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.

College Admission Procedures

France is one of the most-preferred study destinations by overseas students. Education in France can be affordable as it is supported financially by the State. As France is providing increased opportunities to international students to study in English, the subjects like Management and engineering are being taken up in more and more higher institutes. There are two different types of educational institutes in France for the students to choose from. They are:

• Universities, and
• Competitive Institutes.

The 87 universities and over 300 competitive institutes in France admit large number of students in various subjects, every year. A large number of students go to Universities, which offer general courses and professional courses. The universities cover all disciplines and prepare students for research works. The Competitive institutes in France receive less number of students after a systematic selection process and offer courses that specializes students in areas that have direct career opportunities. Students will have to apply to universities in France directly. For getting admission related relevant information for France programs, the first step can be visiting 'The French Information Resource Center at the Embassies of France' or at the 'Alliances Francaises' located in the nearby area.

For most of the Competitive Institutes in France, the students will be required to give entrance tests to qualify. After getting the admission confirmation from the Institute or University, students can start the visa procedures to get one to pursue the studies in Frence. The following documents are required to obtain a student visa to France:

• A valid passport.
• Certificate of registration from a French University or Grandes Ecoles (competitive institutes).
• Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the entire study expenses.

Top Universities

France is one among the most sought after study-abroad destinations, inviting abundant number of students every year from all over the world. In addition to a good educational experience, studying in France leads to good career opportunities internationally after graduation. France is better known for its high level of technological development, culture and reputation in the education system, which attracts number of young aspirants here every academic year. For many years, France has held its prominent place in subjects like Mathematics, Astrophysics, Biology, Medicine, Genetics, Physics and other science subjects. When we see the past record of the country in relation to its contribution to science and research field, we can see that its achievement is tremendous. Thus, many foreign students choose France for higher studies due to its technological progress. 

The glamour of France as a study destination lies in its motivating educational system on inquisitive young minds that create a continuous learning environment and an academic threshold. To cap it all, France holds one of the largest, most progressive, prosperous and most sought-after study abroad city destinations, Paris. Though French is the dominating language as far as the country France is concerned, there are wide language options available in the country. This is another reason that the world students look up to France as best option as their study destination. Education in France undoubtedly paves the way for a great career life to students from across the world.

Ranking of universities is done on different parameters on regular basis by different organizations. The rankings are done in various ways. It is impossible to say how result-oriented they are but they are always accepted by everyone as a fact. They rank Universities of any given region according to the preference of the students' community as 'all time favorites' and on several other positive aspects. Listed hereunder are the 'all-times' favorite universities in France that have attracted most of the students for quite some time and are judged 'great universities' internationally for almost all disciplines:

• College of France
• Ecole Normale Super
• Ecole Polytechnique
• University of Bordeaux I
• University of Grenoble I
• University of Lyon I
• University of Montpellier II
• University of Paris IV
• University of Paris VI
• University of Paris VII
• University of Paris XI
• University of Strasbourg I
• University of Toulouse III