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Living in Bordeaux with a PhD Student Salary – Explanations for Foreign Applicants

Bordeaux in a nutshell. The French capital of wine | Brate

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All PhD students will receive a gross monthly salary of around €2,300, calculated according to the French definition of gross salary, which excludes employer contributions. After social contributions, this corresponds to an approximate net (take-home) pay of €1,800. It is a real salary, not a stipend or allowance. It is set by the government, it is nearly identical across all universities and cities, and it is non-negotiable.

The difference between gross and net salary primarily reflects mandatory social contributions, which provide access to public healthcare coverage, unemployment insurance, pension rights, and other social protections. Income tax is generally modest at this salary level and is often deducted at source, meaning that the net salary of €1,800 approximates the disposable income.

Cost of Living in Bordeaux

With a net income of €1,800, PhD students can live quite decently in Bordeaux. Typically, 1/5 to 1/3 of the net salary is spent on housing, which allows for renting a studio in downtown Bordeaux or Talence, or a shared room. A 2025 survey estimates the total cost of living in Bordeaux at around €1,300 per month, which includes rent, transport, food, and university fees. University costs themselves are very low, as public universities in France charge only registration fees (about €400/year for PhD). For a breakdown of the cost of life in Bordeaux, see this web page. Support is available to help with housing and settling in, including advice for international students.

Additional Benefits

PhD students also enjoy several advantages beyond the salary:

  • Subsidized meals: University restaurant meals are cheap.

  • Partial reimbursement of public transport.

  • Generous leave: 35 days of annual leave plus 10 extra days (RTT).

  • Possibility of teleworking: Up to 2 days per week, subject to agreement.

  • Comité d’entreprise benefits: Subsidies for leisure activities and other expenses.

  • Teaching opportunities: PhD students can be teaching assistants and earn extra income.

These benefits, combined with the fixed government salary, make the PhD position in Bordeaux financially viable while providing strong social protections.