Study in France

Introduction

France, one of the largest countries of Europe, is home to many significant social movements in history, most notably the Renaissance and the French Revolution. France also shares its borders with Germany, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, and Spain. Because of its historical richness, and geographical proximity to other cultures, France has become the cultural and intellectual capital of the world. France is a major tourist destination: every year, thousands of people flock to France to experience its tempting cuisine, complex wines, cheeses, and of course, to study in its world-class global colleges. France has some highly-ranked educational institutions where students develop not only their minds but also their overall personalities. Many of these prestigious universities feature regularly in the list of “Top-100 Colleges in the World” rankings.

Top Reasons To Study In France

There are several significant reasons behind students choosing France for their under graduation or post-graduation courses, such as:

• Centuries-old Universities: The University of Paris was established in 1160 AD, and the University of Bordeaux in 1441 AD which makes them some of the oldest and esteemed universities to provide international students with high-quality education, and a sense of privilege.
• Wide Ranges of Courses: France’s universities offer a wide range of Undergraduate and Post-graduate courses in Humanities, Social Science, Management, Engineering, Medicine, and Science to its international students.
• Top Class Research Facilities: France is the first choice for many students pursuing higher studies, such as Ph.D. and Post-doctoral research, because of its access to highly-advanced technology, and experienced inter-disciplinary supervisors who are friendly and ready to help students anytime.
• International Exposure: Universities in France admit students from many different countries, which gives their campuses a truly international feel, and helps develop a student’s overall personality.
• Friendly & International Professors: Professors of French Universities are especially supportive of their foreign students. The college support staff is also friendly.
• Courses Taught in the English Language: Most French universities teach all their courses in the English language. Moreover, a large percentage of French do understand and speak English, so international students hardly face any problem fitting in.
• Opportunity to Learn French: French is a major language for international communication, which makes it the second most learned language (after English), and the sixth most widely spoken language in the world. Learning French will give you a big advantage over your peers.
• Easy to Apply & Secure Admission: Applying for Undergraduate or Postgraduate courses is simple and involves just a few steps. International students can apply to as many as 20 universities with a single application online. The application fee is almost zero for many universities.
• Lower & Affordable Education Fee and Living Cost: Compared to other European countries, the cost of education and living in France is quite low. The average costs of popular items in the country are:

• Restaurant Meal- 10 EUR
• McDonald’s Combo Meal- 6.50 EUR
• Cappuccino- 3 EUR
• Coke/Pepsi- 3.00 EUR
• Bread loaf- 3.00 EUR
• Milk (1 liter)- 1.20 EUR
• Petrol- 1.60 EUR/gallon
• Internet (Monthly)- 30-50 EUR

• Availability of Scholarships: The French Foreign Ministry awards more than 100 scholarship programs to French universities, especially for Research Programs such as Ph.D., and Post-doctoral studies.
• Pleasant Weather: France has four distinct seasons and an large variety of landscapes, which is fascinating for any international student planning to study there.
• Flexibility in Studies Schedule: French universities offer students the chance to attend their institutions on a full-time or part-time basis, and also provide flexible class schedules and courses for students to work and learn at the same time.

Types of Programs in France Universities

Higher Education in France, as in many other European countries, is broadly organized under four programs, which are:

• Undergraduate Programs
• Post Graduate Program (or Masters’ Degree);
• Doctoral Program (Ph.D. Degree)
• Post-Doctoral Program

Admission Requirements for France Universities

In French universities, the admission requirements and application process for an international student may differ considerably from those for the local students. Here’s a short guide on how you can apply for a college in France.

For European Students

If you are a citizen from another EU country and applying for admission to a French university, you will usually need:

1. Completed university application
2. ID photo or driver’s license
3. High school transcripts (or relevant equivalent)
4. Essay (if asked)
5. English proficiency results (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc.)
6. Apply for financial aid program (if the University provides one)
7. Application fee (if asked)
8. Any other required document depending on the University

For Non-European Students

1. Completed university application
2. High school and college transcripts (If you did not attend a college then just the high school ones will do)
3. Copy of passport
4. A passport-sized photo
5. Essay (if asked)
6. English proficiency results (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo etc.)
7. Copy of birth certificate
8. Certified translation of the birthplace of your parents
9. Proof that you can financially support yourself
10. Any other required document depending on the University
11. After admission: A French Student Visa

Entry Requirements for France Universities

The application process and requirements for each French university are different from one another; some universities may ask students to submit their scores of additional tests like GRE, GMAT, or LSAT to ensure that applicants are prepared for the challenges of advanced study.

