Top reasons to come and study in France

03 Apr 2023

Top reasons to come and study in France

In today's global economy, experience abroad is almost a prerequisite for all students. With this in mind we ask, what are the top reasons to study in France? Beyond the "French art de vivre", which alone justifies a stay in our country, there are other more pragmatic reasons that make France a wise choice for those who wish to build a strong international profile.

 A hub for international students

France is a hub for international students, with huge numbers of them coming to France each year, with that number ever rising! According to , as of 2020/2021, over 370,000 people visited France to enrol in courses at French educational institutions, a huge leap over 2017/18’s 325,000.

As a country, we are also keen to help our students live and work in France both during and after their studies, with a total of 59,990 student visas offered since 2018.

According to 2020–2021 data, business schools like ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ have been incredibly popular, with over 46,120 students enrolling in them, ranking 2nd behind French Universities. Across educational institutions, over 124,666 international students pursued a Bachelor’s degree, and 101,949 international students pursued a Master’s degree across France.

also provides a great influx of international students, with France taking second place for Erasmus+ student mobility behind Spain.

Campus France also shows that as of 2022, France is ranked 7th in hosting international students across the entire world. At ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ, we are proud to host a total of 3162 international students across both our Paris and Nice campuses.

The French art de vivre

Whether it is the richness of its heritage, the incredible food or simply the diversity of the landscapes, there are many good reasons to study and stay in France. Some may also cite the French spirit when describing French learning and culture, which is made up of a healthy mix of hedonism, aspiration to open-mindedness and universality, and a taste for debate!

 

Study in Paris - The city of light

As one of Europe's leading metropolitan hotspots and romantic cities, Paris creates dreamers all over the world through its architectural treasures, vibrant culture, luxury and fashion, and of course its small neighbourhood bistros! So many facets of the City of Light have inspired painters, filmmakers and writers from all over the world.

Alongside these points, Paris also has an incredible nightlife for students to enjoy, with incredible French food and drink to help you relax after a long day of studying! Of course, Paris’s learning resources are also second to none!

To learn more about our Paris learning resources, be sure to view our Paris campuses page today.

 

Study in Nice - The Côte d'Azur

After Paris, it is undoubtedly Nice, in the Côte d'Azur that fascinates foreigners the most. This stunning part of France is well known for its breathtaking landscapes, old villages, majestic hotels, colourful markets and year-round sunshine! The Côte d'Azur culture is not to be outdone, with numerous festivals, including the Cannes festival (the most publicised non-sporting event in the world) and an extremely varied range of museums. As for sport, the possibilities are numerous: golf, tennis, boating or even skiing resorts are each less than an hour away from Nice by car.

Alongside the beautiful shorelines and stunning sunsets, international students will also enjoy Nice’s dedication to education, with a number of education institutions in the city alongside ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµâ€™s popular Nice Campus, which is nestled perfectly between sea and mountains.

Economic and financial power

However, tourism is not the main reason for studying abroad, and the opportunities offered by the host country are probably more important to students who choose to move abroad. France is not lacking in this regard!

France has the 7th largest economy in the world, as well as the third-largest economy in Europe. It also boasts an efficient and effective transport system, world-class banking groups, and leading insurance, agri-food, health and retail sectors. With all of this together, it is clear to see the wide range of opportunities that France presents.

In addition, the government has shown that it supports and promotes the creation of companies in the IT sector, thanks to massive support measures for start-ups with accreditations awarded by .

France offers a range of opportunities across a number of sectors, like manufacturing, energy, tourism, agriculture, transport and technology.

Each of these sectors play a large part in making the French economy one of the most powerful in the world, with students from French Universities and business schools finding their place in challenging and fulfilling job roles like marketing, management and consulting within those sectors.

Upon graduation, students could also find themselves placed in one of many of the top multinational companies, all headquartered in France. These include the likes of

For more information on some of France’s largest companies, has a range of data that may be useful.

Students who are interested in Artificial Intelligence should also be aware that France is currently ranked as the top 13th country on the readiness for Frontier Technologies Index. This means that as a country, France is very well positioned to manoeuvre into the Artificial Intelligence and machine learning spaces, and this is clear through the .

Explore France and Europe as a student

A major benefit of moving to France as an international student is the options it provides for exploration, both in and outside its many Bachelors and Master programmes.

 

Visit other Universities and take part in internships

Studying in France offers students the incredible opportunity to learn and work across a range of countries.

Students taking part in Bachelors or Grand École programmes will be able to spend a great deal of time travelling while learning. Both provide opportunities to spend time at one of our many partner universities across the world, with students on the 3rd year of the Grand École Programme - Main track(French taught courses) and American track (English taught courses) spending an entire year away.

Of course, both programmes offer internship prospects too. Internships put every student in the position to learn while on the job, and thanks to ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµâ€™s business partnerships, many students will find internships in global businesses, with great ambitions and challenges to face.

