Study in France

Why Study in France?

France is an EU country that excels in multiple fields, including biology and pharmaceuticals, nuclear energy and research, automobile and aviation, food and cuisine, high fashion, art etc. The French have such multifaceted development in such varied fields that they have some of the best schools throughout the country. France has been a melting pot of cultures since the conception of La Sorbonne, the first French University, which was more than 800 years ago, Medicine, law and Theology was taught to students who came from all over Europe. However with the coming of modern times the French have opened their doors to the rest of the world and it has become a true mixture of races. Since France is such a country with a population that comes from a myriad of countries, foreign students fit right in, and the warm French demeanor only eases the process. The French government in 1998 made multiple changes in the education system so as to ease the availability of French education to foreign nationals who come to France to get educated. The country is utterly elegant in every imaginable way, and something that one must experience. Some of the world’s best restaurants, art galleries and entertainment venues are only the tip of the iceberg as far as what the country offers. If you happen to attend a college in Paris, you can experience the wonder that the Eiffel Tower is.

 The government offers medical insurance to students (including international students) under 28 years of age for free and for anyone above the age, a nominal fee of 211 euros an year would make them eligible for the insurance scheme. Besides this lucrative detail, the government also allows students to work for 20 hours a week, if the student is enrolled for a full time course to help the students sustain themselves during their stay in the country. The students may employ themselves informally with a minimal pay of 9.61 euros (pretax)/hour. An average student requires about 600-650 (may change based on the city of residence) Euros to sustain the expenses of the month, excluding tuitions, and a part time job should be able to cover these expenses without any problems.

There are a plethora of reasons why attending an institution in France is an interesting proposal for a student who is not of French origins, these include the lowest tuition costs, the chance to explore the amazing country that France is and the benefit of receiving some of the most valued education and training from top notch tutors. The benefits that come with a European degree, and a French one at that, extends way beyond what can be listed in this article. Don’t think twice, the French will welcome you with open arms, and it will without doubt be the best decision that you make if you choose France for your higher education

Education System in France

The French educate 1.5 million pupil in a year ( graduate and post graduate levels) and whopping 10 % of this is composed of international students from all around the globe. With a diverse platter of courses that the French universities have to offer, one is sure to be able to find the specific course that one desires. The higher education system in France is the similar to the pan European style of administration, called the Bologna system, which eases the international mobility as the degrees are valid in most EU countries. France utilizes the same three-level higher education system as do the rest of the 29 European countries involved in the Bologna system. The ‘Licence’ and ‘Licence Professionnelle’ degrees are undergraduate, recognized throughout the world as a Bachelor’s. Post graduate courses include Master’s and Doctorate (PhD). The French implement a credit-based system whereby each module within the course is given a certain amount of ECTS (European credits). These credits are usually transferable within courses. Once a student is able to acquire 180 ECTS, he/she will earn a Licence, and a further 120 ECTS must be acquired for a Master’s qualification. The low tuition fees are a hallmark of universities that are government institutions (most are government run). However, the most prestigious of the French institutions are the Grandes Écoles. These are private institutes that offer degrees that are sought after by the top most organizations in the European Union. Students must have completed 2 years of validated study after graduating the Baccalauréat (Secondary education, a degree like the 12th std in the Indian educational system) or equivalent - an addition that public universities bypass. 

Choosing a course and University in France:

Choosing a University is just a matter of choosing ones with lower ROI ranks. Besides that, one has to look at the fact that the university has the course you are interested in as well as other factors like the tuition fees, living expenses in the city and whether the institution gives out scholarships.

Research and dive into every aspect of the course. Study the course content over the duration of the degree. One must go through the modules covered in each course thoroughly and identify the ones that are necessary for enhancing one’s employability. If you as a student do not understand the significance and the brief contents of the modules that each course has to offer, then it may lead to the realization that the course is not the one that you can cope with or you have interest in. Changing courses or repeating first year can become an extremely pricey affair so research, and research well. It is simple to look up the institutions’ web pages for a complete breakdown of each module and its learning outcomes. Find peers and seniors who are enrolled in the same courses through the tool (Yocket) and through third party networks like LinkedIN and facebook, clarify all doubts that you have about the course, with questions that are specific and to the point (how many students failed the course, how many were recruited last year, Is module X taught by professor Y difficult or easy, do you get to have real world internships and professional experience). In the end you have to get your doubts cleared and weigh your options, and choose the course that suits your needs.

