France is well known for its Francophone universities with wide facilities that attract international students. With more than 280,000 international students making up 12,3% of total postsecondary enrollments, France remains the fourth-most-popular destination for internationally mobile students after the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia

2-France owes its economic success to its research capacity and to its achievements in the fields of bio- and nanotechnologies, mathematics, physics, medicine, and health, as well as sociology, law, archaeology…

3- Be a part of one of the world’s most effective educational systems 4- France’s universities and other educational institutions do not distinguish between international students and French students. Both groups face identical admission and tuition requirements; both receive the same degrees.

Degrees : The degrees awarded in French higher education reflect a common European architecture. The LMD system—for Licence (bachelor), Master, and Doctorate—is based on the number of semesters completed after leaving secondary school and their equivalent in European credits under the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)*:

• The universities confer “national diplomas,” which have the same weight regardless of the institution that confers them. • The Titre d’ingénieur is a national diploma. The schools that award it are accredited by CTI, the French national commission on engineering degrees.

• A similar accreditation procedure exists for government-recognized schools of business and management, the diplomas of which are approved by the French state and, in many cases, have received international recognition or accreditation.

• France’s schools of art and specialized schools also undergo national certification. • Licence = 6 semesters = 180 ECTS (Baccalauréat or equivalent + 3 years) • Master = 10 semesters = 300 ECTS (Baccalauréat or equivalent + 5 years)

• Doctorate = 16 semesters (Baccalauréat or equivalent + 8 years)

Studying in France also means living in France and discovering the distinctive French way of life

2-Students enjoy special advantages in France that make life more enjoyable An extensive system of discounts, assistance, and special facilities allows students to stretch a relatively modest budget to cover basic needs—and to enjoy life in France. Benefits include a network of student restaurants, university housing, rent subsidies, health insurance, student clubs and associations, and discounts on public transportation, movies, museums, libraries, and sporting events.

3- Sports and cultural activities More than 2,000 cinemas, 1,200 museums, and 33,000 theatrical performances attest to the vitality of everyday cultural life in Paris and throughout France. Festivals of music, song, and dance; athletic events; and celebrations of books, food, and science round out the cultural life for which France is rightly famous.

4- Students enjoy discounts and special subscription prices at all cultural events. Student status also makes it easy to stay active in sports through discounted access to athletic facilities. Rare is the campus that does not host a wide range athletic clubs, associations, and leagues. Many universities and schools are located in city centers, offering easy access to the rich social and cultural life of France’s lively cities. Museums, bookstores, theaters, and cafés are never very far away.

5- Helpful briefs on coming to France This set of briefs sets out in practical detail everything the student needs to know about travel arrangements and arriving in France. Organized chronologically (“A month before departure,” “A week before departure,” “Upon arrival,” “Your first week,” and so on), the briefs help students prepare in a practical way for their departure, to prioritize their first steps, to identify urgent tasks, and, in so doing, to ensure a smooth arrival in France.

6- Enjoy French culture shock An A to Z Handbook for Student and Daily Life in France This pocket guide in French and English, organized like a dictionary in which the entries are color coded by theme (culture, academic life, health …), enables the user to quickly find expressions, acronyms, and various features of daily life as a student in France. Upon return, the guide will be a souvenir of the student’s experience in France.

Students from the member countries of the European Economic Space (plus Switzerland) may work freely and without restriction while studying in France. As long as they do not neglect their academic work, they may combine employment with scholarships or other financial assistance

2-international students to work under the following conditions: A residency permit (VLS-TS, validated by OFII, or a residency permit in addition to a visa) marked “student” entitles the student to accept paid employment for up to 60% of the legally defined work year (or 964 hours per year), without prior administrative authorization. The time that students spend in internships connected with their academic program (and covered by a written internship agreement) are not counted toward the maximum allowable working hours, even if the student is compensated during the internship. The minimum gross hourly wage, set by law, is €9,40. Withholding reduces the worker’s net wage by about 20%.

3-Working at a public institution of higher education International students are eligible for student jobs at universities and other public institutions of higher education. Students are hired to provide the following services: assisting incoming students; helping disabled students; providing tutoring; providing IT support and assistance; coordinating and staffing cultural, athletic, and social events workingin the career center; and supporting their institution’s promotional efforts. Student employment contracts are offered for a period not to exceed 12 months. They run from September 1 through August 31. Students may work up to 670 hours between September 1 and June 30, and up to 300 hours between July 1 and August 31.

4-After graduation

• International students holding a degree equivalent to a master or above International students who have earned a degree that is equivalent to a European master or above may seek authorization to reside in France from 6 months to 1 year after the expiration of their student residency permit. This authorization, which is not renewable, allows the graduate to work for up to 60% of the legal work week. If the employment contract is related to the subject of the graduate’s degree program and if it provides compensation that is equal to or greater than 150% of the minimum wage, the prospective employee may apply to the local prefecture for change of status from student to employee. Once authorization is granted (it is not granted automatically), the individual may begin working full time.

• Other students Accepting an offer of employment from a French firm after graduation implies a change in status (from student to employee). Graduates apply for the change by submitting their employment contract or offer of employment