Study in France
Highlights
- Population: 68 million
people live in the country (2023)
- Capital: Paris,
with 11 million inhabitants
- Name: République Française (French
Republic)
- Motto: 'Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité' (Liberty,
Equality, Fraternity)
- Government: Democracy
- Language: French
- Religion: mainly
Christians 65%, Muslims 8%
- Currency: 1 Euro =
100 cents, until 2002 French Franc
- Dialing
Code:
+33
- Internet
Domain:
.fr
- Flag: blue,
white and red. The French refer to the flag as 'Tricolore' (French for
'three colours')
- Anthem: La Marseillaise
- History: In 700 -
500 BC the Celtic Gauls arrive in France. In 58 - 50 BC Roman Emperor
Julius Caesar defeats the Gauls and France becomes part of the Roman
Empire until 476 AD. French was ruled by kings for many centuries until
the storming of the Bastille during the French Revolution in 1789. Then
Napoleon becomes Emperor of the French Republic until he is sent to exile.
1. France is the largest country in the EU and is
sometimes called the hexagon.
2. France is the world’s most popular tourist destination.
3. French was the official language of England for about
300 years.
4. Louis XIX was the king of France for just 20 minutes,
the shortest ever reign.
5. ‘Liberté, égalitié, fraternité’ or ‘liberty, equality,
fraternity’ is the national motto.
6. The French army was the first to use camouflage in 1915
(World War I).
7. In France, you can marry a dead person!
8. The French invented tin cans, the hairdryer, and the
hot air balloon.
9. France was the first country in the world to ban
supermarkets from throwing away food.
10. The first public screening of a movie was by the
French Lumière in 1895.
11. The oldest person who ever lived was a French woman
named Jeanne Louise Calment.
12. France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.
13. France has more Nobel Prize winners in Literature than
any other country.
14. Europe’s highest mountain is Mont Blanc in the French
Alps.
15. The world’s first artificial heart transplant and face
transplant both took place in France.
16. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world.
17. French gastronomy was awarded UNESCO World Heritage
Status in 2010.
18. France produced the most expensive bottle of wine in
the world.
19. You might get a fish stuck on your back on April
Fool’s Day.
20. The French eat around 30,000 tons of snails a year.
21. Live snails must have a ticket to ride high-speed
trains.
22. The croissant was actually invented in Austria in the
13th century.
23. Turning a baguette upside down is seen as unlucky in
France.
24. France produces around 1.7 million tons of cheese a
year in around 1,600 varieties.
25. French law forbids couples from kissing on train
platforms.
26. Paris Gare du Nord is Europe’s busiest railway station.
27. The French rail network is the second largest in
Europe ninth biggest in the world.
28. The world’s greatest cycle race, the Tour de France,
is more than 100 years old.
29. The tradition of wearing a white dress originated in
France in 1499.
30. At least 35% of all music played on private radio
stations must be French.
Why Study in France
Why study in France?
Well, who hasn't dreamed of taking a stroll along the Seine or visiting the
lavender fields of Provence at least once? As the most popular tourist destination
in the world, France holds a special place in the hearts and minds of billions
of people around the world.
As if that wasn't a
good enough reason to consider studying abroad in France, we've compiled a list
of ten more reasons that will get you seriously considering one of the world's
most beautiful countries to study abroad in.
1. Home to Some of the Best Universities in
the World
Reports
estimate around 3,500+ institutions for higher education in France, amongst
which 32 have been listed as the best universities in the QS University World
Rankings 2023. These universities offer access to some of the top courses and
specializations in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. Here are the top
10 universities that bagged a place in the QS Rankings:
·
Université PSL
·
Institut Polytechnique de Paris
·
Sorbonne University
·
Universit Paris-Saclay
·
École Normale Supérieure de Lyon
·
Ecole des Ponts ParisTech
·
Université Paris Cité
·
Sciences Po
·
Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne
·
Université Grenoble Alpes
2. Best Courses to Study in France
When
it comes to choosing the best course to study in France, international students
can select from some of the popular courses such as Business Management,
History, Culinary, Data Sciences, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, and many more.
However, the most popular courses in France that have been helping students to
excel in their careers are MBA, Luxury Brand Management, Film Studies,
Engineering, Computer Science, Fashion Designing, Hotel Management, and
Finance.
3. Career & Business Prospects
France
is one of the biggest and most flourishing global economies and has access to
the entire European market. After graduating, international students can expect
to find attractive employment opportunities in varied business sectors while
familiarizing themselves with the leading French and global companies operating
in the country. France also houses the world’s top-rated business schools like
the INSEAD, HEC Paris, and SKEMA Business School. The French government also
has temporary resident permits for non-EU graduates with a year’s validity
within which they can search for a job.
