French universities: free and without exams. Education system in France

French higher education institutions are among the most renowned in Europe. The history of many of them dates back to the 11th century. For many centuries, these oldest universities were considered privileged, and only representatives of the upper classes could study in them.

Nowadays, the French Ministry of Education is pursuing a different policy, making education at any university accessible to the public. Education in France is as democratic as possible not only for fellow citizens, but also for foreigners.

If we focus solely on the QS rating, the situation does not look promising. Only 11 higher education institutions in France are among the 250 recognized as the best in the world. However, it should be remembered that the rating takes into account not only the quality of education, but also the number of graduates. Although even the best French universities do not have any noticeable social or property qualifications, they remain elite precisely because of their small enrollment.

For example, the prestige of the Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris is so great that its graduates have almost one hundred percent guarantee of employment in any research center in the world. But the institution is not included in the world’s top twenty only because it accepts no more than 200-300 students per year.

Not only engineering, but also humanitarian and musical education received in France is valued. Graduates of French educational institutions, including foreigners, successfully find employment in this country, which, if necessary, facilitates the relocation procedure.

Higher education

The age at which you can receive secondary education is 18 years. To assess academic performance, there are semester and final exams held in May and November. The scoring system includes points from 0 to 20. Successful completion of master's and doctoral studies requires writing papers corresponding to the academic degree.

A short educational course lasting 2-3 years prepares specialists in the service and production sectors for employment within France. The long course provides for obtaining internationally recognized bachelor's (3 years of study) and master's (5 years) diplomas.

Education programs

In France, as in many European countries, specialization begins from preschool age. The child is raised and trained in accordance with his natural inclinations and talents. Both school and higher education are built on the same principle.

The latter system is represented by three different types of establishments.

1. In classical universities, funded by the state, there is no requirement to take entrance exams, unless it is a question of admission to a specialized institute that is a branch of the university. Levels of study: bachelor's, first- and second-year master's degrees, doctoral studies;
2. Higher schools are both public and private institutions that provide higher specialized education in specific fields - management, pedagogy, IT, etc. Preparation for education begins with specialized secondary education. It is in higher schools that most future ministers begin their careers. Such training is valued higher than general university training;
3. Specialized schools teach the most narrowly specialized specialties, mainly in subjects corresponding to the specialization. Recruitment is extremely limited and is based on exam results.

Conditions for admission

A Russian, including a student who has completed grades 9-11, can enter a French university without exams. The only thing that is required of him is knowledge of French or English.

You must successfully pass the language tests:

• TCF or DELF/DALF for teaching in French;
• TOEFL or IELTS - for English-language programs.

To enter a higher or specialized school, you must pass exams. Russian students will not be accepted there at the initial stage of their studies: it makes sense to enroll only starting from the fourth year of a domestic university.

Required documents

There is no single standard for submitting documents in France; each university has its own requirements, which are best learned in advance by contacting the administration.

Typically required:

• Notarized translation of education documentation into French;
• Motivation and recommendation letters;
• A certified document confirming the level of proficiency in French or English;
• A copy of the foreign passport and study visa;
• A copy and notarized translation of a certificate of employment, if the future student is already employed.
• The period for submitting documents is approximately from January to April.

Cost of education

The state fully or partially subsidizes all higher education institutions in France. A university course in French in this country is free - only registration fees are paid, which are the same for any of the universities.

Price indicators:

• The tuition fee for undergraduate studies at the university is 188 euros, for master’s degrees - 259 euros;
• Teaching in English will cost the student much more - up to 6 thousand euros per semester;
• In a public higher school, a year of study costs from 500 to 1000, in a private school - up to 20 thousand euros;
• The cost of education in a specialized school is from 250 to 13,000 annually.

In addition, at all universities, students pay an insurance premium of 200 euros per year.

Financial problems when receiving education in France for Russians and citizens of other countries of the former USSR lie not so much in paying for studies, but in living expenses.

If a foreigner is not able to prove that he can spend at least several thousand euros on living expenses annually, it will be difficult for him to obtain a study visa. However, there are numerous scholarships and grants available to address this issue.

Is it possible to get education for free?

Universities in France, unlike higher and specialized schools, teach free of charge - including for foreign students. This does not mean that you will not have to pay at all. There are registration and insurance fees, payment for food, accommodation and library services - the list goes on depending on the specifics of the study.

But still, studying at the best French universities is noticeably cheaper than at private provincial universities in the Russian Federation, not to mention Russian educational institutions of a higher level.