Cost of Studying in France

Tuition fees at public universities:

Tuition fees at public universities in France have variable prices, depending on the level of the course (graduate/post graduate/doctoral)

• For Bachelor’s programmes, the average tuition fees are around 190 EUR per year.
• Engineering degrees have higher tuition fees of around 620 EUR per academic year.
• The average tuition fees for Medicine studies can lead to 450 EUR per year.

• The average fees for a Master are around 260 EUR/year and for a PhD 396 EUR/year; you should expect higher fees for certain specialised degrees.

A contribution to campus and student life of 90 EUR is mandatory for students. 

Tuition fees at other types of institutions

• Grandes ecoles – Students will pay more at France’s highly selective grandes écoles and grands établissements (great schools and establishments), which set their own fees (about 500-600 EUR per year, but in some cases, they can lead up to 10,000 EUR per year).
• Private universities –Tuition fees in private universities start at 1,500 and can reach 20,000 EUR per year.
• In business schools, regardless of the degree level, fees range between 5,000 and 7,000 EUR a year.

Most affordable universities in France

Here is a list of French universities with the most affordable tuition fees:

• University Lille Sciences et Technologies – average tuition fees 261 EUR/year
• Université de Lyon – average tuition fees 500 EUR/year
• Université du Maine – average tuition fees 500 EUR/year
• Grenoble INP Institute of Engineering Univ. Grenoble Alpes - average tuition of 261 EUR/year
• University of Burgundy – average tuition fees 500 EUR/year

Books or other stationeries average at 50 EUR/month;

Average living costs in French cities and towns

The overall living costs in France depend on your lifestyle, but, most of all, they depend on your chosen location, mainly the French city you live in. It is estimated that you will need around 430 EUR per month to survive while you attend college in the country, but this is a no frills or bare minimum figure. All of the things that we’ve talked about above do not include that many things that will be needed while you study, such as clothing, entertainment, school testing fees, etc. If you are an international student, the laws in France allow you to work part-time up to 20 hours per week while you study in France. While this money can certainly help, it may not be enough to cover all of the things that you will need.

Check the average budget you would need for each of the large cities in France:

• Paris: 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 and 800 – 1.000 EUR;
• For the rest of France, you can manage with smaller amounts (at least 650 EUR).

Accommodation

Prices for accommodation are usually above the international average of 200 – 300 EUR/month.

The main housing options for students in France are:

• Student halls of residence – between 150 and 600 EUR/month, including facilities, if the room is private or shared.
• Rent/share an apartment – between 400 and 700 EUR/month, while in smaller French cities you can rent a small apartment for about 300 EUR/month; ( this is the most viable option for Indian students as sharing the rent brings the individual costs down)
• If you will live with your partner and/or children, the price for rent would range from 700 to 1,000 EUR/month, and you could pay higher if you choose an apartment in the city centre. The utility bills (electricity, water, the internet) would be another 200 EUR/month;
• Host family (Paying guest) – you can find rates that are only 200 EUR/ month to about 800 EUR/month in Paris. However, they all include at least one meal per day.

International students also have access to VISALE, which offers free rent deposit. It allows students to give a guarantee on the payment of rents t and increase their chances to quickly find accommodation.

Food costs

One person can expect to spend on average about 250 – 300 EUR/month on groceries in Paris, or less in the provinces. The average price for a meal in the least expensive restaurant costs between 10 and 15 EUR. A more affordable option where you can have a meal anywhere in France are the bistros, brasseries and crepe stands. Some bistros serve substantial meals, and a crepe can take the place of lunch and prices are from 5 to 8 EUR.

You will get the best value if you buy from the supermarket; the cheapest supermarkets in France are Leclerc, followed by Géant Casino. Affordable places to have dinner include the Courtepaille restaurant chain, Buffalo Grill, or inexpensive restaurants in Paris, like Michi. Besides this a student can also have lunch at the university cafeteria for as little as 3 EUR.

Transportation in France:

• A monthly pass for the bus, metro or tram sets you back by approximately 30 EUR;
• You can also rent a bike through the Vélib bicycle rental programme, Bordeaux is the most bike-friendly city in France.
• You can also use the TGV (Train de grande vitesse/ the high speed train transit system) to visit other cities in France, for around 30 EUR a trip.
• If you purchase an international youth travel card, you can get major discounts to visit sights around France.