Tourism,
technology, transport, manufacturing, energy, tourism, and agriculture are some
major contributors to the French economy. The country is popular for its
fashion, luxury goods, and cosmetics industry. Some of the popular job sectors
in France include Management – Consulting, Marketing and Service Sector,
Engineering – Aerospace, Automobile, Mechanical, Metallurgy, and Energy
Management. Here are some of the top multinational companies in France that
hire graduates.
·
Airbus
·
Michelin
·
AXA
·
L’Oréal
·
Citroën
·
Ubisoft
·
Total
·
Renault
·
Peugeot
4. Financial Aid for Students
Another
major reason to study in France is the support offered to international
students. There are numerous scholarships available from both governmental and
non-governmental organizations. Studying at public universities also means
paying negligible tuition costs. Many students choose to apply for the aide
personnalisee au lodgement to receive monthly funding for covering their living
costs. Listed below are some of the scholarships offered to Indian students in
France.
·
Campus Bourses
·
The Foreign Ministry’s Scholarships
·
The Ministry of Higher Education’s Scholarships
·
The Charpak Scholarship Programme
·
Raman Charpak Fellowship
·
La Femis
·
Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence
·
The Erasmus+ Mobility Scholarships for Foreign Students
5.
Tuition fees in France
Not only do you get
a world-class education in France - the tuition fees at public universities are
relatively modest. Citizens and permanent residents of EEA countries and
Switzerland can study tuition-free (except for an immatriculation charge of
around 200 euros per year), whereas students from outside Europe will have to
pay around 3,000 to 4,000 euros per year at public universities. Private
universities usually charge more, up to 20,000 euros annually.
6. Compelling French Culture & Lifestyles
France
is known for its unique and captivating culture. It offers a wealth of cultural
and historical experiences to fall in love with. From delicious food and wine
to historical landmarks, fashion, art, literature, and lifestyle, France is a
delightful mix of almost everything under the sun. It is not just about
enjoying the beauty of Paris; but also venturing into heritage cities like
Lyon, Bordeaux, and Marseille along with the enchanting French countryside and
its rare attractions. France is dotted with the best monuments, museums, and
beautiful natural landscapes. It hosts several globally acclaimed events every
year, including the famous Le Tour de France, a professional cycling race
encompassing several regions. One of the benefits of studying in France is that
students get to treat their eyes with some of the world’s most iconic monuments
like the Notre Dame Cathedral, Pantheon, Arc de Triomphe, and of course, the
Eiffel Tower, among other landmarks. They can also take in the breezy charm of
the Normandy region and its Mont Saint-Michel island and savor the thrill of
Auvergne Volcanoes and also the French Alps.
7. Birthplace of Culture
The French pride themselves on their cultural
influence, and it’s easy to see why! Just think of all the contributions the
French have made to society through the ages — chic fashion, sophisticated art house films, ornate artistic masterpieces,
exquisite pastries, and, of course, some of the world’s best wines.
You can also thank the French for the taxi,
antibiotics, and the metric system. These cultural landmarks haven’t just faded
into history here. France currently hosts some of the largest and most influential businesses in the world.
8. (Nearly) Unlimited Choices
France is home to
3,500 higher education institutions! If you choose to study in France, your
choice of schools, programs, and locations is almost unlimited. Take advantage
and let your imagination run wild.
Study wine
management in Dijon, or try a program in entrepreneurship and innovation based out
of Nice! No matter what you choose, you’re sure to love every minute of
your time studying abroad in France.
9. Once you’re There, Enjoy the Weather
Most of France enjoys a temperate climate for most of the year due
to its prime location in Europe. Students who don't like extreme temperatures
will find the weather extremely comfortable when studying abroad in France.
Because
of its geographic diversity, students can find a more Mediterranean climate in
the south of France. Or, if the snow is your thing, try the country’s
mountainous regions to get a full winter experience. Either way, when you study
in France, you will be able to enjoy perfect weather while also visiting a wide
variety of exciting new places in the region.
10. Free French Leaning Courses:
The
government of France offers free French learning classes to International
students. The duration of these classes is around 2-3 hours a day and is a part
of the course curriculum wherein students have to take exams and are awarded
certificates for their knowledge of the French language. It is advisable that the
students learn French. This is also very helpful when looking for jobs.
