CHOOSE FRANCE UNITED KINGDOM THE NETHERLANDS BELGIUM FRANCE SWITZERLAND France is PORTUGAL the world’s fourth-largest SPAIN destination for international students and the leading non-English- speaking destination 2 CHOOSE FRANCE p.4 Introduction p.8 Degrees p.10 Vocational education: national diplomas at the L2 and L3 levels p.12 Doctoral programs p.14 Universities p.16 The Grandes Écoles and Écoles supérieures • programs in engineering • programs in GERMANY business and management p.18 Schools of art p.20 Schools of architecture, specialized schools STUDYINGIN FRANCE p.22 Introduction p.24 Choosing a program p.26 Enrolling in a French institution p.28 Grants and financial aid p.30 Applying for a visa ITA LY LIVING IN FRANCE p.32 Introduction GREECE p.34 Housing p.36 Work, Insurance p.38 Cultural life p.40 Clubs ans special-interest groups p.41 France Alumni p.42 Prices p.44 About Campus France p.46 ON THE WEB 3 Choose France WELCOME TO FRANCE French institutions of higher education are firmly committed to internationalization. By building a period of work or study abroad into academic programs, offering programs in English, devising joint degrees, participating in mobility programs (such as Erasmus+), obtaining various forms of international recognition, and setting up branch campuses abroad, they offer their students, French and international alike, numerous opportunities to widen the international aspect of their program of study. 4 Choose France CHOOSE FRANCE France is the destination for more than 323,933 international students making up 12% of total postsecondary enrollments. ADVANCED RESEARCH France benefits from a long, proud tradition of scientific and technological research and innovation that underpins the nation’s achie- vements in fields such as aeronautics and space, transportation, electronics, telecom- munications, chemistry, biotechnologies, health, and mathematics. The results of international competitions attest to that per- formance: 14 winners of the Fields Medal (including Arthur Avila in 2014) have been French. By COUNT ON A QUALITY EDUCATION this measure, France is second only to the France invests substantial public funds in United States in mathematics. higher education. Fully 5.6% of the nation’s 4th in the world in number of Nobel prizes GDP is devoted to education—higher than the won; 4th in the world in applications for Euro- OECD average of 5.3%—the Investissements pean patents. d’Avenir €22 billion in funding for innovation and research under the Initiatives of Excel- DIVERSE EDUCATIONAL OFFERINGS lence (IDEX) program. The French govern- OF HIGH QUALITY ment assumes a very large share of the actual 73 public universities, more than 200 schools cost of every student’s education (€14,000 per of engineering, 150 schools of business and student per year). This national focus has se- management, 120 public postsecondary veral implications—among them that French schools of art, 20 schools of architecture, and tuition charges are among the lowest in the 3,000 other specialized institutes and schools world; that degrees from anywhere in France in specific sectors such as social work, the are equivalent regardless of the institution allied health professions, tourism, sports, that grants them; and that those degrees are fashion, and design… recognized around the world. More than 1.300 programs in a variety of fields are now offered in English all over France. France’s universities and other educatio- This network of programs is one of the strong nal institutions do not distinguish between points of French higher education, with high- international students and French students. quality educational offerings available in every Both groups face identical admission and region of the country. tuition requirements; both receive the same degrees. 5 Choose France Did you know that France is the world’s most-visited country? The national tourism site www.france.fr The Web portal of France’s national institute of geography www.geoportail.gouv.fr/ accueil Tourism offices and local development boards www.tourisme.fr 6 Choose France THOROUGHLY EUROPEAN, Campus France is a distinctively French national agency that helps international students QUALITY OF LIFE achieve their educational Students enjoy lower prices and goals in France. Campus special assistance in many aspects France manages all facets of daily life—advantages that can of grant and scholarship markedly improve their quality of life. The national healthcare system is programs for international modern and accessible; public trans- students (application for portation is efficient and affordable; admission and award of rent subsidies are widely available. In addition to access to low-cost restau- grant, orientation, housing, rants, students pay discounted