If you happen to attend a college in France, you would not want to miss the wonders of the Eiffel Tower, breathtaking in beauty and fun. It is a place for students, as well as individuals of all ages. France is absolutely elegant in every imaginable way – something that you would never want to miss. Packed with the culture of art, fashion, museum and wine, the chance to study in France will certainly be even more appealing than it may have been before. Whether you choose to begin your learning in the capital city or prefer to go closer to the northern or southern borders, every university offers a different area of specialized learning. Let us find out what makes France an ideal destination for higher education.
Are you aware that in 2019, around 10,000 Indians chose France for higher studies? As a student planning to study in France, is it quite imperative for you to know the benefits of taking our higher education abroad? How would you feel if you were told that France has a lot more than just an amazing educational system in the world!
Why Study in France?
Many people are daunted by the cost of studying abroad. But tuition fees in France are among the world’s lowest, even at the most prestigious institutions of higher education. The French language is not a hurdle, either – many French institutions offer courses in English (and well, if you learned French, that would put you in the company of 274 million people scattered across several dozen countries). If you’re thinking about studying abroad, here are some reasons to consider France.
1. Unique academic strengths- France has some of the world’s top research institutions. It ranks fourth in the world in terms of the number of Nobel Prizes won, and second for Fields Medals (the “Nobel prize” for mathematics). It has 73 universities, more than 200 engineering schools, 20 architecture schools, and 150 business schools. France also offers specializations backed by traditional strengths – for example, the ESSEC Business School offers an MBA in luxury brand management, and several schools offer courses in specializations such as landscape architecture, and the science and management of wine.
2. Low cost of studies- Tuition fees are among the lowest in the world at around €600 a year or less (yes, even for international students). Some schools also offer fee waivers to early-bird applicants. Others may waive up to 60% based on other criteria, such as an outstanding GMAT score.
3. Good rankings- Degrees granted by French higher education institutions are certified by the government of France. The École Normale Supérieure, Paris, is 54th out of 800 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings for 2015-16. In terms of teaching, THE’s top 100 includes 5 French institutions. The top 20 MBA programs in the Financial Times’ 2015business school rankings include 5 French schools: HEC Paris, Insead, ESCP Europe, ESSEC, and Grenoble Ecole de Management.
4. Importance of international students- More than 15% of university students in France are foreign nationals, and among doctoral candidates that figure is 42%. France is the third most sought after study destination after the US and UK. More and more French higher education courses are being offered in English. The Campus France website for India even lets you search for programs offered in English. Some schools such as ESSEC accept CAT scores in addition to GMAT and GRE.
5. Cultural diversity and global exposure- Literature, cinema, museums, and the passion for food are part of daily life in France, and students enjoy special discounted prices at all cultural events. French is the official language in 32 countries, and is spoken by 274 million people worldwide. It is the world’s third most used language for business.
6. Employment possibilities- On a long-stay student visa (as opposed to a short-stay one), you can work up to 19½ hours a week (roughly the same as in the US). If you complete a master’s degree or higher, you can seek authorization to stay on for 6 months to a year and work part-time. If the employment is related to your degree and pays at least 150% of the minimum wage (€9.61/hour before deductions), you may be able to work full-time. Students from some European countries can work in France without any restrictions.
7. Alumni visa- If you are an Indian with master’s degree or PhD from France, living in India, you are eligible for what is commonly known as the “alumni visa”. This is a 5-year visa to France and the Schengen Area, when you next travel to France for pleasure or business. The visa allows you a stay of up to 90 days.
French Education System
France is quite strict when it comes to following the highest educational standards. French people take their education very seriously, with plenty of money spent on building education infrastructure. In fact, engineers, doctors, military leaders, etc. all turn to the prime education system in France to gain their knowledge of the industry. You should note that the academic year in the country starts in mid-September and stretches up to the end of June in the progressive year.
The school system is neatly divided into primary level (école), middle school (collage) and high school (lycée) roughly similar to the prevalent educational arrangement in India. After graduating from high school, students can choose to pursue higher education through various diploma routes as well. As a matter of fact, most of the educational institutions in France are public and therefore focus on providing quality education at an affordable cost. Two of the positive characteristics that you will find while you study in France are small tutorial sizes and heavy instructor intervention. This means you have enough time to learn, ask questions and seek help.
