Studying in France. How to get a higher education

Ways to obtain education in France

Advantages of obtaining higher education in France:

Admitting international students to French universities is one of the oldest traditions, to which the French are now making great efforts to preserve.

There is no specialty that cannot be obtained at one of the universities in France.

Every tenth student receiving higher education in France is a foreigner. France ranks third in the world in terms of the number of international students - about 125 thousand foreign citizens study in the French higher education system.

University education is divided into three cycles, at the end of each of which the student receives the corresponding diploma. You can choose a program of study in English.

There are 80 universities (universites) in France. A significant part of French higher education institutions is concentrated in Paris and the metropolitan area. Unlike the capital ones, provincial universities have a narrower specialization (for example, the University of Montpellier - natural sciences and medicine, the University of Strasbourg - history, law and German).

The flagship of the education system in France is the University of Paris Sorbonne (the oldest in Europe, founded in 1215). In 1968, Sorbonne was divided into several autonomous universities - Paris I (Pantheon-Sorbonne - Panthéon-Sorbonne), Paris III (Sorbonne Nouvelle - Sorbonne Nouvelle), Paris IV (Paris Sorbonne - Paris-Sorbonne) and Paris V (Université René Descartes - University named after René Descartes). They have a unified infrastructure, as well as common administrative bodies.

French universities differ in size, but in general, regardless of location, they guarantee high quality education. Small universities are characterized by a variety of disciplines and a large number of first-cycle students. Universities in large provincial cities - Lille, Toulouse, Lyon, Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Grenoble - are usually characterized by a narrower specialization, they have more students in the second and third cycles. Finally, in the Paris region, where a quarter of all French students are concentrated, you can find almost anything - any faculty, any program, any specialization.

In France, there are specialized higher schools equivalent to universities called Grandes ecoles (total number - about 300), created by the initiative of government authorities and private entrepreneurs to train specialists in specific areas of economic activity or officials. For example, higher pedagogical schools train teachers, Ecole Politechnique and Saint-Cyr train engineers and military specialists, and the National School of Administration (Ecole Normale) trains highly qualified civil servants. Specialized higher schools are more prestigious educational institutions in France than public universities. Unlike universities, specialized higher schools have their own admission rules. In many cases, entrance exams are held for admission to such schools. The greatest chances are for holders of the Baccalauréat (BAC) certificate, but even they will need to study for one or two more years in special preparatory classes (classes preparatoires), passing a rigorous competition.

Diplomas and Degrees of French Universities

Course	Duration	Degree
1st cycle	2 years	diploma of general (DEUG) or scientific and technical (DEUST) university education
2nd cycle	1 year 2 years 3 years	licentiate diploma master's diploma engineer's diploma
3rd cycle	from 1 year	diploma of specialized higher education (DESS) or advanced education (DEA)

The academic year lasts from October to June and is divided into 2 semesters.

University education in France has three cycles:

The first cycle (le premier cycle) prepares for obtaining the DEUG (diploma of general university education) over 2 years. It is usually called the "short" cycle of higher education in France. Graduates of French high schools can enroll in the first cycle. It is in demand in society as it provides the opportunity for real and quick employment.

There are the following types of educational institutions of the "short" cycle:

Departments of higher technical education in French high schools. They prepare for obtaining the BTS (brevet de technicien supérieur) - diploma of higher technical education.

University technology institutes (institut universitaire de technologie) exist at universities and lead to obtaining the DUT (diplôme universitaire de technologie) - university technology diploma.

Specialized schools train for 2 or 3 years in the fields of healthcare and social services: nurses, physiotherapists, etc.

The second cycle of education in France leads to a licence (licence) one year after DEUG and maitrise (a year after licence). The second cycle is designed to expand and deepen the knowledge gained during the first two years of study at a French university. After 1 year, a bachelor's degree is awarded, after 2 years, a master's degree, and after 3 years, an engineer's degree. All three degrees are nationally recognized.

Recently, the opportunity for professional education has also been created: MST (maitrises des sciences et techniques) and a three-year master's program (les magisteres).

