The universities of France themselves, as well as the level of education provided in them, are included in the small number of things to which the French are extremely scrupulous. The minimum doubt about the quality of training is great amount inspections and close attention of the Ministry of Education, especially when the educational institution is state-owned. If it is confirmed that the programs or level higher education does not meet standards, the reaction follows immediately. Thanks to this approach, French universities have gained immense popularity in the world, and the stream foreign students increases from year to year.
Even the perennial opponents of English universities admit that they do not see much difference in the level of education between Britain and France. Even more, French universities conduct many more different exams and tests to ensure that students have fully mastered required material... Therefore, foreign applicants are warned in advance that they will have to study every day and there will be no indulgences for foreign guests. So Ukrainians who managed to graduate from an educational institution in this state can be sure that they will easily find a job in Europe, since Europeans know firsthand how highly qualified specialists are graduated from universities in France.
REQUIREMENTS FOR APPLICANTS FOR ADMISSION TO UNIVERSITIES IN FRANCE
Universities in France have additional attractiveness for Ukrainians. You can enter them right after school, a certificate with normal marks is enough. This ease of admission is fully offset by the ease of deduction. Universities in France do not even require passing entrance exams in order not to miss the "shy genius" or the future engineer-inventor devoid of oratory. But during training, they part with careless students without regret.
The École normale supérieure sets slightly different requirements for applicants. You can get an education in this educational institution only after completing special training programs, receiving a bachelor's degree in another university or having studied for at least 2 years at a university.
Majority training courses French universities offer to go to French especially at the undergraduate level. On the most popular specialties, for which the demand is highest among foreign students, programs for English language... But a Ukrainian, regardless of the language of instruction, will have to confirm the knowledge of French or English, or better, both languages. Proficiency in English is confirmed by passing IELTS or TOEFL exams, it is even easier for French-speaking applicants, they have the opportunity to do this in the educational institution itself.
THE PROCESS OF ADMISSION TO FRENCH UNIVERSITIES (HOW TO DO)
Universities in France finish accepting applications for admission 2 months before the start of classes, i.e. until July 1 of the current year, since studies start on September 1. Ukrainians should start the admission process as early as possible, since different universities in France ask for completely different additional documents. If you did not have time to prepare and send them, then the application is considered incompletely completed and will not be accepted for consideration.
The scheme of admission and the main documents required by universities in France:
- complete and thorough filling of the application for admission, indicating the faculty and language of instruction;
- simultaneously with the application, a receipt for payment of the fee for the examination of documents is sent;
- a copy of the passport and 1-2 photographs (as for a passport) are required;
- a certified copy of the certificate (diploma) with grades;
- all diplomas, certificates, etc. about the completion of any courses or an extract from the university, if you studied at it or are still studying;
- confirmation of knowledge of the English (French) language;
- applicants from non-EU countries, including Ukrainians, are often required to have a certified copy of a birth certificate;
- you also need confirmation of financial solvency sufficient for comfortable living and studying in France;
- writing an essay in which you must convince the management of the educational institution to accept you for study (it is better to entrust the writing to professionals).
Universities in France often ask to confirm the possibility of obtaining a visa to the country, but now this happens less and less often.
UNIVERSITIES IN FRANCE: TRAINING PROGRAMS
Universities in France offer a standard European gradation of education:
- bachelor;
- master;
- candidate or doctor of sciences.
The only difference from other countries is the completion of the École normale supérieure, since, along with the acquired degree, the graduate receives the actual title. But admission to such universities in France is extremely difficult for Ukrainians.
BEST UNIVERSITIES IN FRANCE (RATED)
V last years the international and French rankings are surprisingly unanimous in choosing a winner. Moreover, the leader is only conditionally included in the category "Universities of France", since it bears a name recognizable throughout the world: Ecole Normale Supérieure (Paris).
ENS Paris has been operating since 1793 and during this time has trained 13 Nobel laureates. The strongest faculties are considered humanitarian and natural sciences.
Next comes another representative from Paris - École Polytechnique. It is the strongest technical university in France, one of the founders of ParisTech.
