Study in France

                                                      STUDY IN FRANCE

General Information
France is one of the most world’s most popular study destinations, attracting 6.3% of the 4.1 million students studying abroad in 2010 (the last year for which figures are available). 

Perhaps your personal image of France involves its proud intellectual and artistic heritage. This is the nation, after all, which produced thinkers such as René Descartes and Jean-Paul Sartre, authors like Marcel Proust and Albert Camus, filmmakers like Jean-Luc Godard and Jean Renoir, and artists like Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne. On top of these names we can add a whole host of scientists, mathematicians and other researchers, whose names are slightly less familiar, but whose achievements are no less spectacular for it. A total of 49 Nobel laureates places France fourth in the world.

Admission/Entry/Visa requirements

One major benefit which students studying in France will enjoy is the country’s fee system. For the majority of courses at most universities you’ll have to pay only EU€177 (around US$230) a year for a bachelor’s degree (there are exceptions – engineering courses tend to cost more for example). If this sounds too good to be true it is because, in a way, it is: French universities tend to levy additional administrative charges which are known to bring the price up considerably. That said, the final figure is still likely to be far lower than you would pay in a comparable destination.

Requirements for a student visa:

Passport signed and valid for a period of three months beyond the applicant's last day of stay in France.

The visa application forms signed and legibly filled out (consult your consulate for the number of copies received, and do note that you cannot make a copy of your application. Each application received must be filled out individually). Please print in black. Indicate your phone numbers and e-mail. Indicate the dates of stay.

A passport size photograph glued on each form. (Always have extra photos on hand just in case).

A proof of resident status in the US for non US citizens.

Prepaid self-adressed envelope if you apply by mail. Only Express mail, Priority mail, certified mail (a registered mail) will be accepted, if not the personal appearance will be required. Note that the personal appearance is the basic rule. (Assume you will need to make a personal appearance!)

"Student" visa fee: payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard) (especially for files sent by mail) or money-order made out to "Consulate general of France" or certified checks. Cash is accepted only if you apply in person. Do not assume you can pay by check.