France is a destination that dreams are made of for many people around the world. And not just for holidays.
Every year, thousands of international students choose to leave their home countries to start a higher education program in France.
But why is France so attractive?
First off, its education system has a good reputation and is financially much more accessible than those in the United Kingdom or the United States. France is among the European countries that welcome the most students. Spaniards, Portuguese, Germans, Belgians, Moroccans, and Italians are among those who particularly appreciate its quality of life.
France is also among the less expensive countries in terms of overall living and education costs. The quality of education is recognized, especially in technology, culinary arts, and medicine. To aid in your search, we offer a map featuring some of the largest schools and main universities in France, covering all fields of study.
Understanding the French Education System
If you’re an international student, the French education system might seem quite different from what your family or friends have described, or from what you’re used to in your own country. Before reaching university level, French students spend 4 years in “collège” (middle school) and 3 years in “lycée” (high school), with the “baccalauréat” (similar to A-levels or high school diploma) typically taken at the age of 18. The post-secondary education system is structured in various ways since there isn’t just one but several possible paths, depending on the course you choose to follow.
Bachelor’s degree, DUT (University Technology Diploma), BTS (Advanced Technician’s Certificate), Master’s degree, Doctorate: in France, degree programs range from 2 years after high school (Bac+2) to 12 years (Bac+12) for those pursuing extensive education. To help you navigate, here’s a flowchart summarizing the different possible courses and their durations.
Structure of Higher Education
French higher education is among the richest in the world, but there are some differences and similarities with other countries, particularly in terms of years of study. Let’s explore this below!
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | +10 | |
Royaume-Uni | UNDERGRADUATE | POSTGRADUATE | ||||||||
Allemagne | BACHELOR | MASTER | DOCTORAT | |||||||
Espagne | GRADO | MASTER | DOCTORAT | |||||||
Etats-Unis | ASSOC. CERTIF. DEGREE | BACHELOR | MASTER | PHD | ||||||
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM | PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS | |||||||||
Japon | JUNIOR COLLEGE | |||||||||
SPECIALIZED TRAINING COLLEGE | ||||||||||
UNDERGRADUATE – Bachelor | MASTER | PHD | ||||||||
Maroc | DUT / DEUT / DEUG | LICENCE | DESA / DESS | DOCTORAT | ||||||
Brésil | LICENCIATURA | MESTRADO | DOUTOURADO | |||||||
BACHARELADO | MESTRADO | DOUTOURADO | ||||||||
Argentine | LICENCIATURA | MAESTRIA | DOCTORADO | |||||||
Different Types of Institutions
Unlike many countries, France doesn’t solely rely on universities to offer students the opportunity to pursue higher education after the baccalaureate. Even though universities remain the favored educational system for both French and international students (75% of the latter choose these institutions), there are other types of establishments. Let’s explore them together:
- Universities: As mentioned earlier, the majority of students choose to study through universities. This is understandable given that there are nearly 80 universities, generally located in major French cities. These universities include branches in surrounding towns, offering a wide variety of programs and courses. What sets them apart? The cost, as studies are much more affordable for students than other types of institutions we’ll discuss shortly; and also their accessibility. Indeed, anyone, regardless of their country of origin, can enroll in the first year of university, provided they have a high school diploma or equivalent.
- Grandes Écoles: The second type of higher education institution, grandes écoles are chosen by nearly 20% of international students. Whether private or public, these prestigious schools are generally very selective. If you wish to study fields such as top management, politics, commerce, engineering, architecture, or veterinary medicine, this is where you should aim to study up to a Master’s level (Bac+5).
- Specialized Schools: The third and final type of institution, only about 5% of international students choose specialized schools for their studies. As the name suggests, these schools are specialized, so if you’re looking for education in communication, design, fashion, accounting, or other health-related fields, you’re on the right track. More expensive than universities, they offer degrees ranging from a two-year technical degree (BTS, Bac+2) to a Master’s degree (Bac+5). Be cautious when choosing your school, as while some are recognized by the state, others are not. It would be unfortunate to have paid for a degree that cannot be fully recognized.
Procedures and Admission Requirements
Application and Admission
As you might have guessed, while it’s relatively straightforward to enroll in a post-baccalaureate program in France, it doesn’t just happen without effort. There are a few steps you must follow, starting with Parcoursup.
Parcoursup is a platform that was launched in 2018 to simplify the post-baccalaureate registration process for high school seniors. With Parcoursup, you can apply to any post-baccalaureate program, although it’s worth noting that many specialized schools do not use this access route.
The steps are simple, but deadlines must be strictly adhered to, or you risk being unable to continue the process.
#1 Registering on the Platform
Everything starts with creating your profile. This is straightforward: you just need to provide a valid email address and your national student identifier (INE). Known as BEA until you finish your baccalaureate, you can find this number in the top left corner of your report cards.
#2 Compiling Your File
Once your profile is set up, you need to compile your personal information into your dossier. This file consists of 3 sections:
- Profile: You must include your identity and that of your legal guardians, your contact details, your academic situation, whether you’re a scholarship recipient or have a disability, and even if you’re an elite athlete, for example.
- Academic Record: This is where it gets serious. You’ll need to provide your current level of study, your specialization, the institution you’re enrolled in, the languages you study, your report cards, and the number of study hours for each subject. You should also include information if you have a baccalaureate or equivalent, the grade you received, the country of issuance, and your grades.
