About France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country whose metropolitan territory is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various overseas islands and territories located in other continents. Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel and the North Sea, and from the Rhine to the Atlantic Ocean.
The French Republic is a democracy that is organised as a unitary semi-presidential republic. It is a developed country with the sixth-largest economy in the world.
With more than 265,000 foreign students, France is the world’s third-leading host country for higher education, behind the United States and Great Britain. In the past few years it has seen strong growth in the number of students it has welcomed, following a concerted government effort to make French higher education more competitive on the world market.
Population
The population of France is tagged at 64,102,140.
Climate
A lot of variety, but temperate. Cool winters and mild summers on most of the territory, and especially in Paris. Mild winters and hot summers along the Mediterranean and in the south west. Mild winters and cool summers in the north west (Brittany). Cool to cold winters and hot summer along the German border (Alsace).
Main Cities
Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Nice, Rennes.
Culture
France is considered to be the cultural capital of the world. The culture of France is diverse, reflecting regional differences as well as the influence of recent immigration. France has played an important worldwide role for centuries as a cultural center, with Paris as a world center of high culture. France is noted for its cosmopolitan, civilized approach to life, combined with great concern for style, fashion and appearances.
Transport
The railway network in France is the most extensive in Europe. Rail connections to all other neighbouring countries in Europe have been developed. Intra-urban connections are also well developed with both underground services and tramway services complementing bus services and extensive roadways.
A Long Tradition of Academic Excellence
Besides the breathtaking scenic beauty, dense historic past and cultural richness, France houses some of the oldest universities in the world. Some of the French Universities are rated world-wide as centres of academic excellence.
Globally Recognised Degrees at affordable costs
France spends per year an average 7,700 € ( 3.3 lakh rupees) for each and every student engaged in higher studies. Since all foreign students are treated on par with national citizens this structural scholarship is available. France thus provides value for money by offering internationally recognised degrees at affordable costs.
Value Chain in Higher Education
World class quality is maintained by faculties consisting of professors from universities in France and abroad. There are also visiting professors from world famous institutions and numerous experts in various fields. Students are supervised and assessed on a daily basis to maintain low failure and drop out rates and enjoy innovative teaching methods which are modern, pragmatic, interactive and integrate new technologies. This helps the students to compete successfully in the international arena.
Numerous Courses available in English Medium
In order to attract more international students, French universities are now increasingly using English as the language of instruction especially in areas like Management, Engineering, Sciences etc.
French Hospitality
Overseas students are given a warm welcome as part of the traditional French hospitality. Most campuses have a multicultural environment.
French made easy
For students lacking proficiency in French, language centres and special courses are available during vacation time.
The French educational system is highly centralised, organised, and ramified. It is divided into three different stages...
- primary education (enseignement primaire)
- secondary education (enseignement secondaire)
- tertiary or college education (enseignement supérieur)
Primary and secondary education is predominantly public (private schools also exist, in particular a strong nationwide network of primary and secondary Catholic education), while tertiary education has both public and private elements.
Primary Education
Parents start sending their children earlier though, around age 3 as kindergarten classes (maternelle) are usually affiliated to a borough's primary school. Some even start earlier at age 2 in pré-maternelle classes, which are essentially daycare centres. After kindergarten, the young students move on to primary school.
Secondary Education
French secondary education is divided into two schools...
- the collège for the first four years directly following primary school
- the lycée for the next three years
- The completion of secondary studies leads to the baccalauréat
Brevet
The brevet is the first official diploma a pupil has to sit. It is now required in order to enter high school (lycée).
Baccalauréat
The baccalauréat (also known as bac) is the end-of-lycée diploma students sit for in order to enter university, a classe préparatoire, or professional life.
Territory or College Education
A striking trait of French higher education, compared to other countries, is the small size and multiplicity of establishments, each specialized in a more or less broad spectrum of disciplines.
It is not uncommon for graduate teaching programmes (master's degrees, the course part of PhD programmes etc.) to be operated in common by several institutions, allowing the institutions to present a larger variety of courses. Another characteristic is the low tuition costs.
Two options: Universities or Grandes écoles
Higher Education in France offers the following two options...
- At competitive institutes (Grandes écoles) entry is selective. Specialisation is offered in these Grandes écoles in the fields of engineering, commerce, civil services and teaching. Duration of studies varies from 3 to 5 years.
- In State universities, any student who has completed the secondary school examination may qualify. Two categories of courses are offered...
- General Courses
These are divided into 3 cycles. Each cycle leads to a national degree... 1st cycle 2 years undergraduate studies 2nd cycle 2 to 3 years graduate studies 3rd cycle 1 to 3 years post graduate studies.
- Professional Courses
These are offered at Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés (IUP). The curriculum consists of 3 years of technical courses with a 6 month vocational training and practice in an international firm.
- Art, Architecture, Agriculture, Law, Public Administration
These are offered in specialised schools. The duration of the courses varies from 3 to 7 years.
At the universities, admission fees are nominal. They vary from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 34,000 (150 - 300 €) per annum for a course leading to a national diploma.
The tuition fee at the Grandes écoles (competitive universities) vary approximately from 10,000 to 40,000 €/year for private Engineering and Business schools.
The Cost of Living
The Cost of Living in France varies from place to place. However, it ranges from 300 to 500 € per month.
Scholarships are available to Overseas students. They can apply for 3 types of grants to finance their studies in France...
- The French government grants
- The University Grants Commission scholarship schemes
- The international and non-government organisations scholarship schemes
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