Life in France, Health and Safety

Life for an international student is a blast. After a tired day of absorbing knowledge and doing the additional reading that one’s tutor has asked one to do, one can unwind and relax in multiple ways. The country has some of the best restaurants and museums (with the best renaissance artisans’ work ). Most of the museums are free for students ( students ID is a must therefore). The French are very proud about their history and culture, therefore even if you are enrolled in a course that is taught in English (Courses are taught in French and English), knowing the language and the history of the country would be advantageous as French tutors (unequivocally ironically) are known to draw references from their own cultural and historical histories while teaching almost anything. Universities in France maintain many modern sports facilities accessible to students. In most cases this access requires that you pay a small fee for joining. Sports is something that’s encouraged in France. You can find a full range of sports and sporting events offered at the colleges in France including track and field, cricket, rugby, baseball, football, basketball, and many others. Most of the colleges and universities in France offer students the chance to stay connected to the world with the help of wireless internet access provided at no cost. If you are not on campus, you might have to pay for your own connection or use it at the library. Apart from the library, a lot of public places including coffee places offer free WiFi. To help students who work part time while studying at university, most Universities allow very flexible schedules for courses. The students can pick and choose the times and the dates of the course that they will attend. There will be plenty of tests and exams given while you are attending college in France. These exams are not meant to scare you or make you fail; they are designed to ensure that you are learning all of the information that is being taught to you. It is essential that you understand these things to work in your career. Be prepared to take these tests. It is safe to say that once things get started you will have some sort of test or exam each week with at least one of your classes, and sometimes even more than this. French universities have a love of oral presentations. So if you have a fear of talking in front of large groups of people, then this is your chance to practice.

There are lots of different options for accommodation. The most common choice is student residences, which is good to meet other students and is normally a simple process done through your university. However, you can also stay with a host family, which is good for practicing your French and diving in to the local culture and cuisine. Some find host families through Welcome2France.com. Flat sharing or collocation is also a very viable possibility, which is a great way to meet new people – not just students. There are numerous websites for you to search for available rooms, including Roomlala.com or Leboncoin.fr. The climate of France is generally cold in winter and mild in summer, but mild winters and hot summers are usual along the Mediterranean Sea (French riviera) and in the South West of France. Along the Rhône Valley an occasional strong, cold, dry, north-to-northwesterly wind blows known as the mistral. Its best therefore to carry clothes that help against the cold, at least till one gets acclimatized to the weather of the locality.

Living on a budget is possible only when you cook your own food, this is very well possible because the French still believe and use the concept of local markets. French students normally do not like to socialize with non French speaking students; however, if you do want to make French friends, the best way would be to join clubs that you are interested in, where one can interact with others with similar interest. The best way to befriend the French is to immerse yourself in their culture.

The crime indices in French cities are comparatively low:

Marseille 55.55, Paris 52.00, Toulouse 42.78, Lyon 42.69

Popular Cities and Courses

France is a vibrant country in western Europe. With more than 800 english programs and numerous french programs in business, engineering, technology, arts, literature, music etc. the city has seen large numbers of international students flocking to be a part of french education & culture. Paris has been ranked world’s no.1 student friendly city by QS but there is more to France than just the capital city. a list of top 10 such cities in the country based on the parameters like presence of schools, student mix, affordability and employment opportunities are presented here

1. Paris
2. Lyon
3. Toulouse
4. Nice
5. Montpellier
6. Grenoble
7. Lille
8. Rennes
9. Bordeaux
10. Marseille

Popular Universities In France:

France has three universities that have been listed among the top 100 universities in the world. Most of the universities are concentrated in and around the capital city of Paris, however other cities also offer distinct advantages that universities in Paris can’t offer like cheaper rents and proximity to industrial sectors. Below are some of the French universities that stand out. The three universities that have been briefed about are listed in the top 100 universities of the world.

University of Paris 11

The University of Paris 11 has the largest college campus in the entire country, with locations in five of Paris’ suburbs- Sceaux, Orsay, Chatenay-Malabry, Kremlin-Bicetre and Cachan. The University specializes in human sciences, with five facilities offering Sciences, Law and Economic Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine and Sports Sciences, three Institutes of Technology and one School of Engineering. A strong 30,000 students attend this university every year, with general education courses accounting for 43% and another 57% in professional training courses. Additionally, there are 4,800 students attending the university from a total of 132 different countries. There are around 1,800 tutors at the institution.

