Along with having a liberal government, a good standard of living, security, and a stunning landscape, France is well known for its outstanding international education system. International students can experience a completely new culture while residing in a safe nation.
On a global scale, France is a country that raises higher education to an exceptional level. The majority of universities in France provide excellent scholarships to students from abroad. French universities provide a wide range of outstanding English-taught programs in a number of specialties.
The French educational system is divided into three basic parts. They are Primary school, Secondary school, and high school and Higher education.
History of Education in France
The educational system in France has a long and complicated history. We have to look back to the Roman Empire to know the history of French education. In France, there were some small schools where working-class children of both genders enrolled to have better knowledge of religion.
However, mainstream schooling and education were seen continuously in some southern French towns, from the later Roman empire till the early Middle Ages. Later, during various revelations and developments, the educational system in France was updated and restructured. The history of Education in France is highlighted below:
Roman Empire
Before the Roman empire, education in Gaul was famous and it was like a domestic task. Later on, patricians in France established Latin schools.
Middle Ages
Charlemagne, a medieval emperor, influenced and developed the education sector immensely. He is also known as the father of education in France. He established schools and a number of scriptoria which are the centers for book-copying and monastic institutions in France between 742/743–814.
Since the eighth century, church schools have grown.One of the first institutions in Europe was the University of Paris, which may have been founded in the early 1150.From the 12th century onward, universities were formally founded.
Early Modern Era
Several Catholic organizations founded institutions in the early modern era. Universities in France expanded concurrently. According to Louis the Great or the Sun King of France in 1698, parents were ordered to send their children to village schools until they turned 14 years old.
French Revolution
The French Revolution brought a significant change in the history of education. The levels of literacy and education rose high during the course of the 18th century. People were seen as interested in reading newspapers and journals. In the middle of the 18th century. Places like reading groups, coffee shops, and Masonic lodges increased. Debate and discussion forums were also built and increased during that time period. Four categories; law, medicine, sciences, and humanities were introduced at the University of Paris. Later, there were many developments seen in the history of education in France in the late 18th century.
The 18th century was a milestone for education. After almost a decade of closures, in 1802 the main secondary education establishments were. French, Latin, ancient languages, history, rhetoric, logic, music, mathematics, and physical sciences were introduced during that era.
French Educational Growth in the 19th Century
In the 19th century, France’s educational sector saw noticeable growth. The highest growth rate was seen in the schooling system. The quality of study and teaching was improvised. In late 1800, secondary education for girls came to light. At the end of the 1890’s there some 36 institutions were built. Later, in the early 1900s, secondary education became free and made more accessible to the working class.
20th Century
Different primary schooling, and vocational schools were introduced and improvised all over France. Child, science, and society were the three factors that influenced 20th-century education in France.
Level of Education in France
In France, there are various divisions within the highly centralized system of education. The French educational system is divided into three basic parts. They are Primary school, Secondary school, and high school and Higher education. Besides the three important levels of education in France, pre-schooling is available for children between the ages of two or three and six to prepare them for the primary level of schooling. In France, compulsory education starts at age six. Younger children of ages 6 to 7 concentrate on learning the French language and mathematics.
Primary Schooling in France
Children aged six to ten or eleven in France attend elementary or primary schooling. Here, they must finish their five years of education. In the early stage of primary education, children learn some fundamental knowledge in areas like the French language, mathematics, physics, and the arts, to mention a few, as well as writing and reading skills. There are both public and private primary schooling in France. Students stay in elementary school until they are 10 or 11 years old. The grades are known as the followings:
- CP (Cours préparatoire) – Ages 6 to 7
- CE1 (Cours élémentaire 1) – Ages 7 to 8
- CE2 (Cours élémentaire 2) – Ages 8 to 9
- CM1 (Cours moyen 1) – Ages 9 to 10
- CM2 (Cours moyen 2) – Ages 10 to 11
Secondary Schooling in France
Secondary schooling in France is the most important part in the education system of the country. There are both public and private secondary schooling in France. Secondary schooling is compulsory in France. There are middle and high secondary schooling in France. By law, all children have to go to school until they are 16. Between the ages of 11 and 15, students in France attend a middle school (collège).
The vast majority of students stay in school beyond this, continuing their education until the age of 18. Students spend the last three years of secondary education at a high school (lycée). There are three types of lycée in secondary schooling in France. Children in the first four years of secondary education, from the ages of 11 to 14, attend middle school.
Children between the ages of 15 to 18 can attend a high school that offers a three-year course of further secondary education.
Higher Education in France
France’s higher education is recognized worldwide. Numerous excellent English-taught programs are offered by French Universities in a variety of specialties. The majority of students have nothing but positive things to say about the academic staff and the services provided by top universities in France.
