Good reasons to choose France

Étudiants

From a degree program to a research & industry internship, from short summer programs to a semester exchange, France has a program for you !

Plus, inside and outside the classroom, there are many reasons to choose France as a destination or your next adventure...

An unforgettable country

By choosing to study in France, you will have the chance to discover a society that is multicultural and open, proud of its history and looking forward to the future. We will be delighted to share the French art de vivre with you - an art celebrated around the world. Whether your interests lie in theatre and music or in fine cuisine, no one leaves disappointed: in France, there's something for everyone.

An appealing destination for international students

With more than 300,000 international students at the postsecondary level, behind only the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia. 9 out of 10 international students hold a positive view of their time in France and recommend France as a study destination.

A country to discover during your stay. Outside the classroom, an extraordinary adventure awaits. Coming to France to study is not just about academics. In mainland France and its overseas territories, you can swim in three seas and three oceans, explore four continents and roam five mountainous European regions. All of this in the heart of a continent where travelling is easy. Here you can find information on about 40 different cities and regions in France, and the services provided in these regions for international students specifically.
In the heart of Europe, France shares borders with Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and the principalities of Andorra and Monaco.
France is the world’s top tourist destination in terms of number of foreign visitors. More than 40 000 monuments and protected sites, 43 cultural sites appearing on UNESCO’s world heritage list, 8000 museums, 2000 cinemas, and more than 500 festivals attest to the richness of French cultural life. French artists are influential in every creative field. With 15 winners, France is home to the largest number of laureates of the Nobel prize in literature.

Student life in France is all about meeting people

Your academic stay in France will give rise to unforgettable memories and you will make friends for life. You will learn about all of the advantages France offers while you are studying, and student life is made easier by the different services offered by French universities.
For your future professional life, this academic stay in France will be an advantage. You will be leaving with essential knowledge, backed up by internationally-recognised certification.
Since French is an international language you will also have the tools to continue building connections throughout your professionnal carreer and around the world. Spoken on all five continents and the official language of many states and international organisations, French is the world’s fifth most widely used language, with 274 million speakers. After English, French is the most widely studied language in the world. It is the world’s third most common business language and second most common language of international news.

World class higher education and research

Quality Higher Education, adapted to students' needs. France's system of higher education comprises 3500 public and private institutions. The system as a whole offers excellent programs taught at all levels and in every discipline, with more than 1200 programs taught in English.
A sophisticated research enterprise. France ranks sixth in the world in terms of domestic spending on research and development. The country’s National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) is the world’s leading research organisation (Nature Index, 2015). 13 of 55 Fields medals (the equivalent of the Nobel prize for mathematics) have been awarded to French nationals. 42% of the doctoral candidates in France are international.
A world-class economic power. France has the world’s sixth-largest economy. Its gross domestic product ranks second in Europe, and the country is Europe’s second-largest market, with 66 million consumers (IMF 2014, Eurostat 2014). France is also the world’s fourth-largest exporter of services (OMC, 2013) and Europe’s leading destination for manufacturing investments (EY, 2014).
Advanced industries and international corporations that are leader. France is home to 31 of the world’s 500 largest corporations (Fortune Global 500, 2014). Several French industrial groups are leaders in their sector and have operations all over the world: Airbus (aeronautics); Total (energy); Orange (telecommunications); Sanofi (health); LVMH (luxury goods); L’Oréal (cosmetics); Danone (food products).
A favorable environment for innovation and young entrepreneurs. France is home to more of the world’s top 100 most innovative companies than any other country in Europe (Thomson Reuters, 2014). It ranks sixth in the world in the number of international patent applications (OMPI, 2013). 71 competitiveness clusters around the country form an appealing ecosystem of startups, laboratories, universities, and major corporations. French Tech, with €200 million invested, supports the development of digital enterprises and attracts young talent.

Students enjoy numerous benefits

Culture, travel, health and accommodation: in France, students enjoy many benefits and significant discounts, just present your student card:

Museums, theatre and cinema. Students and EU residents under 26 have free access to all the national museums and monuments in France. The Louvre museum offers free entry to visitors under 26 every Friday after 6pm. Entry to libraries is also free for all students.
Urban transit and inter-city transit companies offer student rates.
Open the door to one of the 450 university restaurants in France. For 3.25 euros, you can enjoy a complete meal, with a starter, a main course and dessert. Some are even open evenings and week-ends. Some fast-food chains, bakeries and restaurants have student specials, sometimes even including a free extra.
Present your student card when you purchase software, a computer or any electronic device. Lots of electronics and IT stores have special offers for students. Photocopying and printing centres also have significant student discounts.
Students can practise sport at a low cost. At university you will have access to over sixty sports for a single payment at the start of the year. Student status also grants you discounts when going to a municipal swimming pool, ice rink or other sport centre.

Many sites will help you benefit from offers reserved for students. To name a few: https://mes-aides.gouv.fr/, http://www.etudiant.gouv.fr/, http://www.jeunes.gouv.fr/ and www.tarif-etudiant.com.

Also, you can benefit for Social assistance, preventive medicine and family planning.

Convinced yet? There's a range of study project options

Experience a short-term program to get a taste of what French higher education is about. For the perfect opportunity to make the most of your time off between semesters and experience life abroad, France offers hundreds of “summer” programs (usually during the Australian winter) on a wide range of subjects and throughout the entire country.
Gain hands-on experience through research or industry internships. French universities encourage students to apply their skills and knowledge in real life situations, in a lab or in a company. As part of the Nicolas Baudin travel grant program, the “Internship in France” initiative offers students from participating Australian universities the opportunity to undertake a research internship at a French host university in collaboration with an industry partner.
Participate in an exchange program. You can study and travel in France while staying enrolled at your university in Australia and therefore getting credit for your studies. Most Australian universities have exchange program partnerships with French institutions.
Study in France... in English. You don’t have to be fluent in French to study in France. The country now offers nearly 1,300 programs taught in English from summer courses to full degree programs - from the undergraduate to the doctoral level. Take a look at the dedicated online search engine: taughtie.campusfrance.org
Become an English-language teaching assistant. This program gives you the opportunity to assist an English teacher in a French primary or secondary school and to earn a salary funded by the French government. More than 50 positions are open for application each year in France and the Overseas Departments. The program is open to students of all disciplines who can demonstrate a competence in French, and who are seeking to increase their linguistic and cultural proficiency.
Be part of a global community. Continue your “French Connection” with the international social, professional and research networks AFRAN or France Alumni Australie.