Specifically, the universities of France among the best institutions are represented only by Université Pierre et Marie Curie, which until 1971 was part of the Sorbonne (University of Paris). Now it is the most famous French center for medicine and natural sciences.
The École Normale Supérieure de Lyon has noticeably improved its position in the rankings. Everyone appreciated her achievements in the humanities and natural sciences.
The top five is closed by CentraleSupélec, most likely the future winner of all ratings. The educational institution was founded only in 2015, when Supélec (Graduate School of Engineering) and École Centrale Paris merged. Backed by a strong scientific base, engineering shocked France with a number of new inventions and developments.
As you can see, among best universities only government agencies and not a single private one.
France attracts applicants by the lack of entrance exams, the opportunity to learn the realities of the country, and the low cost of studying. But French higher education with the prospect of good employment is not easy to get.
The overwhelming majority of French universities are part of the state system, subordinate to the Ministry of Education. Government grants allow free admission to them, minimum tuition fees.
They share a short, complete, postgraduate education ("Doctorat"). Short education (3 years) designed for work in industry, service sector, is assessed by the diploma "Universitaire de technologie". Universities and higher schools have adopted the “bachelor - master - doctor” system, which is not time-regulated.
Higher schools are opposed to university higher education, the disadvantage of which industrialists and employers consider the absence of selection ("the principle of free enrollment"), the absence of tuition fees. In higher schools, fundamental sciences and theoretical disciplines are minimized. The practical orientation of higher schools in France is highly rated, in the rating of the "Financial Times" - 18 French higher schools.
Best educational centers
The famous Sorbonne is the oldest (since 1215) of 87 public universities. Having grown out of church colleges, the university is now divided into five autonomous universities. His successors were the "Pantheon Sorbonne", "University Paris-Sorbonne", "New Sorbonne", "University. Rene Descartes ". The specialization of universities has been preserved, the educational process is close to historical models. The best international students of the Sorbonne can receive a scholarship.
The University of Nantes is considered the second in France, with more than 33,000 students. The University of Nantes gives in the faculties of economics, management, natural sciences, social sciences, law, medicine, philology faculties. The Higher Polytechnic School is also considered a university faculty.
The University of Strasbourg is divided into "Louis Pasteur" universities(faculties of medicine, earth sciences, mathematics, earth physics, chemistry, botany, general biology, geophysics, geology), "Mark Bloch University" (faculties of art, social sciences, history, humanities, philosophy, sports sciences, theology), "Robert Schumann University" (faculties of 160 specialties, including law, economic sciences, forensic science, industrial property research). Only three universities have more than forty thousand students, of which 8000 are foreigners.
Admission, study, everyday life
French universities do not require entrance exams. Some practice interviews conducted by the selection committee. State universities are subsidized from the budget, even for foreigners the payment is minimal, but the dropout rate from the first courses is significant.
There is a lot of competition in higher schools, there are entrance exams, which are quite difficult. This is due to the guarantee of full employment for graduates, better prospects for obtaining government positions, prestigious, high-paying jobs. In addition to specialized exams, a positive ESABAC exam result (knowledge of French) is required.
Most of the applicants enter higher schools through specialized two-year courses at the same higher school, passing the first courses of the university. For such applicants, the duration of study is reduced to 3 years. At the Sorbonne, tuition fees are available, 250 - 1000 euros, but living in Paris is expensive.
An example of tuition fees for higher education is the Paris École Polytechnique, where the cost of the Ingénieur Polytechnicien program (three-year) is about 22,000 euros, the Master's program is 11,000 euros (for full course). Many universities operate a government “Family Benefit Fund” available to foreign students. It provides subsidies, mainly for rental housing.
Education in higher schools takes place according to their own programs, many universities work according to the Bologna system (accumulation of "credits" for all lectures, credits, work, exams, tests). The oldest universities follow traditional programs.
Job prospects
After graduating from a higher educational institution, the most promising work is in France, francophone countries. University education is faced with the problems of the undefined status of a licentiate. Many employers do not understand whether a licentiate diploma is an admission to the next cycle of study, has an independent value of an educational document.
The chances of getting a good job in Switzerland, Belgium, Canada are growing for graduates of technical high schools. In the third world (French-speaking countries), French education is highly regarded.
