Masters in France
Doing a Masters in France – Quelle bonne idée!
French higher education is based on the "LMD system"—licence, master, doctorate (one leading to another)—now used throughout the European Union and also referred to as the Bologna system. This system includes a credit transfer system (ECTS – European Credit Transfer System) which is designed to facilitate student mobility within Europe and around the world.
A Masters in France is normally 2 years in duration, although unlike UK Masters which are delivered over 12 months without a break, Masters in France are delivered over two 9-months periods with a summer break (often used, however, for professional experience). The academic year begins in September or October and ends in May or June, depending on the institution and program. The two semesters are divided by a short break during the Christmas holidays with examinations taking place at the end of each semester.
The 2-year Masters can be an advantage if you come from a country where recognition of a 1-year Masters is difficult (like India or Norway). French Masters are equivalent to 120 ECTS credits obtained through modules taken over 4 semesters.
Masters students are assessed in two ways in French higher education:
- Continuous assessment
Learning is measured continuously through tests, including lab-based practicals and essays throughout the year. - Final examinations
These measure student learning in all subjects over a period of several days.
At the master's level, two types of programmes are available: "research" masters, which are typically for those considering doctoral studies, and "professional" masters for students who want to enter the job market after graduation, the latter being the most common.
Why Study A Masters degree in France?
From philosophers Voltaire and Monstesquieu, mathematicians Descartes and Laplace, writers Zola and Dumas, artists Cézanne and Renoir to film-makers Godard and Besson, intellectual pursuits have always been part of the fabric of French society. The French Higher Education system is well known for its long tradition of excellence. A country of Nobel Prize winners (4th in the world), its academic institutions are today well placed in the rankings and are an important element of European research and academia. The French Government, whatever the party it is led by, has always had education at the forefront of its priorities, with the largest proportion of public spending (around 20%) being dedicated to it. Overall, Higher Education represents 1.2% of the country’s GDP (87% of it from public funds) or the equivalent of nearly 11,000 Euros per student every year while research spending represents 2% of the country’s GDP.
Two of France’s leading universities, Ecole Normale Supérieure and Ecole Polytechnique feature in the top institutions in the world. Academic excellence, coupled with some of the cheapest tuition fees, makes France an attractive proposition for Masters study.
Internationalisation: La porte est ouverte!
With 278,000 international students making up 12% of the student community, France is the fourth most popular destination for study abroad (long-term or short-term) after the USA, the United Kingdom and Australia. International students in France come from within Europe, but the country is a popular destination for students from all around the world, notably from Morocco, China, Algeria, Tunisia and Senegal. France has an egalitarian policy when it comes to international students and the same regulations are applied to French and international students. This is one of the most prominent marketing messages of the agency CampusFrance (equivalent of the British Council) which represents the Higher Education sector abroad. Of note: in public institutions, tuition fees (which are actually more aligned to registration fees) are the same for all and all students wherever they are from have access to social security and accommodation bursaries.
Doing your Masters in France is also the opportunity to learn the language or improve your French, the official language of the Olympics, the United Nations and the European Union institutions.
The French Higher Education System
Compared with other countries, France has a higher number of institutions which are relatively small in size. These tend to be more or less specialised and for example a medium-sized French city, such as Grenoble or Nancy, may have 2 or 3 universities (focused on science or social science), and also a number of specialised higher education establishments. In the Parisian region, there are 13 universities, covering the whole range of disciplines (Yes, even the Sorbonne!) while a large number of smaller institutions such as Télécom Paris Tech or Science Po are highly specialised.
Reform and modernisation of Higher Education in France
In the past 5 years, the French Higher Education sector has undergone some very ambitious (yet controversial within the sector and trade unions) reforms aimed at modernising and maximising collaboration in academia and research. The impetus for these changes was the fact that French institutions were considered to be lagging behind their peers in terms of research capacity and quality. Billions of euros are being invested to create critical masses of excellence and to support partnerships between France’s public universities, Grandes Ecoles (which are smaller and more specialised) and research centres. The aim is to create larger, more comprehensive higher education institutes called Pôles de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur, in which high quality teaching and research exist in closer proximity (physical or virtual). A small number of collaborations have been selected to be “transformed” into French versions of the US Ivy League institutions. Other projects involve the creation of a super campus in Paris to rival some of the top science and research organisations such as Harvard and MIT.
The Higher Education in France comprises Grandes Ecoles, public universities and groups of both types of institutions.
Universities
There are 83 public universities in France, all funded by the Government. The Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche is the body which accredits ALL national qualifications through a very strict quality assurance mechanism. State subsidies are the reason why higher education remains so affordable.
Grandes Ecoles
Grandes Ecoles are a unique type of higher education establishments found exclusively in France. At undergraduate level, most of them are accessed after an exam or strict selection two years after high school and offer “graduate school level” qualifications in a range of areas but most notably in engineering, business and the arts. They are widely regarded as prestigious and traditionally have produced most of France's scientists and executives. Almost all of them offer Masters programmes, increasingly delivering postgraduate education in English and are well connected to relevant industries and private sector partners.