Higher studies in France have 3 levels; Bachelor, Master, and Doctorate degrees. The student uprisings of May 1968 altered higher education in France. 1.65 million students will be enrolled in higher education institutions in France in 2021. Among them, 61% of the students enrolled for Bachelor’s, 35% for Master’s, and 4% for Doctorate.
Language in France
You must know how to speak French or English fluently in order to enroll in a course in France. If you’re not a natural speaker or a graduate of an English or French-speaking program, you must provide an official language certificate as proof.
International students in France
A significant number of foreign students are drawn to France for its excellent educational system at all levels. France is among one the top five educational systems in the world. The idea of studying abroad has gained popularity since the Covid-19 pandemic ended. One of the finest options if you wish to pursue higher education overseas is France. The number of international students is growing in France.
In France, there are approximately more than 3 million students enrolled in higher education. According to recent research, the number of international students registered in France increased by 8% in 2021–2022 and surpassed approximately 400,000 which is the greatest rise in 15 years of France.
Most Popular Universities in France
France is home to 18 of the top 500 universities worldwide. Moreover, in the QS World University Rankings, France scores among the top 30. There are so many well-reputed universities in France. If you are an international student looking for a university to further your study, France can be a fantastic choice. The top universities in France have listed down below with the rankings:
| University Names | Location in France | QS Ranking (2023) | Global Score (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Université PSL (PSL Research University) | Paris | 26 | 83.8 |
| Institut Polytechnique de Paris (The Polytechnic Institute of Paris) | Palaiseau Cedex | 48 | 76.8 |
| Sorbonne University | Paris | 60 | 70.1 |
| Universit Paris-Saclay | Gif-sur-Yvette | 69 | 68.1 |
| École Normale Supérieure de Lyon | Lyon | 111 | 56.6 |
| Ecole des Ponts ParisTech | Paris | 174 | 46.5 |
| Université Paris Cité | Paris | 248 | 38.7 |
| Sciences Po | Paris | 259 | 38 |
| Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne | Paris | 300 | 35.2 |
| Université Grenoble Alpes | Grenoble | =317 | 33.8 |
Most popular programs in France
| Popular programs | Available in | Approximate Cost (Yearly) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Finance, MBA |
|
$30,000 and above |
| Engineering, Marine Engineering, Computer Science Engineering, Civil Engineering |
|
$30,000 and above |
| Linguistics |
|
$30,000 to $50,000 |
| Medicine |
|
$40,000 to $127962.00 |
| International Relations |
|
$40,420 to $90,175 |
| Culinary Studies |
|
$13,862.55 to $20,000 |
Online Education in France
Online education system is always low in terms of tuition fees. Time flexibility is another advantage of distance learning. France offers distance learning for higher education and it is popular amongst international students. It is one of the best options if you are thinking of a good degree without expending a lot of money.
There are so many valuable short and long courses available in France for distance learning. The notion of distance learning has increased vastly after the global Coronavirus outbreak. The top universities that offer distance learning are listed below:
- ESSCA (Online Campus)
- ENACO (Online Campus)
- Management School ESSCA. Location: Paris.
- IESA – School of Arts and Culture. Location: Paris.
- Institut Français de la Mode. Location: Paris.
- FUN France Université Numérique. Location: Paris.
- Collège Royal. Location: Marcelin Berthelot.
Best Areas for International Students in France
Are you looking for France to study abroad? You will definitely experience a highly cosmopolitan setting and study at renowned universities with top-notch academic programs along with the best city life and wonderful scenery in France.
You might start by looking at a list of France’s top universities according to the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Have a look at the list of the best student cities in France below:
- Paris
- Grenoble
- Nice
- Lyon
- Bordeaux
- Aix-en-Provence
- Montpellier
- Rennes
- Lille
- Nantes
FAQs
What are the best programs in France?
Fashion design, hospitality, Culinary Studies, MBA, and data analytics are some of the most popular courses in France.
Is there free online education in France?
The majority of online education in France has a tuition fee.
Which French city is the best for international students?
Paris, Grenoble, and Lyon are the top places for international students in France.
Which industry in France is the greatest for PR?
Engineering, Computer science, Data analysis, Business, and Culinary sides are top-notch in France.
Which French city is the best for earning?
French cities have a diverse history. Lille is the best for jobs and owning properties whereas Paris is well known for its beauty, culture and good lifestyle. Montpellier, located in the South of France is popular for its affordable livelihood.
Conclusion
France offers some of the best student cities in the world because they seamlessly blend top-notch instruction with fantastic activities and offer a generally secure life.
There are many benefits for anyone choosing to study in France, including access to some of the best and most renowned universities in the world and comparatively low tuition and living expenses.
The standard of education in France is consistently rising and improving. This is the main cause of the rise in applicants to French Universities.
For further details, please read our article “Study in France with Scholarship”. If you have any inquiries about the educational system in French, you are welcome to leave a comment below.
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