF housing benefit as soon as you have a signed lease. Students from most countries are eligible for €100–300/month.

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Universities & Tuition

EU tuition

€178/yr

Public universities

Non-EU tuition

€2895/yr

Différenciation tarifaire

Main Universities

🏛 Nantes Université (40,000 students)

Grandes Écoles

Audencia Business SchoolÉcole Centrale NantesIMT Atlantique

Best fields

EngineeringBusinessSciencesArtsLaw

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Transport & Getting Around

Student pass

€24.9/mo

With student discount

Regular pass

€67/mo

Without discount

Bike-friendly

Yes ✅

Bicloo bike-share

Airport connectionNantes Atlantique airport; TGV to Paris 2.5 hrs

Bike-shareBicloo bike-share

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Work & Visa

Part-time work allowance

964 hrs/year (~18.5 hrs/wk)

Applies to all student visa holders in France

Visa typeLong-stay student visa + residence permit

Job marketStrong — digital/tech hub, naval, aerospace

Internship sceneGood — Airbus, STX, Naval Group, growing startup ecosystem

📋 Visa tip: Apply for your long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) through Campus France in your home country. After arrival, validate it online via the ANEF portal — no prefecture appointment needed.

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International Experience

Students

60,000+

International %

~12%

Safety

4/10 (Numbeo safety index: 41.5)

English programsYes — Audencia, École Centrale Nantes, IMT Atlantique

City vibeCreative, green, dynamic — named most liveable French city multiple times