Higher education and universities in France. Leave to study: education in France

Education in France has been in great demand among foreigners for many years: France has been competing with Germany for the title of the most popular destination in Europe for many years. Ancient, world-famous universities, prestigious Grand Ecoles and engineering colleges, European business schools in the heart of Paris - all this incredibly attracts foreign students. In addition, education in France has many advantages relative to its European neighbors.

Tuition fees and structure of education in France

Benefits of studying in France

• Low prices: Studying at a public French university is positioned as free - you only need to pay an annual administrative fee, which varies around 300 euros depending on the region and level of study.
• freedom of choice: the lectures of French teachers are not edifications at all, but rather interesting discussions: comments and questions are welcome here in every possible way, which the lecturers themselves never tire of reminding. The student is free to choose his study plan, create scientific projects and express his thoughts - all this will only be encouraged.
• Good prospects: a French diploma is quite highly valued within the European Union, so graduates of French universities have good prospects for further employment.
• Possibility of emigration: In France you can obtain a residence permit in less than two years. A graduate of a French university has every chance of obtaining a residence permit after studying if he successfully finds employment.

What is worth knowing about education in France?

At the stage of choosing a university, it is worth knowing that all higher education institutions in France are divided into two groups: high schools and universities. The difference is far from formal: the conditions, admission and student body in these two types of institutions are completely different. To enter higher schools, you need to pass difficult entrance tests, which require an extremely high level of knowledge and erudition. In turn, universities are obliged to accept everyone, so student groups can be overcrowded. In terms of workload, there is also a significant difference: studying in higher schools is incredibly difficult, because here they usually prepare for an academic career, so even students who succeed in admission sometimes leave schools in favor of public universities. Therefore, upon admission, it is better to immediately assess your chances and determine your priorities: if a potential student does not plan to build a career in the field of science and education, then it is better to choose a university, but you need to prepare for the fact that due to the huge number of students, the quality of education in some universities may suffer.

A future French university student needs to be aware of one phenomenon of French education - its very high expulsion rate. In different universities this figure ranges from 20 to 70%, which is incredibly high compared to the Russian and Anglo-Saxon systems. This happens because there are no entrance tests to French universities (there are only such institutions as the École Normale Supérieure), and the performance monitoring system is quite strict. In other words, the first impression of the French education system is not at all true: going to university doesn’t cost anything, but to succeed there you have to work hard. Therefore, when going to study in France, you need to be prepared to work hard and not relax while looking at your procrastinating classmates.

Anyone who knows at least one Frenchman will probably say that the characteristic “pedantic” is least suitable to describe the French nation. In general, this is true, but it does not apply at all to their education system. The point here is not at all about punctuality or neatness, but about pickiness in terms of assessments and methodology: absolutely all written work must be written in the strictest rhetorical form: problem, analysis, solution. Any deviation from this plan is regarded as a lack of knowledge or misunderstanding of one’s task. Entire school and university courses are devoted to the issue of methodology, so the French themselves have long been accustomed to this, but such a system can confuse a foreign student.

This problem is no longer as relevant as it was a couple of years ago, but it still exists: there are so many foreign students in France that sometimes there are not enough dormitories for them. Only a select few (in particular, French Government scholarship holders and Erasmus students) will be able to live near the campus; the rest will have to look for a private student residence. The main thing is to take care of everything on time, namely one or two months before arrival, since upon arrival it will be simply impossible to find a room. In addition, due to high demand, many student houses require you to pay rent six months in advance, so you will have to pay from 2,000 to 4,000 euros right away.

No matter what admiring tourists say about this beautiful city, a long-term stay in the French capital can result in some problems. Like any metropolis, Paris has several big disadvantages: high prices, lack of housing, ecology, problems with safety at night - all this is very annoying for both native Parisians and those who have arrived in Paris for a long time. In general, this can be encountered in any metropolis - London, New York, Berlin, Moscow - they all have the same problems, which does not deprive them of their charm. However, when studying, you should still think about your priorities: sometimes studying in a small city is calmer and more convenient than in the bustling capital.

