France is one of the largest countries in Europe. It borders Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg to the northeast, Switzerland and Italy to the southeast and Spain to the southwest. Great Britain is separated from France by the English Channel. It is considered to be the gateway of Europe. It has several major international airports (two in Paris), ferry terminals and a high-quality rail service. France is a country with one of the most prestigious educational systems in the world, regardless of whether you are interested in undergraduate studies, postgraduate studies or something else.
There are many universities and educational institutions that provide education of a high standard to people all over the world. What is more, France is the most popular tourist destination in the world. Ever since the Middle Ages and the founding of La Sorbonne, France’s first university, which has existed for more than 800 years, students from all over Europe have come to France to gain knowledge, especially in the fields of theology, medicine and law.
There are many reasons why so many people want to study and live in France, primarily because of its natural beauty, incredible climate, art museums, galleries and more. Paris, as the cultural capital of the world, has been inspiring the academic public, particularly in the field of arts, for many centuries. Today, in addition to the various things going on, there are numerous theme parks of note, amongst which the most popular is Disneyland. France is famous for its cuisine and wines. The French love cooking and produce mostly organic food, and in addition, they are also extremely hospitable people (although Parisians bring down the average a bit), but what you can initially notice is that they do not speak English, or else those individuals who speak it very well do not want to use it, at least not while in their own country.
Studies in France are quite cheap, especially when state universities are concerned. Tuition fees amount to €4,000 per year. There are also private schools where tuition fees are considerably higher. At most French state universities, knowledge of French is a mandatory requirement for you to start your studies.
A very limited number of programmes are available in English, so France has become more a destination for postgraduate studies. The French government regularly announces full scholarships for postgraduate and doctoral study programmes. If you know French at least to B1 level, if you have completed your undergraduate studies and have been admitted to a French university, there is a great chance that you will obtain this scholarship.
A study visa in France, like in other European countries, is treated as a residence permit. You need to have a financial guarantee and an acceptance letter from a university and as far as the other documents are concerned, you need:
As the fourth most popular student destination in the world, and with 12 percent of the student population coming from abroad, there is often a dynamic cultural diversity on French university campuses. The majority of universities are actively trying to meet the needs of students, with international student offices, student associations and various other programmes to facilitate the transition for foreign students.
There are many benefits available for students in France, including generous discounts for food, entertainment and transportation. Some benefits are available only to students, while others are available to everyone under the age of 26. Many public museums in Paris, for example, offer free entrance to EU citizens under the age of 26. The price of an apartment depends on which city you are in and on a number of other factors. The average price of housing in France ranges from €250 to €700 a month, although this price is largely influenced by the region in which you are staying, as well as the exact accommodation you choose. It is a good idea to consider the student dormitory if one is available at the institution you have chosen.
However, not all institutions in the country offer student accommodation, so this is something you will have to find out by yourself. In addition, the choice to share with a flatmate while you are finishing you studies is a great idea and a good way to greatly reduce the cost of living. It is estimated that you will need about €800 a month to survive when you are going to university, but it is always better to have a bit more. We strongly recommend that you open an account at a French bank so that you can pay by card easily. If you want to stay on after completing your studies, you have six months to find a job. In France this has become quite difficult, especially if you do not know the French language to an excellent level. While studying, you have the right to work up to 20 hours a week, but this also requires excellent French because the French avoid using English. Studies in France last three years and it is the best to start applying for an internship right after you start the third year to make it easier for you to find a job later.