The third cycle involves an in-depth study of the chosen specialty and is accompanied by independent scientific work, the topic of which applicants must formulate before entering the program. Those who successfully complete this stage are awarded a diploma of specialized higher education DESS (Diplome d Etudes Superieres Specialisees) or advanced education (DEA):

DESS (Higher Specialized Education Diploma) is a professional diploma, preparation for which lasts for 1 year after obtaining the maitrise degree and includes training and practice.

DEA (Advanced Studies Diploma) is research training. If a graduate of a university in France intends to continue scientific research, he or she can continue his or her studies in doctoral studies and obtain a doctorate (Doctorat de Nouveau Regime, equivalent to the Russian Candidate of Sciences). This academic degree allows teaching at a university in France. After receiving the DEA (within one year), a scientific work (these) can be prepared, with a minimum duration of two years.

The study of medicine and pharmacy is a special section of higher education in France. It takes place in CEU (hospital university centers), with the university providing theoretical training and the hospital providing practical skills. The study of medicine lasts from two to ten years. At the end of the first year, students take a very difficult exam, and only those who pass it can continue their studies in France. After six years of study, students take a competition for specialized internship, which allows them to become a specialist doctor after four or five years of study or to obtain a diploma in "general medicine" by competition after two years of study.

DESS (Diplôme d'Études Supérieures Spécialisées) is the equivalent of an MBA in France. It is obtained by those who need additional education in the field of management, law, etc. Upon admission, a selection test-interview is conducted (concours d'entrée, the competition is 4-5 people per place). A prerequisite for admission is a higher education (Maitrise diploma) in any field. Managerial work experience is equally (and sometimes more) important. In some cases, this experience can be counted as the first four years of university studies. Such issues are decided by the equivalence commission. It also deals with the recognition of qualifications obtained at a Russian university. For all foreigners, there is another general requirement of French universities — good command of the French language. Proof of this fact is accepted in the form of a certificate of successful passing the DELF and DALF exams.

The goal of postgraduate studies is one — to train a highly qualified specialist in the field of economics and management. Therefore, it is not surprising that universities have departments with the "speaking" abbreviation AIDE (aide — help) along with others. Here, a university student can complete an internship on their own project and even start their own business (the regional council of entrepreneurs will assist them in this). In addition, the business schools themselves regularly publish internship offers, job fair calendars, recommendations for compiling CVs, etc. in specialized publications such as Figaro GEU (Grands Écoles et Universités), Les Echos.

For the DESS diploma, business management institutes (Institut d'Administration des Entreprises, IAE — the French equivalent of business schools) usually prepare, which are established at large universities. There are now about 27 such institutes in France, and they are quite evenly distributed throughout the country. These are public institutions, and education here is fully regulated by the Ministry of National Education in France. Since there are more than 10 business specializations of DESS in the state register, each institute, caring primarily about the level of education, offers not all at once, but on average 4-5 specializations. In turn, the state makes sure that on average throughout the country there is no "surplus" or "deficit" of any specialization.

In addition to IAE, it is also possible to obtain an MBA degree in business schools in France. It should be noted that not long ago, five of the most prestigious French management schools, including the Higher Commercial School (HES), the Higher School of Economic and Commercial Sciences (ESSEC) and the Higher Commercial School of Paris, formed a consortium within which it is possible to obtain an MBA diploma in English in 2 years. With all this, the most famous French business school remains the legendary INSEAD.

FRENCH SCHOOLS OF FASHION AND CHIC STYLE

Most French fashion houses are located in Paris. Some people still consider this city to be the "fashion capital". Famous designers live and work in this city, and Paris is home not only to fashion and design universities that train professional personnel, but also to companies and corporations that are the main clients for design. This is because the French style is special — it's the Chic style. "Gorgeous" clothing always предполагает an Event and Elegance. This is the main feature of studying at fashion and design universities in France. It is for unique skills that future fashion designers from all over the world come here to study.

Fashion and design universities in France offer first and second higher education, including MBA programs, short-term professional development courses, and summer programs in a wide variety of fields — fashion design, fashion management, accessory design, brand management, image consulting, stage design, interior design, graphic design, advertising design, landscape design, media design, and much more. Studies last from 1 week to 5 years. Upon completion, you can receive a certificate, diploma, bachelor's degree, or master's degree. You don't have to know French to study. Many universities in France also teach in English.

