STUDYING
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It's a dream come true! Thanks to your own perseverance, you will be at the University or
at Grande Ecole in a few months' time. Well done !
Your main objective in coming to France: to learn French. If you have already studied
the language, you can improve your mastery of it through conversation with the
“natives” or reading. But if you wish to make rapid progress, particularly if
you are enrolled to study in France, language courses really could help you. You can
easily find a course appropriate for your level: beginner, intermediate, advanced or more
in-depth training for those enrolled at French educational institutions.
You can sign up for a summer course or a programme throughout the year. In general, you have to pay for tuition, although some free evening classes exist for foreign workers. Prices vary greatly, depending on whether you are following audio-visual or traditional methods, or are taking group or private lessons. Prices also depend on whether the courses are provided by non-profit-making associations, private companies or public or private institutions.
The number of sessions per week can also make a difference.
Summer courses exist for beginners, intermediate or advanced students. They last
anywhere from 3 weeks to 2 months. Course participants can live on University campuses or
in halls of residence.
A Few Addresses
Courses throughout the year
13, rue de Santeuil
75005 Paris.
Tél : 01 45 87 41 21
Pour la province Contact a regional youth information centre (Centre Information Jeunesse) if you are outside Paris.
Summer courses
Contact a youth information centre (Centre Information Jeunesse) to find out which
summer and all-year courses are on offer.
Under the Ministère de l'Education Nationale, there are 24 academies comprising 71 universities, which offer both long-term (4 years or more) and short-term (2 years) study programmes leading to specific degrees (Diplômes d'Etat or Diplômes d'Université).
To get onto a university course, you must have the “baccalaureat” or its
equivalent. The university structure can be broken down into the “unités
d'enseignement et de recherche” (UERs), “unités de formation et de
recherche” (UFRs) and the so-called “ensembles fonctionnels”, which are
either institutes (in a given discipline), schools (multidisciplinary professional
training courses) or laboratories (for research).
To Enrol
Foreign students should keep in mind that an 1984 law on higher education stated that
welcoming students from other countries was an important part of French university life.
Don't forget it!
Making a Preliminary Application
You would like to enrol for the first stage (premier cycle) at a French university.
First of all, go to the French Embassy in your country to ask for a preliminary
application form. Your application file should be duly completed and submitted for review
and approval to the Embassy between 1st and 15th January for the coming academic year. At
that time, you will receive a timetable showing all the necessary administrative
formalities and deadlines. You will be asked to name the two universities you prefer and
to take a French test, between 1st March and 1st July. If you pass, you will be given a
positive answer for one of the two universities specified. All you then have to do is send
a letter of confirmation to that university, which will send you all the instructions you
need to enrol.
N.B.: If you wish to enrol at one of the 17 universities attached to one of the academic distincts of Paris, Créteil or Versailles (in other words, in the Paris area), you should be aware of the fact that there are very strict limits on the number of students. This is also true for French students. Foreign students are admitted, but in very limited numbers. They stand a better chance if they are enrolling for the second (deuxième cycle) or third (troisième cycle) stages.
So it is a good idea to aim at universities in the provinces, which are much less
overcrowded. It's easier to get onto the courses you want and to find a place to live. The
cost of living is lower than in Paris, too.
Direct Enrolment
You don't need to go through the preliminary authorisation procedure if you:
You don't need to go through the preliminary authorisation procedure either if you:
Attention The Centres Régionaux des Oeuvres Universitaires (CROUS) have a service which helps foreign students.
When you arrive in France these organisations will be able to help you take care of all
your enrolment and accommodation formalities. They also manage the French government's
scholarship programme, as well as university housing, information centres, catering,
cultural activities and a liaison service between students and the business world. If you
find yourself in trouble of some sort, their social workers can help you.
Long-term university study programmes are organised into three successive stages in the
fields of law, Arts and science (including social sciences). Each stage is called a
“cycle” and leads to a “Diplôme d'Etat”.
The first stage (premier cycle)
This lasts two years and leads to a Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires Générales (DEUG)
or to a Diplôme d'Etudes Universitaires Sciences et Techniques (DEUST).