Government Grants and Scholarships

Social coverage is a one-time compensation for social expenses awarded each year by the French government to several master's degree applicants. Thanks to this grant, the future master is exempt from visa fees and education fees, and also receives significant benefits when paying for student housing. However, the number of scholarship holders is small - about three dozen.

List of scholarships:

• Training Coverage is a government scholarship that provides a monthly payment of 767 euros, as well as a free study visa and preferential accommodation. Unfortunately, its term is limited to nine months;
• Eiffel Scholarship for future masters and doctors are awarded only to those whose training has achieved outstanding results. The number of annual scholarship holders is 400, the monthly payment is 1,400 euros, the duration is from two (master's) to three (doctoral) years;
• Poincaré Fellowship is provided not only for French-speaking, but also for English-language programs. Education in other foreign languages, including Russian, is not included in the scope of the Poincaré scholarship;
• Scholarship from the French Embassy in Russia provides for teaching French to 18 best students from the Russian Federation. The duration of the language course at a French university is three weeks. The scholarship covers the cost of flights, insurance premiums and accommodation in the host family's home, as well as personal expenses in the amount of 200 euros;
• Specific Russian-French program- Vernadsky scholarship. It is awarded to graduate students who write dissertations simultaneously under Russian and French scientific supervision. This scholarship provides the opportunity to visit a French supervisor four times during the writing of the dissertation. A scholarship is provided for a year and four months in the amount of 767 euros per month.
• Empire Scholarship, which is awarded by the Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, is designed to invite 20 students from abroad to complete a master's degree within a year. Monthly payments of 1000 euros are provided for each scholarship holder. The level of required knowledge of French or English is from C1.

Grants from educational institutions are awarded by French universities and high schools.

Grants awarded by the École Normale Supérieure de Paris provide up to 25 scholarships under the Sélection Internationale programme. Each of them is designed for 1000 euros monthly for two to three years of study. You can apply for a grant starting from your third year at university.

In order to study in scientific specialties, it is necessary to speak both French and English. For humanities students, only French is enough.

The scholarships awarded by the French University College are similar in value, benefits and duration to government tuition coverage. For most Russians they are inaccessible. In the Russian Federation, they are distributed among Moscow and St. Petersburg among the humanities and law faculties of universities.

Features of internship and exchange study programs

There are a large number of good internship and student exchange programs. The most popular of them:

• Internship in Paris;
• Work & travel in France;
• Au-Pair in France.

Most often, such programs operate for students studying in the faculties of foreign language, as well as hotel management and tourism management. Here there is an opportunity not only to learn something, but also to earn money: as a rule, in the service sector. The minimum wage according to French state standards is 540 euros per month.

Student Accommodation and Meal Options

Anyone who wants to get a job while studying in France has two options: go to the private sector or get a job on a student campus (dormitory) at a higher educational institution. Private owners offer a wide variety of not only apartments, but also prices - it all depends on the living conditions.

Places on campuses are usually limited, so it's best to apply as early as possible. The government partially reimburses the costs of student housing (ranging from 20 to 40%). Accommodation on campus will cost approximately 140-400 euros per month, meals - 130-200.

The best universities in the country

1. (Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris) is one of the oldest educational institutions in the country, founded in 1794. Such celebrities as Louis Pasteur, Jean-Paul Sartre, Emile Durkheim studied there. And today, graduates of the École Normale Supérieure are valued as specialists in the fields of exact, natural and human sciences not only in France, but throughout the world;
2. (Pierre and Marie Curie University) is the largest scientific and medical complex in France. Includes more than a hundred laboratories associated with the CNRS. Known for the highest level of teaching exact, natural and medical disciplines;
3. (University Paris-Sud) specializes in teaching exact and technical sciences. Includes 111 laboratory complexes, 2,200 world-famous professors are involved in teaching;
4. (University of Strasbourg) is part of the international Utrecht network of leading European universities in Europe. 18 of its graduates have been awarded the Nobel Prize in various categories.

France (French france) is one of the largest countries on the European continent. It is called the “gateway to Europe” for its well-functioning transport system: there are several large international airports (two of them in Paris), numerous ferry crossings and a railway network.

France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Many come here to admire the natural beauty and enjoy the wonderful climate.

Well, students come here to enroll in one of the wonderful universities, colleges or take language courses. And this is no coincidence, because education in France is famous for its high quality, and the country itself is included in the list of the best places in the world to enter a university. There are renowned universities here that offer excellent opportunities to get a quality education. The cost of studying in France is quite reasonable.

Studying in France for Russians: advantages and features

Numerous institutes and educational institutions throughout the country offer world-class education and have several advantages: small classes, the presence of numerous research institutes that are part of universities. In addition, the class schedule is designed in such a way that students can attend classes on a full or partial basis, as well as take the course remotely.

