Best Colleges in France for International Students: A Comprehensive Guide

France can be described as the country that possesses deep historical and cultural background, delicious food, famous monuments, including the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. However, apart from being a tourist hub, France is also a hub of quality education with the world’s top colleges and universities. Studying in France is rather a good experience as it is combined with the quality education and colorful cultural life. This guide will focus on analyzing the French colleges and universities with the best reputation to the international learners, advantages and disadvantages of studying in France, most importantly information on how the France student visa for UK resident permit holder is processed.

Why Study in France?

Education in France is very fascinating and students who get the opportunity to study in France are privileged. France boasts of rich academic background, high standards in research, and ultimate respect for the freedom of learning. France is home to more than 3,500 establishments among which are universities, Grandes Ecoles, and specialized schools for higher learning. French education system is recognized as one of the best in the world and numerous universities regularly occupy the top positions in different rankings of world universities.

In addition, France being located in the central part of Europe it is goes without saying that students eager to visit other countries of the old continent will have France as a good starting point. The culture, arts, and gastronomy explode in a country that is young in its entirety, but old in history and tradition. Pen to people with resident permits in the United Kingdom the advantages that accrue from a student visa in France are many they include the ability to learn a new language, from a new culture, to make friends as well as get new contacts.

Best Colleges in France for International Students

University PSL (Paris Sciences ET Letters)

• Location: Paris
• Overview: University PSL is known and recognized higher institution with fifty schools and research centres. This university is well known for its multidisciplinary character; areas of study include liberal arts, science, engineering, and social science. It is most often among the top 10 universities in France and in the global rating.

Ecole Normale Superieure (ENS)

• Location: Paris
• Overview: ENS is one of the oldest and respected HEIs of France which primarily prepares future professors, researchers and civil servants. University provides proper and challenging programs in humanities and sciences and also in the social sciences.

Sorbonne University

• Location: Paris
• Overview: Sorbonne University is one of Paris’s premier public research universities resulting from the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University. It has quality programs in humanities as well as science and engineering and also in medicine.

Sciences Po

• Location: Paris and other campuses
• Overview: Sciences Po is one of the best social sciences university which is famous in political science, international relation and law. The college has a provision for interdisciplinary study and offer leadership training for individuals in the public and private domains.

HEC Paris

Location: Jouy-en-Josas (near Paris)

Overview: HEC Paris is an elite business school in Europe that provides its students with the best business, administration, management, and finance courses. One of the most recognized programs is its MBA, executive education, and many other specialized master’s degree programs.

Université Grenoble Alpes

• Location: Grenoble
• Overview: Université Grenoble Alpes is situated in the French Alps; the university provides a particularly solid education in science, technology and engineering. It is one of the most popular public universities in France and people from different parts of the world enroll here.

Ecole Polytechnique

• Location: Palaiseau (near Paris)
• Overview: Ecole Polytechnique, also known as l’X, is a leading engineering school that advocates for the convergence of research, teaching and innovation at its finest. At tertiary level, it has competative and scholarly programs in science and technology.

Université de Strasbourg

• Location: Strasbourg
• Overview: Université de Strasbourg is the major higher education institution with numerous study fields and specializations in humanities, science, and social science. It offers the visitors a unique cultural touch to it since is located close to the German border.

INSEAD

• Location: Fontainebleau
• Overview: INSEAD is position today as one of the leading business schools globally, which has a rich selection of students from different countries. It is famous for MBA, Executive Education, and PhD degrees.

University de Bordeaux

Location: Bordeaux

Overview: University de Bordeaux in Bordeaux is one of the most effective research universities that provides a great number of programs in the sphere of health sciences, social sciences and natural sciences. The chosen city of Bordeaux is quite lively and culturally diverse, owing to its wine which is one of the most popular wines in the world.

Benefits of Studying in France

Academic Excellence  : France is one of the countries that has very old universities which are-ranked among the best in the globe. The country remains dedicated to provide quality education and this is seen in the competitiveness of the programs offered, the quality of the faculty and state of the art infrastructure found in the research institutions. A good and competitive education will be offered and availed to students which can be a challenge but definitely worth it.

Cultural Experience  : Most of these benefits relate to the cultural aspect as living in France subjects one to proper cultural encounter. Students are offered a chance to master the French language, which is among the top five most used languages, and explore the French culture, history, and, traditions. Culture is manifested in the museum facilities, theaters, festivals, unique gastronomic experiences, and the streets of the country, which means that there is no end to the discoveries.