Higher education system in France

Short trajectory of higher education

Long-term trajectory of higher education

Study in France in English

Grading system and progress monitoring

Academic career and teaching staff

Opportunity to work while studying in France

Graduate Prospects and Employment Opportunities

• In France: All graduates with a master's degree can request a one-year extension of their student visa, during which they can work 60% of the time full-time. If, at the end of this period, the graduate manages to conclude a long-term employment contract with the employer, he can request a residence permit in connection with employment.
• In Europe: a diploma from a French university is valued internationally in connection with the Bologna Process program, which is aimed at bringing together educational standards in all European countries. Diplomas from French polytechnic schools and metropolitan universities are especially prestigious. However, in addition to a diploma, for employment in European companies, it is equally important to have recommendations, professional skills and an excellent resume, so the matter does not end with a diploma.
• In Russia and CIS countries: graduates of European universities are worth their weight in gold in the post-Soviet space, not least because of the inaccuracies of the local education system. Accordingly, a diploma from a French university opens up excellent employment opportunities in the commercial sector, especially in representative offices of European companies in the CIS.
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Every year, more than 3,000 Russians go to study in France, the third country in the world in terms of the number of foreign students. In St. Petersburg, preparation for admission to French universities and higher schools is carried out by the state agency for the promotion of higher education Campus France. Agency employees and students told "Paper" How not to make a mistake with an educational program, get a scholarship and calculate your travel budget.

* More than 200 engineering schools and more than 260,000 international students. Illustration: Tatyana Tulupenko / “Paper”

Agency employee - Anastasia Baludina. Photo: Anastasia Avdeeva / “Paper”

Popular specialties

Preparing to study in France

Scholarships and student expenses

Student expenses for preparing to study in France

Student stories

Who: Natalya Vorobyova, FINEK graduate.

Where: Fashion University, University of Lyon 2.

Direction: fashion and art.

Housing: apartment for 200 euros/month.

Who: Alexandra Khazina, graduate of the Faculty of Philology of St. Petersburg State University.

Direction: screenwriting and film studies.

Housing: apartment for 450 euros/month.

Who: Anna Golubeva.

Direction: European literature.

Housing: state hostel.

Budget: Erasmus Mundus scholarship - 16,000 euros/year.

The summer holidays have finally come to an end, and I have the latest news for all those who follow the blog and my life in France. Firstly, I will boast that I successfully and well completed my French courses at the local University. There is an interesting 20-point system, and it is believed that after 15 you are already almost cool, and above 18 it’s absolutely space! Having almost reached 15, I proudly considered that the mission had been completed, and it was time to move on to the next point of adaptation - getting a local education! If I don’t explain how the system works, then nothing will be clear, because it took me a long time to figure it out myself. This is what this post will be about.

I especially appeal to the subscribers of the page that I run on VKontakte, you often ask similar questions. Here I tried to tell everything in as much detail as possible.

How it works and where to go after school

After school, young French students take a common exam like our Unified State Exam, look for an institution of interest and submit documents. There are different universities here - state (what is called the University) and schools (private and paid). But schools often have the right to issue a state diploma, i.e. As a result, most people have the same paperwork both after university and after school. The only difference is price and reputation. Then everything happens very competently, in my subjective opinion. Training takes place in cycles: 2 or 3 years, and you are a technical worker, 4 or 5 years (master’s degree) - you have the right to work as an “intellectual” and a leader in the future. Many people stop at two years of study, then work for a while and continue their education into their 30s. Or they don’t continue, but then it’s difficult to grow up the career ladder.

Admission

Everyone here has the right to enroll in a state university. You submit your documents after school and it's done. However, for foreigners it is necessary to pass a language exam and attach a certificate to the general stack of documents. According to my observations, only those who are completely inadequate and stupid are denied admission, that’s all! Or those who have problems with documents. Normal guys, incl. Foreigners, if they comply with bureaucratic requirements, get into state universities without problems. Of course, if only your knowledge of French reaches level B2. But you need to make a reservation that if you are trying to leave Russia for the purpose of studying, then visa things and communication with the Campus France organization are added to all the difficulties; they help coordinate with France and give you the opportunity and right to submit documents. If you are already in France for another reason (as in my lucky case, for example), then entering university is a feasible and simple task. A huge problem for many is the language; you have to pass an exam. I will share my thoughts on this matter in the next paragraph “Don’t learn languages”, especially for subscribers of my VKontakte page. Note!