Another undoubted advantage is the fairly low cost of higher education, since many institutes are funded by the state. In addition, students can count on receiving financial assistance in the form of grants, and the government in some cases reimburses part of the tuition fee. The price of tuition depends on the chosen university, specialty and many other factors. Therefore, studying in France for Russians and students from other countries is a tempting and profitable prospect.

French educational system

Studying in France is compulsory for every child from the age of 6. Many parents send their children to kindergarten at the age of 2-3 years. After this, they enter primary school, where they learn to write and develop reading skills. One teacher usually teaches several subjects.

After primary school, children go to secondary school, which consists of 2 stages: students go through the first stage from 11 to 15 years old, the second stage lasts 3 years and is intended for students 15-18 years old. At the last stage, children prepare to enter university.

Then higher education begins and students enter the university. Higher education in France is represented by three main areas: bachelor's, master's and doctoral studies. There are public and private universities. The latter are considered very prestigious educational institutions, occupying a special niche in the French education system.

Most popular specialties

As mentioned above, education in France is high quality and productive. There are many areas that a student can study at the university and which will undoubtedly be useful to him for future work. The student is offered many areas to choose from: art, medicine, law, history, foreign languages, teaching and others.

The most popular specialties are:

• nuclear power;
• astronautics;
• aviation;
• pharmaceuticals;
• sociology;
• geography;
• linguistics

Students should take some considerations into account when choosing a major. For example, law is usually studied by the French themselves, less often by foreigners, since the legal system in different countries differs from each other and it is then difficult for students from abroad to adapt to their native legal system, and the economics course is more comprehensive and tied to modern trends, in contrast from other countries.

Education in France for international students

France was one of the first to open its doors to international students. It all started back in the Middle Ages, when the country's first Sorbonne University was created. Students from Europe came here to study at the French university in fields such as theology, medicine and law.

To this day, the number of foreigners from Europe, Russia, Asia, the USA, etc., who want to enroll or have already entered educational institutions in this country, is growing. Not only universities and secondary schools are popular, but also language centers. There are currently approximately 105 international schools in France. As for language centers, both children and adults can study there. There are many programs to choose from: a general French course, a business course, summer holidays, family programs and others. The cost of studying for Russians is quite reasonable, be it a high school, university or language center.

Student life in France

It is extremely important that students not only study, but also spend time having fun and usefully, developing as individuals. Therefore, educational institutions hold various sports and leisure activities in which students take an active part. The children get acquainted with French culture, attend numerous conferences and seminars on various topics.

It is worth noting that the schedule of all extracurricular activities is carefully planned, as is the class schedule. Every day, a new, rich program awaits the student. This could be a joint trip to a museum, many of which, by the way, are free for students, a cinema, attending a concert, theater, participation in a student club of interests.

It is important for every student to be in touch with their family, therefore, for the convenience of students, all universities in France have access to free Internet.

PREMIER will help you make the right choice

For students from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities, this country is one of the favorite educational destinations. If you want to build a career in the future, the Premier advises you to consider a country like France. Currently, Russian-French relations are actively developing, Moscow and Paris are conducting a productive dialogue to build further cooperation.

Our experts will advise you on issues such as how much a particular training program offered by language centers and universities will cost, how to obtain a visa at the French embassy in Moscow and much more. We are confident that studying in France is within the power of anyone who has set such a goal!

This is a completely erroneous opinion. After all, in the “French side” not only citizens of the country, but also foreigners study in higher education for free. Of course, about 3 million French people sit in student classrooms every year and only 220 thousand residents of other countries. But you must admit, it would be strange if the numbers were reversed.

Graduation of higher French education

The higher education system in France consists of approximately 3,000 educational institutions and research centers. Of them:

90 universities (they are mostly public);
- 240 higher engineering schools;
- 200 higher commercial schools;
- 2,000 specialized schools (design, art, dance, teacher training, acting, etc.).

You can get a free education in France only after successfully passing the DELF/DALF exams in French. Without entrance language tests, you can enroll after receiving the DALF C 1 diploma!

If you decide to get a free education in France, keep in mind that there are no university rankings there. It's more about prestige.

Moreover, if we put aside the worldwide fame of the Sorbonne, universities are not always valued more than higher schools. Among the ancient (founded in the 18th century) higher schools, the following are especially popular:

• - Ecole Nonnale superieure (Ecole Normal);
• - Ecole Nationale superieure agronomique (Higher School of Agronomy);
• - Ecoles des hautes etudes commerciales (Higher Commercial School);
• - Ecole Polytechnique (Polytechnic);
• - Ecole centrale des arts et manufactures (Central School of Civil Engineers);
• - Ecole speciale militaire interarmes (Military Combined Arms);
• - Ecole Nationale d'administration (National School of Administration).