• MA Entry Information

If you want to apply for an MA program in a French university, keep the following information in mind:

1. The duration for a Master's course in France is usually 2 years.
2. French Masters degrees are organized into “teaching units” (TU) to focus on different topics within a wilder subject area (practical workshops, theoretical discussion, and independent project-work)
3. You will need to submit a dissertation (or a similar extended research project)
4. There are two types of Masters: Specialized Masters and MBA programs.

• Ph. D. Programs

Most Ph.D. programs in France are conducted as part of the main course within Doctoral schools. The duration of the Ph.D. program is six semesters and candidates must attend 2 teachings (or research) semesters per year.

Cost Of Studying In France

The entry requirements, as well as tuition fees, vary from university to university. Some universities might not ask for a high fee (or high SAT scores). On average, here’s how much you might have to pay in tuition fees to a French university, based on the program you opt for:

• D.’s degree: 2,770 380 Euros per year.
• Bachelor’s degree: 2,770 Euros per year.
• Master’s degree: 3,770 Euros per year.

The France Student Visa Process

Non- European students will need Student Visa, which requires the following documents:

• An Acceptance Letter issued by an accredited institution in France.
• Proof that you can fund yourself while staying in France. Such as a bank statement, a guarantor’s letters, or a notice of funding from a loan, scholarship, or grant.
• Proof of return ticket to home. Often this is in the form of the actual ticket or reservation showing the date of departure, but can be a handwritten statement of intent, including intended departure dates.
• Proof of medical insurance.
• Proof of accommodation. Can be shown in the form of student-housing confirmation or a certificate of the board and lodging (if you are living with friends or relatives).

Top Universities in France

According to the QS World University Rankings 2021, the Top Universities in France are:

Top Courses in France

The Grandes Écoles (higher schools) of France are elite higher education establishments. They usually focus on a single subject area (Engineering, Business Studies, Humanities) and have a typically lower annual intake, so they are highly selective in giving admissions.

Graduates from these colleges go on to become respected scientists and executives. This is one reason why the most popular courses in these colleges are:

• Science and Engineering: Écoles Normales Supérieures, Ecole Polytechnique, Mines ParisTech, ISAE-Supaéro, Ponts Paristech, and CentraleSupélec.
• Humanities: three Écoles Normales Supérieures and Ecole des Charter;
• Business: HEC Paris, NEOMA Business School, ESSEC Business School, ESCP Europe, INSEAD, EMLyon, Audencia, and EDHEC;

Administration and Political Sciences: ENA and Sciences Po.

Work While Studying In France

International students can get part-time employment while studying in France, even in the 1st year of the program. However, they can work part-time for only 964 hours annually, or 20 hours per week on student visas. After completing the course, students get 18-24 months to work in France, which further helps secure a career either in France, or some other countries of Europe. The average salary in France is about €40,000.

Internship Opportunities In France

Because of its cultural diversity and advanced economy, France may provide students with a range of internship opportunities. You may pursue business, schooling, or hospitality, among other things. The three most popular fields in which you can get an internship in France are Art History, Hospitality, and Education. Students prefer doing internships during the Fall or Spring semesters.

If you are concerned about missing your classes, you can do an internship during your summer break. If you want to do a short-term internship, then winter break is the perfect time.

Career Opportunities In France

Health/Social Insurance, Wholesale/Retail Trade, and Manufacturing are today dominating the labor market. Construction is expected to be the most in-demand industry, followed by the Lodging and Food Market, and Technical Services.

Although there will always be employment for high-skilled employees such as Analysts and Engineers, growth is faster among low-skilled positions. Cleaners and assistants, administrative associates, service employees, scientific and engineering technicians, and teachers are occupations with most job opportunities.

Here's a table to explain the average annual salaries of people in different types of employment:

Immigrate To France Post-Studies

The French government has authorized various types of Student Visas for its international students. These visas stay valid for a considerable period after the courses are over.

