Study Expenses & Financial Aid

Studying in France has reasonably price as the France government plays an important part in sharing the key education cost. Annual tuition in any of the public universities in France is very reasonable and affordable. The cost of the programs depends on the duration and excellence of the programs. Not only the cost of the tuition, but the cost of the 'off-campus life' of a study-abroad hopeful is also affordable in comparison to other similar categorized countries. Providing a friendly environment to the international students, France's living expenses cannot be defined in obvious figures as the living factors like 'room rental' and 'cost of foodstuff' varies according to location (whether it's in a small town or large city, city center or suburb).

For long-term accommodation and cost effective study-stay during the summer courses, many universities and some private institutions recommend students for an accommodation in a student's hall of residence. Scholarships and other financial aid to study in France are offered in different ways. For example, French government awards Scholarships for studies, training courses or internships or language study vacations in France. Most of the scholarships in France are granted by the Cooperation and Cultural Action Departments of the French embassies and consulates abroad. Irrespective of their place of residence, students must contact these Departments directly in their country of origin before their departure sufficiently in advance to obtain all the necessary information and additional details about the scholarships.

The different financial aids or scholarships offered by the government for a study program in France can be any one of the following types:

• Academic scholarships,
• Training course awards, and
• High-level visiting scientist fellowship

Each financial award requires different academic and other eligibility criteria of the students who seek the aids. Further financial aid details can be searched through a proper search in Internet and other channels.

Student Visa Details

Students from different international nationalities have a right for multiple entries to France to study there. Once the France student visa is granted, their visa is automatically renewed for the duration of their studies in France. There are three kinds of student visas available to study in France, depending upon the length of studies in France as mentioned in the letter of enrollment of the individual student:

• A student visa for a stay up to three months - a short stay visa.
• The temporary long stay visa for a study stay from three to six months.
• One-year visa for a study stay of more than six months.

The important documents that is required to apply for a student visa for France:

• A valid passport of the student,
• Proof of enrollment for a study program from the respective educational institution,
• Proof of financial resources for the entire study affair in France,
• Students who may receive scholarship or any financial grants must produce a proof indicating the amount and duration of their grant on the letterhead of the granting organization,
• Proof of insurance coverage, if needed,
• Authorization from the parents or guardians, and
• Proof of vaccination, if required.

Students may get more details regarding student visa details for France by visiting French embassies nearby or from French immigration websites.

Master's Degree Programs

The higher education in France is structured in cycles just like primary and secondary levels. The first cycle lasts for two years and leads to a DEUG certification, which is comparable to a Diploma in Higher Education in the UK or an Associate's Degree in the USA. The second cycle, which is also of two years duration, leads first to a bachelor's degree and then after a further year to the equivalent of a higher or master's or a postgraduate degree. The third, open only to selected postgraduate students, leads to highest educational qualifications and can pave the way to obtain a PhD degree. University studies in Frence basically consist of three programs:

• First program leading to a bachelor's degree after three years of advanced studies,
• Second program leading first to an advanced diploma after one year, then to one of two postgraduate diplomas, the DEA or DESS, which are awarded two years after the bachelor's degree. These two postgraduate diplomas in turn confer a master's or a postgraduate degree.
• Third program leads to the doctorate degree three years after the DEA postgraduate degree.

Admission to the postgraduate programs in the Universities and 'Grandes Écoles' (competitive institutes of France) in France is a highly competitive procedure where the students will have to clear the entrance examination conducted in the respective higher educational Institutes or Universities. However, as the different higher Institutes follow different guidelines, international students are advised to clearly check for the exact details. However, 'Grandes Écoles' also admit both foreign and French students on the basis of their qualifications and experience, as well as on the basis of any previous courses and the exceptional potential of the students who seek admission in the respective educational systems.

PhD Program

France is one among the leading international countries in the world that is progressively more open to combined research projects and invite international students at the PhD level. Special provisions are made for applicants from outside France for pursuing Doctoral degree programs. There are about three hundred doctoral schools in France where about four thousand of research students are pursuing PhD programs each year. The research training given to the PhD students in the various higher educational research Institutes in France involves two and/or three different levels.

