Top universities, multiple choices, selective fields, tuition fees…Unravel the complexities of the French system.

I. Universities

Universities are public and, most of the time, not expensive – around 200 euros a year, but recently, students who are not European citizens are required to pay more (around 3500 euros for a Master’s year).

• Teaching is comprehensive but becomes more specific year after year.

• Generally, courses are taught in French, except in some specific fields.

• You can obtain 3 different types of diplomas: a Bachelor’s degree in three years, a Master’s in five years, and a PhD for those who continue.

• Universities offer the possibility to students to choose from a wide range of fields, and attending universities, up to this year, was open to all who hold a High School diploma. Admission has recently been reformed and has become more complicated.

There are 67 universities in France and 1 National Polytechnic Institute (as of January 2018).

As a side-note, you can study law in universities, where admission is not selective and tuition fees are similar to those of other universities (it means that it’s affordable).

II. Short professional education

The DUT (Technological College Diplomas) can be offered by Technological College Institutes (IUT), High Schools or CFA (Centers for Trainees). You study for 2 years before you get your degree.

They enable students to:

– pursue two-year studies in various fields

– pursue supervised studies (contrary to universities)

There are 113 IUT in France where you can study law, social studies, business and administration management, administrative and commercial management of organizations, logistics and transport management, communication, Information Technology (IT), etc.

Students who graduate and obtain a BTS (Superior Technical Degree) often enroll in third year in a university to carry on their studies but it’s not required. It’s quite easy to find a job with a BTS in France.

III. Selective studies

Health studies

Health studies (general medicine, pharmacy, dental surgery, midwifery, physiotherapy) are different and consist of a competitive exam that takes place during or at the end of the first year.

There is a varying number of openings every year for those who take this particular exam, in each region and in each field according to a restricted intake number set by a governmental ordinance.

These kinds of studies are very popular and selective. Chances to pass the exam the first time amount to approximately 20 %.

1. Medicine (études de médecine)

• First Cycle (PCEM): The initial phase spans two years. The first year, known as PASS (Parcours d’Accès Spécifique Santé) or L.AS (Licence avec option Accès Santé), is a preparatory course. Admission to the second year is contingent upon passing a competitive exam at the end of the first year. ​
• Second Cycle (DCEM): This four-year phase involves theoretical studies and clinical rotations.​
• Third Cycle: Students choose between general medicine (three years) or specialized medicine (four to five years). Completion of this cycle, along with a thesis defense, leads to the Doctor of Medicine (MD) diploma. ​

2. Dentistry (études de chirurgie dentaire)

Dental studies in France typically follow a structure similar to medical studies, with an initial cycle focusing on basic sciences, followed by clinical training. Admission often requires passing the PACES exam after the first year. Specific details can vary by institution, so it’s advisable to consult individual universities for precise information.​

3. Midwifery (études de sage-femme)

Midwifery education in France generally begins with the PACES year. After successfully passing the competitive exam, students enter a specialized program in midwifery schools, combining theoretical instruction with practical experience over several years. Specific program structures may vary by institution.​

4. Physiotherapy (études de kiné)

• Preparatory Year: Aspiring physiotherapists start with a preparatory year through PASS or L.AS. ​
• Physiotherapy Training: Following the preparatory year, students undergo four years of training at a Physiotherapy Training Institute (IFMK), encompassing theoretical courses, practical sessions, and clinical internships. ​
• Diploma: Graduates are awarded the State Diploma of Physiotherapist (DEMK), recognized at a master’s level since 2021. ​

General Admission Requirements:

• Educational Background: A high school diploma with strong performance in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics is essential.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in French is mandatory, as courses are primarily taught in French. Applicants may need to provide proof of proficiency through exams like DELF or DALF.
• Additional Documents: Universities may request letters of motivation, letters of recommendation, and relevant experience.

Application Process:

International students typically apply through the Parcoursup platform. Applicants from countries under the « Études en France » procedure must follow specific guidelines outlined by Campus France.

Financial Considerations:

Tuition fees in public universities are relatively low, ranging from €200 to €500 per year. However, additional costs, including living expenses, can amount to €10,000 to €15,000 annually. ​

Veterinary medicine studies

Access to veterinary medicine studies (in French  »veto » is short for veterinary) is very selective.

To be admitted, you need to study for two years in a preparatory veterinary school and take exams. Chances of success in the exam are inferior to 20 %.

The yearly number of places to enter one of the four French veterinary schools is set by an official intake number.

Veterinary education is long (7 to 10 years).

Architectural studies

Access to architectural studies is hard as well.

No exam needs to be taken, but there is a selection according to the students’ profiles and interviews.

There are 20 architectural schools in France, all are public and only one is private. Admission rate is low, around 10 %.

Studies generally last five years, or more if you decide to write a thesis (which is rather rare in this field).

Engineering schools

In France, demand for engineering schools is high.

In general, you access it through an exam after a two-year preparatory school. Job opportunities are good, and account for the students’ interest.

After the exam, you can enter an engineering school according to your rank. The best schools accept the best ranked students. How are schools ranked ? According to rankings published every year, by the magazine l’Etudiant for instance.

The National Polytechnic Institute (“Polytechnique”) is always ahead. You will then find Supélec, and many other schools with daunting abbreviations.

It is important to know that the schools belonging to the INSA group, and some of them are ranked high at the national level, are accessible through a profile selection and not through an exam anymore.

Business schools

There is also high demand for business schools.

To access them, many different possibilities exist. Some business schools are public, others are private and very expensive.

Among the most famous ones, you will find HEC, ESSEC, ESCP Europe, or EM Lyon.

To be admitted, once again, you very often need to attend a preparatory business school and take exams, which are numerous as well (BCE for the best schools, but also Accès Passerelle, Ecricome, Tremplin, Sésame, etc.), and which are the same exams for several schools, most of the time.

These schools are also accessible through parallel admission, meaning at least two years after studying in a university.

The business schools, even the public ones, often charge high tuition fees.

Political science

You can study Political science in French Institutes of Political Studies (IEP in French) or by joining Sciences Po Paris.

The easiest way is to be accepted into an IEP for the first year (it then gets more complicated).

The first-year admission exam is the same for the institutes in Aix-en-Provence, Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Strasbourg and Toulouse.

Success rate is around 10 % and studies last for five years.

Possible job opportunities can be then found in public service, international institutions, banks or finance.

The Louvre School

This school is famous worldwide.

You can enter the Louvre School by taking a test after graduation from High School.

It prepares students to jobs related to heritage and its conservation, or to artistic careers.

Few students choose to take it immediately after High School as the chances are very low – they compete against students from literary preparatory schools or from art schools. The success rate in the exam is less than 20 %.

Here is a graph of the durations of studies for different fields:

Find it on the website of the department of Higher Education  here .

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