In the post-Soviet space, the rating of French higher education is quoted below English. Few employers understand its adequate value. The chances of a successful job search are higher in foreign representative offices of French firms, in the automotive industry, design and fashion, restaurant, hotel and tourism business.
Universities in France are the most popular institutes, universities and colleges in France. Detailed Descriptions training programs, reviews, photos and videos about universities in France.
Alma mater of world-famous scientists, politicians and people of art, universities in France are by no means inaccessible to the domestic applicant. Every year more and more foreign students are taking places in their illustrious classrooms, and the proportion of Russian students is steadily growing. There are all reasons for such popularity: French universities teach professions perfectly well - be it jurisprudence, economics, medicine or design, plus a couple of dozen more in-demand professions. Well, a diploma with the state emblem of France easily opens the doors of leading international companies for graduates. In order to study at universities in France, neither patronage nor a fat wallet is required - tuition fees at local universities can be called symbolic, and language proficiency is the main requirement for applicants. So if you know French and are not averse to trying your hand at studying in the vastness of the Republic - welcome to the universities of France.
Types of universities in France
Universities in France are subdivided into several types - these are universities, higher and specialized schools, as their narrow specialization increases. In other words, in French universities, similarly to Russian ones, the broadest education is given - many faculties and a lot of specialties, and therefore a large number of students. In higher schools, they teach in a specialty in specific areas - for example, engineering, pedagogical, IT-technologies, and so on. Finally, specialized schools are educational institutions focused on certain professions of a non-mass nature and an extremely narrow profile. At the same time, the range of specialties is by no means small: they produce directors, screenwriters, confectioners, social workers, workers in the tourism industry and a lot of "narrowly oriented" specialists.
Education in French universities is free for foreigners as well; social insurance costs and registration fee do not exceed EUR 500 per year.
Prices on the page are for August 2018.
State universities in France
There are more than eighty state universities in France - there are thirteen of them in the outskirts of Paris alone! Their backbone is made up of establishments with a long and rich history, as well as the big names of alumni "in the asset". Among the oldest universities in Europe are the renowned Sorbonne (however, as an integral educational institution, it ceased to exist 40 years ago, and now several universities carry the "Sorbonne" prefix in their names) and the University of Strasbourg, founded as early as 1566. It is also considered very prestigious to study at the University of Nantes - especially at the faculties of the humanities and law. However, it should be said right away: there are simply no non-prestigious higher educational institutions in France.
Higher schools in France
Higher schools can be both public and private. It is more difficult for domestic students to enter a higher school in France than to a university. The fact is that these educational institutions accept only a small number of applicants annually, respectively, the requirements for candidates are higher (in particular, it will be necessary to pass entrance exams in specialized disciplines). However, further employment for graduates is practically guaranteed even in our difficult times - education in higher schools is tailored to the needs of a specific industry, and many such institutions have direct contracts with prestigious employers. Students, as they say, are passed from hand to hand. Needless to say, education in higher schools is paid, and the amount of tuition fees will be considerable. Among other things, foreign students are less readily accepted here, since they will almost certainly become immigrants - after graduation they are snapped up like hot cakes.
Specialized schools in France
Specialized schools are also public and private. Education here is conducted mainly in humanitarian and creative specialties. That is why the entrance examinations include not only exams, but also portfolios. Tuition fees here are also higher (and sometimes many times) than in public universities, but, as a rule, lower than in higher schools. The reason is the same prestige of education in a creative field, but at the same time, no one gives guarantees of employment, which is quite logical: directors, writers and actors by occupation are forced to compete with colleagues and take a place in the sun.
Requirements for admission
A graduate of a Russian school for admission to universities in France will need a certificate of general secondary education and a certificate confirming knowledge of the French language at least B2 level according to the international classification. By the way, in France, you can study in English - French certificates in this case will not be needed, but TOEFL or IELTS will have to be presented. For those who have chosen commercial disciplines as their specialty, they will also need a French business certificate TAGE-MAGE or an international GMAT.