The second stage (deuxième cycle)
Those holding a DEUG, a DEUST or a degree recognised as the equivalent may go on to the second stage. After a year of successful study, they receive the “licence” (Bac +3 level).
The next year, they get the “maitrise” (Bac +4 level), or " maîtrises
à finalité professionnelle " (MST, MSG, MIAGE), or even title of
" Ingénieur-maître " prepared in IUP (after a bac +1 level),
or even the " magistere " (Bac +5 level). Unless they are
aiming at a “Diplôme d'Ingénieur” (BAC +5 level). The national
engineering schools (Ecoles Nationales Supérieures d'Ingénieurs or ENSIs) are autonomous
entities attached to specified universities, whereas the university engineering schools
(Ecoles Universitaires d'Ingénieurs or EUDIs) are integrated into the university
system.
The third stage (troisième cycle)
This is the home straight in higher education! The troisième cycle is open to those
who have earned the maitrise and it is research-oriented. During the first year, students
can either try for the Diplôme d'Etudes Supérieures Spécialisées (DESS), armed
with which they can march right out and get a specialised job, or they can opt to do a
Diplôme d'Etudes Approfondies (DEA). This is Bac +5 level and the aim is to get a
doctorate. Obtaining the doctorate may involve the writing and defending of a thesis and
takes from two to four years after the DEA.
MEDICAL STUDIES
Medicine, dentistry and pharmacology are taught in the universities. Again, there are
three study stages.
Medecine
In France, you must hold a French degree (Docteur en Médecine), or an equivalent
awarded by one of the member states of the EEC, in order to practise medicine.
The first stage
The first stage of medical studies (the Premier Cycle des Etudes Médicales or PCEM)
includes two years of general science courses. You only move on to the second year if you
make it successfully through a highly-selective examination (concours) intended to weed
out a good number of first year students.
The second stage
The second stage of medical studies (the Deuxième Cycle des Etudes Médicales or DCEM)
consists of four years of theory (courses and lectures), practical training (lab work) and
clinical training (in-hospital training).
The third stage
At the end of the second stage, with the Certificat de Synthèse Clinique et Thérapeutique (CST) under their belts, students become house doctors or interns. There is no differentiation during the first semester as to where interns are placed at hospitals. Later, distinctions are made between interns in general medicine, specialised medicine, interns headed for the public health service or those planning to go into medical research. As a general rule, it takes 8 years to become a general practitioner and 10 to 11 years to become a specialist.
Foreign students who wish to study medicine in France have two alternatives:
- try to make it through the selective entrance exam (concours), where special quotas
apply to foreigners,
- aim at university degrees recognised in their own country if necessary for the practice
of medicine in that country. Foreigners holding a Doctor of Medicine degree in their own
country may obtain the qualification of “Assistant étranger”. They must enrol
at a French university and complete a three-week hospital training period for which they
will not be paid.
Denstistry
The Diplôme d'Etat of Docteur en Chirurgie Dentaire is awarded after five years of
study and the successful defence of a thesis. A Diplôme d'Université is awarded to
foreign students to whom these conditions apply. This degree does not allow the holder of
it to practise in France.
Pharmacology
The Diplôme d'Etat of Docteur en Pharmacie is awarded after 6 years of study.
Graduates wishing to continue their studies can choose between a doctoral programme (DEA
plus research) and the DESS.
There are several vocationally-oriented university degrees which require two years of
study after the baccalaureat. Their holders can find a job in the service sector or
industry. This is not the case for those who call a halt at the DEUG.
The Diplôme Universitaire de
Technologie (DUT)
You can study for this in the Instituts Universitaires de Technologie (IUTs). The DUT
is a general, short-term technology programme which takes two years. IUTs are divided up
into 19 sectors and courses in nearly 260 fields are on offer. They are open to those who
have the baccalaureat or its equivalent. Applications are reviewed and the candidate is
interviewed by a panel as part of the admissions process. Applications must reach the IUT
by March 31st for the next academic year.
The Brevet de Technicien
Supérieur (BTS)
This study programme is offered at some lycées and private schools. Nearly 280
specialties are on offer and the training provided (like that of the IUTs) has made its
mark in the business world. You need a baccalaureat or a brevet de technicien and
admissions are made on the basis of your academic record.
