Why study in France?
France is considered the most geographically and demographically diverse country in Western Europe, home to the Riviera beaches, Alpine ski slopes, and magnificent cities. It boasts high-level universities and is renowned for its academic excellence and ability to attract students from all over the world. International students make up about 10% of the total French university students, with approximately 250,000 students traveling from other countries to study in France every year.
Studying in France offers students the opportunity to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in three years, a Master’s degree in two years (a total of five years if obtaining both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees together), and a Ph.D. in three years. Each university in France also has a career services office to assist students in finding internships and job opportunities. French universities provide their students with all the necessary tools for success in all fields of study, making France an ideal place for international study.
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Five reasons to study in France
1- World-Class Education:
French universities are renowned for their academic competitiveness, consistently ranking highly in the QS World University Rankings and the Times Higher Education World University Rankings. They are also known for their focus on scientific research and academic development across various fields, including arts, humanities, engineering, and technology. Particularly, business schools in France receive high international rankings, with graduates often finding employment in leading international companies based in France, such as L’Oréal, Renault, and Airbus.
For ambitious students, especially those studying economics, commerce, sciences, or literature, the Grandes Écoles system offers a more competitive alternative to traditional university education. While admission criteria for these schools are stringent, graduates benefit from high employment rates and often secure positions in top management roles.
2- Value for Money:
One of the greatest advantages of higher education in France is the cost, as students in public universities pay minimal tuition fees without sacrificing the quality of their education. There are 71 public universities in France, each supported by the government to reduce costs for university students to less than 200 euros annually for residents of the European Economic Area and less than 3000 euros annually for non-residents of the European Economic Area. Students can also apply for scholarships to cover tuition fees, as well as grants to cover some living expenses. For students who wish to attend a private university, the costs will be much higher, around 10,000 euros per year, and students in the Grand Ecole system can expect to pay around 7,500 euros for business school and up to 25,000 for engineering school. Considering all these costs, it is important for students interested in attending one of these universities to research the best university for them, whether public or private. In either case, the student can ensure that they will get the highest desired benefit from this learning at the best cost.
3. Career advancement:
Respect for a university degree from a French institution is widespread globally, signifying to employers that the potential employee is capable of success in diverse contexts and adaptable to change. For international students intending to return to their home countries after graduation, their time in France will broaden their horizons and increase their flexibility, enabling them to introduce new ideas and strong work ethics into their professional lives. As for students wishing to stay in France, their study period at the university will enhance their language skills, help them adapt to French culture, and provide access to career advisors who can assist them in showcasing their best selves in the current job market. However, job opportunities for graduates will not be limited to their home countries or France alone. Given that French is the third most widely spoken language in business worldwide, they will be able to travel and work in many countries. With a French education, students can dream of boundless career possibilities!
4- Cultural Experience:
Students studying in France will naturally be surrounded by a rich culture. France is brimming with history, art, literature, and, of course, fabulous cuisine! While Paris is particularly renowned as a cultural and financial hub, other cities with universities, such as Lyon, Lille, Marseille, and Toulouse, are also home to historic universities, thriving industries, and vibrant communities. Museums and art exhibitions are often free for anyone under 26 years old, and tourism, entertainment, and transportation companies offer discounts for students. Therefore, even students living in France on a tight budget can explore French culture after class and venture out into city life.
5- Traveling abroad while studying abroad:
Many French universities – both private and public – offer students the opportunity to study internationally for a semester or two through the Erasmus exchange program. Even if the international institution imposes tuition fees, they remain free for the student under this program, and scholarships are available to cover living expenses. This is a fantastic opportunity that students should seize to experience a different and new European culture, or perhaps in Canada or the United States, while remaining under the umbrella of their French university.
Even students who do not wish to apply for this program can benefit from efficient public transportation in Europe between cities and countries, as well as the Schengen Area (a policy allowing travel between 26 European countries without obtaining a visa for each country) to explore Europe in their free time. Therefore, we can say that French universities provide their students with the opportunity to discover the world, academically and culturally.