France has one of the most developed public education systems in Europe and boasts over 3,500 higher learning institutions. Many people believe that if you want to study in France you must speak French. Whilst this is still broadly true for undergraduate courses, there are now a number of universities in France where English is the primary language used for lectures and seminars.
Home to some of the most iconic and beautiful cities in Europe, France is also the country of origin of many of the world’s greatest thinkers – Descartes, Sartre, Proust and Camus to name but a few – and some of its top academic institutions. For overseas students with French language abilities or those willing to learn, France can be an excellent option. Now that English is being used in selected establishments more students are discovering France as a study destination.
France has beautiful cities that host some of the best educational and technical institutes in the world. Although most of the undergraduate education is in French, there are now a select few universities and colleges that offer educational courses completely in English. The standard of living in France is high and the infrastructure is excellent. French universities have a diverse student population and many are recognized internationally as centers of excellence. And of course, the stereotype is true – France has excellent food and wines!
Paris Sciences et Lettres University, Paris, popularly known as PSL, was founded in 2010, receiving university status in 2019. It is the top-ranked university in France in the QS World University Rankings 2021. The university offers degrees in physical sciences, humanities and social sciences, management, economics creative arts, etc. Nobel laureates, Abel laureats and CNRS Gold medalists are amongst the university’s alumni.
Ecole Polytechnique is one of the elite and most prestigious universities in France. It was established during the French revolution in 1794 by the mathematician, Gaspard Monge. It is the second-ranked university in France in the QS World University Rankings 2021. The university offers Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate degrees. French Presidents, Nobel Prize winners and business leaders are amongst the alumni.
Sorbonne University is a research-oriented public university located in Paris. It was established in 2018 with a lineage dating back to 1257. It is the third-ranked university in France in the QS World University Rankings 2021 offering programmes in science, engineering, medicine and humanities. Emmanuelle Charpentier, alumna of Sorbonne University along with Jennifer Doudna was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2020.
The Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon popularly known as ENS de Lyon was established in 2010 with lineage dating back to 1880. It is located in Lyon, France. It is the fifth-ranked university in France in the QS World University Rankings 2021. The school offers programmes in arts and sciences.
The KGC team makes the admission process extremely simple for me. The university selection process was done in a very informed manner and after careful thought. Then on essay editing and the mock interview helped boost my confidence as well as my application. I am delighted by their services and recommend it to every student aspiring to get admission abroad.
When Anish visited us, he was confused about pursuing a MIM, MIF or MBA degree in Europe. With Dr Gupta and the KGC Team's constant guidance and support he secured admission for MIM in ESSEC.
Some images and names in the reviews have been changed to protect the privacy of the concerned.
The first step is university selection. Based on your profile and the course you wish to study, Dr Gupta will personally mark a list of universities for you. Keeping this list in mind, we will be able to determine the requirements for applications. After you have finalized your university list, you can move on to the next step.
A few months after your application has been submitted, universities will get back to you with their answers. You will be notified over email or university website about the outcome of your application. We will discuss these outcomes with you in detail and keep your priorities in mind, we will arrive at the university which you will be attending.
Once your visa application is accepted, before you leave to study abroad we have a pre departure workshop where we talk to you about insurance, loans, ticketing, medical requirements and other issues. The pre-departure session along with a networking session will help you prepare for every aspect of studying abroad you will initially come across when you fly to your university.
French state-run universities offer completely free education even for international students studying abroad, although to qualify you may be required to take your courses in the French language. For private universities in France the average fees for foreign students are around €30,000 per year. Living expenses in France are about €10,000 per year on average.
If you have good French language skills you may qualify for a free place at a state-run university. Private universities do offer scholarships and support funding via an application process. Your chances of success will be greatly increased if you take advice on how to approach the application, and if you can show particular links with France or strong reasons why you are choosing a French as your study destination over another country.
Did you know that Tour de France, the world’s most famous bicycle race was first held in 1903 making it 117 years old?
France is the heart of architecture, food and wine in the world. It is home to world-class restaurants and heritage sites but also offers opportunities in business. It is the place to be if you wish to focus on French history and language majors. France is a multicultural country and as it is a part of the EU, it offers you the choice to travel to nearby Schengen countries without restrictions. It is a comparatively cheaper & more economic option to study in although you will need to know basic French to get by even if your course may be in English.
France is part of the Schengen area which means you are allowed to travel anywhere in the Schengen area with your student visa. The French student visa process can take a long time to process which is why you should apply 3 months before your university course starts. The French long stay visa application has to be applied in two stages. First the student has to apply for an approval from the academic centre of France in their home country and after their approval the second stage can begin. In the second stage, students get to apply to the French Consulate for the student visa. An interview is a part of this process where you will be asked about your reasons for studying in France.
International students can work in France once they have been hired by a local company – it is the employer that sponsors a full-time work permit after a student has graduated. Getting jobs in the EU as a non-EU citizen can be difficult, so choosing the right courses can be vital in maximizing your potential for employment here after graduating.
Students need to take GMAT/GRE and language tests such as TOEFL/IELTS for courses taught in the English language depending on specific university requirements. However, French language tests like TCF (Test of Knowledge of French) or Le TEF (Test dâ Evaluation de francais) are needed to pursue a degree in French.
In addition to education, students can join clubs and associations to network with other students and make friends. Universities organise events for their students. Off-campus students should explore the diverse culture by visiting museums, concerts, plays and national monuments in addition to discovering French cuisine.
You don’t have to be fluent but you will need to know the language to get by. You will find courses that are in English and not necessarily need it for coursework but you will have to know it for every other aspect of your life.
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