Students who choose to take limited and short-term courses in France will be unable to stay once their courses are over. Only students who have a Visa de Long Sejour Etudes (Long Stay Research Visa)- because they are studying in long-term courses such as Bachelor's or Master's degrees- are allowed to live for 24 months in the country, even after completing the course.

After finishing his/her studies in France, a student must depart the country under the country's immigration laws. However, if he/she has paid for job services, he/she can apply for a Residency Permit in France.

Health Care Benefits In France

The French Healthcare System includes both public and private hospitals, physicians, and other medical professionals who provide medical aid to all French citizens.

In France, healthcare is inclusive; people get medical treatment irrespective of their background, income, or social class. After all, France is ranked as the “Best Healthcare System in the World” by WHO because of the following factors:

• Speed – booking appointments is a fast and easy process.
• Price- A visit to the general practitioner costs just €23 and everything is covered in your health insurance.
• Options- homeopathic treatment, for example, is a readily available alternative.

Public Transport Systems In France

France’s public transportation system is a vast, convenient, and affordable commutation network. Here we will discuss all the public transportation options available in France.

• Bus- If you are commuting between suburbs in a big city or through remote French valleys, the bus is probably your best choice.
• Coach- France is one of Europe's biggest nations, and the distances between major cities can be shocking. These inter-city and inter-regional coach routes provide a comfortable and affordable option for travel.
• Metro- These networks are often the fastest and most effective modes of transportation in these cities. Usually, tickets can be used for all modes of transportation in their respective cities.
• Train- Train travel in France can be an utter treatment, with beautiful scenery to admire and surprisingly long journey times between cities. Most major cities in France have high-speed network links.
• Airplanes- France has one of Europe's most established air travel services and infrastructure, with a wide number of airports located across the region.
• Taxi- There are many taxis in France. These are authorized at the local level, with specific rules governing vehicle safety, passenger capacity, and operating hours.

Education Facilities in France

The French school system is divided into three stages: Basic, Intermediate, And Higher Education.

Most primary and secondary schools in France are public institutions, with heavily-organized administrations. Primary and secondary school curricula are uniform in all schools for a given grade.

• Primary Education- In France, formal education begins at the age of three, where many children attend kindergarten (maternelle). Day-care (pré-maternelle) is for 2-year-old kids.

Although pré-maternelle and maternelle classes are not required, all children must be enrolled in school by the age of six. Primary school lasts five years, from around the age of six to eleven (similar to elementary school in the United States).

• Secondary Education- after elementary school, students progress to secondary school, which is split into two levels. The collège is a four-year program for children aged eleven to fifteen (similar to high school in the United States). Upon completion, students obtain a brevet des collèges.

Following the collège, students continue their higher education at the lycée (high school) for the final three years.

The baccalauréat (bac) degree is then awarded to students who complete an examination. The baccalauréat is similar to a high school diploma in the United States, although it varies in that it includes preparatory training.

• Higher Education- Following the lycée, students may obtain either a vocational diploma or an academic diploma.
• Diplomas in vocational fields: The DUT (Diplôme Universitaire De Technologie) and BTS (Brevet De Technicien Supérieur) are two-year degrees in technology.
• Academic diplomas: There are three types of higher education institutions in France: universities, Grandes écoles, and specialized schools.

How We Help 

Our experienced consultants will guide you throughout your journey in pursuit of higher education and admissions into your dream universities/colleges. In specific but not limited to, following areas of assistance is provided by our consultants:

• Complete Profile Evaluation
• Guidance on curriculum and subject selection for high school (A levels, IB, IGCSE etc)
• STEM Coaching - Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Business, Maths, Economics, English and many other subjects
• Preparation of different standardized tests - Undergraduate and Postgraduate
• Helping you to build your profile by guiding you on leadership skills, co-curricular activities, internship, online courses etc.
• Shortlist and finalize the best-fit college / university
• Research the right programs / courses for students
• Craft academic CV
• Brainstorm ideas for essays and personal statements
• Draft pointers for recommendation letters
• Scholarship and Financial Aid guidance
• MMI and Panel Interview Preparation
• Submission of the application form
• Follow up with the universities and updating the status of the applications
• Visa assistance and guidance
• Assistance on safe accommodation options
• Pre-Departure Guidance