Now about admission to paid institutions. It all depends on the coolness of the school and its appetites. When I was looking for something suitable, I saw different conditions for admission, among the main ones:

— Have a validated diploma. There is an official organization in Paris that is dedicated to translating your competencies into the French system. They count the hours, look at your results and pass a verdict on what kind of further education you are entitled to in their wonderful country. Not all schools and universities ask for this, but it happens. The procedure is not complicated, but it is a long time and requires collecting papers and patience.

— Pass exams like GMAT and Tage Mage. I haven’t taken it myself, I don’t know, but I looked at the examples. The first is in English and tests your mental abilities and preparation - logic, numeracy, basic mathematics and economics, problem-solving abilities. The second is about the same, but in French. Perhaps my description is not entirely correct, but if you are interested, it’s better to google it. I was scared of them and looked for a school where they don’t ask for this.

— Have a purely European diploma (if you are applying for a master’s degree, for example). This happens very rarely, but I have seen it.

The answer to the most popular question “How much does it cost?” you will find the answer just below. And I'm sure it will surprise many of you.

Don't learn languages!

Now I will be scolded by supporters and bearers of classical philological education, but I will not give up.

No need to say “Learn French”, you don’t need to study it, if you want to study in France, you need to pass the exam! We all remember the Unified State Exam and have long understood everything; in order to successfully pass history or mathematics, you don’t need to know EVERYTHING, it’s enough to get good at solving tests. So it is here. This is serious preparation, but I know examples (a teacher in Russia told me) when level B2 was prepared in a year and a half, and then they came to France to study. This is where language learning begins...everything I learned at home comes in handy every day, but I was only able to speak once I was in this environment. Therefore, advice to those who want to get a local education: look for a good teacher and prepare for a specific exam, and do not learn the language, it will still take your whole life.

How it was for me

When preparing to move, I understood that I had to take advantage of the advantages of my age and definitely continue my studies here! I started looking for opportunities around April and identified several schools that interested me. Among the criteria:

• school requirements (I didn’t want to take the Gmat and validate the diploma, it would take a long time, I didn’t want to waste time)
• the ability to study and work at the same time (about the alternance system below)
• a specialty where knowledge of languages ​​is a great advantage
• the opportunity to enroll in a Master (in our opinion, master's degree) and continue studying, rather than starting over

In June, I took my documents from the Siberian Federal and brought them to school in Lyon. Even at two. Admission tests are not difficult - in one institution they gave a small task from the category “How would the enterprise’s income be distributed and why” + an oral interview to determine motivation. In the second school there was a written test that made my eye fall out. A couple of questions: what is the name of the current president of Brazil, which company sold the most detergents in France in 2011, the capital of Sudan, an island in New York, which country is Gazprom from, which country is hosting a Muslim forum in a certain year. In addition, an essay on a topic (which I did not understand) and an oral interview. I was accepted into both schools, which I was incredibly happy and proud of, but I chose the one that issues state diplomas and which has existed for many years. Now I'm an International Trade student looking for a company willing to pay for my education. I'll explain how it works below.

System Alternance

As in any country, there are internships that are necessary for everyone to graduate from university, but there is also an Alternance system - study and work (in your specialty) at the same time. The company hires a student, a special organization pays for studies (state assistance), and the company pays a small salary, which is fixed and the same everywhere depending on the age of the student. Thus, the student does not pay for study, receives experience and a minimum salary, the company receives tax breaks and an inexpensive, promising employee, and the school receives profit in any case. There are special contracts for such cases, everyone knows what this system is, so you can find offers. But it’s very, very difficult, especially with a profile like mine. Atypical education, came from Siberia, it’s not clear where she came from + not native French. But I am looking among companies working with Russia, so I do not lose hope.

What is the price

Oddly enough, Universities in France are free. And for foreigners too! They only pay for student insurance - this is about 200 euros per year, plus other symbolic payments. In total, maybe 400 euros. For a year of study! Plus, if you’re lucky, you can get a scholarship, then you can generally live in peace. But with a scholarship, the question is more complicated; for it, as far as I understand, you need to be a resident of France for at least some time. Or get a special scholarship for foreigners, there are those too, find out at Campus France.

