Benefits of studying in France
- For the quality of its system of higher education.
- France’s higher education system is not only one of the best in the world—but it’s also open to all!
- For the international flavour of the country’s higher education system.
- Each year more than 278,000 international students choose France for their higher education.
- To experience the unique French “art of living”.
- Studying in France also means joining a society rightly renowned for its practice of the “art of living.” Did you know that France is the leading tourist destination in the entire world?
About Country
Capital: (and largest city) Paris.
Official language(s): French[a].
Government: Unitary semi-presidential constitutional republic.
Area: Total[b] 674,843 km2 (41st) 260,558 sq mi.
Population: (2012 estimate) Total[b] 65,350,000[2] (20th).
Currency Euro [f]: CFP franc[g] (EUR, XPF).
Education System
France has 83 Universities, 205 engineering schools and 220 Business Schools, Management and Accounting, 120 art schools and 20 schools of architecture. The Pact for Research (2006) defines 17 Research Centres and Higher Education (PRES).
Director of the university to which the student is applying will decide on the recognition of diplomas/degrees on the basis of the recommendation of an education committee. Higher Education in France offers the following two options: At Competitive Institutes (Grandes Ecoles) entry is selective. Specialization in engineering, commerce, civil services and teaching are offered. The duration of studies varies from 3 to 5 years. In-State Universities, any student who has completed the secondary school diploma may qualify. Two categories of courses are offered: General courses – These are divided into 3 cycles. Each cycle leads to a national diploma. The 1st cycle is of 2 years for undergraduate studies. 2nd cycle is of 2 to 3 years of graduate studies and the 3rd cycle is of l to 3 years of post-graduate studies. Professional courses – These are offered at ” Institutes Universitaires Professionnalisés” (IUP). The curriculum consists of 3 years of technical courses with a 6-month vocation training and practice in an international firm. Medical studies which include medicine, dental studies and pharmacology are also offered at the universities at the Faculty of Medical Studies. The duration of these courses is 7 years. Art, Architecture, Agriculture, Law, Public Administration etc. are offered in specialized schools. The duration of these courses varies from 3 to 7 years.
Long programs
Licence: 3 years of study corresponding to 6 semesters and 180 ECTS credits.
Master: 5 years of study, 4 semestres supplementaires validés par l’obtention de 120 credits ECTS.
Fees
In France, tuition fees vary from one institution to another and also between courses. At the universities, tuition fees vary from € 110 to € 750 per annum for a course leading to a national diploma. The tuition fee at “Competitive Universities” are approximately € 490 for public engineering schools. They vary from € 3600 to € 14,300 for private schools (engineering and business schools).
Accommodation expenses in towns, especially private lodgings, vary from € 300 to € 600 per month. In the university residence halls, the expenses vary from € 100 to € 150 per month.
Food, transportation and pocket money would amount to between € 350 to € 500 per month.
The cost of compulsory medical insurance is approximately € 130 to € 715 per year depending on the student’s age.
The cost of language training in France is approximately € 350 per month. It is therefore advisable to learn French from recognized learning centres before leaving for France. These are only average rates. For the very latest, current costs, contact the Cultural, Scientific and Technical Section of the French Embassy.
Tuition Fees totally depends on the course and educational institutions.