The Diplôme d'Etudes
Universitaires Scientifiques et Techniques (DEUST)
Again, the aim is to give graduates qualifications which are bankable on the job
market. This programme is fairly new and has not yet had sufficient time to prove a real
challenge to the BTS and the DUT in the business world.
In addition to the universities, there are the “grandes écoles”. These are
highly prestigious graduate schools and they exist in the literary, scientific, business,
agricultural and other areas. Only a very small proportion of the high-fliers doing the
competitive examination to get in actually get through. Nobody else gets past the
threshold. Preparatory courses are given at some lycées and private schools for ambitious
and hard-working baccalaureat holders. The grandes écoles turn out the elite of France
and just to get in is an achievement in itself.
Ecoles Normales Supérieures
These “typically French” institutions were created to train teachers for the primary and secondary school systems. But they also provide excellent training for those intending to go into research. To get into a Normale 'Sup Sciences you must have survived Mathématiques Supérieures (first year after a science-oriented Bac) and Mathématique Spéciales (one year later) classes at a lycée. Two years of preparation at a lycée are necessary to get into a Normale 'Sup Lettres for Arts students.
Foreign students can get into these schools:
The Sciences
These schools offer high-level courses which cover the most advanced fields of technology. The students are trained to be design engineers and prepared for the management positions they will occupy later in most sectors of the economy.
Amongst the 157 schools authorised to award an engineering degree, there are:
To get into these schools, you must get through the competitive entrance exam
after attending preparatory classes, or else pass special competitive examinations for
graduates who have at least a DEUG. After a review of applications, some candidates are
also admitted on the basis of their excellent record.
The Grandes Ecoles for the Arts
It takes two years preparation to get ready for the competitive exam to get into the Ecole des Chartes in Paris. Foreign students can get in under certain conditions, by passing a competitive examination or on the basis of theirqualifications. Those admitted to the 4-year programme are paid as civil servants. However, they must serve the State for 10 years after graduation. When they pass their finals and successfully defend their theses, they are appointed to positions as “archivistes paléographes”.
The Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Bibliothécaires at Villeurbanne trains
librarians. Foreigners can get in as long as they are properly qualified. The course lasts
one year and candidates with a maitrise or a degree from one of the Instituts d'Etudes
Politiques can sit the competitive exam to get in. The Diplôme Supérieur de
Bibliothécaire qualification is awarded at the end of the course.
Administrative and Political
Sciences
The Ecole Nationale d'Administration (ENA) produces the senior civil servants
for the French administration. A special 14-month programme reserved for foreign civil
servants sponsored by their government exists. So see if you have any pull at home - ask
your President, your Prime Minister or your Queen for a little help in high places!
The Instituts d'Etudes Politiques (IEPs), as their name implies, carry out
general education in political economy and the social sciences. At Sciences 'Po in
Paris, ambitious students can prepare for ENA or high-powered civil service competitive
examinations. The course lasts for three years, and a degree is awarded at the end of it.
In addition to the IEP in Paris there are six of these institutions in the provinces, at
Aix en Provence, Bordeaux, Grenoble, Lyons, Strasbourg and Toulouse.
The Institut International d'Administration Publique (IIAP) provides basic and
advanced training in administrative skills, to foreign civil servants. Its task is to help
disseminate French administrative skills abroad. The foreign civil servants must be
sponsored by their government and hold a maitrise or its equivalent.
Business and Management
The grandes écoles of business and management are private higher education establishments recognised by the State. To get in, you have to go through a competitive examination which requires one or two years' preparation.
These schools are listed below:
The course is a 3-year one in all the above-mentioned schools.
Agriculture
Several engineering schools and post-graduate institutions train future managers for the agricultural sector:
Military Schools
The Ecole Spéciale Militaire at Coetquidan in Brittany (Saint-Cyr) trains officers for the French army. French-speaking foreigners under 22 who have passed the competitive entrance examination and whose educational level is at least the Bac + 2 years are eligible.
The Ecole Navale at Brest, Brittany. Same system. Two and a half years of
training. Turns out executive officers for the French navy.