11. Free Education for French Speakers:
If a
student studies in French, then like any other French citizen in French state
universities, Indian students can benefit from free tuition. They have to just
pay for food, boarding and lodging.
12. Great Internship Opportunities:
Most
of the courses come with an internship component of between 4 to 6 months.
These internships can be either paid or unpaid. The paid internships have a
stipend of around 500 euros per month. Students can get a chance to intern at
top multinationals such as Renault, Nestle, L’Oreal, Lacoste, LVMH, Chanel, Cap
Gemini, Saint-Gobain and many more.
Education System
in France:
France is home to 83 Universities, 205 Engineering schools and 220 business, management and accounting schools, 120 art schools and around 20 schools of architecture.
France’s educational
system is divided into the following three stages:
1. Enseignement Primaire (primary education)
Formal
schooling in France starts as early as age three, when many children attend
kindergarten (maternelle). Day care (pré-maternelle) is available from age two.
While
pré-maternelle and maternelle are not mandatory, all children must be enrolled
in school by age six.
Primary
school consists of five years of study, from approximately age six to age
eleven (similar to a US elementary school).
2. Enseignement Secondaire (secondary
education)
After
primary school, students move to the secondary level, which is divided into two
stages.
The
first stage, the collège, is composed of four years of study, for students ages
eleven through fifteen (similar to a US middle school). Students receive a
brevet des collèges upon its completion.
After
the collège students attend the lycée (high school) for the final three years
of secondary education. Students then take an examination to receive the
baccalauréat (bac) qualification. The baccalauréat is equivalent to the US high
school diploma, but differs in that it requires preparatory study.
3. Enseignement Supérieur (higher
education)
From
ages 16 – 18, students attend the Lycee, which teaches a three-year course in
higher education leading to a specialized baccalaureate or ‘bac’
examination. Pupils are guided into three basic specific subject areas
based first upon academic strength and then upon personal choice. A bac
‘S’, specializes in maths and sciences, a bac ‘ES’ in economics and a bac ‘L’
in languages and literature.
- First year
at Lycee is known as ‘Seconde’
- Second year
at Lycee is known as ‘Permiere’
- Final year
at Lycee is known as ‘Terminale’
Vocational diplomas:
The
DUT (diplôme universitaire de technologie) and BTS (brevet de technicien
supérieur) are two-year technology-oriented degrees. BTS courses are offered by
high schools, whereas DUT are awarded by universities. A DUT or BTS may be
followed by one additional qualifying year of study, leading to a licence
professionnelle.
Academic diplomas:
There
are three types of higher education institutions in France: universities,
Grandes écoles, and specialized schools.
Universities
are public institutions that offer academic, technical, and professional
degrees to any student who has obtained a baccalauréat or its foreign equivalent.
University study leads to degrees in many fields. Degrees are awarded at three
different levels of achievement, called cycles, within a framework referred to
as licence, master, doctorat (LMD), which is described in the following
section.
The Grandes
écoles are selective public and private institutions. They are similar to
universities, but typically offer a more specialized three-year course of
study, in subjects such as business, public administration, or engineering.
Students are admitted to the Grandes écoles based on their scores on a
competitive exam. Before taking this exam, students must have obtained a
baccalauréat, and they often have taken a two-year preparatory course (cours
préparatoires or prépas). Students graduate from a Grande école with a master's
degree (master).
Specialized
schools are public or private institutions that train students for professional
careers in specific fields, such as art, architecture, social work, or tourism.
They offer licence and master degrees.
LMD FRAMEWORK
The
licence, a three-year course of study, is an undergraduate degree equivalent to
a bachelor's degree in the English-speaking world.
After
the licence, students can complete a master, a two-year course of study
equivalent to a master's degree. The master can be a professional degree
(master professionnel), e.g. law, business, or engineering, or it can be a
research degree (master recherche), leading towards doctoral work.
Students
holding a master recherche may complete an additional three years' coursework
to qualify for a doctorat (doctoral-degree equivalent). The doctorat is
obligatory for medical doctors, who receive a state diploma in medicine
(diplôme d'Etat de docteur en médecine).
Source:
Campus France
The
LMD framework is the result of the Bologna Process to harmonize university
qualifications in Europe.
While
the previous system no longer exists, you may hear people refer to their
degrees using the old terminology. Prior to the reform, the first two years of
what is now the licence were referred to as the DEUG (diplôme d’études
universitaires générales). The third year of today’s licence was referred to as
the licence, and the fourth year as the maîtrise. Today’s master recherche was
a year-long degree called a DEA (diplôme d’études approfondies) and the master
professionnel a DESS (diplôme d’études spécialisées).
