Earlier this year, France announced an ambitious plan to triple the number of Indian students by 2030.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that the country wishes to welcome around 30,000 Indian students in the next six years.
This certainly is a welcome move and puts the country favorably in the minds of learners seeking global education.
France undoubtedly lures ambitious minds from around the globe, given it ranks high on multiculturalism and academic prestige.
However, the educational experience in France is bound to be very different from that of popular anglophone educational destinations like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
This mainly stems from language and cultural differences.
Language Requirement
One thing to remember while choosing France is that while English-taught degrees are available, they are few, especially at the undergraduate level.
If you wish to seek entry into French-taught courses, proficiency in French is usually mandatory. Some universities might offer language courses alongside the regular curriculum.
One will need to take the Test de Français International (TEF) or DELF/DALF exams to demonstrate language proficiency. Knowing French will be an asset, even if you are taking English- taught courses since it is the language of the masses.
Education in France
The higher education system in France is similar to India in terms of structure.
They follow a three-tier system: Licence (Bachelor’s - 3 years), Master’s (2 years), Doctorate (PhD - 3 years).
The country is home to top-ranked universities like Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL) University, Sorbonne University, Institut Polytechnique de Paris (IP Paris), Université Paris-Saclay, among others.
These legacy institutions offer an array of programs across disciplines.
While the first thoughts about the country may be of its rich cuisine, fine wine, and fashion houses, the country is also a powerhouse in the field of Science and Technology.
Its 13 Nobel prizes for Physics, 13 for Medicine, 8 for Chemistry, and 11 field medals in Mathematics are a testament to that.
France also has prestigious specialized schools called “Grandes Ecoles” with their own highly competitive application processes, often involving preparatory classes.
The Cost Factor
Tuition fees are the biggest expense incurred while studying.
In France, Indian students can get global-standard education at a significantly lesser cost than the US or UK. Tuition fees are low in public institutions as the government subsidizes higher education.
In private schools, the fee may range from €3,000 to €10,000 per year, still significantly lower than most US schools.
International students on long-term study visas are also allowed to undertake part-time work as long as they are enrolled in an institution that participates in the national student healthcare plan.
A student can accept paid employment for up to 60% of the legally defined work year (or 964 hours per year).
Application Process
Most applications for public universities in France go through Campus France, a government agency that acts as a one-stop shop for international students.
This centralizes the process and streamlines things for Indian students. Universities that are not connected with Campus France, accept individual applications via their own websites.
While putting forward your candidature, you will have to submit copies of your academic scripts and achievements, LOR, SOP, and birth certificates.
As per the guidelines mentioned on Campus France, you need to upload a translated copy of your birth certificate, which should be in French.
Student Visa
For a program over 6 months, one requires a long-stay visa or the extended-stay VLT-TS.
The visa works as a residence permit and is valid for the duration of your program.
While the exact data for the visa rejection rate is unknown, it is on the lower side since France is keen on Indian students.
Post Study Stay Back
Stay back option is available to those graduating from a master’s course.
In a policy change last year, these students will be able to have long-term post-study visas of 5 years as opposed to the earlier 2 years.
This will certainly help graduates build a career in France, gain valuable skills, and build an international network.
Studying in any country has its own challenges - be it the long and tedious process of application and visa, financial strain, or adapting to an entirely new culture.
However, the outcome is rewarding. With the right preparation, a positive attitude, and a willingness to adapt, you can overcome these hurdles and have a transformative experience.
Source: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/study/bonjour-pointers-to-start-your-french-higher-education/articleshow/110463165.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst
