The French education system offers an inflexible approach to education; one where the teacher has absolute authority, tough grading and rote learning are the norm, where high academic standards are demanded in reading, writing and arithmetic. The French don't expect children to have 'fun' at school.
Alas, there are disadvantages too. Considerations like the language barrier, cost of living, education fees, separation from family and friends, and the stress of arranging it all cannot be overlooked when deciding: Is studying in Europe worth it for you?
France is one of the best countries to study in. It has the 7th best education system in the world, with 39 institutions ranking among the top universities. Plus, France is frequently rated as the 5th most student-friendly country in Europe.
Financial Aid for Students
Another major reason to study in France is the support offered to international students. There are numerous scholarships available from both governmental and non-governmental organizations. Studying at public universities also means paying negligible tuition costs.
Some of the more popular fields of study for a Bachelor in France are information technology, business, finance, computer science, hospitality, art, fashion design, film, politics, and economics.
If your level of French language is low, it is of course possible to attend French classes in France or your country of origin.
Is it cheaper to study in France? The true cost of higher education in France is the same as in most other countries around Europe and the rest of the world. However, tuition fees are lower for public higher education institutions because the French government subsidises them.
Unless students manage to find a suitable scholarship, it would mean taking huge loans from banks or from other means. Apart from tuition, countries like Netherlands, Sweden, Norway etc. have a high cost of living which means that accommodation and grocery shopping can turn out to be pricey too.
Greece has the worst education system in the 28-member European Union, according to a global league table compiled by the Economist Intelligence Unit for the British publishing firm Pearson which shows Asian countries overtaking Scandinavian nations that have traditionally excelled in this area.
Before choosing to study abroad, one must consider the positive and negative aspects. Negative aspects or disadvantages include high expectations, homesickness, a chance of facing racism, and language barriers.
Overall, the hardest thing about learning French is oral comprehension (listening). This is due to variations in vernacular, the urgency of listening, our brains' resistance to the spoken word, and silent letters.
The French education system aims to help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in any career opportunity. According to the french education system ranking, France is home to 32 QS World University Ranking in 2022 alone.
The French education system consists of three stages: primary education, secondary education, and higher education. Most French elementary and secondary schools, as well as a large number of universities, are public institutions that have highly centralized administrations.
French public universities don't typically charge tuition fees, and Sorbonne University is no exception. This is standard across domestic and international students. However, the university does charge registration fees: 170 euros (bachelor's degree), 243 euros (master's degree) and 380 euros (doctorate degree).
UK is home to top-ranked universities such as Oxford University, University of Cambridge etc and has remained no. 1 choice of students planning to study abroad. Whereas France has also emerged as a popular study abroad destination. France offers quality education, great multicultural study experience.
Average student living costs in France
Paris: between 1,200 and 1,800 EUR/month (sometimes including the accommodation, if you choose to live in a student hall of residence) Nice: between 900 and 1,400 EUR/month. Lyon, Nantes, Bordeaux or Toulouse: between 800 – 1,000 EUR.
Finding a job in Paris can be pretty tough for foreigners who don't speak French. To maximise your shot, you'll need to either learn some French or look to international companies, industries that have labour shortages or industries popular with expats, such as tourism or IT.
Most universities in France, specially the public ones, require the B2 (intermediate) certificate in the "Diplôme d'Etudes en Langue Française - DELF" or the TCF-DAP for international students.
You can survive in France without speaking French. While the majority of French people consider themselves not to have a satisfactory level of English, people working in tourism can almost always speak English. Most young French people are fluent in English to some degree.
Both countries give you the option to work while studying. You can easily offset the fees and living costs while you're studying. In France, you can work up to 964 hours per year. In Germany, you can work for up to 120 full days (40 hours/week) or 240 half days (20 hours/week) per year without any additional permits.
So in short yes you can study abroad even if your grades are not the best, as long as you have the money to pay for tuition fees, living costs and the trip to your place of study.