France’s unique history, rich culture, and inspiring art and literature have attracted thousands of foreign students to choose France as their destination to pursue higher education. The traditional image of France as the country of baguettes and cafés is still accurate, but "la belle France" is continually updating her image to include more modern themes.
The 1998 World Cup victory for the French soccer team was instrumental to an increasing national morale, and has created a positive atmosphere in France that has accelerated activities in almost every sector of French life. Some people even believe that this "world cup effect" has helped to restore France’s belief in its own economy.
The student who chooses to go to France will have the opportunity to discover just how dynamic and multifaceted of a country it is; from the renowned beaches of the Côte d’Azur to the romantic cobblestone streets of Paris. Saturate with color and life, France offers a superior quality of higher education opportunities to students worldwide. With all its beauty and culture, it will be difficult to resist making France your study abroad destination.
Local Information:
France is geographically the largest country in Europe, but has a smaller population than the United Kingdom or Germany. It is made up many towns, villages, and big cities. Paris is both the largest city and cultural center of France. To Parisians, it is not only the center of France, but also the center of the world. This may seem egotistical, but there is some truth in it. France is the best-placed Western nation for trade, travel, and cross-border communication. It borders 6 countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland) and is a stone’s throw away from the United Kingdom. So, before you try to humble the excessive Parisian ego, don’t forget that Paris is indeed the center of the world- the Western world.
The French are committed to a high "quality of life" standard. Food and the culinary arts are sacred. Beauty, philosophy, the philosophy of beauty, and the beauty of philosophy are common topics of conversation that are discussed for hours upon end with friends in cafés and universities.
The French tend to have a general disregard for money; it is almost taboo to discuss money while eating. The workweek is getting shorter and shorter- it’s now down to 35hrs/week. There are strikes and protests all the time, and although they may cause you to be late for an important rendez-vous, they keep you constantly aware of what is happening politically and socially in the country.
The French traditions are well established, but are constantly evolving with the opening of European boundaries. France is becoming progressively more multicultural as the population continues to acquire a diverse array of people from all over the world.
France is a country of invention : the chip used in credit cards, the space shuttle Ariane, and Airbus were all invented here. France is also highly developed in technical fields. They developed the minitel (an information network like the Internet) almost ten years before the Internet made its way to the modern world.
The French are appreciated and respected for their special attention to detail, pride in their own expertise, and high quality standards. For these reasons and more, the French touch is something of high demand throughout the world. Weather and seasons : The south of France has a mild Mediterranean climate, but there is always snow in the Alps and the Pyrenees. In the north the winter is very cold from December to February The summers can be especially hot in the north and scorching near the Mediterranean borders between June and August. Distance : France is a large country in Europe, but the transportation system is very efficient. France has more national highways, called ‘autoroutes’, than any other country in the world. The railway system is of the highest quality, and boasts of two of the fastest and most efficient trains in the world: 1. the TGV(super fast train) which covers a distance of 800 km (Paris to Lyon), and 2. the Eurostar, which provides reliable service between London and Paris in three hours. Currency : French Francs (1st January 2002 : Euro) Currency equivalence as of 23/07/09 : 1-Euro=63 Rupees. Telephone code : 00 33 + regional code + number
Population : 59 million in 2000 (13 million in Paris and neighboring suburbs) Capital : Paris Main university cities : Paris, Lille, Lyon, Toulouse, Montpellier, Bordeaux Student population : 2.1 million. Number of foreign students : 125,000 (8.5%) out of which 63,000 come from Africa and 36,000 from Europe.
Cost of Living :
The cost of living varies depending on your personal needs and expenses, but in general you will need approximately (US$475) per month. For 1 year of university (duration 9 months) the cost is approximately 31500FF (US$4250). You will need to estimate a higher cost of living if you choose to live in Paris, the most expensive city in terms of housing. Examples : Campus residence : (US$109.35) in Paris (very difficult to find)
US$92.2) in outside Paris Private Housing : Studio 3000FF(US$405) in Paris
Studio 1800FF(US$243) outside Paris Meal in university cafeteria : (US$2) Meal in restaurant : (US$6.75) minimum Monthly transport pass : in Paris (US$21.6)/month for students
(US$37.8)/month for others 1 liter of petrol : (US$0.945) Hamburger : (US $1) Coca Cola : (US$1) Coffee : (US$1.35) Newspaper : (US$1) Cinema Ticket : (US$4.7)/student rate Jeans :(US$27)
Organization :
Tution & Fees :
The financial cost for study programs vary greatly depending on the choice of university and the field of study. Students benefit from lodging and boarding discounts, but it is necessary to take in to account the tuition fees. Studies in Paris are more expensive in comparison with the rest of France. Tuition Fees: The tuition fees vary depending on the level of study and the choice of University.
