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Dossier : Coming to study in France
France ranks is the third most-frequently chosen country for foreign students. While they leave with a smile on their faces, they also remember the difficult path they had to travel to come study in France. They have but one word of wisdom for you: plan ahead. This way, folks!
In school year 2004-2005, over 255 000 foreign students chose France as their destination. Most came from North Africa, mainly the Maghreb countries (30%), 25% from Europe, 16% from Asia and 7% from North and South America.
To come study in France, you will need to prove that you have adequate resources – around 5 000 euros per year – in order to be issued a visa. This may turn out just enough to get by. According to Edufrance, you should plan on 800 euros per month, outside Paris. Life in Paris is more expensive, and you will need to budget around 1 100 euros per month.
Tuition will depend on the type of establishment you have chosen. If you choose a university, the tuition will be minimal, and you will manage with 150 to 300 euros, depending on the degree sought. In contrast, if you go to a grande école, the figure will be more substantial. Private business schools, meanwhile, will require 3 800 to 7 000 euros per month. In engineering schools, tuition will amount to around 450 euros (public) and up to 3 200 euros (private).
In France, students enjoy special status and thereby are entitled to many benefits: reduced-rate transport and leisure activities (cinemas, museums, etc.), university cafeterias (Restos U) that offer meals at 2.60 euros, university libraries (BUs), and more. Some can even find housing in university residences (130 to 150 euros per month for one room). The others will have to find a studio and spend around 400 euros per month (see article below on Housing).
The first month, plan on three times your monthly budget, as you will have additional moving-in expenses: electrical grid connection, telephone connection, Internet connection, guarantee deposit, apartment insurance, health insurance, etc.
For students under age 28, student public health insurance is mandatory. It cost 189 euros for year 2006-2007 and is payable at the same time as tuition. The health insurance system will cover up to 80% of your healthcare expenses. For the remainder, you can take out a supplementary policy, known as mutual insurance. Your monthly fee will entitle you to coverage for all medical expenses (physician, medication, dentist, etc.).
To help boost your financial standing, you can try for a scholarship (see article). Otherwise, you can look for a student job to top up your income. While European and Algerian students are allowed to work in France without any problem, other foreign students must first apply for a temporary work permit (autorisation provisoire de travail) at their city’s prefecture. Expect this process to last three months! Even with the permit, you will not be allowed to work any more than 60% of the annual working time allowed by law (24 July 2006 Law). You will have no trouble finding job offers for language courses, babysitting, telemarketing, cashier jobs, waiting tables, etc. Take care not to let your schooling slip, though.
In school year 2004-2005, over 255 000 foreign students chose France as their destination. Most came from North Africa, mainly the Maghreb countries (30%), 25% from Europe, 16% from Asia and 7% from North and South America.
What is the average student budget ?
Before leaving your country, you also need to make sure you have enough money in store for your stay. To do this, take into account all of the expenses you will need to incur once on-site, including tuition, housing, food and insurance.To come study in France, you will need to prove that you have adequate resources – around 5 000 euros per year – in order to be issued a visa. This may turn out just enough to get by. According to Edufrance, you should plan on 800 euros per month, outside Paris. Life in Paris is more expensive, and you will need to budget around 1 100 euros per month.
Tuition
Tuition will depend on the type of establishment you have chosen. If you choose a university, the tuition will be minimal, and you will manage with 150 to 300 euros, depending on the degree sought. In contrast, if you go to a grande école, the figure will be more substantial. Private business schools, meanwhile, will require 3 800 to 7 000 euros per month. In engineering schools, tuition will amount to around 450 euros (public) and up to 3 200 euros (private).
Student Spending
In France, students enjoy special status and thereby are entitled to many benefits: reduced-rate transport and leisure activities (cinemas, museums, etc.), university cafeterias (Restos U) that offer meals at 2.60 euros, university libraries (BUs), and more. Some can even find housing in university residences (130 to 150 euros per month for one room). The others will have to find a studio and spend around 400 euros per month (see article below on Housing).
The first month, plan on three times your monthly budget, as you will have additional moving-in expenses: electrical grid connection, telephone connection, Internet connection, guarantee deposit, apartment insurance, health insurance, etc.
Health and Mutual Insurance
For students under age 28, student public health insurance is mandatory. It cost 189 euros for year 2006-2007 and is payable at the same time as tuition. The health insurance system will cover up to 80% of your healthcare expenses. For the remainder, you can take out a supplementary policy, known as mutual insurance. Your monthly fee will entitle you to coverage for all medical expenses (physician, medication, dentist, etc.).
Student Jobs
To help boost your financial standing, you can try for a scholarship (see article). Otherwise, you can look for a student job to top up your income. While European and Algerian students are allowed to work in France without any problem, other foreign students must first apply for a temporary work permit (autorisation provisoire de travail) at their city’s prefecture. Expect this process to last three months! Even with the permit, you will not be allowed to work any more than 60% of the annual working time allowed by law (24 July 2006 Law). You will have no trouble finding job offers for language courses, babysitting, telemarketing, cashier jobs, waiting tables, etc. Take care not to let your schooling slip, though.
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