prices and support services at museums and athletic events. during stay). Outside France’s vibrant cities, a wide variety of landscapes, from sparkling Campus France’s emphasis on seacoasts to majestic mountain providing a quality experience ranges, offer an intriguing palette of for international students recreational possibilities. is found in every aspect of Because France is an integral part its work—from promotion of economic, social, and political and information to online UNRIVALED CULTURAL Europe, many of the country’s educa- DYNAMISM admissions, travel planning, and tional institutions have included a Eu- orientation upon arrival. Literature, films, museums, theaters, ropean perspective in their programs. opera, cafés, and the national flair A course on Europe or an internship The agency’s Web site and for food and fashion are a part of with a European firm is a great way to its many local offices are the everyday life, evidence of the French broaden your French experience and engines of its student-service emphasis on culture. Throughout the embrace Europe. mission. year, but especially in summer, the • campusfrance.org: nation celebrates its own culture and FRENCH, AN INTERNATIONAL Get information, search those of other nations in a parade LANGUAGE programs from the licence to of local and international events. the doctoral level, apply for French is spoken by 274 million http://francefestivals.com admission, look for financial people around the world. It is the aid, and prepare for your trip. official language of 32 countries on AT THE CROSSROADS OF 5 continents. The three capitals of the • Campus France local offices: EUROPE European Union—Brussels, Luxem- More than 250 offices in more Bordered by nine different countries, bourg, and Strasbourg—are French- than 120 countries support France is the ideal place from which speaking cities. students with information and to discover Europe. The proximity of In EU institutions, French, German, guidance. Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels, Barce- and English are the working lan- www.campusfrance.org lona, Munich, Milan, and other great guages. French is the world’s third- >Where to find Campus cities means many opportunities to most-used language for business France close to your place? explore Europe. and second for news. 7 Choose France DEGREES The degrees awarded in French higher education reflect a common European architecture. The LMD system—for Licence (bachelor), Master, and Doctorate—is based on the number of semesters completed after leaving secondary school and their equivalent in European credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)*: Licence = 6 semesters = 180 ECTS (Baccalauréat or equivalent + 3 years) Master = 10 semesters = 300 ECTS (L + M) (Baccalauréat or equivalent + 5 years) Doctorate = 16 semesters = 480 ECTS (L + M + D) (Baccalauréat or equivalent + 8 years) • The universities confer “national proved by the French state [Ministry diplomas,” which have the same of Higher Education, Research, and weight regardless of the institution Innovation (MESRI)], and, in many that confers them. cases, have received international recognition or accreditation. • The Titre d’ingénieur (engineering degree), Master grade, is a national • France’s schools of art and specia- diploma. The schools that award it lized schools also undergo na-tional are accredited by the CTI, the French certification. national commission on engineering degrees. The degrees • A similar accreditation procedure conferred exists for government-recognized schools of business and manage- in French ment, the diplomas of which are ap- universities and other institutions NOTE of higher From ENIC-NARIC centers, students who have already earned a degree in their home country can obtain a certificate of comparability that enables admis- education are sions officers in French institutions to evaluate the degree for equivalence in certified by the French system. the French ENIC-NARIC network: www.enic-naric.net government 8 Choose France LEVELS DEGREES THE LMD SYSTEM YEARS OF STUDY 18 semesters • State diploma of Doctor 9 (+ 9 years) of medicine DOCTORAL DEPARTMENTS DOCTORATE • Doctorate 16 semesters Doctoral degrees are confer- 8 red by doctoral departments (+ 8 années) affiliated with France’s univer- 480 ECTS sities to successful candi- dates who have previously 7 earned a French master’s degree or the equivalent. 12 semesters • State diploma of Doctor • Mastère spécialisé (MS) • HMONP (professional credential (+ 6 years) of dental surgery • Master of Business for independent practice of 6 • State diploma of Doctor Administration - MBA architecture) of pharmacy MASTER • Master • Engineering degree • Ar t school diploma (DNSEP) 5 10 semesters • Engineering