You
may also hear students refer to their academic credentials in terms of how many
years of study they have completed since the baccalauréat. For example, a
master’s degree is a “bac plus cinq” (Bac+5).
DIPLOMA AND DEGREE
EQUIVALENCES
There
is no standard or official equivalency between French and American degrees. The
following infomation is provided as a guideline:
An
American high school diploma sometimes qualifies the student to enter an
institution of higher education in France. The institution will rate its
equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An
American associate degree often qualifies the student to enter during the first
or second year at a French institution. The institution will rate its
equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An
American bachelor's degree may be rated as equivalent to a licence. Certain
institutions consider it equivalent to two or three years' study towards a DUT,
BTS, or licence. This may, in turn, qualify the student for application to a
master's degree program in a French institution. The institution will rate its
equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An
American master’s degree qualifies the student to begin a second master's
degree program in Europe or a doctoral degree program. The institution will
rate its equivalency on a case-by-case basis.
An
American doctoral degree (PhD) is considered equivalent to a French doctorate.
The degree qualifies the researcher to begin a post-doctoral program or to
teach in French institutions of higher education.
The Top Grandes Écoles are as follows:
Science and engineering: Écoles Normales Supérieures, Ecole Polytechnique, Mines
ParisTech, ISAE-Supaéro and CentraleSupélec;
Humanities: Écoles
Normales Supérieures and Ecole des Chartes;
Business: HEC
Paris, ESSEC Business School, ESCP Europe, INSEAD, EMLyon, Audencia and EDHEC
Types of Degrees in France
Bachelors:
The duration of
a bachelor’s degree in France is anywhere between 3-4 years. Higher education
is divided into two categories in France, one is provided by universities,
while the other is offered by specialist institutes known as grandes ecoles. Grandes
ecoles focus on providing education in only one subject in which students can
specialize. Studies at public universities can generally last for up to 4
years.
The popular courses
for international students studying in France are:
1) MBA
2) Luxury Brand
Management
3) International
Business
4) Tourism and
Hospitality Management
5) Culinary Arts
6) Information
technology
7) Finance and
Accounting
Masters/MBA:
- The Masters’ program in France is ideally
a 1 year program. Some course can be of 2 years as well.
- The intakes are twice a year: September
& January.
- A work experience of a minimum of 2-3
years is recommended for getting admission into a good French university.
- A GMAT or GRE is ideally not required for
MS in France. An MBA from a prestigious university such as INSEAD will
require you to have a very good GMAT score.
- IELTS is not required for applying for MS
in France but some universities might require it.
Few of the MS Programs available in France:
- Management: A number of programs such as
Masters in Management, Masters in Finance, Masters in Marketing, Masters
in Luxury Brand Management, Masters in Fashion Management. Some of the
world’s top schools offers these programs in France
- Design: Paris is known as the fashion
capital of the world and due to this it attracts a large number of
international students from all over the world who are eager to study
programs such as Fashion Design, Luxury Business, Fashion Merchandise,
Fashion Styling and many more
- Culinary Arts: France is known for being
the culinary capital of the world and has a reputation for producing some
of the best chefs in the world. It is home some of the world’s top
culinary institutes such as Le Cordon Bleu which offer great courses in
food as well as pastry making.
MBA in France:
France is home of
INSEAD, HEC Paris, and EMLYON and all three are in the Financial Times
list of top-100 MBA programs globally. Ten business schools in France are
triple-accredited, meaning they have been accredited by all three major
international accreditation agencies: AACSB, AMBA, and EQUIS. Along with
INSEAD, HEC Paris, and EMLYON, these other “triple crown” schools include
Grenoble, EDHEC, Toulouse, Rouen, Audencia Nantes, Reims, and BEM Bordeaux.
An MBA from France is
highly attractive to employers. France is home to some of the world’s largest
companies in key industries, such as finance (BNP Paribas and AXA), aerospace
(EADS), luxury (LVMH and PPR), tourism (Accor), automotive (Renault-Nissan,
PSA, and Michelin), construction (Vinci and Lafarge), energy (GDF-Suez and
Total), and retail (Carrefour).
The French economy
ranks in the top 10 economies of the world and it is the 3rd largest economy in
Europe. Therefore it provides ample jobs, a great lifestyle and a lot of
opportunities to network with industry leaders. Paris is known as the fashion
capital of the world, but it’s also a major business hub for all sorts of
industries. Many internationally renowned brands such as Air France Total S.A.,
as well as Ubisoft and Chanel are based in Paris. Paris provides unlimited
opportunities to gain tremendous business exposure.