University of Strasbourg

Three universities merged in 2009 and gave rise to the University of Stasbourg. This amalgamated university therefore offers a wide variety of courses. It is the largest educational institution in the country, with more than 41,000 students enrolled. Of those students, the international student population is a big 20%.

Ecole Normale Superieure Paris

Ecole Normal Super Paris a school that is well-known for its research work, with 14 academic departments that grant their degrees after completion of masters and doctoral research has been completed. 

With more than 70 different colleges there is certainly something there for everyone. While the above colleges are the most prestigious in the country there are numerous other college choices available that will provide you with a quality education based on your desires for your future career.

Paris Tech

Paris Tech is another amazing college in France. The school focuses it education on Science and Technology industries. There are programs offering 4, 3 and 2-year degrees in related fields,graduates from this school enroll in various engineering and research organizations within the EU. With around 4,600 students in attendance at the school, the school is well equipped to handle international students as well. The institution offers a number of extracurricular activities for students, as well as affordable tuition costs and an array of financial assistance programs.

American University of Paris

American University of Paris is a top ranking college that was founded in 1962. It is an Arts and Sciences University offering a plethora of disciplines to students. Students who attend this university will find it offering about 17 major courses and 36 minor courses. The Paris chapter of the school teaches all of their courses in English.

Universite Pierre et Marie Curie

Universite Pierre et Marie Curie has been a leading institution in France since it was formed in 1971. It It has played a central roll in research in the country. There are 125 laboratories inside of the university, with areas such as modelling and engineering, matter and new materials, living earth and environment and life and health.

Louis Pasteur University Strasbourg I

Louis Pasteur University Strasbourg I is a collaboration school that formed between Louis Pasteur University and the University of Strasbourg. The faculty here has consisted of Nobel Prize winners and many top names.

Some of the other top universities and colleges in France include:

• Artois University
• Blaise Pascal University
• Cergy-Pontoise University
• Henri Poincare University
• Jean Monnet University
• Jean Moulin University Lyon 3
• College de France
• Ecole Centrale de Lyon
• Ecole Nationale Superieure de Techniques Avancees
• Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines de Paris
• Ecole Nationale Superieure des Mines de St-Etienne
• Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Electronique, d’Electrotechnique, d’Informatique et d’Hydraulique de Toulouse
• Ecole Nationale Superieure d’Ingenieurs en Construction Aeronautique (ENSICA)
• Ecole Nationale Superieure des Telecomunnications de Paris (ENST)
• Ecole Nationale de l’AviationCivile (ENAC)
• Ecole Nationale des Telecommunications de Bretagne
• Ecole Normale Superieure
• Ecole Normale Superieure de Lyon
• Ecole Polytechnique
• Ecole Superieure d’electricite
• Ecole Superieure d’Ingenieur en electronique et electrotechnique
• Ecole Superieure en Sciences Informatiques
• Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Paris
• European Institute of Business Administration
• Institut National de Physique Nucleaire et de Physique des Particules
• Institut National des Sciences Appliquees de Lyon
• Institut National des Sciences Appliquees de Toulouse
• Institut des Mathematiques Appliquees de Grenoble
• Strasbourg University
• Universite Paris IX Dauphine
• Universite d’Aix-Marseille III
• Universite d’Angers
• Universite de Caen
• Universite de Franche-Comte
• Universite de Marne la Vallee
• Universite de Provence
• Universite de Savoie
• Universite de la Mediterranee
• Universite des Sciences et Technologies de Lille
• Universite Lumiere Lyon
• Universite d’orleans
• Universite de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour

Job prospects in France

France Application Process

Steps to apply for France Student Visa

Read the below articles to know more about studying in the France

• https://yocket.in/blog/Etude-en-france-1225
• https://yocket.in/blog/studying-in-france-a-career-option-1363

FAQs

1. Does a student need to know French to study in France?
   • No. Not all courses require a student to know French, there are many courses in engineering, management, hospitality and fashion studies that are taught in English. However it is always advisable to learn French, to enjoy a good stay
2. What are the tests to be taken while applying to universities in Paris?
   • GMAT is required for MBA and management courses.However there are also many management courses that do not require GMAT. GRE is certainly not required.
3. Are Indian degrees recognized in France and vice-versa?
   • A Bachelor's degree is obtained after 3 years, a Masters's after 5 years and a Doctorate after 8 years, all after the baccalaureate, which is similar to the Indian education system.