Pôles de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (PRES)
Les Pôles de Recherche et d’Enseignement Supérieur (PRES) comprise of universities, specialist institutions and research bodies, allowing them to share of expertise, facilities and funding and to be competitive at on the international scene. There are around 20 PRES scattered around France which act as a promotional tool for their constituent institutions. PRES are also involved in student life providing welcome services, accommodation advice and social student activities.
Fees, finances and scholarships
Tuition fees
Compared to its other study abroad rivals, France can be a very affordable option. For public institutions, Masters tuition fees are set by the French Government. For 2012-2013, this was €350 (relatively more for Ecoles d’Ingénieurs at 596 euros). However, tuition fees can be more in private institutions. Universities may also levy administrative fees (frais de dossier) but these remain in the tens of euros. You may also have to pay for extra-curricular activities like student’s associations if they exist. Health insurance for students costs €200 a year and covers most of the medical expenses.
Scholarships
- CROUS bursaries provide funding for accommodation and living costs. These are needs-based and generally around 750 euros.
- Eiffel bursaries are a prestigious award based on excellence and aim to attract international students. Bursary holders receive a monthly allowance worth €1,181. In addition, bursary holders are eligible for other expenses including return trip, health insurance and cultural activities. Scholarship holders might also be eligible for additional accommodation allowance. Eiffel bursaries do not cover tuition fees but institutions who host Eiffel bursary holders are asked to apply to best financial tuition packages. Application for these bursaries is normally in January annually. More information here.
- Bursary from the Agence Universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF) for international Masters students who wish to study in an institution in a country member of AUF, other than their own. Bursary for up to 10 months are available. More information here.
- Regional scholarships
Most regions of France will offer scholarships to attract academically excellent international students to their midst. The best thing to do is to check the website of the Conseil Régional of where your university is.
The Ile-de-France region (that’s the region where Paris is) offers around 200 scholarships annually for students new to France. The annual amount was €10,500 in 2009-2010, which includes accommodation at the international Cité U in Paris. The Ile-de-France region scholarships are open to candidates from all EU countries as well as from a number of non-EU countries. More information here. - French Government bursaries available through French embassies in the following countries: Albania, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, India, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam. If you are from another country than listed, it is worth checking with the French Embassy in your home country as new schemes are created.
- Industrial/private sector scholarships: Private sector organisations and their charitable foundations (where they exist) also provide scholarships for Masters programmes which are of interest to them. For example, the Fondation Renault (the car manufacturer) provides scholarships to students from Japan, Brazil, South Korea, India, Iran, Morocco, Romania and Russia on the Master in Transports and Sustainable Development offered by the Grande Ecole Télécom Paris Tech. More information here.
- Joint-Masters and Erasmus Mundus.
How to apply
All holders of a Bachelor degree (“Licence” in France) are eligible to apply for admission onto a Masters degree, although each university is free to set its own criteria and makes decisions on an individual basis. In a number of institutions, notably the Grandes Ecoles, admissions for masters programmes can be highly competitive.
In Grandes Ecoles, candidates’ applications will be reviewed by a panel and shortlisted candidates are likely to be invited to an interview.
The national closing date for applications in public universities for all candidates (this may be different in Grandes Ecoles and other private institutions) is January 31st. You do not need to have completed your Bachelor degree at the point of application but if you do not have it already, you will need to be studying for one at that point.
Language requirements
Minimum French language requirements are set individually by institutions. Candidates generally have to sit a test of French proficiency (test de connaissance du français) unless they have studied in a country where French is one of the official languages, if French was the language of instruction for previous studies or if candidates already have a proficiency certificate such as DELF or DALF. In countries other than France, these tests will take place towards the end of February in French embassies, Instituts or Alliances. If you are in France, the test will take place from the end of February to the beginning of March.
For entry onto a Masters course, French proficiency will be required for programmes delivered in French. For programmes delivered in English, basic French competencies will suffice. It is advisable to check with the institution you are applying to. If English is not your first language and you are planning to apply for a programme delivered in English in a French institution, you are likely to be asked for an English Language proficiency certificate.
If you do need to show evidence of French proficiency, you may wish to read our article on French language tests. However, whatever the requirements of your institution, some knowledge of French is almost essential if you want to be able to communicate and to fully experience the French cultural and way of life. Some people in France may be linguistically competent in English and other languages but they will appreciate if you may an effort in their own language. Most institutions will offer French courses and you are advised to take full advantage of them.
Careers
Masters training offered by universities are becoming increasingly focussed on employability and on exposure to a working environment. In science and engineering Masters, placements (also called “missions” or “thèse professionelle” are a full part of the programme and students will be going to private and public sector partners. In other subjects, placements, research- or desk-based projects will be a requirements of most programmes. Universities now will have an office (Bureau d'Aide à l'Insertion Professionnelle – Office for Employability) specialising in helping students finding placements opportunities and to help them at the end of their study with job searches. Grandes Ecoles and universities will often host employers on campus or organise job fairs.
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