Estimated Cost
One of the main
advantages of studying in France is that it is extremely cheap. The
accommodation is highly subsidized by almost 40% to 50% by the government for
international students.
Tuition Fees: Between
euros 7,500 to euros 15,000 per year
Accommodation: Between 150 to 600
euros/month depending on whether is room is private or shared
Food: Between 250 to
350 euros/month
Travel: Between 30 to 50
euros/month
Scholarships in
France
There are a
number of scholarships offered by the French Government through their Embassy
in Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
The Charpak Scholarships:
The Charpak
scholarship program is run by the Embassy of France in Pakistan. The program is
named after Georges Charpak (1924 – 2010). He was a French physicist who was
awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1992. During World War II, Georges
Charpak served in the French Resistance. He was deported to the Nazi
concentration camp of Dachau when he was 20 years old. Georges Charpak survived
and received his PhD in Nuclear Physics at the age of 30. His later findings
were of considerable significance for the advancement of civil nuclear
engineering and biomedicine. After receiving his Nobel Prize, Georges Charpak
became a tireless advocate of the “hands on” approach in science in elementary
schools. His work lives on in tens of thousands of classrooms in France today.
The Charpak
scholarship program offers three types of funding for Bachelor’s and Master’s
level.
·
Research
Internship Program
This program is
designed for all students of economics, engineering and science background at
the Bachelor’s or Master’s levels who plan to undertake an internship at a
French laboratory during their academic break (May to July).
·
Exchange Program
Spring (Jan-Jun) / Exchange Program Autumn (Sept-Dec)
This program is
designed for exchange students for a period of one to four months (duration of
an academic semester) at the Bachelor’s or Master’s degree level.
·
Master’s Program
This program is
designed for one to two years of studies in France at the Master’s degree level
The Internship program is reserved for economics, engineering and
sciences students. The Exchange and Master’s programs are open to all
Pakistani students, from all academic backgrounds.
Selection Procedure:
Your application
will be selected on the basis of your academic excellence, as well as the
consistency and quality of your statement of purpose. Knowledge of French will
be an asset but is not mandatory. For master’s scholarship applicants, a tie-up
between your current Pakistani institution and your future French institution
will also be an asset.
Scholarship benefits for all three programs
- Student visa fee waiver (40000
PKR approx.)
- Monthly stipend (duration and
amount vary as per the program)
- Medical insurance coverage (700/year
approx.)
- Affordable student housing
guaranteed
Eiffel Scholarship:
The Eiffel
Scholarship Program is a means developed by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign
Affairs through which the French educational institutions can attract foreign
students for the diploma programs at Master and PhD level.
It also allows to
train future foreign decision makers from private and public sectors in the
domain of studies and to stimulate the applications of candidates from emerging
countries for the master level and from emerging and industrialized countries
for the PhD level.
·
Rennes School of
Business Scholarships
·
Lebesgue Master
Scholarships for all
·
Sophie Germain
Scholarships in France
·
IMDEA and
OROSOUND Scholarships to Study in France
·
Erasmus Mundus
SERP-Chem Scholarships
Admission & Application Process
The application
procedure for France contains the following steps:
Step 1 – Research:
The students should do
their research on the universities or their colleges that they wish to apply to
along with the programs that they are interested in applying for. Each
university is known for a certain specialization in which they rank high. So
the university selection will depend on the course is the student interested
in.
We at AM Consulting
counsel you to understand your careers goals and aspirations and accordingly design
a custom roadmap for you. We will then help you in shortlisting of the courses
and the universities that you should apply to, based on a number of factors.
Step 2 – Taking the Required Tests:
IELTS is not
compulsory to apply for studying in France as long as you can prove that you
have completed your education in the English language. However some
universities might require you to appear for the IELTS test. Also the GRE is
not needed in order to apply for MS in France but a GMAT is required in order
to apply for an MBA to the top business schools in France.
Step 3 – Preparing the Documents:
Next the students need to put together the
following documents for the application process:
Transcripts & Degree Certificate:
Transcripts are mark
sheets presented in a certain format. A student will need to apply at their
respective schools or colleges for getting their transcripts issued. Each
transcript and degree will be attested from School/College/University and after
that attest from IBCC, HEC and MOFA.
