France is the fourth most popular study destination
in the world, with nearly 300,000 foreign students. Relatively low tuition fees
and the chance to live in France are certainly appealing, but France’s
confusing higher education system can be frustrating to navigate. let's check !
So, you want to study in France?
The very thought can conjure up images of lecture
halls where Durkheim or Sartre once probed society and the meaning of life,
dank sheds in which Marie Curie discovered Radium, or cafés in which Camus once
plotted his works of absurdism.
France certainly has a strong
intellectual tradition, and whether it’s to improve your French, for the
richness of cultural activities, or just to try something different, there are
a range of options for international students.
When it comes to the practical side,
there are frustrations, but it’s doable, and well worth the effort. We’ve put
together this guide to help you through the process.
How you go about choosing a university program in
France will depend on where you’re from.
Anyone from an EU or European Economic Area member
state won’t need a visa to study, and can apply directly to the university or
graduate school of their choice.
Otherwise, you’ll need a student visa. You can get
one either at a French consulate or via Campus France (full
list of all the links below).
Campus France is an online portal run by the French
government that assists students in their university applications, from
choosing a university up to visa processing.
They have a number of regional offices around the
world and can also provide extensive information on degree programs.
France recently simplified the notoriously tedious
process of applying for a Carte de Séjour, or residency permit, for non-EU
nationals.
During your first year of studies, you only need to
show your visa as proof of your residency status. However, you still need to
register with the immigration
office within 30 days of arrival and undertake a medical examination
to validate your visa. From your second year of studies onwards, you will need
to apply for a Carte de Séjour.
Many universities now offer either bilingual
programs or programs taught entirely in English, which is of particular
appeal for those wanting to learn or improve their French while specialising in
another academic discipline.
However, if you decide to undertake a degree program
taught in French, you will need to have at least an intermediate level of
French. Many universities require the B2 (intermediate) certificate in the
Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française (DELF) or sometimes the C1 (advanced)
certificate, (the Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française or DALF), depending on
the course.
Find out more about French language courses at
the CIEP website.
France used to have a complicated system of degrees
and diplomas, but as part of the Bologna process degrees
are being standardised into Licence, Master and Doctorat levels, which
correspond to Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees, requiring three, two,
and three years respectively to complete.
The large majority of higher education institutions
in France are state-funded, meaning there is only a nominal tuition fee of
around 200€-400€ per year, depending on the level of studies.
Many business schools, however, are privately
owned, and tuition fees for non-EU students can exceed €15,000 ($19,750) per
year.
Under the French higher education system, anyone
who has obtained their baccalauréat, or secondary school certificate, is entitled
to enrol at a public university, but there are often competitive exams at the
end of first year for a limited number of places in second year.
There is also a parallel system of elite, selective
institutions known as grandes écoles, which have no real equivalent in the
English-speaking world, but can be compared to graduate schools.
Unlike public universities, they have highly
selective entry examinations, and are often semi-private, meaning they can
charge much higher fees.
The French academic year corresponds roughly with
most other northern hemisphere academic calendars.
The autumn semester usually begins in late
September, followed by a spring semester starting in early February.
In addition to holidays around Christmas and New
Year, some universities may have a spring break and holidays around All Saints’
Day (November 1st) and Easter.
Exams are normally at the end of each semester, and
there are usually three months of holidays in summer, running from the
beginning of July to the end of September.
The cost of living in France is similar to other
countries in Europe, but Paris, which is the most popular destination for
students, can be very expensive, and it can be extremely difficult to find
housing. There is often a crazy scramble for accommodation just before the
beginning of each academic year in early October.
The Fondation des Etats-Unis and the Maison des
Etudiants Canadiens cater to American and Canadian students, while the Collège
Franco-Britannique caters for British and Commonwealth citizens.
Those whose nationalities are not represented can
make a general application to the CIUP. Be warned, however, that places are
limited - and many students apply up to a year in advance to secure a spot.
Only students in their third year of university and
beyond can apply, and the maximum stay is two years.
Universities outside Paris (and even those located
in the suburbs around Paris) often have subsidised student accommodation,
either on-campus or nearby. You can also find more information about living in
dormitories funded by the national student welfare office, the CNOUS.
Financial aid and working
The French government offers large number scholarships each year to
international students. These are normally advertised on the websites of French
embassies and consulates around the world. Campus France also has a search
engine for scholarships and grants
Students whose universities are part of the Erasmus program can
apply for the scheme through their universities. While the scheme is largely
limited to universities in the EU, there are a number of non-EU universities
who are also involved.
Means-based rental assistance is available to
anyone with a valid French visa or Carte de Séjour (residency permit),
including non-EU citizens, and are managed by the Caisses d'Allocations Familiales (CAF).
Students are legally allowed to work up to 19.5 hours per week during the semester
and full-time during the holiday period.
Non-EU citizens no longer need to apply for a
separate work permit, and can work as long as they hold a valid student visa or
residency card, except for Algerian students, who are covered under a separate
agreement.
Students who have completed a Master’s are also
eligible to apply for a six-month temporary work permit to allow them to find a
job after their studies, but this provision was recently tightened and many
applications were refused.
French universities tend not to have the same level
of student activity that collegiate universities in the English-speaking world
do.
Yet there are many extra-curricular activities and
social events organised by student unions or bureau (x) des étudiants
(BDE).
As the fourth most popular study destination in the
world, and with 12 percent of the student population hailing from abroad, there
is often a dynamic cultural diversity on French campuses.
Most universities make an active effort to welcome
them; with international students’ offices, student associations and buddy
programs to help ease the transition for international students.
There are many benefits extended to students in
France including generous discounts for food, entertainment and
transportation.
Eligibility criteria can vary. Some benefits are
only available to student card holders, while others are available to anyone
under the age of 26.
Many public museums in Paris, for example, have
free entry for EU residents under the age of 26.
Other benefits require the purchase of a student
card; for example, the 12-25 rail card issued by the national rail
company, SNCF,
is valid for one year and costs €50. It offers up to a 60% discount on rail
travel throughout France. In this year, the offer was extended to those up to
30 years of age.
Encourage with your studies.
.jpg)
.jpg)