A year before admission (and it takes place on a general basis for all applicants, including foreign ones), you must contact the university administration or the embassy and provide a DALF C 1 diploma. Since training takes place almost throughout the country only in French, without this exam, the chance of entering a university is zero.

How can a Russian become a French student?

In France, graduates of local lyceums (schools) receive free education. The Russian certificate of secondary education is not equivalent to a document on French secondary education. Therefore, our fellow citizens need to enroll in a domestic university. Having completed at least the first year here, you can apply to a French university.

If an applicant is admitted to the first year based on exam results, then before entering a master's program in France, applicants undergo an interview. There the motivation for learning is revealed.

Education in this European country takes place according to the Bologna system. In 2005-2006, France underwent a reform of higher education (LMD). Since then, university graduates have been issued the following diplomas:

• - License 3 - Licentiate diploma. It corresponds to our bachelor's diploma and is issued after 3 years of study.
• - Master 1 (M1) - Master 1 diploma. Corresponds to our specialist diploma, issued a year after training with a Licentiate diploma.
• - Master 2 Recherche - Master 2 diploma. An analogue of our Master, issued 2 years after receiving the Licentiate.
• - Doctorat - diploma of Doctor of Science. Issued after 8 years of study only at the university.

French diplomas are recognized throughout the world and indicate that the graduate has received one of the best educations in the world!

How good it is to be a Russian student

Well, now find out an important point about receiving free higher education in France.

• Having completed 1-2 years of university in Russia, you can transfer to the first year of a French university through the French Ministry of Education.
• After studying with us for 3-4 years, they are transferred to France with a loss of course.
• After completing 5 courses in Russia, they enter the 5th year of study in France.
• After graduating from our university, you can get a second higher education in France with enrollment in the 2nd - 3rd year (depending on the academic difference).

Free in French

When studying in France, our students do not pay tuition fees at all. Except, of course, for those enrolled in private universities, but this is everyone’s personal choice. True, the annual registration fee (depending on the university) will cost 130 - 900 euros. But successful students are given a state scholarship (about 350 - 400 euros).

As for the hostel, it costs from 150 to 270 euros/month (depending on the city). But the state subsidizes about 20 - 40% of the cost, even for foreigners.

If there are not enough places in the hostel for everyone, then students rent private housing. Approximately 100 euros are paid by the state. In France, students rent one apartment for several people.

But the best thing is that everyone, paid or free, studying in France has the opportunity to officially work. True, you cannot work more than 19.5 hours a week. But the minimum cost of an hour of work is about 7 euros, and this, you see, will provide a good addition to the scholarship (approximately 600 euros per month).

However, when planning to study for free in France, remember that in this country there is quite a lot of competition for a place - often 10 - 12 people. And not everyone who enrolls graduates from the university.

It will probably be a little easier for Russian students to get an education in the Czech Republic.

Here, in order to receive a diploma, you will have to give your all, because neither acquaintances, nor, especially, “material assistance” to the alma mater or the teacher are possible. This is precisely the quality of French education - only knowledge is valued.

But if you are ready to spend from 3 to 8 years to obtain a prestigious French diploma, then without wasting time, start collecting information more completely. To do this, contact your favorite educational institution or embassy. “The one who walks will master the road,” says popular wisdom. So take the first step!

A few years ago, our students at French universities could literally be counted on one hand. But over the past two or three years the situation has changed dramatically.

If we take the dry statistics, then French higher education looks very attractive. About two million students study at universities in France. Every two out of three students study at universities. 16.6% of their total number are on two-year engineering courses ending in BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) or DUT (diplôme universitaire de technologie), 7.5% study in high schools (grande école), of which 4.3 % - in engineering schools and 3.2% - in business and management schools.

In the 2001-2002 academic year, over 190,000 foreign students studied at higher educational institutions in France, accounting for 11.4% of the total number of students. In terms of the number of foreign students, France took second place, behind Great Britain and leaving Germany, traditionally famous for its hospitality, in third place. Compared to 2000, the increase in the number of foreign students in France was 12.6%. Since 1998, economics has taken first place in popularity among the majors studied in French universities, displacing medicine from first place (followed by economics are law, literature and humanities, exact sciences and sports).

