10 Reasons To Study in France

Year after year, students from various countries choose to study in France, selecting its universities from thousands of other options. Each person has their own reasons, and perhaps one of them will resonate with you and inspire you to study in France.

Reasons to study in France: a well-designed education system

French universities are appreciated for their combination of classical European education principles with innovative approaches.

The traditional system of higher education in France follows the Bologna system. It takes 3 to 5 years to earn a Bachelor’s degree and 1 to 2 years for a Master’s degree. Applicants can choose from over 3,500 educational institutions, including public and private universities, Grandes Ecoles, art schools, and national schools of architecture.

Public universities in France are the most popular due to their accessibility, with a majority of foreign students attending them. University programs cover all academic disciplines, and many educational institutions collaborate with French companies to provide students with practical experience and valuable connections before graduating.

Studying at Grandes Ecoles takes longer than a standard bachelor’s degree and is more expensive. Most of these institutions are highly selective in their admission process.

Specialized schools, such as art schools and national schools of architecture, allow students to focus on their chosen major with minimal distractions from related subjects. Education in these schools typically lasts between two to five years. Experienced practitioners often staff such institutions, and many art schools and national schools of architecture are overseen by the French Ministry of Culture.

The prestige of a French education

French degrees are recognized in most countries of the world. The best French universities open the doors to major international companies for their graduates, giving them an advantage over other applicants.

The country’s universities are known for their careful approach to combining up-to-date theoretical knowledge and practical training with innovative methods. In part because of this 31 French universities were included in the updated QS World University Rankings 2023.

Those who care about exclusivity of education should pay attention to Grande Ecoles. Unique practical programs not only allow students to build their own career vector, but also make the education even more prestigious. That is why employers prefer Grande Ecoles graduates.

The opportunity to study in France for free

On average, education in France costs from 750 euros per semester. In 2018, France reformed its education system and now most universities charge from 2,770 euros for bachelor’s programs and from 3,770 euros for master’s programs per year.

There is a way to significantly reduce tuition costs is to take advantage of one of the many scholarship programs that cover the cost of living or allow research activities:

The Erasmus Mundus program can help you get a free education in France. It offers several scholarship options that fully cover the costs of international students to study abroad.

The Eiffel Scholarship from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs is available to international full-time students on a competitive basis. Candidates with excellent academic performance and high academic activity are eligible for funding. In addition to regular payments, the scholarship exempts the student from the admission fee for admission to public universities. The stipend is €1181 for master’s students and € 1400 for doctoral students.

Loyal attitude to applicants

Entrance requirements depend on the institution, but they are often less stringent. You can get by without extensive preparation and numerous documents.

Most universities require a high school diploma or its equivalent for admission to undergraduate programs. For master’s or doctoral programs, you will need a high school diploma.

Admission to specialized educational institutions is based on an entrance exam or portfolio.

In addition to standard documents, prospective students will need certificates confirming proficiency in French at least at the B2 level.

All documents must be certified and translated into French or English.

Attention to research

France is one of the world’s top 10 countries in terms of research and development spending. One of the world’s leading research organizations, the CNRS (National Center for Scientific Research), is located here.

Large laboratories and research centers cooperate with French universities. This gives students access to up-to-date knowledge and news of the scientific world, and in the future they can join research teams and continue their scientific work at a new level.

A springboard for startups

The French government supports innovative projects. It has deployed an entire ecosystem to help startups and the teams that create them at all stages of development. Laboratories, universities, and large corporations are involved.

For example, La French Tech helps entrepreneurs, investors, politicians and public figures find each other and create projects together. The support of the state applies to foreign startups as well. The investment covers most of the costs, allows entrepreneurs to focus on the project and not waste time on other work.

Study in France – live in the heart of Europe

Paris is called the cultural center of the world, but other cities in the country do not lag behind. More than 500 different festivals take place there every year. Several thousand museums, theaters and cinemas operate here on a permanent basis.

There are more than 40,000 cultural monuments and protected sites in France, of which over 40 are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

France is visited every day by hundreds of foreign tourists wishing to feel the rhythm of life in the heart of Europe and experience the special atmosphere of this country. The study abroad will allow you to get closer to the unique charm of France: students have preferential access to most of the museums and theaters.

Developed economy

Those looking for a country with a stable economy to start their own business or permanent residence, should take a closer look at the French Republic.

France is one of the top 10 economies in the world and one of the leaders in terms of GDP in Europe. The Republic actively exports services to other EU countries. Millions of investments flow here every year – European investors are eager to invest in the country’s production facilities.

There are dozens of major international corporations in France. Many French companies are known outside their homeland: L’Oréal cosmetics, Danone products, Airbus projects and others. While studying in France, students have the opportunity to work directly with representatives of these companies as interns and gain valuable experience.

Practicing French

French is spoken by approximately 321 million people around the world. It is the official language of dozens of states and international organizations. It is the second most widely spoken language in the world after English and the third most widely spoken business language. During your studies, you will improve your knowledge of French, which will come in handy many times in your career.

Ease of adaptation

Every year, more than 300 thousand foreign students study at French universities and schools. France is second only to the United States, Australia and Great Britain in the number of foreign students.

France has been one of the most popular destinations for students for many years. Three cities in the country are in the top 100 of the international QS Best Student Cities 2023: Paris, Léon and Toulouse.

The country is home to many people from around the world, making it easy for international students to blend into a multi-ethnic environment.