Architecture
Schools of Architecture are run under the auspices of the Ministère de l'Urbanisme du Logement et des Transports. They accept applications direct from foreign candidates but they may also be sent via the “Service Culturel” of the French Embassy in their country. They will have to provide certification of their knowledge of French. In general, you should apply in January. There are nine schools of architecture in Paris, and fourteen in the provinces. Courses last five years.
Two other schools:
Plastic Arts
Art schools are run under the auspices of the Ministère de la Culture. There are three Ecoles Nationales Supérieures:
At both schools, foreigners may be admitted as unregistered students (auditeurs libres) to attend courses in a given studio.
There are also 8 Ecoles Nationales and 48 regional and municipal schools which provide training in the plastic arts. There are two alternatives:
The plastic arts are also taught at universities. As in any other discipline, what you get is a DEUG, Licence, Maîtrise, etc.).
A Brevet de Technicien Supérieur d'Arts Appliqués also exists.
Archaeology and History of Art
The Ecole du Louvre offers courses in archaeology and in the history of art.
They are open to those holding a baccalaureat, and foreign students are eligible. Courses
last from 3 to 4 years. Some universities also have a history of art course. In addition a
Maîtrise scientific and technical qualification in preservation and restoration of works
of art and archaeological and ethnological sites has been set up in Paris 1 (archaeology
UER).
Music, Opera Singing, Dance
Two national conservatoires (in Paris and Lyons), about 100 municipal establishments,
regional conservatoires and national schools feature music courses. Neither national
conservatoire requires a degree, but there is a competitive entrance examination. The age
limit is different for each instrument and discipline. The deadline to enrol for the
competitive entrance examination is July 8th. Courses last from 4 to 5 years. Many private
schools offer training in music-related professions. Some universities have musicology
departments where students can get a Licence and thereafter a Maîtrise d'Education
Musicale qualification. There is an Ecole Normale for music.
Dramatic Arts
Several higher education institutions provide courses in the dramatic arts:
Admission to these schools is by competitive examination. Obviously, young foreign hopefuls must be fully fluent in French before trying their luck.
Many private schools offer courses in the dramatic arts. There is also a university
course in this field.
Photography, Film and Sound
Effects
There are two major establishments which train students in film-related professions and
photography:
The Fondation Européenne des Métiers de l'Image et du Son (FEMIS). You have to have a Bac +2 years level qualification and be under 27 to get in. The Chairman of this Foundation is Jean-Claude Carrière and it has taken the place of the Institut des Hautes Etudes Cinématographiques (IDHEC). Admission is by competitive examination, and there are several options: directing, producing, script-writing, camera-work, etc.
The Ecole Nationale Louis Lumière is a State technical college (lycée technique d'Etat) which offers a 2-year course to prepare senior technicians in the fields of photography, film and sound effects. Generally, applicants must hold a Bac and should have a solid background in the sciences in order to do well in the competitive entrance examination, which takes place in March.
Some universities offer audio visual courses. The new DEUSTs in audio visual
communications are on offer at Nanterre, Toulouse and Metz.
Scholarships for study, intership, and high-level scientific research... are offered for foreign students. The amount allocated will vary according to the catagory of the scholarschip, the level of study or the scientific qualification.
The Minister of Foreign Affaires grants these scholarschips to students in the area of " progammes de coopération " establishedin agreement with the concerned country.
Priority is reserved to students who will poosibly continue their studies in the " troisième cycle ", preferably in scientific and technological domaines.
If you are interested, contact the French embassy in your country.
HOW TO GET INFORMATION It isn't easy to understand how the universities and grandes écoles work. So, if you need more information, you should go to the right people. The information and guidance office (Bureau de l'Information et de l'Orientation at the Ministère de l'Education Nationale can give you the most accurate information. Its address is:
Métro : Cluny ou la Sorbonne, RER ligne B : Luxembourg
The information and guidance offices (CUIOs and CIOSUPs) at each university will help you to find your way around the training system and the regulations specific to each university.
And don't forget the Service Culturel at the French Embassy in your country, which
receives all documents published by the Ministère de l'Education Nationale. You may also
contact any of the youth information centres (Centres Information Jeunesse), which have
some very good data sheets concerning different aspects of higher education in France.
 Design by : Marc ELOY - Em@ze
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