Most foreign students come to France from Asia, Africa and America. There are fewer students from Europe, but their number is steadily increasing. According to 2002 data, six out of ten Americans, as well as many Europeans and Asians, study literature and humanities subjects in France. Of the French cities chosen by foreigners as a place to study, Paris leads with 38%, followed by Montpellier, Lyon, Marseille, Strasbourg and Toulouse. It seems to us that the main reasons why conservative France has sharply changed its attitude towards foreign students is the worsening demographic situation in the country and the desire to keep up with its EU neighbors, especially Germany, in personnel matters. As a result, for two years in a row, the government agency EduFrance has been organizing an exhibition of French education in Moscow and other large cities of Russia, which traditionally attracts a large number of visitors. By the way, this year the exhibition in Moscow will be held on March 5-7.

If on the part of France the interest in foreign students is understandable, then the reverse interest is even more understandable: the main thing that attracts foreign youth to French universities is the freeness of French higher education.

Of course, this freeness should not be understood in an absolute sense. I would like to emphasize this, because in the process of consulting on obtaining higher education in France, sometimes you have to answer such anecdotal questions as “who will pay for the ticket to the place of study - the French themselves?”

Indeed, you do not need to pay for the education itself at public universities in France. However, a small fee, which ranges from 130 to 700 euros per semester depending on the university and the chosen specialty, must be paid for the use of the library, laboratories, campus infrastructure, etc. Accommodation in a hostel will cost 140-400 euros per month, food - 130-200. That is, education “on the French side” can be cheaper than in another Russian private university. The second important point is that foreigners are admitted to universities without exams. And graduates of Russian schools are no exception.

Unlike Germany, in France, admission to university does not require a year of study at a Russian university. You can become a student at a French university immediately after school. The main requirement, in addition to a certificate of complete secondary education, is knowledge of the French language, confirmed by the DELF/DALF exams. Let’s immediately make a reservation that these exams cannot be called easy and you need to prepare for them in advance. And your grades in your school certificate will determine how suitable your candidacy is for a particular French university or its department. A third extremely attractive feature of French higher education is the government's partial reimbursement of student housing costs.

This compensation ranges from 20% to 40%. The amount, you see, is decent. There is also the possibility of part-time work: French law allows foreign students to work during their studies, but the total number of working hours should not exceed 884, i.e. 19.5 hours per week or 84.5 per month. A temporary work permit is issued by the prefecture at the place of study. The minimum wage is 6.72 euros per hour. The higher education system itself in France is noticeably different from the Russian one we are used to.

The university learning process is divided into three cycles. Each of them ends with passing exams and receiving a diploma. The first cycle, where the French enter after graduating from the lyceum, lasts 2 years and provides general education training. The French baccalaureat has nothing in common with the English bachelor. In France, the bac is taken at the end of the lyceum, and only those who pass all the exams successfully receive a bachelor's degree and have the right to enter a university. After two years of study, students pass exams and receive a diploma of general university education - DEUG, or a diploma of scientific and technical education - DEUST.

During the second cycle of education, which also lasts two years, students receive more specialized knowledge. The first year of the second cycle, called the licence, ends with the award of the licentiate degree. Licentiates, after studying for another year, receive a master's degree - maitrise. To do this, the student must choose a topic and write a thesis.

The third cycle, which many foreigners seek to enroll in, lasts one year and ends with receiving a full diploma of higher education. There are two types of diplomas. First: DESS diploma - diploma of special higher education. Issued after a year of narrow specialization in a certain professional field and provides an internship from 3 months to six months. Future employment greatly depends on the right choice of internship. Second: DEA diploma - diploma of advanced higher education. Allows its owner to continue scientific work and apply for writing a dissertation. The full third cycle of study can last another three years and end with writing a dissertation, defending and obtaining a doctorate.

However, this path is easy only on paper. In practice, up to 40% of first-year students cannot bear the academic workload of French universities and leave their walls.

So, you have successfully passed the language exam, filled out the necessary documents yourself or with the help of specialists... The only question left is: which other two universities should you include in the registration form sent to your chosen university? What a question, you say - of course, the Sorbonne! And you may be wrong.

Yes, the Sorbonne, or rather Paris I, II (and further, up to VIII) still remains a symbol of French higher education. However, not the only one. It makes sense to go to the Sorbonne to study the humanities: philosophy, French literature, law - but when it comes to exact, natural and applied sciences, it is better to choose universities in other cities. And it is better for future engineers and managers to go to specialized higher schools. And Parisian life is not for everyone.

So our advice: focus not on ancient glory, but on how well this university meets your aspirations. With the modern wealth of faculties, directions, specializations and majors in French higher education, everyone can find something of their own here.

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.”