Among other things, the criterion for a Russian student's compliance with this French university is his motivation and professional plans for the future - therefore, it is extremely important to correctly draw up a motivation letter, which the applicant includes in the application package for admission. Also, the admissions committee will be interested in how much the specialty chosen in France corresponds to the student's educational "past" (the admission of a "techie" to a humanitarian university will cause, first of all, bewilderment). Well, the last important factor is the availability of vacant places for students from abroad in a particular university.
A graduate of a Russian school for admission to French universities will need a certificate of general secondary education and a certificate confirming knowledge of the French language.
Cost of education
The cost of training in universities in France compares favorably with the Russian one. Incredibly, education here is free even for foreigners - and this is thanks to government subsidies. Students pay only the registration fee - it is about 180-260 EUR per year - and the annual contribution to the social insurance office - from 190 to 220 EUR. However, such lafa is practiced only in relation to applicants to state universities - the first category of educational institutions mentioned above. If you decide to get an education in a specialized or high school, get ready to compete for a student place not only with your brains - in the entrance exams - but also with your wallet. Higher schools evaluate the knowledge given in the amount of from a modest 500-700 EUR per year to an impressive 20-22000 EUR. Specialized students are not far behind: from 200-400 EUR to 12-14000 EUR per year of study.
Education systems in different countries
All articles about studying abroad on "Subtleties"
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Best Universities in the World
- Universities of Great Britain: Eton, Cambridge, London and others
- German Universities: Berlin im. Humboldt, Dusseldorf Academy of Arts and others
- Universities in Ireland: Dublin, National University of Galway, University of Limerick
- Universities in Italy: Beau, Bologna, Pisa, University for Foreigners in Perugia
- Universities in China: Peking, Beida, Zhejiang University and others
- Lithuania:
The best public paid and free universities in France. Features of admission and training at the university. The higher education system of this European country in 2019.
French universities have a special place among. Most of them boast centuries of history as well as high educational standards. The prestige of the universities in France is beyond doubt, since for a long time, along with the Oxford and Bologna universities, they taught only the upper strata of society.
The University of Paris I Pantheon-Sorbonne is one of 13 that arose during the division of the Sorbonne. The university includes 14 faculties, 8 institutes and research centers, as well as the House of Economics.
Over time, the policy of the French Ministry of Education has changed a lot and became more democratic in relation to students. One of its main directions is the desire to make education more accessible and attractive both for residents of the country and for foreign students.
Considering the possibility of admission to universities in France, it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the reasons for the popularity of this option. First of all, they should include the financial availability of training. All institutions are funded by the state, which makes education free for both state citizens and foreigners.
To study at a university or higher school, you only need to pay a special registration fee, the amount of which is set by the relevant ministry. For 2019, it is no more than 200 euros per year for undergraduate studies and 270 for magistrates. If the applicant plans to obtain a doctoral degree, the fee will be a little more than 400 euros.
Higher schools significantly outperform universities in terms of contributions. They can reach 1,000 euros annually. However, all of the above rates are valid for courses taught in French. For English-speaking studies, the amount of the fee can be up to 6 thousand euros per semester.
Watch the video: How to get a scholarship to study in France.
Directions of study
There are a huge number of universities in France that teach students in a variety of specialties. However, there are a number of areas where local universities have done better than others. These include, first of all:
- mathematics;
- engineering;
- medicine and related sciences.
Holders of diplomas in these and similar disciplines obtained in France significantly increase their chances of finding a job.
In addition, such a diploma opens up incredibly wide opportunities for the student to develop in the scientific environment and build an academic career. 
We should also mention creative and cultural trends in the educational activities of local universities. Historically, Europe. This led to the creation of a full-fledged and independent network of art schools, training in which allows not only to achieve recognition in the field of cinema, photography and other arts, but also to find people who share the interests and views of the student.
Despite the many advantages and high standards of education, only 11 universities in France are included in the top 250 of the best universities. According to experts, this is not due to the quality indicators of training, but to the imperfection of the assessment algorithms used by the British agencies QS and THE.
Watch a video on teaching in France.
