BACKGROUND

To the ordinary eye, France is the home of the Eiffel Tower and the wet roadway of Venice. Transcending the common belief, France has made magnificent strides in positioning itself as one of the major destinations for international students. The major attraction of student life in France is mainly its diverse culture, beautiful cities and the fantastic quality of life. French graduates pride themselves on their international reputation and the power that their degrees possess. University students have ample opportunity for research in modern facilities, and after a hectic study day, there is always a time for travel as France has roadways that easily connect with rest of the world.

WHY STUDY IN FRANCE

• Scholarships: In comparison to countries like the USA and UK, the cost of further studies is relatively cheap, and also, the French Government provides numerous scholarships to international students which makes France a possible destination for those who are on a tight budget.
• Language: It’s not a compulsion that you need to learn French to study in France. You can select courses in the English language as well. Some of the best courses which were previously taught only in French are now available in English which makes France popular among students.
• Best educational system: Either it is undergraduate or postgraduate, France has the best quality of education which is second to none. The flexibility in college days along with the academic excellence is the best. The French institutions are leading in innovation too.
• Experience: Living in France is bound to be an excellent experience as it is home to places holding a rich cultural background. Visit museums and churches and witness the architectural marvel behind it.
• Career Opportunities: Students possessing French degrees have a leading edge while job hunting and fall on the radar of top companies.
• Diversity: France is home to a wide variety of people, and no matter where you’re from, one thing is sure that they will welcome you with open hands. You’ll fit right into the crowd.
• French is a useful language: French is known as the language of love, and it is the second leading language of commerce, and it is spoken on almost every continent. Learning French will boost your career and will prove useful in the future as well.

VISA APPLICATION

The French Embassy in Delhi processes visa applications that are submitted in Nepal. The Visa application is to be submitted online.

ADMISSION INTAKES

The primary intake season at all French Universities is September. The deadline for this intake is from February till May. Some universities offer admissions in March too. The deadline for this intake is from November till January.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor/Undergraduate: A Levels, 10+2, International Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate
• Masters/Postgraduate: License with minimum grade 12, Diplome from a Grande Ecole with minimum grade 12
• Ph.D. Program: Good grades in bachelor and masters.
• Language requirements: As there are universities that teach in French as well as English you can choose the one depending on your need.
• The French language test that you give depends on the level of course that you are pursuing.
• Level certificates: The French Knowledge test (TCF), The French Evaluation Test (TEF), The Language Proficiency Certificate (DCL)
• National or Professional Degrees: DILF, DELF, and DALF
• If you want to study in an English medium university, then you need to have a decent score in TOEFL and IELTS.

WORKING WHILE STUDYING

An international student can work for 964 hours in a single year. The minimum wage rate is €9.61 per hour (before taxes), applicable to all working international students.

ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS

• The cost of living fluctuates on where you are staying. You need to decide that whether you want to stay in housing managed by the university or with a private landlord. The university accommodation may or may not include food facilities.
• Some essential elements in which cost incur are groceries, phone bills, and travel. An estimated 8000 EUR per year is required for students to live in France but this price is prone to fluctuations.
• The average tuition cost for studying in France ranges from 150 EUR to 900 EUR per term. Private universities tend to be expensive than the public ones.

FACTS ABOUT FRANCE

• France is the most visited country in the world with 83 million tourists in 2012.
• France is the first country to introduce license plates.
• France uses 12 different time zones.
• France became the first country in the world to ban supermarkets from throwing away food.
• France has the second largest population of EU nations.
• More people in Africa speak French than the people in France.

SCHOLARSHIPS IN FRANCE

• Eiffel excellence scholarships
• EcoleNormaleSuperieure International Selection
• Ampere Scholarships of Excellence at ENS de Lyon
• Emily Boutmy Scholarships at Sciences Po University
• Universite de Lyon Masters Scholarships
• INSEAD MBA Scholarships