STUDYING THE ARTS IN FRANCE

Through the centuries, France has been recognized as one of the world’s most important centres of culture. It is indubitably the home of some of the world’s greatest painters and artists, and has played a key role in art history. Today, the country continues to be recognized as one of the best places to study the arts, not only for the high quality of its universities, but because of the number of museums—including the Louvre—where students can see the works up close.

STUDYING THE SCIENCES IN FRANCE

France has also been a major influence in the fields of science and math, including astrophysics, biology, genetics, physics, mathematics, and chemistry. Some of the world’s most important thinkers including Pierre Gilles de Gennes, Charpack, and Luc Montagnier were from France. . Its TGV, the train system that can run at 200 kilometers per hour, was the trigger for Europe’s high speed rail development.The country has also spearheaded major technological developments. It hasmonitored and managed Ariane, Europe’s space program,
and is one of the key forces in the launch of a number of satellites used for communications and scientific study. Let’s not forget other breakthrough technology like the Concorde, the smart card, the Val (a rapid transit system).
In this century alone, over 26 Nobel Prize winners have hailed from France,

No wonder France attracts budding scientists, eager to become involved in its efforts for scientific progress. They are also inspired by opportunities created by the French government, which has always given great support for scientific research (in fact, it provides over half of the total funding received by the country’s premiere scientific institutions). Today, many students who seek to pursue a career in science flock to the country to study at the public research institutions, like the National Institute for Agronomical Research and the National Centre for Scientific Research. Some of the world’s brightest, most promising and most prominent scientists and researchers converge here every year.

OTHER FIELDS OF STUDY IN FRANCE

France is also considered to be one of the best places to study the culinary arts, due to its proud heritage in gastronomy and wine-making. It’s also a centre of the fashion industry, and a leader in perfumes and cosmetics. Others go there to learn and practice the French language.

THE FRENCH EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

France is known for its “grandes ecoles”, highly acclaimed and very prestigious schools that only accept the best and the brightest. These offer a number of courses, including arts, law, public administration and health. The grandes escole offer long programs (typically taking five years) that allow graduates to specialize in their chosen fields.

However, students can also opt to take short courses, which typically take two to three years, which will give them the technical proficiency to work in the commercial, service or industrial sectors.

To enter a university, students must have a high school diploma. The college level has three stages. The first program, which takes three years, results in a bachelor’s degree. After an additional year, one receives an advanced diploma. This is followed by two years of post graduate work, which give a master’s degree. A doctorate usually takes three years.

WHERE TO GET INFORMATION

If you are interested in studying in France, you can find information on the Internet, or by approaching the cultural attache. France also runs the EduFrance Agency, the official government organization that was created for the sole purpose of helping foreign students who wish to study in the country. EduFrance will assist students through providing information, and even greeting them at the airport. They can also help find lodgings and support them in their transition— locating recreational facilities, organizing tours, and providing pamphlets and other materials on French culture.

The most commonsensical approach to studying in France would be, of course, to enroll in a French college or university. However, there are also non-traditional ways of acquiring a French education. You do not necessarily have to take a long-term course.

One option is for you to enter a student exchange program, which will enable you to study for a semester or an academic year in the country. You will need to take about two years of college French, and then go through a fluency test.

Student exchange programs may be a little more expensive than actually enrolling in a French college or university, but they do have their own advantages. For example, you are credited for those courses under the degree you are currently taking in your mother university. The requirements for admission are also less strict. You don’t have to go through the long process of application, and you will receive a great deal of help for details like travel arrangements, work study permits, visas, and accommodations. If you are under scholarship, you may not be able to use them for the courses you take in France, but it is possible to apply for other forms of financial aid.

To find out more about student exchange programs, you should go to the student affairs office of your school. You can find a list of the 1,200 accredited undergraduate and graduate programs, as defined by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

Aside from student exchange programs, you can also take language programs that were specifically designed for foreign students. They are normally given by private language schools or French universities. You can start the program at any given term, though private schools also offer short courses that last for just a few weeks or months and can be taken at any time of the year. You can choose from beginners to advanced levels. The registration is simple and admission is easy, though you will need to take a placement test. Depending on your course, you will get a certificate or a diploma of French as a foreign language upon completion.

For those who are interested in a career in the fashion industry, France is the ideal place to complete a degree.

France is one of the recognized fashion capitals of the world. Not only are there many schools that offer a degree or a short course in fashion, the entire city of Paris can be considered one big classroom. You can find inspiration in the many fashion shows, get creative ideas while looking at the art works in the museums, or just drink in the fashion scene at its many designer boutiques. Some students may even get experience through a part time job with designers or magazines, or even form valuable connections by attending and networking at the numerous fashion events. Here are some where you can get a degree in fashion:

Creapole

Found in the heart of Paris, this school for design and the arts offers a complete menu of courses. You can study interior design, fashion design, transport design. However, you need to be able to speak French very fluently, as most of the classes are taught in this language.

Ecoles de Condé

This school also offers a very wide variety of classes on design and the arts. There are two branches, one in Paris, and the other in Lyon. Almost all classes are taught in French, so you will need to learn the language and take a fluency exam.

ESMOD International

This is part of an international network of schools of art and fashion. There are five branches in France: Paris, Rennes, Roubaix, Bordeaux, and Lyon. This is an ideal place to study if you are not familiar with the French language, as it has a program that was made particularly for foreign students. You can also take classes in French as a foreign language.

Parson’s Paris School of Design

This is one of the few fashion schools that teach the classes in English. The school attracts many international students, and the exposure to different cultures is very inspiring for someone who wishes to study fashion. Parsons Paris allows you to take a few short courses or participate in exchange programs, due to its numerous affiliations with schools from around the world. Thus, it’s easy to transfer credits.