Étudiants

Frequently Asked Questions

I’m an Australian student going on exchange soon. Can you answer some questions about getting a visa?

All information about applying for a visa in Australia is available online. Please consult the website of the Consulate-General in Sydney and follow the steps to find out whether you need a visa, what the required documents are, and how to apply. Details of the application process are available here.

Can I take a holiday in another country before arriving in France?

You’re advised to plan for a departure as close as practicable to the commencement of your activities in France. This is because when you place a visa application, you will submit your passport and it will be returned to you with the visa in it; during this time you can’t fly internationally because you would need your passport. There’s no guarantee of the date your passport will be returned to you, so if you book an earlier departure for a reason not related to the activity in France, this may not be accommodated for. Therefore it is always best to avoid planning holidays in a third country before arriving in France to study, or wait until you already have your visa before making extra travel plans.

Does Campus France offer scholarships to French students?

Campus France does not offer funding opportunities to French students.

For information about possibilities of fundind for French students wishing to study in Australia, please visit the dedicated page of the Embassy website.

Do I need to follow the Etudes in France  (CEF) procedure?

The Etudes en France procedure is only relevant for students who are living in a country affected by the procedure. If you are studying in Australia, and you are currently an Australian resident, you do not need to follow the procedure, you can skip directly to the normal visa process.

I want to teach English in France but I’m not eligible for the Language Assistants program?

The language assistants program is aimed at university students with little teaching experience.

At the primary school level, and in the public education system, there are no posts specifically dedicated to the teaching of languages. School teachers receive an accreditation when they can showcase their teaching skills in a foreign language. Secondary school language teachers can intervene at the primary level, according to the specific features of each departmental directorate.

At the secondary school level, it would mean taking a contractual teacher position (assistant teacher – 18h). More information is available here.

Can I work while studying in France at a university?

You are able to work up to 60% of the legal French working week while enrolled as a student in France. More information is available here.

Can I go to France to study French?

Yes! There are more than a hundred language schools in France. Visit this page to find out more.

Can I work while studying at a language school or private institute?

Candidates who are enrolled at;

  • private language learning schools,
  • other private specialised institutions which are not accredited to deliver a nationally recognised degree,
  • a foreign university which has an overseas campus in France but delivers a foreign degree,

are generally  issued with a long stay visitor visa instead of a student visa. The visitor visa does not grant you permission to work in France.

I’m taking an exam remotely in Australia for a French university. Who can supervise my exam?

In Australia, the Alliances Francaises are the only official exam centers. Contact the Alliance Française in your city to find out if this service is offered. For more information please visit https://www.afmelbourne.com.au/exams/examens-delocalises/

Will my Australian degree allow me to work / continue study in France?

For information about higher education qualification recognition please check here.

 

 

Glossary of terms

Below is a list of terms that you will likely see while living in France and may not have encountered before:

  • Bail/Contrat de location – lease. This is the contractual document establishing the responsibilities of the lessee and the lessor.
     
  • Caution solidaire / Garant Guarantor. A person or entity agreeing to pay the rent in the event the renter does not.
     
  • CERFA – This is the name for the formula/paperwork you have to fill out any time you have to go through an administrative procedure. Every different procedure has a different CERFA number – For example you’ll notice that your student visa application form is actually just a CERFA.
     
  • RIB – No, you’re not paying in body parts – this is a document which shows the unique codes for a French bank account (just like a BSB and account N°).
     
  • Dépôt de garantie Security deposit. The amount requested at the start of a lease, intended to cover the cost of any damage. It is returned at the end of the rental period, subject to conditions.
     
  • Quittance de loyer  Rent receipt showing the details of the amount paid by the renter. Rent and utilities must be distinct.
     
  • Assurance habitation home insurance. Insurance covering civil liability and any damage due to water, fire, burglary, etc.
     
  • Caisse d’Allocations Familiales (CAF)  Family Allowances Fund. A public organisation that may provide you with financial assistance to help you pay your rent.
     
  • Taxe d’habitation  Tax paid by the occupant of lodging on January 1st of the tax year. The amount varies according to where the lodging is and its size.
     
  • Préavis  Notice. A renter informs the landlord of his/her intention to move out with a certain period of notice prior to leaving the lodging. It is one month for furnished rental lodging and three months for unfurnished lodging, except in metropolitan centres and areas with housing shortages.
     
  • Baccalauréat This is not the translation of a Bachelor degree! The French Baccalaureate is the high school diploma, equivalent to Year 12 diplomas in Australia. The equivalent undergraduate degree to a Bachelor in France is called a Licence.

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