The first part is committed to the description of a PhD preparation towards DEA Diploma, the second part is devoted to the major PhD degree preparation and the third part is devoted towards the preparation of post-PhD section. The duration of PhD research degrees fairly depends on the individual topic and the nature of research work. Most of the PhD programs are offered with financial support, yet, students seeking admission to PhD program in France are advised to check the individual Institutes offering the programs with 'fellowships' or any other 'grant' details

Internship Programs

There is increasingly growing demand for global human skills with foreign experience for various management and other positions. The experience here denotes the genuine practical experience, not experience read on the pages of textbooks. Employers worldwide are focusing for an international experience in their HR searches. An international perspective can be acquired by numerous ways and doing internship programs abroad also is one among those ways to achieve a good employment. Internship opportunities in France are offered through many institutes and internship colleges, which provide excellent internship services to students from different countries. 

These internship colleges and institutes can arrange placements in a wide range of public organizations and private companies depending on the academic major, interests and suitability of the courses done by the candidates. Internship programs in France come in different shapes and sizes according to the requirement and academic or work background of the candidates. These programs in France include a minimum eight hours of work per week with local government or any of the housing projects. Internships may also be with local television, youth clubs, hospitals or the Cannes festival hall. Internet can provide lots of information and details of internship program in France.

Education System

One of the best Education systems in the world, France's education system offers education to millions of French and world students. The exceptional education system of France offers higher education to the students from different parts of the world, which includes a very wide range of institutions, each with its own objectives, structures and admission requirements. Students from different overseas countries are admitted at all academic levels. French universities have developed mutual relationships with similar institutions in many countries to facilitate international student exchanges.France prides itself on its long-standing tradition of University education. The highly skilled teaching faculty available in almost all it's Universities, reflects the competence of its education in academic, professional and technical fields.

More than eighty-five Universities in the country and a wide range of higher-level courses in all the possible areas of study, make France a country of complete education system. The higher education system of France basically is offered through three different educational setups that are as follows:

• Universities,
• Competitive Institutes, and
• Advanced Study Centers.

The minimum eligibility condition to get admitted in the French Universities is the higher secondary education or any equivalent education. Universities in France offer hypothetical, practical and job-oriented courses and train students for research in all disciplines from humanities to health sciences. Competitive institutes in France train students to achieve specific professional goals in the fields ranging from engineering to business management. There are large number of advanced centers in France offering specialization in various other fields that include architecture, agriculture, public administration and many other fields. Admission to all the above institutions is based purely on merit and the number of enrolments is generally limited. International students can get admission in the country of France subject to the recognition of aspirant's qualifications by the University or any other Institute concerned.

Bachelor's Programs

The high rate of cultural and technological development features of France attracts lots of international students from all around the globe. France's reputation in the field of higher education makes it as one of the most sought-after education center in the world. French higher education system has a number of encouraging factors that make it very successful and attractive among overseas students. In particular, a wide range of institutions available in the two major categories namely 'universities' and 'grandes écoles' (competitive institutes of France). There are specialist schools too that offer lots of academic program options to the international students community.

The universities and other higher institutes in France offer undergraduate or bachelor's degree programs that provide basic technological and professional coursework and cover all disciplinary fields. The "grandes écoles" and specialist schools offer programs leading to specific professions: engineering, management, arts, architecture, law, public administration and health. These institutions can be either public or private. The degrees offered by the public institutions and most of the private institutions are subject to educational supervision by the French government and are recognized officially. Foreign students may enter any of these establishments. The French higher education system offers both short and long programs. University studies in Frence consist of three programs:

• A first program leading to a bachelor's degree after three years of advanced studies.
• A second program, leading the first to get an advanced diploma after one year.
• Then to one of two postgraduate diplomas, the DEA or DESS, which are awarded two years after the bachelor's degree. These two postgraduate diplomas in turn confer a master's or a postgraduate degree.
• The third program leads to the doctorate three years after the DEA postgraduate degree.

Admission to any undergraduate or bachelor's programs in the universities and 'grandes écoles' (competitive institutes of France) in France is a highly competitive procedure. The students will have to clear the entrance examination conducted separately in respective higher educational Institutes or Universities. However, as the different higher Institutes follow different guidelines, international students are advised to clearly check for the exact details. The 'grandes écoles' also admit both foreign and French students on the basis of their past academic merits and qualifications of the students.