Alma mater of world-renowned scientists, politicians and people of art, French universities are not at all inaccessible to a domestic entrant .Every year more and more foreign students take places in their illustrious audiences, and the share of Russian students is growing steadily .For such popularity there are all reasons: in French universities are taught the profession perfectly well - be it jurisprudence, economics, medicine or design, plus a couple of dozen of the professions that are in demand .Well, the diploma with the state emblem of France easily opens the doors of the leading international companies for graduates .In order to study at French universities, neither patronage nor a thick purse is required - tuition fee at local universities can be called symbolic, and the main requirement is to speak the requirements of entrants to the language .So if you know French and are not averse to trying your hand at learning in the vastness of the Republic - welcome to the French universities .

Types of French universities

French universities are divided into several types - universities, higher and specialized schools, as the degree of specialization increases .In other words, French universities, like Russia, offer the widest education - many faculties and a lot of specialties, and therefore a large number of students .In higher schools, they are trained in specialties 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-gross character and an extremely narrow profile .At the same time, the range of specialties is by no means small: they produce directors, writers, confectioners, social workers, workers in the tourism industry, and a lot of "narrow-minded" specialists .

French state institutions

There are more than eighty state schools in France - only thirteen in Paris alone! Their backbone are institutions with a long and rich history, as well as high-profile alumni names "in the asset" .Among the oldest universities in Europe is the illustrious Sorbonne (however, as a whole educational institution it ceased to exist 40 years ago, and now several universities have a "Sorbonne" prefix in the title) and Strasbourg University, founded as early as 1566 .Also very prestigious is studying at the University of Nantes - especially in the faculties of the humanities and law .However, it should be immediately said: there are simply no prestigious higher educational institutions in France .

Higher Schools in France

Higher schools can be both public and private .Enroll in a higher school in France for domestic students is more difficult than in a university .The fact is that these schools accept only a small number of applicants every year, respectively, the requirements for candidates are higher (in particular, it will be necessary to pass the entrance examinations in core disciplines) .However, further employment for graduates is almost guaranteed even in our difficult times - training in higher schools is "sharpened" for a specific industry, and many such institutions have direct contracts with prestigious employers .Students, which are called, are handed over from hand to hand .Need I say that education in higher schools is paid, and the amount of tuition will be considerable .Among other things, foreign students here are less welcome, since they will almost certainly become immigrants - after release they are snatched like hot cakes .

Specialized schools of France

Specialized schools are also public and private .Training here is conducted primarily on humanitarian and creative specialties .That's why among the entrance tests not only exams, but also portfolios .The cost of training here is 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 on the creative profile, but at the same time, no one gives guarantees of employment, which is quite logical: filmmakers, writers and actors are compelled to compete with colleagues and take a place in the sun .

Entry requirements

The graduate of the Russian school for admission to the universities of France will need a certificate of general secondary education and a certificate confirming the knowledge of the French language is not lower than B2 according to the international classification. By the way, in France you can study in English - French certificates in this case are not needed, but TOEFL or IELTS will have to be presented. For those who have chosen commercial disciplines as their specialty, you will also need a TAGE-MAGE French business certificate or an international GMAT.

Among other things, the criterion of the Russian student's correspondence to this French institution is his motivation and professional plans for the future - that's why it is very important to write a motivation letter competently, which the entrant includes in the package of documents for admission .Also, the admission committee will be interested in the extent to which the specialty chosen in France corresponds to the student's "past" (the entry of a "technician" into a liberal arts college will cause, in the first place, bewilderment) .Well, the last important factor - the availability in a particular university of free places for students from abroad .

Cost of education

The cost of studying in French universities is favorably different from the Russian .Unbelievable, but the training here is free even for foreigners - and this is thanks to government subsidies .Students pay only the registration fee - it is about 220-260 EUR per year - and the annual contribution to the social insurance fund - from 190 to 200 EUR .However, such a lafa is practiced only in relation to applicants of state universities - the first category of educational institutions from the above-mentioned .If you decide to get an education in a specialized or higher school, prepare to compete for the student's place not only in the brains - at the entrance exams - but also at the wallet .Higher schools estimate the knowledge given in the amount from a modest 500-700 EUR per year to an impressive 20-22 thousand EUR .Specialized lagging slightly: from 200-400 EUR to 12-14 thousand EUR per year of training .