Study in France as an international student

The particularity of the higher education system is that it is made up of many quality establishments offering a wide variety of training.

• 72 Universities covering all levels and disciplines ;
• More than 220 Grandes écoles accessible after the baccalaureate or even after 2 years of preparatory classes (CPGE) ;
• More than 3,000 specialized schools and institutes offering short vocational training.

University higher education courses are divided into 3 cycles :

• First Cycle: Prepared in 3 years and ends with obtaining a license or a university Bachelor of Technology ;
• Second cycle: Lasts 2 years and ends with a Master’s degree ;
• Third cycle: lasts three years and corresponds to doctoral training.

France, like the majority of European countries, has adopted the LMD system (Bachelor, Master, Doctorate) aimed at facilitating the mobility of students in Europe by harmonizing diplomas on a European scale.

• License: prepared in 3 years (6 semesters), equivalent to 180 ECTS credits ;
• Master: Prepared in 2 years (4 semesters), equivalent to 120 ECTS credits ;
• Doctorate: Prepared in 3 years (4 semesters), equivalent to 120 ECTS credits.

The biggest advantage of studying in France is that the value of higher education diplomas is guaranteed by the state !

In order for young international baccalaureate holders to integrate the French education system, they must demonstrate:

• The coherence of the study project;
• Good command of the French language (justified by a TCF/DELF/DALF language test).

Applications are only admissible in the presence of a French certification. Proving your level of French is therefore mandatory to apply in France.

There are four official French language tests:

• The French knowledge test (Test de Connaissance du Français – TCF) or the French Evaluation Test (Test d’Evaluation du Français – TEF) : Are official tests of the French Ministry of National Education necessary to enrol in university and often requested in the « Grandes Ecoles » . TCF and TEF scores are valid for two years;
• The Diploma in French Language Studies (Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française – DELF) and the Advanced Diploma in French Language (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française – DALF) are official diplomas issued by the French Ministry of National Education. Unlike tests, DELF and DALF scores are valid without a time limit.

The cost of studies in French public establishments remains affordable despite the increase applied in 2019. You should plan to have:

• 2770 € for license ; professional license and DUT ;
• 3770 € for Masters ;
• 380 € for Doctorate (Phd).

For private schools, an average of €8,000 is expected for one year of study.