Classification of universities in France
All higher education institutions existing on the territory of the country are divided into three main categories, depending on the type of organization, profile and other features. Among them are:
- Specialized schools. Training is carried out in the following areas: music, design, photography, painting and other types of arts.
- Universities.
- Higher schools.
Universities and higher schools are fundamentally different in a number of parameters. The majority of applicants fall into the institutions of the first category, while higher schools are extremely selective in relation to people who want to enroll in them. A similar situation is observed in the quality and quantity of the teaching staff.
The answer to this situation is the measures taken by the government to attract gifted students to universities. They are based on scholarship and other preferential programs, as well as funding research works... However, this could not change the situation, and therefore, higher schools still outperform universities.
Among other things, EUA membership says a lot about the quality of education of a particular university. The institutions that are part of such an association are generally recognized as the best, which significantly increases the value of the diploma and the demand for graduates from employers.
3 main types French universities
Specificity of higher schools
If you plan to enter the best educational institutions in France, it is advisable to take a closer look at the higher schools. Among the most prestigious institutions of this kind, there are 4 schools at once - Paris, Lyon, Kashan, Rennes. At the same time, the most selective schools in relation to applicants are located in Paris and Lyon.
All of them have full autonomy, however, they assume the possibility of taking preparatory courses in one institution and subsequent admission to another. Upon completion of training, all graduates are assigned the status of "normal", which carries not only a respected title, but also a number of responsibilities.
In particular, each of its owners must have worked in the public service for at least 5 years, which in France seems to be the best of all. This requirement does not apply to foreigners, however, if they wish, they can take advantage of this opportunity. 
Ranking of universities in France
Among the most popular universities among foreign applicants, there are both private and public educational institutions in France. in the overwhelming majority of them - free, both for citizens of France and for foreigners.
Among them:
- Sorbonne University in Paris.
- University of Nice Sophia Antipolis.
- University of Nantes.
- Samadev University.
- Cergy-Pontoise University.
- Descartes University.
Each of them has its own, unique history and a set of areas in which students are taught. Since classes are free, the final choice should be made, depending on the interests of the applicant and the specialty that is planned to be acquired.
This educational institution first opened its doors to applicants in 1289 and today it is one of the most prestigious in France. The university owns an urban campus for students, which is especially important for foreign citizens.
The University of Montpellier is popular with students from all over the world for its quality teaching, the prestige of the diplomas received and the free tuition.
Montpellier is one of the five percent of the best universities in the world, and this university is recognized as the leader in the quality of education in the country. To enroll, it is enough to pay the registration fee, as well as present documents confirming the passing of exams.
It belongs to the category of large educational institutions, accommodates more than 24 thousand students, and also has its own library. The main specialties in which students are trained are: medicine, sports, law, business and natural sciences.
It belongs to state educational institutions and ranks 33rd in the national ranking. Belongs to the category of old universities, since 1887 is considered to be the date of its foundation. The main campus of the university is located in the city of Lille, while a number of branches operate in other large cities. 
The process of admission to this institution is similar to the previous option: you will need to provide data on successful passing of exams, as well as pay a registration fee in the amount established by the ministry. This university is of medium size, and about 18 thousand students are educated here every year.
As in many other educational institutions in France, there is an opportunity to study foreign citizens on an equal basis with local residents. A large library is located on the territory of the university, and it itself is one of the most prestigious European educational institutions of the EUA.
University of Nantes
Another popular university can be considered the University of Nantes, which is one of the oldest educational institutions of this category. It was founded back in 1460, and the main building of the complex is located in the city of Nantes. Among the 30 most prestigious universities France and boasts a spacious hostel.
Castle on the campus of the University of Nantes
Since the institution actively participates in international student exchange programs, foreign students are not uncommon here. Thanks to the large hostel, they have the opportunity to live near the place of study at affordable prices. As with most universities in France, the academic year consists of two semesters.
The number of students exceeds 31 thousand people, and teachers - 1500. The percentage of foreigners among applicants fluctuates around 8%. The main area of study is natural and applied disciplines, which include:
- medicine;
- mathematics;
- the economy;
- jurisprudence;
- control.
In addition, the higher Polytechnic School is a formal part of the university, which speaks of the first-class quality of education.