Student Mecca of Europe
For international students, the French capital is a key city, where, according to the world ranking of universities, there are one and a half dozen higher education institutions with high rating indicators. It is also important that for international students the cost of studying in Paris is significantly lower than in universities in North America, Australia or Great Britain.
Located in the heart of Europe, Paris is a city of ten million people with a rich historical and cultural tradition that has educated many famous mathematicians, theologians, philosophers and natural scientists. This means that graduates of Parisian universities are in the sights of the most important European employers. International students at Paris universities are attracted not only by the advantages of small-group, intensive teaching methods, but also by the opportunity to interact with many world-renowned scientists and learn from their knowledge and experience.
The importance of such factors is also not insignificant:
- The French capital provides students with discounts for visiting many museums and theaters, for travel in well-established public transport;
- every student in Paris receives financial support from the government, including a subsidy for living expenses;
- The Bibliothèque Nationale de Paris is one of the most important libraries in the world and the largest library in France.
In addition, Paris is rightfully considered one of the fashion capitals of the world. It is home to reputable design and fashion schools, and the capital’s universities are home to many artistic, cinematic and literary movements that have become iconic in European and world culture.
The most famous and prestigious universities
Almost each of the prestigious higher educational institutions of Paris has its own centuries-old history. And today the leading positions in terms of efficiency and quality of the educational process are occupied by such “grands” as Sorbonne, Dauphine and Paris Descartes universities. The famous Sorbonne, founded in 1215, has rich student traditions and is inextricably linked with the names of famous graduates who advanced the world science. In 1970, the Sorbonne was transformed into thirteen independent universities scattered in different districts, districts and suburbs of Paris, but each of them is characterized by a consistently high level of teaching.
Thus, Panthéon Sorbonne University or Paris-1, which has about 40,000 students, includes in its structure the institutes of tourism and social development, labor issues, and demography of Paris. The university gives prestigious education in the field of mathematics, computer science and economics, history and philosophy, law, social and political sciences, administration and management, as well as international relations. The University of New Sorbonne (Paris-3), which has 20,000 students, specializes in such humanitarian directions as film and theater studies, oriental studies, linguistics, including Latin and French languages. The University of Paris 4 also specializes in language studies, with an emphasis on Romanian, Italian, English, Latin and Greek. There are also faculties of French language and literature, archaeology, musicology, history, art history, philosophy, and geography. At the university there are institutes of religious studies, physical education and sports, there is a research institute of modern Western civilizations, as well as a higher school of computer science. Speaking of Parisian universities, it is impossible not to mention the University of Descartes, which specializes in medical education, and in addition has faculties of informatics, law and psychology. Another prestigious university, spun off from Sorbonne, is Dauphine University, whose main campus is located near the Bois de Boulogne Forest. It is one of the best educational institutions in Europe, providing higher education in sixty fields of economics and management.
With more than 7,500 students, Dauphin University is also home to the Center for Mathematical Research and the Institute of Finance, which conducts research in management theory, data analysis, finance and economics. Special attention is also paid to the development of research in management and computer science and applied mathematics.
It is noteworthy that there is no official distinction between higher education institutions in France, as all programs of public education fully comply with the established standards. For example, after completely free education in Collège de France, no diploma is issued, but “le Collège de France” is deservedly considered one of the most promising universities with an excellent level of teaching. Another striking example of getting a decent education in Paris can be called “Higher Normal School”, founded in 1794 by the National Convention, and today is considered one of the most prestigious universities in France. This educational institution trains specialists in the field of humanities and social sciences, distinguished by a strict selection of applicants. A rather unusual, but prestigious option for choosing a university can be called “École Polytechnique” – which, in fact, is a higher engineering military school, founded in 1794. Therefore, French students spend the first six months in the army, and there are three types of studies for foreigners:
- One-year exchange training program;
- Master’s program, designed for 2 years;
- A four-year engineering program leading to a full Ecol Polytechnic diploma and an engineering degree.
In addition, under the auspices of the School, internships are available in its many laboratories. Scholarships from the Ministry of Defense, the Eifel Scholarship, which allows students to pay for up to two years of study, and many others are available to students.
It’s important!
As for other international students, Russians are required to have a bachelor’s degree, which in the Russian Federation corresponds to a high school diploma, in order to be admitted to the first stage of study at any of the Paris universities. In addition to the exams, prospective students may be asked to provide a notarized translation of the standard package of documents for admission abroad, including references, CVs and motivation letters. Also required:
- a certificate confirming knowledge of French at a level that allows for fluent learning;
- birth certificate;
- Statement;
- a copy of the certificate;
- training grades for the past two years.
It is not difficult to apply, but it is better to prepare in advance. Do not overlook the fact that the French Embassy has an organization called Campus France that can help you find a scholarship.
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