Study in France

ABOUT FRANCE 

As a transcontinental country spanning across Western Europe, Americas and the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the French Republic has been well known to most for its rich history. While the metropolitan area spans over the Rhine, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea, its overseas territories comprise the French Guiana, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the French West Indies and some smaller islands in the Oceania and Indian Ocean. Besides sharing its borders with Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Switzerland, Monaco, Italy, Andorra and Spain in the European region, it is an immediate neighbour to Netherlands, Suriname and Brazil in the Americas. The geographic location of France puts very different climatic conditions in most of its regions. The Atlantic seaboard to the West of the country creates an oceanic climate where summers are moderate and winters are mild. The east of its region experiences a continental climate where summers are warm and winters are cold. Lastly, driven by the Mediterranean climate, the south of its region often experiences hot summers and mild winters. While Paris stands to be the capital of the country, French cities like Lyon, Marseille, Bordeaux, and Nantes attract students and tourists from all around the world to enjoy its beauty. The country also enjoys one of the largest economies by nominal GDP and very high international rankings in the fields of education, health care, life expectancy and human development. As one of the leading members of the United Nations, European Union, NATO, OSCE and La Francophone, France continues to drive multilateral efforts in making the world a better place to live in. 

 

HIGHER EDUCATION STRUCTURE 

The higher education system in France can be best described as a combination of three different cycles. They are:

 

The Bachelor’s or the first cycle: France provides a variety of programs for a 3 year bachelor’s degree which include applied sciences, arts, design, business management, IT, education, engineering, environmental sciences, hospitality, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, natural sciences, social sciences. 

Requirement to study Bachelor’s in France: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above

 

Master’s or the second cycle: After the successful completion of their bachelor’s degree, students may avail a variety of master’s courses that country provides based on their subject of interest. These include agriculture, applied sciences, arts, design, business management, IT, education, engineering, environmental sciences, hospitality, humanities, journalism, law, medicine, natural sciences, social sciences.. While the degree may take upto 2 years to complete, students are often taught through seminars, exercises, practical workshops, field trips and research. These help them to not only prepare for a professional career but also an academic career if they choose to. 

Requirement to study Master’s in France: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of bachelor’s with 60% and above 

 

Doctoral degree or the third cycle: After the successful completion of their master’s, students can also apply for a doctoral degree which all public and private universities offer in the country. Students are given the opportunity to conduct independent research under academic supervision which later they will have to defend in front of a panel of experts appointed by the university. While the degree may take upto 3-6 years to complete, students are also given financial grants that will help them sustain themselves in the country. 

Requirement to study PhD in France: 

  • Successful completion of class 12 with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of bachelor’s with 60% and above
  • Successful completion of master’s with 60% and above
  • Independent research idea 

 

Cost of study

Degrees taught in public universities may cost an average of EUR 170 (around INR 14500) per year for a bachelor’s degree and EUR 620 (around INR 52700) per year for a masters degree. However, such fees may usually vary for students who are from the EU/EEA region. Therefore it is important that they must check with the university with regards to the yearly tuition fees. Students are also likely to pay between EUR 1200 – 1800 (around INR 100000 – 150000) a month to live in Paris. However, if they choose to live in cities like Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse, they are likely to find a comfortable lifestyle between EUR 900 – 1400 (around INR 76000 – 110000) a month. 

 

WORK OPPORTUNITIES 

All international students are allowed to work in France for a total of 20 hours per week. Since the national minimum hourly wage of France is EUR 9.67 (around INR 822), students are likely to earn a minimum of EUR 193.4 per week (around INR 16400). This will contribute significantly to their professional career and also their average cost of stay. Students may often find work in the service sector such as cafes, restaurants, hotels and sometimes offices. 

When it comes to finding a job after graduation, France offers a one year post study work visa which allows students to stay and look for work opportunities in the country. 

 

STUDENT VISA REQUIREMENT 

To receive a student visa for France, any applicant must furnish: 

  • A valid passport 
  • A letter of acceptance from any French University 
  • Proof of financial capability to sustain their stay in France
  • Proof of medical insurance 
  • Proof of accommodation to be used in France

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

While universities have their own set of scholarships, the French government has continued to be very proactive in providing financial assistance to international students studying in France. Most notably, the Charpak scholarship program, The Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence, the MOPGA scholarship and the Erasmus+ mobility scholarship have been available to many students in the past.