Statement of Purpose/Essays:
Each university will
need the student to submit a Statement of Purpose (SOP) as part of the
application packet. The SOP is a life story of a student in around 800 words
which allows the admission committee to separate the best applications from the
average ones. An SOP will contain answers to questions such as what have you
studied till now and why? Why are you interested in the particular course that
you are applying for? What have you chosen that university? What are you short
and long term goals? And so on. All the students applying for a
Bachelor’s degree as well as a Master’s degree will need to submit their
Statement of Purpose specific to each university. MBA applicants will have to
answer 3-4 university specific essay questions. An SOP can make or break a
student’s application and is one of the most important parts of the application
process, especially when a student is targeting the top 10-15 universities. A
crisp and well-crafted SOP can make up for a low GRE or GMAT score or even low
academics. French universities have specific questions for each of their
Masters programs.
AM Consulting
specializes in drafting solid SOP’s which have helped our students secure
admits into some of the top universities in Canada. You can contact us
here to know about our SOP packages.
Letters of Recommendation:
Universities require you to submit a minimum of two letters of
recommendation (LOR) as a part of your application. One is a professional one
and the other is an academic one. You need to nominate your manager at your
workplace and a professor at your college for writing these letters for you.
These LORs are also one of the most important parts of your application wherein
your referees make a case for your selection to that particular university. You
need to nominate referees who know your well and under whom you have grown
professionally or academically. The LOR’s have to be written on the
company letterhead and signed by the referee.
We at AM Consulting
provide assistance in writing LOR’s for our students. You can contact us here
to know more about our LOR packages.
Resume:
The students need to
prepare a professional looking resume which is no more than 2 pages, as part of
their application. The resume should contain the student’s academic as well as
professional information.
Proof of Work Experience/Internships/Social Work: In order to
strengthen the application, a student can submit additional documents such as
an offer letter, internship experience letter or a certificate for completion
of social work done at a local non-governmental organization (NGO).
Other Documents:
A student will also
need to submit their passport copies, 2-3 photos and the university application
form.
Step 4 – Application submission:
The application
needs to be submitted by filing in the application forms and submitting the
documents along with paying the university application fees.
Step 5 – Test Score Reporting:
After applying to the
universities, the student will need to report his or her GRE/GMAT and the
IELTS/TOEFL scores to the various universities that they have applied to. The
universities ask for the scores to be directly sent to them via the testing
authorities. Reporting to each university will require a certain fee to be paid
to the testing authorities.
Step 6 – Finalizing the University:
After receiving
admits from universities, finalize one university and the required deposit
there thereby confirming your place.
Visa Requirements
THE
SHORT STAY STUDENT VISA
If you are not a national of a European Economic Area country (European
Union country and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or of Switzerland, and
depending on your nationality, you must obtain a student visa to study in
France even if your stay is less than 3 months.
There are two types of short stay visa: the "short stay for studies"
visa and the "student in competition" (étudiant concours)
visa, which should be requested if you are convoked by a French institute for
an exam or interview.
Note that nationals from certain non-European
countries are not required to have a visa if their stay does not exceed 90
days. Check the article "stay “for more information on this subject.
THE
LONG STAY STUDENT VISA
If you are not a national of a European Economic Area country (European
Union country and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or of Switzerland, you must request a student long
stay visa to study, conduct research or do an internship
in France for more than 3 months.
There are two types of long term visas:
1/ the Long Term Visa used as Residence Permit
(VLS-TS)
This visa allows you to remain in France for
one year without needing to request a residency permit. You will still have to
have your visa approved on arrival. Depending on the nature of your stay, there are three types of long
stay visas:
·
the student VLS-TS for studies at the Bachelor's and
Master's level;
·
the Talent passport VLS-TS for a doctorate and beyond;
·
The
internship VLS-TS to do an internship in France as part
of the programme you are enrolled in in your country of residence.
2/ the Temporary Long Term Visa (VLS-T)
With the VLS-T, you can stay in France for 1 year, and you
don't need to validate it at your arrival. It cannot be renewed, and it doesn't
grant the rights than the VLS-TS.
What is the preliminary interview all about?
The aim of the interview held at the cultural &
cooperation service of the Embassy of France is to assess the educational
project of the candidate and to pre-check his file. All other aspects of your
file will be assessed by the visa section that will make the final decision of
giving (or not) the visa.
The
France Visa Application Process for Pakistani Students:
After
receiving the Admission acceptance Email, the study abroad students have to
apply for the student visa. Now you need to
apply for the student visa for France after filing in all the required forms
and submitting all the required documents.
·
Applicants
who have filled the online application form will access the automated visa
application procedure.
