Studying in France: Everything you need to know

For students who intend to study abroad, studying in Europe is a priority because of the high standards of living and the academic level of its universities. Among European countries, studying in a country like France has always been very welcome for young people who dream of living in Paris. Comfortable facilities along with the desired quality of higher education encourage international students to continue their studies in France. In this article from Alibaba magazine, we are going to examine the conditions of studying in France for students interested in university studies in this country.

France is an ideal destination for studying

Since in France, the government supports the education system, continuing education in universities and government centers of this country costs little. On the other hand, according to the ranking statistics of the world universities, the top ten French universities are in the list of the top 300 universities in the world. These features have made France attractive to international students for study migration. Currently, France is considered one of the ten active countries in the field of attracting international students in the world.

More than 3,500 public and private universities and higher education institutions operate in France. In government institutions, educational courses in all sciences such as basic sciences, technical and engineering, medicine and humanities are held annually, and many students graduate from these institutions. Since, according to statistics, only 40% of French students enter university after completing secondary education, and about 70% of them graduate from universities, international students are accepted in various fields in France.

Acceptance from French universities and educational centers

A valid French language certificate such as TCF or TEF with a minimum score of B1 is one of the important prerequisites for admission to French universities. For this reason, many international students first apply for admission to take a French language course in France to learn the language of this country in the environment and then more easily apply for admission to the university. Adequate command of the French language will certainly make it easier to find a job during or after your studies.

The period for applying for admission to French universities is from November 1 to mid-January. Universities also respond to requests by mid-April. The academic year in France is held from September or October to the end of June and includes two academic semesters.

Admission of undergraduate students

All undergraduate courses in French universities and educational centers are taught in French, and a small number of courses are taught in English at higher education levels, so mastering the French language is very important for studying in France.

A bachelor’s degree in France takes about three to four years depending on the field of study. For admission to this stage, the student must correspond with the desired university and inquire about the admission conditions.

Documents such as diploma or pre-university and French language certificate are required to register the application. The fields of French language, art, pharmacy, psychology, etc. are considered the most requested by international students in the undergraduate course. These fields are also very useful for continuing education at higher levels and for employment in order to obtain residency after completing studies in France.

Undergraduate students can benefit from free city transportation, student insurance card, housing allowance, etc. during their studies using student services.

Admission of students in the master’s degree

Admission to master’s degree is easier for international students provided they have good academic records and a strong resume. Students who intend to continue their studies at the master’s level must take the TCF exam organized by the French Embassy. A minimum grade of B1 is required for admission in technical and engineering fields, and a minimum grade of B2 is required for humanities students. Also, due to the teaching of some master’s courses in English, it is necessary for some universities to present an IELTS English language certificate with a minimum score of 6.

The master’s course in France consists of two courses, Master 1 and Master 2, each of which lasts one to two years. The internship course is also held according to the field of study and the desired university.

Masters students can also do part-time student work and receive a salary of around 200 euros per week.

One of the actions that helps students to be admitted to French universities is communicating with professors and consulting with them about the topic of the thesis or project. The recommendation letter provided to the student by the supervisor is presented along with other documents during registration.

Admission of students to the doctoral level

The doctoral degree in French universities takes about three to four years, and the students of this degree are known as researchers. Studying for a PhD in France is considered a job and PhD students receive a salary. PhD students can also use some services such as public transportation for free by presenting a student card.

Admission of students in the field of medicine

Studying medicine in France requires taking an entrance exam. After submitting the documents to the university and receiving admission, the student spends the first year of studies on joint health and medical sciences, and after participating in the entrance exam and receiving a passing grade, he officially begins studying in the field of medicine.

In case of not passing the exam, the student has one more opportunity to try his luck. The medical field in France lasts 6 years. After completing the academic course, the internship period for 3 years must be completed in hospitals and medical service centers.

Obtaining a French study visa

After receiving admission in the desired study program, the student must apply for a study visa. Study visas are offered in two types: short-term Schengen study visa and long-term Schengen study visa. The short-term visa is valid for three months and is suitable for people who participate in language courses. This study visa will not be renewed. Long-term visas are issued for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees that last more than 6 months and are valid until the end of the study period.

To obtain a long-term student visa, a student must file a long-term student visa file and submit the necessary documents and pay the interview fee. Then hand over the original documents required for the French study visa and pay the specified amount to the VFS company and collect your passport from this company.

Student accommodation

French universities have provided dormitories for students, and related information is available on the university website. Normally, the rent of a dormitory is around 250 to 350 euros per month. Except for the dormitory, international students can rent student housing. For this purpose, the government’s special assistance for the cost of student housing, which only France offers among European countries, is very helpful.

In order to receive the housing allowance, students must have rented the place in question so that they can declare the address and the amount of the rent. Having a bank account in France and student social insurance is also necessary to receive the housing allowance. In addition, some French universities and educational centers also allocate grants to students to pay for the rent of student housing and dormitories, which can be tracked during their studies.

Scholarship conditions

Studying in France is always welcomed by international students due to the low tuition fees compared to other European countries and the provision of tuition assistance. The government, universities and charities in France offer a variety of scholarships. Field of study, degree, student’s academic records and the tuition fee of the educational center are the factors that determine the amount of the scholarship. It is obvious that students who have better academic records and higher grades are prioritized for scholarships.

Working conditions while studying in France

International students in France have the right to work part-time for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their studies. Of course, this possibility is available for students who are over 18 years old and their visa type is a long-term study visa valid for more than three months.

Students who wish to work as students must obtain a student work permit from the French Ministry of Labour. For this purpose, they must provide documents such as passport or visa, student card, insurance, work contract and job application form completed by the applicant.

By using a long-term study visa, you can work 946 hours in a year and cover part of your living expenses with the salary you receive. Usually, part-time student work in the same university or university centers is offered in the form of educational, cultural, sports activities, helping disabled students, etc. Doing part-time work while studying in France, in addition to providing financial well-being, effectively helps students’ social connections and their familiarity with the society’s culture.

PhD students are considered employed in France and receive monthly salaries according to the labor law in this country. They have up to 6 months after graduation to find a full-time job.

In addition to earning money, part-time work or student work will make it easier for applicants to find full-time work by creating a work history for students and attracting the attention of employers.

Job search and job introduction sites such as Pôle Emploi provide job seekers with the latest job advertisements and requests for cooperation. Visiting these sites will be very helpful in finding a suitable job. In addition, many job fairs are held in France throughout the year, which is a good opportunity to get to know businesses and employers in person. Paying attention to social networks such as LinkedIn is another way to find a suitable job for students and graduates by emphasizing the educational and career records of people.

An important point to remember is to present a complete resume by students and job seekers to attract the attention of employers. Writing a good resume is a skill that will effectively help a job seeker in finding the most suitable job.