So you’re researching what it’s like to study in France! I will post lots of useful information here, so keep reading!
- There are 3 types of higher education institutes in France: universities which are public institutions and funded by the state; elite institutions known as Grandes écoles which can be public or private; specialized schools which can also be public or private.
- Like with many other European countries, France has adopted the Bologna process and at the Bachelor’s level universities offer : Licence which generally lasts for 3 years and Licence Professionnelle which is meant for those interested in directly joining the professional world. The Masters degree generally lasts 2 years and a Doctorate generally takes an additional 3 years after a Masters. For admission to any of the aforementioned degrees, universities look at past performance. The popular courses are engineering, management, luxury, fashion, language and oncology.
- As of late an increasing number of foreign students are flocking to France firstly because of the general quality of it’s higher education, increase in awareness due to promotional efforts made by French institutions internationally through organizations like Campus France and also due to increase in the number of courses offered in English. Another factor which draws students is the low tuition fees and opportunity. This is particularly clear for universities, which attract large numbers of students from the Maghreb, sub-Saharan Africa or China. France’s attractiveness as a higher education destination is not equal in all regions of the world. It is especially popular in countries where education systems are still undeveloped – in other words, in emerging countries.
- For admission to an undergraduate program, universities require students to have completed high school (lycée). Each has it’s own specific admission criteria. You may be required to take standardized exams as well as demonstrate French/English language proficiency depending on whether the course is in English/French.
- The admission procedure to any of the Grandes écoles, however, are way different and extremely competitive. After completing high school (lycée) students are required to enrol in a 2-year long preparatory program also known as Classes préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles (CPGE) or prépas. They are generally held in lycées and a few are private. Admission to these programs are competitive and students are selected based on their high school record. There are different types of prépas. Which type you attend depends upon which field of study you want to go into. At the end of the preparatory program students have to appear for a competitive exam known as Concours. For students who do not perform satisfactorily in the exam, the 2 years of study in this course can count towards 2 years of university studies if you choose to continue studying in a university, so never fear!. There are opportunities for both French and international students to get admission to one of the Grandes écoles in Year 1 or transfer to one of the Grandes écoles after completing 2-3 years of study in a French/international university as well. Note: not all the Grandes écoles accept transfer students after Year 1. Each Grandes école has it’s own admission criteria. In addition to academics, the candidates extracurricular activities may also be taken into consideration.
- Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate education in public universities in France is almost free if you’re a citizen/permanent resident of countries that are part of the EEA or Switzerland. You just have to pay a minimal fee. Generally, international students from other countries pay substantially more, but it’s still a lot cheaper than many other countries like the US/UK. In fact in some universities like the University of Paris, international students who are not citizens/permanent residents of countries that are part of the EEA or Switzerland pay the same fees! Fees for private universities are substantially higher. Note: most Grandes écoles are public, but there are some private ones as well.
- Academics are rigorous in French universities: There are huge auditoriums where professors lecture hundreds of students and smaller tutorials or discussion sessions which are meant to be interactive and instill deeper understanding of the course material in the students, clear their doubts etc. Some programs may require practical work in the form of internships. All in all, it’s pretty exciting!
- Generous scholarships are available to international students by French institutions, the French government, external bodies etc and I will elaborate on them later for your benefit.
- Living expenses in France can be high depending on where you choose to attend university! The biggest expense will be accommodation. So do your research and plan early. I will include specific info regarding this later which might be of use to you! Good luck!