Top 10 Universities in France
France has many renowned higher learning institutions scattered around the country – no matter what subjects you wish to study or degree you want to earn. We have listed some of the best universities to study in France.
Studying in English or French?
Of course, when you are attending a college to study in France, you do have the option of learning in English or French. And if you are interested in understanding the culture of the country as well as forming new bonds, utilizing a French course is a great option. French is the second most spoken language in Europe and being able to speak and understand it, adds so much significance to your life. To know in-depth about the language that classes are taught in, you can talk to the expert at the college that you are planning to attend.
Popular Courses to Study in France
There are literally thousands of industries in which France excels and students can easily earn a degree no matter what type of career they are interested in. Some of the popular fields of education include Nuclear, Space and Aviation, Economics, Languages, Teaching, Art, History, Medicine, Science and Law. French universities aim to deliver the best of learning opportunities to students. They are quite aware of these domains and ensure that they teach students beyond the realms of basic education.
Undergraduate Studies
In order to start your bachelor’s education in France, you must complete your 10+2 or a high school diploma or equivalent from a recognised board of education. And if you wish to study in France, you should be prepared with your application well ahead of time and submit it no less than 2 months in advance of the commencement for your desired courses. Students have the opportunity to begin their undergraduate studies in the following disciplines.
Postgraduate Studies
| Category | Degree | Description |
| Taught Masters | MA, MSc and MEng | These are similar to undergraduate studies, with lecturers, tutorials and seminars. Students have to research topics on their own and take an independent approach to their studying. |
| Research Masters | MRes and MA (Research) | These are the prerequisites for entering a PhD in France and students must focus on improving their research skills through conducting independent research to produce a final project. |
| Doctorate | PhD | Usually completed after a master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant subject. Students have to demonstrate the necessary aptitude to pursue independent research. |
Earning a postgraduate degree in France may vary – diplomas can be earned within a duration of 4 years, while degree programs need 1 to 2 years to complete. The application process is very similar to bachelor’s studies. Additionally, to pursue management courses students need to have a valid GMAT score and GRE is important to pursue MS in France.
Language Requirements for Universities in France
Although most degrees are taught in French, there are various English-taught study programs, notably at the Master’s and Ph.D. levels. The following language exams are accepted by academic institutions in France.
For French proficiency
Exemptions from the requirement to demonstrate French language competency include:
For English proficiency
Study in France for Indian Students After 12th
For all the students who are planning to study in France after class 12th, the process of pursuing the studies of your choice in the country is quite simple. France is a hub of many leading universities, thus you are required to thoroughly go through the list of universities as well as the courses offered by them. Universities in France usually offer intakes in the months of September and June. Once you have found the UG course of your choice, you can look out for the academic requirements of it. Do not forget to check whether the program is taught in English or French.
On average, an Indian student would require a minimum 60- 70% in 10+2 examinations. As per the medium of your course, you will be asked to qualify entrance exams for DELF, DALF, TEF, etc. If you have chosen French. On the other hand, if you have chosen English as your study medium, scores for exams like IELTS, TOEFL etc are required. Once you pass by the step of academic requirements, the next step would be to follow up for the visa. Listed below are there documents that you may need for the visa application.
Study in France without IELTS
You can easily pursue a course in France without qualifying the IELTS exam. Listed below are the universities in which you can apply without IELTS score-
Study in France Scholarship
Students Going for Internship in France
An internship agreement or Convention de Stage is important for students going for an internship in France. It is a contract between the intern, intern’s home institution in India and the employer (either the host university or the company). Acting as supplemental workplace insurance, the document includes the dates of the internship, tasks and objectives that the internship is relevant to the course of study, besides information on the institution in France and the police department. In case the internship is for a period of more than 3 months, then you’ll have to get a stamp from the labour authority in the host country.
Cost of living & studying in France.
Approx between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR/month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to live in a student hall of residence) Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR/month. Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between 800 – 1,000 EUR. Your cost may increase or decrease depending on the university, course and city.
Please contact us for more guideline and VISA apply.
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