Signed Contract but Only Attended 10 Days – Facing Full Tuition Payment Dilemma in France

[Jormaine]

Hi everyone, I’m an 18-year-old fashion student currently facing a major issue with tuition fees after deciding to withdraw from my program. Here’s my situation:

This year, I enrolled in a Bachelor of Fashion Business program at a private fashion school in Paris. The academic year officially started on September 24, 2024, with an orientation that included a presentation of the program, exams, and the school’s app, along with a team-building activity in the afternoon. Due to social anxiety and being generally introverted, I decided to skip the team-building event after meeting another classmate who told me it wasn’t necessary.

Classes began on October 1, and I initially got along with a small group of classmates. However, as an introvert, I found it hard to integrate fully, and over time I started feeling excluded. I even tried to join conversations, but they were brief, and I often felt left out. Eventually, the discomfort started affecting my mental health; I felt anxious, sometimes wanted to cry from frustration, and even started dreading school. As a result, I began missing classes and even took a few days off when I got sick. When I returned, my classmates seemed to distance themselves from me even more, possibly because of my absences.

With all of this, I came to the decision that staying at this school would likely harm my mental health. I wasn’t integrating well, and I was struggling to keep up with some classes in French. So, I decided to look into transferring to a different school that might be a better fit.

When I informed the head of studies and the admissions manager about my decision, they were confused and seemed not to understand my reasons. The admissions manager insisted that the school is affordable compared to other fashion schools and mentioned that many students come to this school after experiencing issues elsewhere. My concerns, though, weren’t with the school itself but rather with the lack of an English program and my own challenges in integrating socially.

The main issue now is the tuition. The full yearly fee is 7,500€, and I had already paid 750€ as an initial payment. The school is demanding the entire 7,000€, citing a clause in the enrollment contract that states:

Art. 2: Any schooling started is due in full.
Art. 3: Only withdrawal in the event of failure of the examination necessary for admission allows the reimbursement of tuition fees committed.

When I asked if they could reduce the amount since I had only attended about 10 days of classes, they refused, saying it wasn’t possible because I had signed this contract. My bank advisor even connected me with legal services, but they only suggested trying to negotiate.

I met again with the director, who also didn’t budge on the tuition. I felt pressured during this meeting, as the admissions manager encouraged me to pay on the spot. I tried to transfer the entire 7,000€, but it didn’t go through, so she instructed me to make smaller transfers until I was able to send 4,000€ total. She then asked me to go to the bank and complete the remaining amount as soon as possible.

After leaving, I called my sister to explain what had happened, and she was furious that I had paid so quickly without fully exploring my options. She thinks I should consult a lawyer to see if I have any grounds to negotiate the fee given my limited attendance.

I’m now feeling lost and overwhelmed. I haven’t told my family everything yet, and I’m unsure how to move forward. If anyone has any advice on whether it’s possible to negotiate a partial fee or if it’s worth seeking legal help, I would be extremely grateful. Thank you for reading, and I appreciate any guidance you can offer.

@Kool4katz I said “broadly speaking”

There are EU directives that cover member states in many areas of law for eg, The Unfair Contract Terms Directive which still influence domestic law across all the uk nations.

but I did not think writing a legal essay would have been much use to the OP

Instead of speculating on anon posters qualifications, and being incredibly pompous and rude,

why don’t you use your extraordinary powers to help the OP with your undoubtedly sage advise?

I also have no idea how you are going to succeed in fashion if you can’t go to socialising events because of social events.

Do you really think op's contract could be deemed to be unfair, objectively speaking?

You already have your "solution". You've decided not to complete the course, as is your right. You are still liable for the fees. That's the end of it.

All of us have to learn at some point that the world doesn't bend itself around us. This appears to be your moment to learn that. That you have decided that you don't like the course is zero percent the university's problem, and you will not be able to make it their problem.

@@KerryBlues no not on info provided.

