France is one of Europe's leading economies, known for its wine, sophisticated food and fashion. Its history and politics have dominated the Old Continent for centuries and keeps guiding the current direction of the European Union. The country's reach extends around the globe through science, politics, economics and culture. France is the largest country in Europe and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. France is one of the most sought-after study-abroad destinations, inviting abundant number of students every year from all over the world.
Each country’s education system differs from the other, since there are many aspects to look at. The French education system is particularly known for being complicated when it comes to different categories and types of diplomas and tests. The French schools are known for being strictly educational. Meaning they don’t have much extracurricular activities at least related to the school (they don’t have much funding due to the low or no costs of tuition), no school dances or major events, no posters like you see in other schools in Europe. It is very common in France to repeat a school year if the students do not achieve the average grades they need to pass the classes.
The French education system consists of three stages:
Primary Education
While day care and kindergarten are not mandatory, from the age of 6 all children must enrol in school. Primary school consists of five years of study, from the age 6-11 (similar to a US elementary school).
Secondary Education
After primary school, students move to secondary school, which is divided into two stages:
The college (middle school), is composed of four years of study, for students ages eleven through fifteen. Students receive a “brevet des colleges” upon its completion.
The lycée (high school) for the final three years of secondary education. Students then take an examination to receive the baccalaureate (bac) qualification (high school diploma).
Higher Education
After high school, students choose either a vocational diploma or an academic diploma.
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
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 three different levels of achievement
Grandes écoles
“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 engineering, business, or public administration. 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
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.
The LMD Framework
The LDM framework stands for license, master, doctorate:
The tuition fees differ depending on the University. On average, here’s how much you might have to pay for tuition in a French University based on your degree.
· Bachelor’s degree: 2,770 euros per year.
· Master’s degree: 3,770 euros per year.
Rent | €400 to €1,200 monthly |
| Groceries | €400 monthly |
| Electricity | €39 monthly |
| Gas for heating/stove | €48 monthly |
| Internet | 26 monthly |
| Regular purchases of coffee, baguettes, croissants | €67 monthly |
| Water (⅕ liter bottle) | €0.69 |
If you want to enroll in a French university, you will typically need the following documents:
Stay Back in France After Graduation
A student after graduation in France can stay back only when he has paid employment. Students who are already employed usually are eligible to apply for a residence permit. This stands true for both the undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Without the promise of employment, a non-European graduate student may request for an APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) which is a temporary resident permit. It is valid for 12 months and is non-renewable, while they look for employment in France. To do this, they must have a professional Bachelors or a Master’s degree.
Stay Back in France After Masters
In France, however this rule gets a little relaxed for post graduate students. Unlike the undergraduate pass outs who are only entitled to get a residence permit on having a paid employment, the post graduate students can apply and are eligible to acquire a temporary residence permit for a duration of about 12 to 24 months. Though this is an actually nonrenewable temporary visa. This does not allow you to get recruited here on a permanent basis and also limit the time and duration to work per week.
After the completion of these 2 years, you must leave France if you are otherwise unable to find a permanent job in the same place. Keeping all the facts together it is always advised to take proper and specific information first by contacting the visa office or the French consulate in your home country and then proceed for the application procedure.
Work Permit After Study in France
A work permit in France after masters is a great option for students who wish to stay in the country for a long time after they complete their studies. This gives them extra time to find a job and gain permanent residence, pay off student loan debts or enhance their resumes by getting work experience in international companies. post-study work permit.
There are different kinds of France student visa to stay back and students need to check which one allows them to stay back after study in France.
If you are successful in finding a work which gives you a salary of at least 1.5 times the minimum wage, then you can contact your local administration to change your status from student to employee and allows you to work full-time. You will get a post study work visa in France.