For schools, the range is approximately the same - from 3,500 to 7,000 euros per year for good and more or less well-known schools. And further ad infinitum for the very cool. In my case, it’s 6,000 euros per year, but everything is entirely paid to the company that is ready to hire a student, so this information is given only to those who have been admitted and only to know what to say at the interview.

In France, foreign students, on an equal basis with local residents, have the opportunity to receive a high-quality higher education, and at minimal cost. Thanks to large-scale support from the state, which allocates up to one fifth of the country's budget to the education system, students from around the world are sent to France every year to gain knowledge and obtain a European diploma.

In terms of the number of foreigners in its universities, the country ranks third, after the USA and Great Britain. According to UNESCO – this is about 7% of the total number of people studying at foreign universities. For example, about 4–5 thousand students enter French universities from Russia every year. Many graduates find prestigious jobs in French companies and remain in the country forever, that is, they receive French citizenship.

The French higher education system has its own distinctive features and specifics. Students from the CIS countries, first of all, need to decide in advance on the specialty of their future studies. Moreover, if there is a desire to stay and live in France, then searching for a job will be possible in strict accordance with the diploma received.

Higher education represented universities, higher and specialized schools. The latter type of educational institutions differs in obtaining a narrow specialized education. For example, there you can study to become a designer, architect, journalist, photographer or artist.

Higher schools are one of the most distinctive factors of the French education system. They train highly qualified specialists – future top managers and managers, owners of large businesses in France. Training is on a paid basis only, entrance exams and a fairly tough selection process are required. In a single school, the number of students entering annually may not exceed 50 people.

And finally, the most familiar and extensive group – these are universities. There are more than 80 public universities in the country, of which 13 are located in Paris and its suburbs. Most universities are multidisciplinary, but there are also specialized ones.

The so-called “Lisans” diploma (bachelor) can be obtained in 3 years, after another year a Master 1 diploma (specialist) and after 5 years of study a Master 2 diploma (master). If you wish, you have the opportunity to continue your studies in graduate school and engage in scientific activities. The educational cycle consists of lectures and laboratory classes, internships, tests and exams.

As already mentioned, foreign students have equal rights for admission along with the French. There are no entrance exams required for admission to the university. However, if we are talking about graduates of Russian or Ukrainian schools, then due to small differences in the secondary education system, you will have to first enroll in a domestic university, and then apply to a university in France. In most cases, one year of study in your home country is enough to successfully enroll.

It is best to find out about the requirements and package of documents on the official website of a particular university in France; you can only outline the main criteria:

Documented proof of French language proficiency. Depending on the university and specialty, you may need the results of the TCF-DAP or TCF-TP tests, as well as the results of the DELF or DALF exams. In almost every country there are special centers for issuing such certificates. In addition, you can confirm your language in France itself.

Certificate of secondary education and higher diploma (if available), with a statement of grades.

All documents must be translated into French and certified by a notary.

According to the agency Campus France, the French government annually subsidizes universities in the amount of 10,000 euros per student, regardless of whether he is a foreigner or a Frenchman. And if you consider that the vast majority of universities are public, then higher education in France, including for Russians, can be obtained almost free of charge.

For training you will have to pay a registration fee of 200–400 euros per year and pay social security approx. 200 euros. If you enroll in a private university or higher school, the cost varies from 8000 to 20000 euros in year. In addition, French universities have a fairly developed system of scholarships and special subsidies for students. This can help reduce personal expenses while studying.

Paying for housing is one of the most expensive components in the life of a French university student. The French university dormitory system is managed by a special organization CROUS. For a few hundred euros you can get a room or studio, but this will be quite problematic for a foreigner, and in Paris it is not at all realistic.

There is only one way out: rent a room in a private hostel. The cost is several times more expensive (up to 700 euros), but the conditions are better. You can find a suitable option using the special website adele.org. And finally, if financial capabilities allow, it is possible to rent housing privately. Accordingly, prices can be very diverse.

The best universities in France

Despite the fact that there is no official ranking of universities in France, we will try to highlight the most famous and prestigious universities.