Unless the program was willfully misrepresented to you none of this matters at all legally. Laws aren't about an individual getting the best outcomes for themselves and if it was this easy to break a contract they'd be pointless. Your options are to talk to the school and hope they agree not to claim the rest of the money or leave the country and hope they don't try to enforce the debt. You get to decide you'll leave, you don't get to decide you don't owe them for the place you took up in their course after signing a contract they honoured. Talk to the college, the legal position is clear and won't help you. Talking to the college is the reasonable option you have. Trying to run away from the debt wouldn't be a smart move. I seriously doubt willful misrepresentation applies and French law says you must stick to the terms of the contract until and unless a judge terminates the contract and this can take years. Talk to the college, it's your only option if you want to pay less without breaking the law.

Willful Misrepresentation:
If you are the victim of a willful misrepresentation, you must prove that the other party lied to induce you into the contract. Without this deception, you wouldn’t have entered into the contract. Another name for this under English law is fraud in the inducement.

III. Seeking Judicial Resolution of a Contract
A party can always ask a judge to terminate the contract. However, the party must demonstrate the other party’s non-performance, regardless of how minor the breach may be.

In general, except for emergencies, a civil trial can take up to 4 years (3 years and 9 months on average). Seeking judicial resolution can be a lengthy process. During this time, all parties must continue to fulfill their obligations.
www.xanderlawgroup.com/how-to-terminate-a-contract-under-french-law/?amp

Everyone on here and on Reddit is telling you you have to pay. You have to pay. End of. All the handwringing and ignoring everyone isn't going to change that.

When I first read the two articles in the contract, I didn’t fully understand them

First rule in life. Never sign something you do not understand.

I can't comment on the fact this is in France but I know for UK universities, if you drop out you're still expected to pay the rest of the tuition for that year.
I don't mean this to be rude, but you have taken a space in the academic year. This means the money you were due to pay will have already been accounted for and it's too late to replace with another student. You could ask them to consider only charging to the end of the term but sadly I'm afraid you'll likely have to pay the full year.
There are plenty of people who decide to change courses after year 1, you definitely aren't along in that and it doesn't mean you're a bad person. It just doesn't take away from the fact that you still have to pay.

I'm sorry it hasn't worked out for you. I went to France as part of my course too. It is not easy in a new place, not knowing anyone.

30+ of us went to various places. I made a decision to go to a small town where there would be no other English people and I would not be tempted to meet up with other English people because I felt lonely. My purpose was to learn French not 'have a good time'. People said that when you return after Christmas everything is easier ie it does take a few months before you begin to feel at ease and that proved to be true. If you can get over these first few months then the worst is past.

It's a pity you feel you need to leave the course because I think you will find some of the same problems wherever you study: you just have to plough on somehow. Get whatever you can from the course ( there are bound to be some bits you don't appreciate or you don't feel are relevant for your future etc.) You will feel really proud of yourself and it will do the world for your self confidence and resilience in the future. When you come up with a sticky situation you'll just say to yourself 'Oh yes this problem is just like how I felt last time, and I MADE IT THEN and am stronger for it.

I think you will have to pay so I would recommend you rejoin the course and make the most of it. It's amazing how much you can get out of a course even if it's not exactly what you thought it would be. You will be 'the woman who did amazing things' and everyone is in awe of.

Good luck. You really can make it.

The programme would have been published before hand. You could have easily checked the course content/modules. It's not their fault you didn't do any course research.

It's not their fault you didn't read the contact, they did not change the course content, they offered socialising opportunities... What is it you think they actually did for you to deserve a refund. You've essentially changed your mind.

It is cheeky to expect a refund in this circumstance.

I bought a cereal that I liked the look of once.

I didn’t read the ingredient list beforehand.

I ignored the serving suggestion.

I didn’t really like it.

I still gave it more than 10 days to see if I could get used to it.

Do you think if I took the opened box back and told the shop I’d only eaten a handful, that I could have my money back?

Not using MH as an excuse but probably should mention that they didn’t make me feel grrrreat.

You will be 'the woman who did amazing things' and everyone is in awe of
Really??