A fashion designer is just one of the professionals who operate in the fashion industry. To make a career in fashion, you can study in different faculties. Specialists can be divided into three categories — production specialists, trade specialists, and information specialists. The first are responsible for creating collections, planning and developing lines, and producing products. These are designers, artists, stylists, colorists, technologists. This is the creative group. The second are responsible for promoting goods to the market and establishing sales. This group includes buyers, brand managers, marketers, sales managers, financiers, economists, retail managers, consultants in showrooms, at shows, and at exhibitions, as well as HR specialists and merchandisers (including window dressers). The third group includes sociologists from independent consulting companies, PR managers, communications specialists, managers of advertising and modeling agencies, exhibition organizers, representatives of various media, heads and teachers of industry educational institutions, heads and employees of professional associations and competitions, and so on. The variety of professions gives you a huge choice for studying in France and for your future career. That's why fashion universities in France usually have two faculties — the creative one and the business faculty.

How to enroll in universities in France?

Foreign students wishing to pursue higher education in France (if they do not have a BAC diploma) must meet the requirements that allow them to be admitted to a university in the country where they received their secondary education diploma. They must confirm their knowledge of the French language, corresponding to the chosen level of study. The admission procedure varies depending on the type of educational institution and course. To be enrolled in Specialized Higher Schools, technical departments of Higher Schools, technological institutes, or the second or third levels of the university, it is necessary to pass exams. To be enrolled in the first year of university, it is necessary to have a secondary education diploma and an application.

There are several ways to enroll in French universities:

It is necessary to obtain a French BAC — a high school bachelor's diploma or an IB diploma, but it can only be obtained by passing the exam at the end of a French lyceum or a private school in Europe and showing a good result. A person who knows exactly which French university they want to attend can apply for admission to the first year of a French university. In this case, it is necessary to pass the DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française) French language test. Moreover, to be allowed to take the DALF exam, you must first pass another, less difficult exam and obtain the French Language Studies Diploma (DELF). It is possible to enter a French university without a bachelor's degree by passing a special university exam (ESEU), but this is only possible in a limited number of cases and only for experienced specialists with extensive practical experience. To enter French business schools for a master's degree, it is often necessary to obtain the TAGE-MAGE or GMAT certificate. Many universities offer preparatory courses for foreigners. The main focus of the programs is on mastering the French language. Anyone who passes the exam at the end of the courses becomes a student at that French university.

The list of documents for admission to a French university can be found on the following page www.ambafrance-by.org

Accommodation during studies in France.

As a university student, you can live in student accommodation during your studies. It is also possible to live in a rented apartment or with a French family.

Student dormitories.

Many French universities do not have their own dormitories. Student accommodation is provided by national and regional support centers CNOUS/CROUS. The number of places is limited, and they are primarily provided to scholars of the French government.

It is recommended to submit an application for housing on the website 7 months before the start of the academic year, i.e. even before enrolling in the university. This is especially true for those who are going to study in Paris. Private universities and Grandes écoles in France often have their own dormitories, but places in them are also limited, so they are usually reserved for admitted international students.

Private dormitories.

Private dormitories are more expensive than CROUS dormitories, but they are also more comfortable. The cost of living here will be 400-700 euros per month, depending on the region of France.

Housing in the private sector.

Looking for housing in the private sector from outside France is quite difficult, since there is no opportunity to see the apartment in person, and besides, owners require guarantees.

Housing subsidies.

Students have the right to apply for state subsidies for housing rent even in the private sector. Thanks to state assistance, you can save 40-60%. To do this, you need to submit documents to a special institution, the "Family Allowance Fund" - CAF.

Work while studying in France.

During the first year of study, students are not allowed to work. In the second year of study, they can obtain a permit for temporary work. Studying in France is compatible with work only on the condition that the number of working hours per week does not exceed 20 (10 if it is teaching). This permit is difficult to obtain for citizens of non-EU countries. Students can work (maximum 3 months) during university holidays and during Christmas and Easter holidays.

Visa for study:

The necessary package of documents can be found on the following page www.ambafrance-by.org

ALL DOCUMENTS IN BELARUSIAN (RUSSIAN) MUST BE TRANSLATED INTO FRENCH AND NOTARIZED.

For underage students, parental permission is required.

More detailed information on the website: www.ambafrance-by.org

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