Tuition is free in Public Universities but inscription fees amount to a minimum of 115 US$
Private institutions cost between (US$4050;) to(US$10800;) depending on level of study and the ranking of the university. The costs increase significantly for Universities imparting higher education and studies in specialized fields.
Admission Requirements:
Level of language : most schools require a minimum acceptable level in order to follow the course and program. The DELF (diplôme d’etudes en langue francaise) and the DALF (diplôme approfondi de langue francaise) certify officially an individual’s level of knowledge, practice and mastery of the French language. No prior appointments are required to go there.
Information and inscriptions :www.alliancefr.org Alliance française, 101 bd.Raspail, 75006 Paris
Tel : 01.42.84.90.00 Fax : 01.42.84.91.00 CIEP :http://www.ciep.fr Admission criteria for universities: The foreign student must have a valid diploma at the right level from his home country. Admissions depend on the number of seats availability.
In practice there is no equivalent levels between foreign diplomas and French diplomas. For foreign diplomas to be recognized in France they need to follow certain procedures. Depending on the establishment where the student wishes to pursue his higher education and the level of study, the conditions vary.
The DIRC provides services, authorized by the ministry of education, to recognize foreign degrees. They publish a document ‘The procedure for admissions and preconditions for foreign students in the first cycle of French Universities’. This document provides details to follow for pre-inscriptions and is sent free of cost on demand. DRIC Bureau de la mobilité et de l’information internationale
4 rue Danton, 75006 Paris.
Tel : 01.55.55.04.21 Fax : 01.55.55.23.80 Admission criteria for higher education and business schools : These institutions follow the system of parallel admissions. In the second year ’admissions on record’ students are frequently recruited from other fields of formation (universities, outside schools…). Often foreign students have to resort to this means of admissions. They need to present a degree equivalent of Bac + 3 (French level) or a British Bachelors degree. An admission on record is prepared and the candidate must take an aptitude test to be accepted by the school of his choice. Most higher education universities have partnerships with other similar foreign schools.
Main schools and universities
The diplomas awarded by the French universities are national and are the same everywhere for similar levels of study. Some universities are particularly renowned for their history : La Sorbonne (Paris I), La fac de medicine de Montpellier, L’université de Toulouse. Others are renowned for the quality of education and very open to foreign students.: L’IEP (Institut d’Etudes Politiques), Medicne à Montpellier, Law in Paris I & II
Some grandes ecoles are recognized world-wide : L’ecole des hautes etudes commerciales —HEC, INSEAD, les ecoles superieures de commerce (ESC) in most big cities in France and ESCP in Paris, Polytechnic, Central, L’ENA among others.
Student visa : There are 2 types of visas — short stay and long stay : more than 3 months (single entry or multiple entry)
To obtain a visa you need to submit a file to the consulate of France in your home country. Documents to be submitted are :
- A valid passport
- Statement of financial resources (sufficient to live in France for the duration of stay) : At least 30000FF (US$4050, €4550) for a year. For students on scholarships an attestation of scholarship and duration of the scholarship.
- Proof of social security
- Proof of housing (hotel reservation, accommodation proof if living with somebody, invitation letter,..)
- Proof of inscription at the university You can't ask a student visa if you're in France with a tourist visa !! Work visa : Foreign students who wish to work in France must be enrolled at an establishment that is allowed by legislation of student social security. Students from the European union have the right to work in France after completion of their studies, but must obtain a provisional work permit. Other foreign students must ask for a Provisional work permit.
The authorization, once obtained, is valid for 9 months and is renewable. The authorization is valid for a maximum period of 3 months during school holidays. For an authorization you need to apply in person to the Director of department of Employment. For additional information contact at web site : www.travail.gouv.fr/adresses_f.html Documents to be submitted :
- Work contract signed by the employer
- Temporary stay permit mentioning status as student
- Student card for year of study
- Your written request on a paper
More information : http://www.diplomatie.fr/venir/visas/index.html
France is geographically the largest country in Europe, but has a smaller population than the United Kingdom or Germany. It is made up many towns, villages, and big cities. Paris is both the largest city and cultural center of France. To Parisians, it is not only the center of France, but also the center of the world. This may seem egotistical, but there is some truth in it. France is the best-placed Western nation for trade, travel, and cross-border communication. It borders 6 countries (Belgium, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, Switzerland) and is a stone’s throw away from the United Kingdom. So, before you try to humble the excessive Parisian ego, don’t forget that Paris is indeed the center of the world- the Western world.