Networking Opportunities : Education in France ensures that students develop friendship with people from across the world; fellows, colleagues and professionals. It can be very useful for future profession and self-development. Most of the French universities are well connected with industries and they provide and opportunities for internships and placements for their students.

Financial Benefits : The tuition fees for students are relatively cheaper as compared with other countries that students would love to study in such as United States and United Kingdom. Moreover, the FR has opportunities of scholarships and finance assistance from government and universities for the international students.

France Student Visa documents Requirements:

• Acceptance Letter
• Financial Proof
• Health Insurance
• Accommodation Proof
• Visa Application Form
• Passport
• Photographs

How to Apply for a France Student Visa from UK?

• Prepare Your Documents: All the documents required are acceptance letter, proof of financial support, health insurance policy or medical certificate, proof of residence, filled visa application form, original passport, and photographs.
• Book an Appointment: Use the France tourist visa with us for to engage in stress-free activities. Appointments to attend the France visa application centres should be scheduled a long time in advance.
• Submit Your Application: Go for your appointment and drop off your visa application together with all necessary paperwork. You will be expected to be quizzed on your plans to study and to financial prospects.
• Pay the Visa Fee: The nominal visa fee should be paid depending on the type of visa you want to obtain.
• Wait for Approval: A France student visa can take about 14-15 working days for processing, so apply as early as one can from the intended date of travel. On getting a green light on your application, you’ll be issued your visa to enable you study in France.

Additional Beneficial advantages in France

Students can enjoy several benefits in France, including:

• Educational Excellence
• Cultural Immersion
• Travel Opportunities
• Career Prospects
• Affordable Living

Studying in France is therefore a decision that come with a lot of benefits academically, culturally and for the individual. French universities, cultural experiences, and the strategic placement make France as the right place to be for students from different parts of the world. Fostering a culture that encourages academic success along with its diverse culture the country stands out as the best place to study.

Moreover, the benefits of a student visa in France are rather generous. There are positive aspects in studying in France which are, for instance, low tuition fees and the existence of scholarships and grants for international students in France. Further, booking your France visa appointments and getting your France student visa from UK is quite easy so the whole process of studying in France from UK is quite smooth and seamless.

Therefore, be it the heritage of Sorbonne University, research-focused University PSL, or HEC Paris with its cover on business management, there is an ideal university for everyone in France. Do not procrastinate any more: apply for a France tourist visa, set your France visa appointments  and set off to education that defines the future. France’s untouched treasures, alongside establishments of learning and research make them ready and willing to embrace you and make your study Voltaire; an unforgettable experience.

FAQs:

Q. In how many ways is it possible for me to apply for a student visa in order to get to France if I am a holder of a resident permit in the UK?

A. If you are a resident of UK holding a UK resident permit then you have to apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) at the French consulate or the visa application centre nearest to your location. Collect all the relevant documents, make an appointment, submit your application and pay for the visa, then wait to be granted the visa.

Q. What are the advantages of enrolling for a course in France?

A. Advantages include exposure to quality education, experience in other cultures, exposure to Europe as a travel hub, better career opportunities, and lower costs of living as compared to some other countries shortly becoming study abroad hubs.

Q. What documentary evidence of finance must a France student produce when applying for a visa?

A. You are required to demonstrate adequate financial means and thus be able to prove that you are capable of catering for the cost of tuition fee and other expenses for the duration of stay in France. Such documents can be bank statements, scholarship letters or sponsorship letters among others.

Q. Am I allowed to work in France while I am studying on a student visa?

A. Yes, international students are permitted to work and they can work a maximum of 964 hours per year, or a maximum of 20 hours per week during term time.

Q. How long can an international student legally work in France? What language requirements are there for studying in France?

A. Most of the programs are taught in French; however, English language medium is fast gaining grounds across universities. They might ask you to submit certificates of language proficiency as to English language for programs in English, TOEFL or IELTS for the programs in French may require you to submit a DELF/DALF certificate.

Q. What can I do if my application for the France student visa is refused?

A. In case you are refused a visa you can appeal or make a new application with the additional documentation. It is vital to be aware of the causes of denial and all the problems in your new application.