France

France is known for its beauty and culture throughout the world. Its capital Paris, the City of Light is the world’s most visited capital. The city is proud of its many monuments from the iconic Eiffel Tower to the lofty Notre-Dame cathedral and the majestic Arc de Triomphe making it Europe’s most enchanting capital. A survey conducted targeting about 14,245 students revealed that 64 percent of these surveyed international students chose France as the second most attractive country to study in. You could spend your Saturday afternoon ambling through an art gallery and end up at an exciting live concert in the evening.

International Students choose France for their higher educational for a number reasons. The French are passionate about higher education and invest heavily in research, resulting in its universities consistently perform well in global university rankings, therefore you can always count on your chosen institution in France to be one of the best that you can find anywhere in the world. The people of France take their education exceptionally seriously, and it shows in the education that you can find across the country. Plenty of money is spent on education in France, and if getting the prime education that you want and need is important to you, studying in France is definitely the perfect option.

Academic Structure
Student Life
Popular Subjects and Programs
Money Matters
Scholarships

France has close to about 250 elite institutions which they call- grandes écoles, also 83 other public universities and many other research institutes and specialized schools. Public universities are funded by the French government and often include internships

License (Bachelor’s):

It is the French equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree. The program length is of three years.

Master’s Degree:

  • Masters Programs in France are divided into ‘research’, and ‘professional’.
  • For those who want to onto a doctorate (PhD), doctorate (PhD), France offers the ‘research’ programs.
  • And for those who want to enter the workplace after graduation may go for a “professional” program.

Doctoral degrees (PhD):

  • France also offers three year programs for students interested in pursuing a PhD.
  • There are also research institutes, art and architecture schools, colleges of fashion, film, performing arts, journalism, social work and other specialties.
  • About 80 percent of university students in France go to a public university and about 10 percent of these are international students. Anyone who holds the baccalauréat (Bachelor’s) (or a foreign equivalent) can enroll in French universities, which offer training in all disciplines.

Most international students speak very greatly about their time in New Zealand. Whether in or out of the classroom they experience a unique flavour of a ‘kiwi lifestyle’.

Accommodation is an important factor, which a student must take care of before joining any university of New Zealand. They would have two options of accommodations:

Halls of residence

This is provided by the university at an additional cost apart from the fees. Here, new students have the chance of making new friends quickly. Students will be provided with the meals and 24-hour care service. This accommodation is recommended for undergraduate students who are living far from their home for the first time.

Apartments

  • A post-graduate or a research student might want to live a little independently and thus they can shift to apartment or flats. Students can even choose to homestay with a kiwi family.
  • As New Zealand is an island country, most of the food provided is seafood. This country is famed for lamb, beef and other dishes inspired from Asian and British recipes.
  • A fully furnished kitchen can be a great advantage if you want to cook your meals. It is especially useful for vegetarian students.

Natural landscapes, outdoor sports, and diverse culture make it an awesome destination for students.

Popular subjects offered by French universities

  • Interior Design
  • Architecture
  • Engineering
  • Business and management
  • Urban Planning
  • Auditing
  • Mathematics
  • Computer sciences
  • Physical and life sciences
  • Fine and applied arts
  • English
  • Health Sciences
  • Communications
  • Journalism
  • Education

New Zealand offers some top courses ranging from Bachelors to post-graduate level.

  • The currency of this country is New Zealand dollars but students will find less of cash payments as all the shops accept cards. 15% GST is added to almost all good and services, also on import and export of goods and services.
  • Tuition fees vary from course to course. On average, art fees ranges from NZ $20,000 – NZ $30,000, a year and for science and engineering, it varies from NZ $25,000.
  • An undergraduate requires NZ $20,000 – NZ $25,000 annually.
  • Post-graduate course requires NZ $19,000 – NZ $29,000 annually
  • MBA degree requires NZ $31,000 – NZ $50,000 annually
  • PhD requires NZ $6,500 – NZ $9,000 annually

New Zealand government provides several scholarships for international students who are exceptionally meritorious but are unable to afford such high tuition fees.

  • New Zealand international scholarship
  • UC international first-year scholarship
  • Victoria masters scholarship
  • ADB scholarship at University of Auckland
  • University of Waikato International excellence scholarship
  • University of Otago International research masters scholarship

FAQ

How do I apply for undergraduate or graduate programs at universities in France as an international student ?

Research and Choose Universities:
Check Admission Requirements:
Meet Language Proficiency Requirements:
Prepare Educational Documents:

What is the cost of living in different cities across France, and how can I manage my expenses as a student ?

Paris: Paris is known for its high cost of living. On average, monthly expenses

Lyon: Lyon is relatively more affordable than Paris. Monthly expenses can range from €800 to €1,300for a student can range from
€1,200 to €1,800 or more

Marseille: Marseille is another city with a more moderate cost of living. Monthly expenses can range from €700 to €1,200.

Toulouse: Toulouse is known for its aerospace and technology industries. Monthly expenses can range from €700 to €1,200.

Bordeaux: Bordeaux is famous for its wine and vibrant cultural scene. Monthly expenses can range from €700 to €1,200.

How does the education system in France differ from other countries, and what should I expect in terms of teaching methods and coursework ?

The French education system is highly centralized, with the Ministry of National Education overseeing curriculum development, teacher training, and educational policies. In France, students are required to choose a specific academic track early in their education. Around the age of 15, students choose between the general academic track (leading to the baccalauréat) or a vocational track (leading to vocational diplomas)

Can you provide information about student health insurance requirements and options in France ?

In France, all students under the age of 28, including international students, are required to have health insurance coverage during their studies

There are two main types of health insurance available for students in France

Student Social Security (Sécurité Sociale Étudiante): If you’re under 28 and enrolling in a public university, you are eligible to register for the French student social security system. This system provides partial reimbursement of medical expenses.

Private Health Insurance (Mutuelle): While the student social security system covers a portion of medical expenses, many students choose to supplement it with private health insurance (mutuelle). Private insurance can cover the remaining costs that aren’t covered by the student social security system.

How does the grading system work in French universities?

Numerical Grading Scale: In most French universities, the numerical grading scale ranges from 0 to 20, where:

0 to 9: Fail (Insuffisant)
10 to 11: Pass (Passable)
12 to 13: Fair (Assez bien)
14 to 15: Good (Bien)
16 to 20: Very Good to Excellent (Très bien to Excellent)

Grading Symbols: In addition to numerical grades, certain grading symbols are used to provide more information about the student’s performance:

A: Absent (student was absent from the exam)
AB: Absent with a valid reason (justified absence)
B: Pass (student passed the exam)
TB: Very Good (student’s performance was very good)
I: Incomplete (student didn’t complete the exam or coursework)
E: Exemption (student is exempt from the exam)
N: Notation withheld (grade not yet assigned)
J: Deferred (student was allowed to take the exam at a later date)

How long does it typically take to complete undergraduate and graduate programs in France?

Bachelor’s Degree (Licence): The standard duration for a bachelor’s degree in France is three years (six semesters) of full-time study.

However, some programs, particularly in engineering and certain sciences, may extend to four years.

Master’s Degree (Master’s): The standard duration for a master’s degree in France is two years (four semesters) of full-time study.

Master’s programs are often divided into two phases: the first year provides foundational coursework, and the second year focuses on specialization and research.

Doctoral Degree (Doctorat): A doctoral degree typically takes three to four years of full-time study beyond a master’s degree. Doctoral candidates conduct original research and write a thesis under the guidance of a supervisor.

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