Enjoy visiting our European neighbours

In between studying, students will enjoy being able to visit so many of our European neighbours, with countries like Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg, Monaco and Andorra.

Having access to so many incredible places is easily one of the top reasons that people come to study in France, and they offer an even greater opportunity to learn new languages and cultures.

Courses in French and English

Courses are available across many educational institutions in both French and English, two languages that are spoken by millions across the world. This combination of languages makes studying in France very accessible, and allows many more students to garner the benefits of a French education.

At ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ, we host a wide range of programmes in English, including our Grand École and Grand École American Track, our Dual Degree in Management and Engineering, our BBA France and UK, our MBA, and our Doctorate in Business Administration or our MSc Online.

We also offer advice to all students who want to learn French, so they can better enjoy the French lifestyle and culture that France and Nice have to offer!

Don’t forget, too, that French is the 7th most spoken business language in the world, ideal for bridging the gap between France and the 29 other countries that have French as their official language.

A high standard of education

France has long been home to world-renowned institutions in various fields: the , the , and , to name but a few. But above all, it is the density of the education on offer that attracts more than 300,000 foreign students every year.

In addition to the classic generalist courses, there are a multitude of specialised courses in all fields, allowing each student to build the path that suits them.

 

France’s top programmes and courses

There are a range of programmes and courses that France is very well known for:

  • Business and Management - France has a great number of Business and Management Schools like ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ, that offer a range of courses to help you find a successful career in business administration and related fields.
  • Engineering: Engineering programs in France are considered world-class, with universities like the , and taking the top spots in France in the .
  • Hospitality and Tourism - As one of the most-visited destinations in the world, France excels in hospitality and tourism fields, offered by schools like and .
  • Humanities and Art - France has a rich history, and has produced world-leading thinkers and artists throughout that history. Look to universities and schools like the , and , the top 3 universities for Art and Humanities in France, according to .
  • Fashion and Design - When people think of France, they often think fashion! France has set the trend in a number of ways, with fashion ranking highly within those ways. If you’d like to find a successful career in fashion, look no further than the likes of , , or ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµâ€™s own MBA in Fashion Management.

 

Scholarships and Finances

Alongside an incredibly high standard of education, France also boasts incredibly attractive tuition rates, with financial aids and scholarships to help students find their feet, including:

  • The CROUS Scholarship - A grant based on family income for under 28-year-olds.
  • Merit-based aid from the National Education - For students with a scholarship who achieved the Très Bien in the baccalauréat.
  • ERASMUS+ Grant - Financial aid for students who are studying or taking an internship abroad in countries in the EU, as well as Turkey, Iceland, Norway, Macedonia and Liechtenstein.
  • PRAME grants - This regional grant is offered to help cover part of the cost of staying abroad.

 

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ specific scholarships:

  • Excellence Scholarship - 50% off tuition fees for the first year for all students who passed baccalaureate with the highest honours, and students on state scholarships who pass the baccalaureate with honours.
  • Merit Scholarship - Lower tuition fees are awarded to the best students in each class for excellent results.
  • Family Scholarship - A 25% discount on annual tuition fees for those with siblings enrolled at ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ.
  • Alumni Scholarship - A 10% discount on tuition fees for those whose parents are graduates of ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ.
  • ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ Scholarship - Means-tested and academic results based scholarships for Grand École Programme, Bachelor and BTS students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is France famous for students?

Alongside offering world-renowned universities and business schools, France is well known for the students it produces, with many moving onto successful careers. France is also well-known for the diverse range of students it produces, with international learners coming from all around the world for a French education.

 

Why choose Paris for study?

Paris is one of the most romantic cities in the world, and plays host to some of France’s greatest food, drink, and culture. It also has a rich history of education, with some of the greatest minds in the world studying around the corner from our very own campuses.

 

Why choose Nice for study?

Nice is a stunning location that balances bustling city living with coastal relaxation. Alongside its coastline which attracts tourists from all over the world, Nice also hosts one of the most beautiful architecture in France. Nice also boasts a rich and vibrant history that culture lovers will greatly appreciate. Perhaps most importantly to some, Nice also offers a fantastic range of career opportunities, with a host of corporate and technological parks in and around the city.

 

How is the student life in France?

Student life in France is considered excellent, with some of the highest rated universities and business schools in the world. On top of great places to learn, France is also well known for its relaxed culture of cafés and fine dining, with !

It’s not all relaxing though, France also offers some of the best nightlife across Europe. Be sure to view the , who organise exciting nights out for international students.

Enrol with ¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ today

¾ÅÉ«ÊÓÆµ is one of France’s leading business schools, and offers a host of courses to help you take that next step in your professional career. If you would like to enrol in one of our specialised programmes, download a brochure, or search for your course today through our course finder.

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