- Activities: Finally, this section allows you to mention your extracurricular activities, any work experience, civic engagement, or other activities you’ve been involved in.
#3 Making Your Wishes
Now comes the moment you’ve been waiting for: stating your wishes. These are the programs you wish to enroll in. You can make up to 10 wishes and 20 sub-wishes. This means that if you want to pursue a DUT in applied arts, your wish should be “DUT in applied arts,” and your sub-wishes would be the names of the universities offering this program that you want to attend.
Once you’ve made your wishes, it’s time to show your motivation. You’ll need to write a short paragraph for each wish (not sub-wish), explaining why you are the ideal candidate for this program. If you have made 10 wishes, you will need to write 10 motivation letters.
#4 Highlighting Your ‘Preference’
You’ve made 10 wishes and 20 sub-wishes. But how can the system or the relevant authorities know which program you absolutely want to get into? You can write a letter for each field of study you prefer, explaining why (of course). This part is only read by the CAES (Commission for Access to Higher Education). It will be particularly useful if you’re not fortunate enough to receive admission offers when expected.
#5 The Final Phase
The big moment has arrived! You’ve received responses to your various wishes. If your wishes have been met with favorable responses, you can accept them, reject them, or put them on hold if you’re waiting for others that haven’t yet been concluded. It’s also possible that your wishes were not accepted, that you didn’t confirm them, or that you simply missed the deadline to submit and validate your wishes. Don’t panic; you can still make 10 new wishes (and include those you previously wanted).
Campus France and the 'Studies in France' Procedure
It’s a platform that assists you in managing your administrative procedures from enrolling in your chosen French higher education institution to applying for your visa.
The ‘Studies in France‘ procedure is only available to students from the following 69 countries: South Africa, Azerbaijan, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Bahrain, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Ecuador, United States, Ethiopia, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Mauritania, Mexico, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominican Republic, United Kingdom, Russia, Senegal, Singapore, Taiwan, Chad, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam.
No, there is a fee for this service.
From applying for the first year of a Bachelor’s degree up to a Master’s degree, ‘Studies in France‘ will support you. Unfortunately, this service is not available for Ph.D. applications.
For more information and to apply, please visit the Campus France website directly.
Procedures for Non-European Students
If you’re from a country outside of Europe, you’ll have more steps to complete. But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible, far from it. Once your admission request is validated, you’ll likely need a visa to come. Contact the French embassy in your country to get all the documents and information you might need.
Living and Studying in France
Cost of Studies and Financing
In France, the cost of studies varies depending on what you choose. If your program is at a university, you’ll have to pay admission fees ranging from 175€ to 570€, or from 2,770€ to 3,770€, depending on your level of studies and your country of origin (indeed, the agreements are not the same for all countries inside and outside the European Union). If the program you’ve chosen is offered at a school, then the costs vary between 3,000€ and 10,000€ per year. To this, you’ll likely need to add the cost of materials, creating certain files, etc.
Accommodation and Daily Life
As an international student, finding housing can be challenging. A new city, different habits, and a way of life can be a lot for one person. That’s why various accommodation schemes have been developed.
To simplify the life of any newcomer, coliving, a clever mix between a hotel and a shared apartment, is an increasingly popular solution. This is what we offer at Colivys. Apartments in the city center, close to public transport, with a rent that includes apartment charges: to ensure peace of mind during your stay in France. So don’t hesitate any longer, and book your room now!
Cultural and Social Integration
Coming to study in a new country is primarily about immersing yourself in a culture that might be very different from your own. In coliving, we offer shared housing with people from all over the world. This is perfect for your integration into our country and also gives you the opportunity to discover new cultures, new ways of life, and make new friends. These people are in the same situation as you, which can strengthen your bonds.
Resources and Support
Financial Aid and Scholarships
To find out about all the financial aid and scholarships that could be available to you, there’s no need to look further. Campus Bourses (set up by Campus France) provides you with the key information on financial aid that you might be eligible for based on your situation. Don’t hesitate to also contact the academic services of your school/university.
Student Support Services
Several associations offer support to international students, including “Voix des Étudiants Étrangers” which provides free assistance with your administrative procedures and local guidance. You can also rely on the UNEF, the National Union of Students of France.
In conclusion, studying in France is fairly straightforward; you just need to start by obtaining your high school diploma (yes, it’s essential) and a complete administrative file: your transcripts, valid proof of identity, and other necessary documents. Once you’ve chosen the field and program you wish to pursue, visit the Campus France website to find out exactly how to proceed with your application. If you’re a European student, the process will be easy. If you’re from a non-European country, it won’t be difficult, but the registration process will be different.
Frequently Asked Questions
To study in France, you need a valid ID (passport, residence permit, etc.) and to be enrolled in an educational institution or vocational training program.
The cost of a year of study varies depending on the type of program chosen. University registration fees range from 175€ to 570€ per year for European students, or from 2,770€ to 3,770€ for non-European students.
According to the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, University Paris 8 – Vincennes – Saint-Denis, Sorbonne Nouvelle University – Paris 3, and University of Le Havre Normandy were the top 3 universities accepting the most international students in 2022.
Yes, they must register just like any other French student.
A student cannot directly obtain French nationality. To apply, one must have a stable source of income, which generally implies having a job.
