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Study abroad in France
Country overview
France is a country with a very diverse geography where you can enjoy outdoor activities all year round if you find the right weather. From has it all, from picturesque countryside, to pearl white beaches, to the snow-capped peaks of the Alps. France is also a great hub for travel to central Europe, bordering nine countries.
International students studying in France will benefit from the huge array of student discounts on offer and can widely be used in the abundance of arts venues throughout the country. There is nothing more relaxing than enjoying a spare afternoon sipping coffee and devouring one of their famous crepes, watching the Parisian world pass you by.
A historical country with a strong sense of identity, infused with natural splendour, fine wines and cheeses and sumptuous restaurants for food-lovers. The food in France is certainly one of things to explore and enjoy, with some of the most authentic and appetising flavours you will find. As a student in France, you will certainly never go hungry!
Education overview
Those who study abroad in France will find themselves in one of the world’s leading destinations for foreign students, with more than 245,000 international students choosing to study there every year. This demand stems from the perceived quality of its higher-education institutions.
The traditionally high quality of French degrees is rooted in a network of internationally renowned research centers and institutions of higher education, of which there are more than 3,000, including 87 universities, 240 engineering schools, and 230 business schools, plus 2,000 other establishments devoted to such fields as art, fashion, design, architecture, paramedical training and so on.
One of the features of the French higher education system is that it includes a very wide range of institutions, each with its own objectives, structures and admission requirements. For the 2001 academic year, there were 2,160,000 students enrolled in higher education.
What's more, no distinction is made in France between French and international students: the entrance requirements and admission fees for foreign student admissions and French nationals are the same and the degrees are identical.
Universities in France and many specialized postsecondary schools are located throughout the country. Not surprisingly, most courses in France are taught in French. But you'll have ample opportunities to learn or practice other European languages — English, in particular. Advanced English is taught in many programs, especially in business and engineering.
Study abroad in France is commonplace at all academic levels, provided that your existing qualifications are recognized by the establishment concerned. French universities have developed reciprocal arrangements with similar institutions in many countries to facilitate international student exchanges. Other educational institutions, including some of France's prestigious grandes écoles, also offer study abroad programs.
The EduFrance agency:
- Promotes France’s advanced training offering abroad
- Offers foreign students a service providing information, guidance and enrollment assistance so they can pursue their graduate studies in France
- Coordinates and exports France’s educational engineering offering
Pros and cons | |
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Clear framework of qualifications
Ease of gaining an entry visa
International student accommodation
Obtaining student accommodation in France, especially in Paris, can be quite costly. University housing is in very short supply – even for French students, and most end up in private accommodation in the city. However, the number of private student residences is continually increasing as a result, thus should not be a problem to find.
Student accommodation which does exist, is run by the CROUS and usually reserved for government scholarship holders. Outside of Paris, you will still encounter some of these problems, but not to the same extent.
Edufrance is a good bet. They help cope with the difficulties of student housing in France – locating and reserving university housing throughout the country, except in Paris.
Weather/Climate
A typical temperate climate, not dissimilar to the UK, with weather patterns differing in four main regions. The Alps and Pyrenees have cold winters, making for great skiing and contrastingly hot summers. The North of the country, including Paris, also has hot summers and cold winters, whilst a more Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot summers can be enjoyed in the South.
Transport
Public transport in France is very comprehensive. The majority of towns in France have metro or tram systems and most offer a very good an reliable bus network. In Paris the metro has about 300 stations and is the easiest way to get around. Travel out of the centre can be taken by the RER and the SNCF which are well connected to the metro.
For travel abroad, Air France is the main airline, destinations worldwide in more than 90 countries. There is also of course, the channel tunnel, offering easy and efficient travel to the UK. London, Amsterdam and Barcelona are all within a short distance for a weekend away.
Cost*
| Item | Price |
| small bottle of water | €0.35 |
| litre of petrol | €1.10 |
| croissant & café au lait | €2.50 |
| filled baguette | €4.00 |
| bottle of cheap wine | €4.00 |
| ten-minute taxi ride | €10.00 |
| develop 36 exposure film | €18.00 |
| hostel bed in Paris with breakfast | €18.00 |
| rental of small canal boat per wee | €1,200.00 |
*WorldGuide Index from Lonely Planet
Useful info
Dialing code: 33
Currency: Euro (€)
Time zone: GMT/UTC +1 (Central European Time) - From the end of March until the end of October, French time goes from GMT+1 to GMT+2 (GMT = Greenwich Meridian Time)
