When considering studying in France, it’s essential to understand the diverse landscape of higher education institutions available to international students. With over 3,500 public and private institutes of higher education in France, there’s a wide array of options to choose from. Let’s explore the various types of institutions where you can study in France:
1. Universities: Higher Education for All
- Study in France: Universities are a popular choice for international students, attracting 75% of foreign students who opt for higher education in France.
- Academic Offerings: Public universities in France receive financial support from the government and are located across the country. They offer national degrees, including Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate degrees, which hold the same academic value.
- Admission: Admission to the first year of a university program is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent.
- Programs: Universities in France cover a wide range of fields, including science, literature, languages, arts, humanities, medicine, and sports.
2. Grandes Ecoles: The French Culture of Excellence
- Study in France: Grandes Ecoles attract 20% of foreign students in France and are known for their commitment to academic excellence.
- Academic Offerings: These institutes of advanced education include Écoles Normales Supérieures (ENS), Instituts d’Etudes Politiques (IEP), engineering schools, business and management schools, veterinary schools, and more. They confer degrees for five years of undergraduate studies, and some offer Master’s degrees. Many programs are conducted in English.
- Admission: Entry into Grandes Ecoles is highly competitive, often requiring a competitive entrance exam after two years of preparatory classes or directly after high school for institutions with integrated preparatory programs.
- Tuition: Tuition and fees for Grandes Ecoles are typically higher than those of universities.
3. Specialized Schools and Institutes: Specific Programs
- Study in France: France boasts nearly 3,000 specialized public and private institutes of higher education that offer programs in specific sectors such as medicine, audio-visual arts, communication, journalism, fashion and design, agronomy, political science, and more.
- Academic Offerings: These institutes confer degrees and certificates, which may or may not be recognized by the state, depending on the institution.
- Admission: Admission to specialized schools and institutes is based on competitive entrance exams or the applicant’s file. The duration of studies in these institutions generally ranges from two to five years.
4. Schools of Art and Applied Arts
- Study in France: France boasts nearly 50 public schools of art and design, primarily overseen by the Ministry of Culture.
- Academic Offerings: These schools offer training in art, design, and communication in two or three stages, with national degrees awarded upon successful completion. Some also provide a third level of studies.
- Highly-Reputable Schools: Four highly-reputed public schools of art are directly overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education: Boulle, Olivier de Serres, Duperré, and Estienne. They confer national degrees in graphic design, spatial design, fashion, arts, and crafts.
- Private Schools: Some private or industry-affiliated schools offer their own degrees or are registered in the Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP – National Repertoire of Professional Certifications).
- Admission: Admission to these prestigious institutions is highly selective and may involve a review of the applicant’s file, competitive entrance exams, and interviews.
5. National Schools of Architecture (ENSA)
- Study in France: The Ecoles Nationales Supérieures d’Architecture (ENSA) comprise a network of 20 public schools overseen by both the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation.
- Academic Offerings: These schools offer comprehensive architectural programs, and two other institutes, the École Spéciale d’Architecture (Special School of Architecture) and the Institut National des Sciences Appliquées (National Institute of Applied Science) in Strasbourg, are part of the same network and confer equivalent degrees.
Whether you choose a university, Grandes Ecoles, specialized schools, art and design institutions, or architectural schools, studying in France offers a diverse array of opportunities for international students in various fields of study.