France
Basic Information about France
Noted as much for its rich culture as for its illustrious scientific achievements, France is unsurprisingly one of the top education destinations for international students. In fact in 2009, France welcomed 270,000 international students that constituted 14% of its student population.
Higher Education System
French degrees are granted by a comprehensive network of higher education institutions and world-famous research centres. This network comprises 87 universities, some 320 "Grandes Ecoles" - uniquely French institutions that cover more than 220 engineering schools and 100 schools of business and management -, 120 public schools of Arts, as well as many specialised schools for specific sectors such as social work, paramedical disciplines, tourism and sports.
The French degrees awarded are based on the European system of Bachelor, Master, and PhD, (called "LMD" system) expressed in credits as defined by the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).
France's 87 public universities cover the entire range of academic disciplines, from the sciences to technology to literature, languages, arts, social sciences, law, economics, management etc. Tuition fees (in fact only registration fees in most institutions) are among the lowest in the world and are kept affordable as public institutions enjoy the financial support of the State. However, the quality of the degree programmes is not compromised by low tuition fees; throughout, high international standards are maintained at all levels. In addition, French and foreign students have equal access to student benefits and face similar admission requirements.
Many study programmes are available in English (Masters and PhDs). Please visit www.campusfrance.org to get the complete and detailed list.
Research in France
An integral part of the French curriculum is the emphasis on hands-on research. More than 300 doctoral programs, in collaboration with about 1,200 research centres and laboratories nationwide, prepare students for careers in their chosen fields. France 's doctoral programmes have traditionally been attended by an international student community. More than 35% of PhD students in France today are foreigners.
France is one of the forerunners of scientific and technological innovation. It owes this standing to its research capacity and its many achievements in such fields as aerospace, transportation, electronics, telecommunications, chemistry, biotechnology, health and mathematics, successes attested to by the number of French winners of the Fields Medals and Nobel Prizes.
Scholarships
Most scholarships are granted in the framework of university or institutional co-operations. Students may then contact the office of International Relations of their respective universities to get more information about the scholarships available.
A complete list of scholarships available for students in Australia offered by the French Government is available on the Embassy's website. Below is a selection of scholarships.
Scholarships offered by the French Embassy in Canberra
Scholarships for Students:
- ‘Baudin' Travel Grants (around 15 grants offered each year)
- Student Scholarships to study French in New-Caledonia (up to 30 scholarships per year)
- Eiffel scholarships and Eiffel Doctorate Scholarships
- Grants for Co-tutelle de thèse
- ‘Bourse d'Excellence Major': ( 1 or 2 are offered each year)
Scholarships for Teachers:
- Linguistic "Stage " at the CREIPAC of Nouméa , New Caledonia
Information on all these scholarships is available from the Embassy's website; www.ambafrance-au.org
Where can I find more information?
French Embassy
6 Perth Avenue
Yarralumla, Canberra
ACT 2600
Australia
Tel : 02.6216.0136
www.ambafrance-au.org
CNOUS (Centre National des Oeuvres universitaires et scolaires): www.cnous.fr
EGIDE (Centre français pour l'accueil et les échanges internationaux): www.egide.asso.fr
Ministère de l'enseignement supérieur et de la recherche (Ministry of Higher Education and Research): www.enseignementsup-recherche.gouv.fr/
Office national d'Information sur les Enseignements et les Professions (ONISEP) (National Office of Information about Education and Professions):
www.onisep.fr