Thanks for sharing your perspective, but I don’t think you fully understand my situation. My decision isn’t about avoiding responsibility or using anxiety as an excuse—it’s about recognizing when something genuinely isn’t working for me. I’m not interested in sticking with something that’s making me miserable just to prove a point.
As for the contract, I’m already looking into my options and negotiating, so I don’t need a lecture. I appreciate your honesty, but I don’t need to be told to ‘grow up.’ I’m handling it in my way, and this is part of figuring things out as an adult.

Success in fashion isn’t just about attending social events; it’s about creativity, strategy, and hard work. Not every role in fashion revolves around constant socializing, and there are plenty of ways to contribute without being the most outgoing person in the room.
I know I need to work on my confidence, and I’m taking steps to improve that. But success looks different for everyone, and I’m figuring out my path in a way that works for me.

I’m aware the program was published beforehand, and I did look into it. What I couldn’t predict was how poorly the environment would suit me until I actually experienced it.
As for the refund, it’s not ‘cheeky’ to want fair consideration when I’m barely a month in and the course isn’t working for me. It’s my money, my situation, and I’ll handle it as I see fit. Your opinion doesn’t change that.

Navigating life in France and adapting to a program are two completely different things. I wasn’t ‘ignorant’ of the course content—I reviewed it but didn’t realize how the environment and structure would affect me until I was actually in it. Sometimes you don’t know something isn’t the right fit until you experience it firsthand. It’s not about ignorance; it’s about finding what works best for me.

Kindly OP, I advise that you use the energy you are showing in arguing with posters here more constructively, directing it to negotiating your case with the fashion business school instead.

Legally, you are in a hole. It doesn't mean you can't negotiate. You are eloquent and articulate, you have a sympathetic case, go for it.

Well you sound like you've got everything sorted OP so good luck with it all.

I’ve heard everyone loud and clear, but I’m still going to explore my options. Just because most people think one way doesn’t mean there’s no room to negotiate or find a different solution. End of.

All you can do is ask, the programme isn't the right one for you so either stay, leave or defer until you feel ready. If you researched the course curriculum before you signed up then you would have known what was involved. What else can we suggest, the decision is yours and it's really not very complicated.

Thank you for sharing your experience and the advice. I really appreciate your perspective and understand where you’re coming from. I’m still figuring things out, and while I’m not sure if rejoining is the right path for me, your words have given me something to think about. I’ll keep pushing through and try to make the most of whatever comes next. Thanks again for your encouragement

I think you’re getting a hard time from people who don’t understand the difference between the legal board and AIBU.

Im not a lawyer, but it might be helpful if you think about this in different terms. You keep saying that you only attended for 10 days so shouldn’t have to pay the full fees. But the college look at it as they’ve committed to selling you a place for the year and can’t resell it now so they are depending on the full income.

Is there perhaps a different course you could switch to next year that might suit your goals better? Is there a sister college on another campus somewhere else that you could transfer to if they have something suitable?

As you understand, it looks like legally there’s no flexibility so all you can do is think creatively how to resolve this.

What would have happened if you had become too physically ill to continue? Would you have been expected to pay then too? If so, you must have been encouraged to take out some kind of insurance I would think that you can try to use for mental ill- health in the same way?

I don't know where you stand legally but presume that you have signed a contract that means you do indeed owe the money. That gives you 3 choices - 1. Try to adjust and catch up. Does the school have any resources to help you with this? It is difficult to adjust to a new city, country and language, that's for sure. 2. Change your negotiating style. Your posts here are very much painting the school at fault but actually they are not, really. Ask them for kindness and consideration using evidence of your mental ill health, don't try to tell them they owe it to you, because they don't. That's the reality. 3. Give it up as a bad job and try to make up the €7k doing something else - temping or another job like that. Then have another think about what you want.

Lastly - talk to your parents. They may be annoyed, angry/ annoying but they are probably the only other people who care as much about what happens to you as you. Probably more. That's the truth of life unfortunately!

Thank you for the suggestion. I heard from the school that they might offer an English program next year, but I don’t know if it’s possible to apply this year’s tuition toward that program. I’ll have to confirm with them if it’s possible.