·
Create your account on Etudes en France Platform Create Your Account
·
Log In, https://pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance/dyn/public/login.html
·
Go to the France visas website to fill the visa
application https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/pk
·
Pakistani
students are asked to provide biometrics during the visa application
process.(fingerprinting or pictures)
·
At
the interview session, the student has to submit a Hard copy of filled visa
application form.
·
The
interview session will be held at the French Consulate. Prospective study in
France student has to appear with required documents and visa processing fee.
·
Visa
appointment should be completed 90 days before the Departure to France.
· Print the visa application and EEF payment proof,
visit AEG for your visa appointment https://frenchvisa.aeg.com.pk/
Document
Checklist:
The
following documents are submitted to the French visa officer to seek a student
visa.
1.
Completely
and accurately filled and signed visa application form.(Visa application form / 2 copies)
2.
Passport,
valid for at least three more months from the tentative date of departure, with
at least two blank visa pages.
3.
Previous
passports whether used or not.( Copy of all
pages of passport /
Now you need
to apply for the student visa for France after filing in all the required forms
and submitting all the required documents.1 copy)
4.
Two
passport or specific sized photos(Recent
ID passport-size photographs (color, clear background) / 3 copies)
5.
University
acceptance Letter
6.
Attested
Photocopies of transcripts
7.
Bank
Statement of (approx. 615 EUR per month expenditure) confirming your affordability
while staying in France.( Personal Bank
Statement of the LAST 6 MONTHS OR
Affidavit of guarantor / original + Bank Statement of the guarantor of the last
6 months / 1 copy)
8.
Airfare
ticket with date of departure
9.
Health
insurance coverage of EUR 30,000.
10.Certificate of
accommodation (if available) / 1 copy(The accommodation certificate must
mention :
o Your name
o The address of the
accommodation
o The dates (that should
cover the duration of your course)
·
If an individual is offering you accommodation, submit:
·
A letter of invitation (from the individual)
·
A proof of accommodation (electricity, water, gas bill
etc.)
·
A copy of his ID (International passport or national ID)
11.Language Proficiency certification either in
English or French
12.visa fee receipt
13.Degree Mark sheets & Transcripts
·
Curriculum Vitae / 1 copy(Your CV has to present
your academic/professional experiences & your language skills)
14.Cover letter / 1 copy (The
cover letter has to offer evidence of your motivation to join France for your
studies.)
15.Family Registration
Certificate
The
visa officer will either to accept or reject your visa application. Students
can fight back for the visa approval if they are rejected for the first time.
Career & Employment:
International students belonging to non-European
countries can work part time up to 20 hours a week. It means
foreign students can work for a maximum of 964 hours per year.
France has fixed a national minimum hourly wage. According to the recent
update, the minimum wage, in fact, is €10.03 per hour. International students,
in fact, can apply for part-time job while studying in France. During the
regular semester, a student can work for a maximum of 19.5 hours/week. However,
during holidays, you have no restrictions on working hours and a student can
work full-time. Students who are enrolled in a 6- month program can
work 472 per year.
Types of Part- Time Jobs in France
There
are several part time jobs available for international students studying in France. These students can
do both on-campus and off-campus jobs. The following jobs are highly in trend
these days for international students.
·
French teaching
·
Foreign language
teaching,
·
Freelance web work
·
Translations
·
Telemarketing
work
·
Software Development
·
videogame
analysis
·
Restaurant jobs
·
Gas station jobs
·
Tutor for school
going students
·
English teacher
Internships for International Students 2023 in France:
Many
students take internships during or after the study programs. These internships
are generally conducted in the same field which the student is studying at the
university. A student internship, however, is not classified as employment. You
do not need any work permit to continue the internship. An agreement is signed
among you, the company and your institution. The internship follows set
policies like working hours, allowances etc.
These
internships are often unpaid. It is good to join an internship program because
it augments the work experience in your Resume and you are linked with some
French professional portals that will help you in future. However, internships
for more than two months offer some remuneration. These internships
will pay you €508. The company may also provide special
allowances such as transport, meals or accommodation.
Full-time Jobs in France for International Students 2023
Once
you complete your masters or a professional bachelor’s degree, you can apply
for a temporary residence permit. This one
year permit will allow you to search for a job in France related to your study
field. Once you get a job in France, you can apply for a residence permit or
work visa. You can now transform your student status into “employee”.
There
are certain limitations for a bachelor’s degree holder but a master’s graduate
can look for a job in any field Job prospects in France are high in
Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic industries, aerospace, automobile companies,
metallurgy, electronics, textiles, tourism and food and beverages. Major growth
is also seen in the IT and banking sectors with higher employability rates. Moreover,
there are many openings at the management, sales, engineering and business
marketing.
