It is not a hidden fact that France is one country that is France offers one of the best educational and learning systems in the world, this is why a lot of people aspire to study here. If you belong to this group of people, come with me as we see the list of France universities for international students so as to bring you closer to your study in France dream.
More than 200,000 students from both European and non-European countries apply and are given admission in France year in and year out, the reason for this is that, unlike other neighboring countries, its tuition fee is minimal.
France is blessed with Mont Saint Michel, Chateau de Versailles, Mont Saint Michel as well the Eiffel Tower, asides that, their cuisine, literature, fashion, and culture are highly loved and talked about by most people around the globe.
Master Courses you can study in France
- Computing Masters
- Sports Masters
- Humanities Masters
- Business Masters
- Engineering Masters
- Computing Masters
- MBA Masters
- Sciences Masters
- English Masters
- Agriculture Masters
- Architecture Masters
- Health Masters
- Creative Masters
Degree Courses you can study in France
- Computing Degree
- Sports Degree
- Humanities Degree
- Business Degree
- Engineering Degree
- Computing Degree
- MBA Degree
- Sciences Degree
- English Degree
- Agriculture Degree
- Architecture Degree
- Health Degree
- Creative Degree
Application Processes for France Universities
If you must have a successful application into one of the France universities, it is advisable to be well informed on how to go about the applications so that you don’t get things mixed up on the way. Below is how to carry out the application properly.
- You can apply directly on the college’s official website (depending on the university in question)
- Next, you want to check out the entry requirements paying keen attention to the standardized tests, like the GRE, GMAT, or LSAT which are highly required for some undergraduate and graduate courses.
- In order to increase your chances of getting admission, you will have to apply to more than two schools, don’t bank on just one to avoid disappointment because anything can happen.
- As a non-EU/EEA student, you will be required to pass the compulsory Preliminary Admission (“demande d’admission préalable” – DAP). To do this, you have to apply for DAP at the Culture and Cooperation Service of the French embassy in your home country, so you ask around and locate the appropriate quarters to get done.
Where to Apply For Admission in France Universities as an International Student
Note that, this application procedure varies with countries, yours could be different from that of a student from another country.
- If you are a student from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) you can apply directly to the university, under the same conditions as French students.
- If you are a non-EU/EEA student, you will have to apply through an online application system, formerly known as CEF but currently called the studying in France procedure.
- The study in France procedure system will also come in handy when you need to apply for your visa online and track the progress of your application.
- If you are already living in Europe but you don’t have European citizenship, you will have to apply through the French embassy or consulate in the European country where you are residing.
Required Languages for France Universities
This has been a concern to most people applying for admission in France. You must know that the majority of the degrees offered here are taught in French. However, you will find so many study programs that are taught in English, especially at the Masters and Ph.D. levels. Academic institutions in France accept the following language tests:
TCF and DELF/DALF are the two tests carried out for French proficiency, however, there are a few exemptions from the requirement to demonstrate proficiency in the French language, which are:
- International recipients of scholarships from the French government, international organizations, or foreign governments whose grants are administered by an approved French entity
- Students graduating from bilingual programs, in which French was one of the languages
- Nationals of states where French is the official language
- Holders of the French baccalauréat, the international or European baccalauréat, and the Franco-German baccalauréat
Whereas, for English proficiency, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo, and IELTS Academic are the test you will be carrying out. The minimum mark for each of the language proficiency tests is usually determined by the institution, and it varies with institutions. So, it is best to check the test your intended institution accepts.
International Students Document Requirements
Below are things you should carefully sort out and keep handy because they will be needed to process your admission into any of the France universities.
- Prior admission or pre-registration certificate provided by the university
- Campus France authorization
- Transcript of records
- Passport or ID card (valid for the duration of your stay)
- ID/passport-type photos
- Proof that you can fund your stay in France (with a minimum of 800 EUR per month)
- Copies of graduation diplomas and their French translation
- Registration fee
- Social Security registration (free)
- Students from the EU: a copy of your European health insurance card
- Cover letter
- French and/or English Language certificate (varies with the tuition language of your chosen degree)
- A civil liability certificate
- Copies of diplomas (if not available, a certificate stating you graduated)
- Resume ( only for postgraduate degrees)
Application Deadlines for France Universities
Applications are usually twice a year, these are the breakdowns;
- Fall admission: Usually in January or April. This depends on the degree type as well as the institution.
- Spring admission: Usually in September
- Post-Bac (Parcoursup): Usually from January to March.
- TCF during the DAP: Spans from November to January.
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List of Universities in France for International Students
Below is a list of schools in France you can apply for admission as an international student.
- École Polytechnique
- Nantes University
- École Normale Supérieure de Lyon (ENS de Lyon / ENSL)
- Lumière Lyon 2 University
- Leonardo de Vinci University Center
- University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
- École des Ponts ParisTech (ENPC / Ponts)
- Paris Sciences et Lettres University (PSL Research University / PSL)
- University of Paris
- Télécom Paris (ENST / Télécom)
- Aix-Marseille University (AMU)
- Grenoble Alps University
- University of Strasbourg (UNISTRA)
- University of Burgundy (UB)
- Paris-Saclay University
- University of Montpellier (UM)
- University of Clermont Auvergne
- National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilisations
- University of Orléans
- Paris School of Architecture
- ISA Lillie
- INSEAD
- The Catholic School of Arts and Crafts of Lyon
- Strate School of Design
- Kedge School of Business
- University of Cote D’Azur
- University of Bordeaux
- EURECOM
- CentraleSulepec
- Excelia
Frequently asked questions:
Can a student can be allowed to work in France?: This has been a concern to most people applying for admission, I am certain that you are curious about this too, if that is a yes, let us look a little into it.
Regardless of the level of study, every International student is allowed to take on a part-time job during the cause of their study. The total number of hours allowed in a year is 964 hours, this equals about 20 hours per week or 60% of full-time employment.
Can I extend my stay longer after my learning?: Graduates from Switzerland and EU/EEA can stay in France and get jobs immediately if they want whereas, for an international student, to be able to stay extend your stay after graduation, you have to first secure a job contract, and your salary must be one and half times the minimum wage of the country.
You can also request a temporary resident permit/Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour (APS). It is valid for 12 months, so, close to the expiry date you were given, you will have to change your status to a presidency that is very close to you for example; entrepreneur or employee.
Hope this was helpful, let’s do this again in another article. Do well to share this information with your loved ones.