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France: Destination Guides - Must read

Why study in France?

Looking for reasons to study in France? We have plenty. Read on to learn why the nation is such a popular destination for international students.

The Eiffel Tower stands tall over green trees and small cruiser boats on the Seine river beneath blue skies in Paris

Famed for its rich history, beautiful sights and sophisticated way of life, France is one of the most popular study destinations in the world. Thousands of international students flock there each year in search of la belle vie (the beautiful way of life). If the food, wine, museums and cafe culture haven’t enticed you already, read on for even more reasons why studying in France could be right for you.

 

Academic reputation

The French are passionate about higher education and invest heavily in research, meaning that their universities consistently perform well in global university rankings. Four of them feature in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings, which is a number exceeded by no other country in mainland Europe.

 

The nation's top two institutions, PSL University and the Polytechnic Institute of Paris, are world-famous, ranking 24th and 38th respectively. Additionally, France's business schools have gained a reputation worldwide for quality education and a competitive outlook. The country's institutions are also highly regarded for humanities and arts subjects.

 

The rich culture

Living in France means soaking up culture, whether that be munching on macarons in a side street in Lille, delving into classic literature in an old Paris bookshop, or wine tasting on the French Riviera. The beauty of France is that traditional and contemporary cultures live side by side. You could spend your Saturday afternoon ambling through an art gallery and end up at an exciting live concert in the evening.

 

Whether listening to David Guetta and Daft Punk is your style, or you're a fan of the old greats like Debussy, France is home to all kinds of epic music, so you're bound to find something you love. Plus, when you're hungry, you'll have the opportunity to try the famous French cuisine. Paris alone boasts well over 100 Michelin-starred restaurants!

 

Becoming fluent in French

Let’s be honest: who wouldn’t want to be fluent in French? It's the language of love, diplomacy and sophistication. Even if your degree is taught in English, living and studying in France offers the perfect opportunity to sharpen up your French language skills. After all, many people argue that you can only truly perfect a language when you live in a country where it is spoken.

 

In France, you'll be immersed in the language every day. You will order food in French, listen to French radio, watch French television and films, and communicate with your friends and peers in French. With the help of some language classes for the grammar, becoming fluent could be a breeze. Getting to that point would not only be a great personal achievement, but also an impressive thing to tell family, friends and employers about in future.


Affordable education

The cost of higher education in France is quite reasonable compared to other popular study destinations such as the UK and the USA. If you’re from the EU, you won’t be required to pay higher tuition fees than French students.

 

Funding is also available. The French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs offers a large number of grants and scholarships for international students. Nonetheless, it is important to note that the cost of living can be considerably higher than in other European countries. This is particularly true in major cities like Paris, where food and accommodation can be expensive. 

 

Paris

While living in Paris can be costly, it is still widely regarded as one of the greatest cities in the world.

 

As mentioned earlier, Paris is not short of top-class restaurants – but it's not just the fancy places you need to visit. Start your day on a high by ordering a delicious traditional breakfast with mouth-watering pastries. If you're feeling hungry in the afternoon, drop by a crêperie for some classic French pancakes. Feel free to let your sweet tooth get its just desserts. After all, why study in France if you are not going to enjoy its cuisine?

 

Elsewhere, Paris is famous for its marchés (markets) where you can find food, art, antiques and great gifts for your friends and family back home. Similarly, museums and art galleries are great places to walk around. Be sure to check out the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay or the serene Museé Rodin. 


From an education and employment perspective, Paris is also very strong. Recognised for centuries as a centre of innovation, the city is today home to many major multinational businesses. While the job market is competitive, these businesses are always looking out for bright international graduates.


If this article has tempted you to go and study in France, our simple Course Matcher tool will help you find out how you can do it.