University of Strasbourg

One of the oldest universities in France has gained worldwide fame over its 5-century history and is one of the best educational institutions of our time. The famous alumni include several dozen Nobel laureates, outstanding scientists, writers, doctors, public and political figures.

For example, the Chairman of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker, former President of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili, football coach Arsene Wenger and, of course, the outstanding German thinker and poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe. About 46,000 students study at 37 faculties of the university, a fifth of whom are foreigners. About 4,600 teachers and researchers work in 79 research institutes, laboratories and educational units.

The university includes a wide range of educational areas, the main of which are social and human sciences, law, economics, art, management and medicine. The university has an extensive infrastructure, a network of libraries, museums and a botanical garden famous throughout France.

Official website of the University of Strasbourg – unistra.fr

University of Montpellier

Founded in the 13th century, the university is one of the oldest in Europe. Many historians consider him the founder of the study of practical medicine in the Western world. Such famous personalities as Nostradamus, Francois Rabelais and Petrarch studied at the university. Today, about 60,000 students, including many foreigners, receive knowledge at 9 faculties of the university.

Due to historical traditions, the most prestigious are the faculties of medicine and dentistry, as well as the faculty of pharmacology. If you wish, you can study economics, law and political sciences. The university has 2 schools, 6 scientific institutes and 14 academic libraries. The quality of teaching is at a very high level.

The university has a rich cultural heritage, represented by a collection of more than 1000 ancient paintings by French and Italian artists, museums and portrait galleries. The botanical garden in Montpellier is the oldest in France.

Official website of the University of Montpellier – umontpellier.fr

Paris Sorbonne University (La Sorbonne)

Without exaggeration, the most famous university in France dates back to the first half of the 13th century. Since 1970, the largest international university in terms of its scale has split into 13 independent universities, 5 of which are formally considered its main successors with a single infrastructure. All these universities tried to preserve as much as possible the spirit and traditions of their historical parent.

Famous graduates of the University of Paris are Honore de Balzac, Osip Emilievich Mandelstam, Marina Ivanovna Tsvetaeva and many others. More than 130 thousand students study at 5 Sorbonne universities. When applying, first of all, you need to start from the chosen direction of education.

Each of the universities has its own specialization, for example, it is better to study economics at the Sorbonne Panthéon (Paris 1), law at the Panthéon-Assas (Paris 2), languages, literature and theater arts at the New Sorbonne (Paris 3), humanities at Paris- Sorbonne (Paris 4), and finally medical specialties will be provided by Paris-Descartes (Paris 5).

Each of these universities has its own official resources on the Internet, where you can get acquainted with the features of training in more detail and choose the university that is suitable for you. Regardless of your choice, after graduation you can proudly say “I studied at the Sorbonne.”

France is a country associated with romance, style and sophistication. But those who decide to get higher education in France are attracted by something else. Local universities are among the oldest in the world.

Job prospects

After studying at universities in France, enormous opportunities open up for Russian specialists. We will talk about several of the most common options.

1. Work in France. After completing your master's degree, you can extend your visa for another year and work at 60% of your full time. If after this period you enter into a full-fledged employment contract, you have the right to request a residence permit.

2. Work in Europe. Thanks to the Bologna Process program, French diplomas are valued in all EU countries.

3. In Russia or CIS countries. In the post-Soviet space, absolutely all doors will be open for you, since the domestic higher education program is still far from perfect.

Other benefits of studying at universities in France

• Affordable price . For local and Russian students, as well as for other foreigners, French public universities have set a single price: the annual fee is approximately 300 euros.
• Career prospects. Graduates with a French diploma are highly valued by employers around the world.
• Opportunity to obtain citizenship. Higher education in France opens up the prospect of immigration for Russian students. Upon successful employment, you can request a residence permit.
• A special approach to learning. Unlike the Russian system, here the format of discussions rather than lectures predominates in studies. The main focus is on creating your own projects and scientific work.

Admission to universities in France: nuances you should know about

The first stage of education in France is not a bachelor's degree, as in other countries of the world, but a licentiate, lasting 3 years. After completing it, you can enroll in a master's program. Next comes the traditional doctorate, which you will receive after 8 years of study. It is important to know that local degrees are equivalent, and therefore students can freely transfer between faculties or universities.