Getting French Work Visa
Once
you are hired by a French organization as a full-time employer with a
satisfactory output, you can ask your employer to apply for your work visa and
residence permit of France. Authorities in France will check and approve your
employment contract and after reconfirmation from your host country, the French
government will issue a work visa for the full-time employer. Moreover,
foreigners who have completed 5 continuous years staying in France can apply
for permanent residency and citizenship.
Note:
In 2023, the average salary in France is €2,340 net per
month or €39,300 net per year.
Due to the differences in the cost of living across different French cities,
the average salary in Paris is €2,570 net per month, 9.8% higher than the
national average.
Living & Tradition
POPULATION OF FRANCE
The National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) places the population of
France at 67.81 million people as of January 1, 2022. Of that population, 87.8%
are believed to be French-born citizens with a further 4.8% acquiring French
citizenship after birth, according to Statista. The most common nationalities of
foreign-born residents in France, according to 2020 figures from The Institut
National d'Études Démographiques (INED) are Algerian, Moroccan, Portuguese, Tunisian,
Italian, Turkish and Spanish.
FRENCH LANGUAGE
French is the official language and the
first language of 88% of the population, according to the BBC. It is the dominant language of France, but
there are a number of variants based on region.
French is the second most widely learned
foreign language in the world, with almost 2 million students learning it as a
second language across 50 countries, according to the French Ministry of
Foreign Affairs and International Development. French is also the seventh most-spoken language in the world according
to Statista, with around 267 million native speakers.
RELIGION IN FRANCE
Catholicism is the predominant religion
of France. In a survey by the French Institute of Public
Opinion (IFOP), 64% of
the population (about 41.6 million people) identified themselves as Roman
Catholic. The other religions in France include Islam, Buddhism and Judaism.
From 33% to 42% of people in France do not subscribe to a religion, according
to the CIA, although it points out that,
"France maintains a tradition of secularism and has not officially
collected data on religious affiliation since the 1872 national census, which
complicates assessments of France's religious composition."
FRENCH VALUES
The French take immense pride in their
nation and government and are typically offended by any negative comments about
their country. Visitors, particularly Americans, often interpret their attitude
toward foreigners as rude.
FRENCH FOOD
Food and wine are central to life at all
socioeconomic levels, and much socializing is done around lengthy dinners in
French households.
While cooking styles have changed to
emphasize lighter fare, many still associate French cooking with heavy sauces
and complicated preparation. Some classic French dishes include boeuf
bourguignon — a stew made of beef braised in red wine, beef broth and seasoned
with garlic, onions and mushrooms — and coq au vin, a dish made with chicken,
Burgundy wine, lardons (small strips or cubes of pork fat), button
mushrooms, onions and optional garlic.
FRENCH FASHION
Paris is known as the home to many
high-end fashion houses, such as Dior, Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Chanel. Many
French people dress in a sophisticated, professional and fashionable style, but
it is not overly fussy. Typical outfits include nice dresses, suits, long
coats, scarves and berets.
HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS
The French celebrate the traditional
Christian holidays of Christmas and Easter. They mark May Day, also known as
Labor Day, on May 1. Victory in Europe Day on May 8 commemorates the end of
hostilities in Europe in World War II. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14.
This is the day the Bastille fortress in Paris was stormed by revolutionaries
to start the French Revolution.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND READING:
For more about the French Revolution
and, more specifically, the period that immediately followed you should read
about the Reign of Terror from
1793 to 1794.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
·
National
Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies
·
"Share
of the population in France in 2020, by nationality status," Statista
·
"How
many immigrants are there in France?" The Institut National d'Études Démographiques
· "Languages
across Europe: France," BBC "Teaching and learning French," French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
International Development
·
"The
most spoken languages worldwide in 2021," Statista
·
"Le
Catholicisme En France En 2010," French Institute of Public Opinion
·
World
Fact Book: France, CIA
·
"More
Sex Please, We're French," by Bruce Crumley, "Time"
·
"Carriage
and horse," "The Economist"
·
"Savoir-Faire: A History
of Food in France" by
Maryann Tebben (Reaktion Books, 2020)
·
"Are
French Fries Truly French?," by Rebecca Rupp, "National Geographic"
·
"What
is the true definition of haute couture?," by Eva Domjian, "Dressful"
·
"Timeline of art history: France, 1800–1900
A.D." The Metropolitan Museum of Art