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Education in France

Education in France brings students to Europe, which is known for the best education standards in the world. France is also the fourth most popular destination for education among international students. Geographically, it shares borders with Luxemburgs, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Andorra, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands. The area of France is 640679 Square kilometers.  

Allow us to assist you as you plan to study in France. Ahead of this page, learn more about education in France.  

Overview of education in France 

A brief overview of education in France is mentioned below: 

  • Education in France is grouped into primary education, secondary education, and higher education. 
  • Higher education in France is grouped into vocational diplomas or academic diplomas.  
  • The academic degrees are; a licensing program for three years, a Master's level is five years, and a Doctorate for three years in six semesters.  
  • Study programs popular in France are Engineering, Business, Art and Architecture, Hotel Management, Medicine, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Artificial Intelligence.  
  • Education in France also has a unique grading system from A to F on a Scale of 0 to 20. points. It follows a Bologna System, which provides accreditations throughout Europe. 
  • France has 84 Universities that charge no tuition fees to students.  
  • The education in France is unique, and teachers' involvement with students is minimum as they only appear to teach in Class and live in French high schools.  
  • France spends 5.6% of its Gross Domestic Product GDP in the education sector. They have subsidized education costs for roughly 80%, and besides the French administration, Universities and Grand Ecoles offer numerous scholarship opportunities to study in France. 
  • Around 359000 international students come to France for studies. It is also a progressively suitable spot for global studies.  
  • They have outstanding research and growth in Science and Technology.  
  • Most French Educators have made TOEFL a standardized test language for the admission of international students. 

Why study in France? Guide for international student  

The main reasons for pursuing education in France to study abroad are: 

  • Tuition fees are affordable and flexible 
  • Opportunities for Studies in World Renowned Universities and Business Schools 
  • Beautiful and vibrant Cities with World heritage sites 
  • Saves cost on the essentials for international students 
  • Softer VISA norms 
  • The French Language is a World language alongside English 
  • More research and development opportunities 
  • Budget-friendly accommodations 
  • Exclusive art and culture, and Nightlife in Cities like Paris 
  • Student activities and social organizations to support students 
  • The multicultural hub where students come from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, America, and Asia. 
  • Center for innovation and  
  • Excellence in global opportunities advancements. 

The education system in France 

Education in France is divided into three stages: basic, secondary, and higher. Most primary and secondary schools in France, as well as many colleges, are public institutions with highly centralized administrations. Primary and secondary school curricula are standardized across all schools for a specific grade. 

PRIMARY SCHOOLING

  • In France, formal education begins at three, when many children enroll in kindergarten (maternelle). Daycare (pré-maternelle) is available to children as young as two. While neither pre-maternelle nor maternelle education is required, all children must be enrolled by six. Primary school lasts five years, from about six to eleven (similar to a US elementary school).

SECONDARY EDUCATION

  • Following elementary school, children progress to secondary school, separated into two sections. The college level consists of four years of instruction for pupils aged eleven to fifteen (similar to a US middle school). Upon completion, students obtain a brevet des collèges. Students continue their secondary education at the lycée (high school) after college. Students must subsequently pass an examination to get the baccalauréat (bac). The baccalauréat is equal to a high school diploma in the United States; however, it needs additional preparation. 

HIGHER EDUCATION

Following the lycée, pupils might pursue either a vocational or an academic diploma. 

Vocational Diploma: The DUT (diplôme universitaire de technologie) and BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) are two-year degrees in technology. High schools provide BTS courses, but universities grant DUT. A DUT or BTS may be followed by one more qualifying year of study, culminating in a licence professionnelle.  

Academic diploma: In France, there are three higher education institutions: universities, Grandes écoles, and specialized schools.  

  • Universities are public institutions that provide academic, technical, and professional degrees to any student with a baccalauréat or its international equivalent.  
  • The Grandes écoles are prestigious public and private schools. They are comparable to universities in that they provide a three-year term of study in topics such as commerce, public administration, or engineering.  
  • Specialized schools are public or private institutions that prepare students for jobs in disciplines such as art, architecture, social work, or tourism. They provide licenses and Master's degrees. 

Admission requirements for international Students in France 

Undergraduate education 

While most French institutes begin their academic year in mid-September and terminate in June of the following year, others accept students throughout the year. If you have settled on an institution, you should apply at least two months before the start date of your selected course. To enroll in an undergraduate course, you must have the following: 

  • Must have a French baccalaureate, which is similar to 10+2 in our nation 
  • to pass the appropriate admission examinations for the university of your choice 
  • Postgraduate education 
  • In France, there are two categories of postgraduate programs: 
  • Taught Master's (MAs/MScs/MEng): 'Taught Masters' are courses that follow the same patterns as undergraduate studies. However, a 'Research Master' is sometimes considered a requirement for doctoral or Ph.D. program admission. 
  • Research Master's (MRes/MA by Research): Students pursuing a Master's degree must do research and write a dissertation or final project at the end of their studies.  

A postgraduate program in the nation has the same application process as a graduate program. Remember that international students who want to study at a French institution or university must have their passports on hand while completing the application procedure. 

Doctoral study 

Doctoral programs in France are taught in French, with language requirements determined by each school. Unless you have studied French academically or have an equivalent competence certificate, candidates seeking to advance beyond a master's degree must take a French proficiency exam. The Campus France portal handles all other application processes. Many institutes also interview prospective overseas candidates through Skype. 

Requirements for Documentation 

  • Various colleges have different admissions rules and demand additional documentation; however, the following are some of the most common: 
  • Attested copies of all secondary school academic transcripts 
  • IELTS, TOEFL, and other tests of English language competency 
  • Where appropriate, GMAT, GRE, and other exam results 
  • Academic references 
  • Photographs in passport size 
  • Purpose Statement (SOP) 
  • Resume/CV 
  • Portfolio (applicable for design courses) 

English Proficiency Exam to Study in France 

Aside from IELTS, there are additional English language competence examinations available. TOEFL, PTE Academic, and C1 Advanced are popular and generally acknowledged tests. The same exam results can be used to apply for a student visa in France. 

Best courses in France  

Some best courses to pursue education in France are: 

  • Healthcare 
  • Engineering 
  • Medicine 
  • Hospitality and hotel management 
  • Business Studies 
  • Nursing 
  • IT and Computer Science 
  • Veteran 
  • Agriculture 
  • Trades 
  • Art and design 
  • Animation 

Top 10 University in France  

The top 10 universities to pursue education in France are: 

  • University of Lille 
  • University of Strasbourg 
  • University of Paris 
  • University of Lorraine 
  • École Normale Supérieure 
  • Sorbonne University 
  • Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1 
  • University of Caen Normandie 
  • Panthéon-Sorbonne University 
  • Clermont Auvergne University 

 

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