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FRANCE : ADMISSION PROCESS |
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The Application Procedure :
The education systems in India and France are very different.
You will have to apply to universities and let them decide
on the applicability of your previous academic background
and experience to the course you are interested to study
in. It would be useful for you to visit The French Information
Resource Centre at the Embassy of France in Delhi or at
the Alliances Franchises in your city to get help in selection
of courses and Institutes suitable for your background.
For admission to a university, after you have been advised
by one of the French Information Resource Centers, you
should directly contact the selected university to get
a provisional admission form, fill out the form and send
the same along with attachments to the university. The
university will decide on the recognition of your academic
background based on the recommendations of an education
committee and will decide at which level you can qualify
to enter. You will receive a letter of confirmation from
the university, which can be used to apply for a long-stay
student resident visa.
For admission to a "Grande Ecoles", you have
to appear for a competitive exam - "Concours".
The exam is held in France for which you can apply and
obtain a special three-month competitive exam visa (visa
concours). You will be entitled to a residence permit
to take the course you have been admitted to after you
clear the exam.
Admission requirements for International students :
Higher education in France is imparted through three main
categories of institutions with varying objectives, structures
and admission requirements.
- Universities
- University Colleges
- Grandes Ecoles (Described as Competitive Institutes).
- Advanced studies centre
Universities :
The minimum requirement for admission to any university
course is the French higher secondary Certificate (baccalaureate)
or an equivalent qualification. Universities offer theoretical
practical and job-oriented courses and train students
for research in all disciplines - humanities, social sciences,
law, economics, management, natural sciences, medicine,
pharmacology, technology, arts political sciences...).
There are about 87 universities in France. A large number
of students go to universities which offer general courses
and professional courses. The universities cover all disciplines
and trains students for research. Universities offer Undergraduate
courses: the Bachelor's degree (License), a 6 semester
program and Post-graduate courses. The Masters program
in sciences may or may not require the GRE scores. Similarly
only a few top business schools require the GMAT scores.
The INSEAD B-school in France is of great repute and is
among the top 10 B-schools in the world.
Grandes Ecoles (competitive institutes) :
These distinguished and meritorious schools prepare students
for specific goals in the fields of engineering or business
management.
There are about 300 Grandes Ecoles in France. The Grandes
Ecoles take in a lower number of students after a rigorous
selection process and offer courses that specializes students
in areas that have direct career applicability. These
can be either Public or Private institutions.
Advanced studies centers :
There are a large number of advanced centers offering
specialization in various other fields than engineering
or business management like architecture, agriculture,
public administration, etc.
Admission to all the above institutions is on merit and
the numbers of enrolments are limited.
For international students, admission is subject to the
recognition of qualifications by the concerned institution.
Admission Requirements for MBA in France
Successful completion of an Honors B.A. or equivalent
or a 3 -or 4- year foreign undergraduate degree or successful
completion of a four year French University Degree or
equivalent, some professional experience is required.
English proficiency, as demonstrated by a TOEFL score
of 213 (previously 550) or equivalent. Applicants who
use English as their primary language at work may also
apply for a TOEFL/TOIEC waiver.
GMAT above 550 average 610 (or TAGE/MAGE, a French equivalent
to the GMAT)
In order to benefit from the full range of course offerings,
proficiency in French is highly recommended.
Process of Enrollment in French Institute of Higher
Education :
The academic year in France starts in September or October.
Some institutions may also enroll students for spring,
summer or winter semesters as well. You can ask for application
forms from the universities or from the French Embassy
in Delhi between November 15 and January 15. The completed
application forms along with all attachments must reach
the university by 1st February.
Enrollment is a three-step process :
Obtaining an Offer of Admission
Obtaining an offer of admission from a French institution.
The offer of admission is a precondition for obtaining
a visa to enter France.
Administrative Registration
Upon arriving in France, students must report to their
new institution and pay tuition and fees for the coming
year. The student receives proof of enrollment and a student
ID card, which he or she will need to obtain a residency
permit.
Academic Registration
Following administrative registration, the student is
invited to visit his new academic department to register
for specific classes at specific times and to be briefed
on examination procedures. No additional charges are assessed
for academic registration. This step completes the admission
process.
Cost of Education :
Tuition Fee
Tuition fees at universities are very nominal and can
vary between FF 800 to FF 4500 per annum. At the Grandes
Ecoles the fee ranges between FF 25000 to FF 100000 per
annum.
Living Expenses
- Accommodation - FF 800 to FF 2500 per month
- Food - FF 850 to FF 1000 at university restaurants per
month
- Health care - FF 2500 to FF 5000 per year
- Miscellaneous (transportation and leisure) - FF 500
per month
The above costs are indicative and can vary from person
to person and between universities.
Part-time work during study
You can work for up to 20 hours a week against a permission
to do so.
Scholarships & Financial Aid :
Scholarships from the Ministry of Foreign & European
Affairs
Regardless of their country of residence and the type
of scholarship for which they are applying, candidates
must contact, at least one year before their intended
departure, the cultural and cooperative service of the
French embassy in their country of residence.
www.diplomatie.gouv.fr
> Services et formulaires > Espace étudiants
> Etudier en France > Financer le projet
Scholarships from France’s Embassies Abroad
- Study Grants
Study grants (bourses d’études) are designed
for students intending to enroll in and complete a regular
degree program offered by a French institution of higher
education.
- Internship Grants
Internship grants (bourses de stage) are designed to support
stays of 3–12 months during which the applicant
intends to enroll in a short course—a refresher
course, for example, or a course of specialized study—related
to his or her work. Such grants may also be used for short-term
language study or for three-month pedagogical internships
in programs approved by the Ministry of National Education.
- Advanced Scientific Grands
Grants for high-level scientific activity (bourses de
séjour scientifique de haut niveau) are available
for stays of 1–3 months. They are awarded within
the context of a cultural, technical, or industrial program
of high-level research or exchange.
Scholarships from the Ministry of Higher Education & Research
Depending on their nationality and status, some international
students may be eligible for travel grants, social-criteria
grants, and financial aid for doctoral study (research
grants).
www.cnous.fr,
www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr
Financial Aid from European Programs – Eramus
Launched in 1987, the Erasmus program provides mobility
grants to students from the member countries of the European
Union.
www.europe-education-formation.fr
To summarize,
140,000 international students study in France every year.
The President or Director off the university along with
the Education Committee decides on eligibility of
admissions.
It is recommended that a prospective student completes
a crash course offered by 15 Alliances Franchises
in India or intensive course in French
at the University.
Many Universities offer a 1 year MBA degree / diploma.
Duration of Engg, Civil services etc. varies from 3
to 5 years.
Grand Ecoles are very selective and are highly competitive
institutes.
Any student who has completed the secondary school diploma
may qualify in the state universities.
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