If you want to do your master’s abroad and gain additional work experience along the way, studying in France is an excellent option. French universities enjoy an outstanding reputation around the world, and France is known as a country that has always put a strong emphasis on education. Read on to learn more about postgraduate opportunities and university admissions ‘en France’.

Deadlines, applications and master’s degrees in France

To gain admission to a French university, you will have to submit your bachelor’s diploma and a range of other documents. For instance, you should obtain proof of the required language skills (e.g. by taking the TOEFL exam for English or the DELF/DALF diploma for French) prior to submitting your application. Since applications to French universities are usually due in early summer, it is important that you collect information about the admissions requirements for your preferred programme as early as possible but no later than spring. Master’s degrees in France usually take one or two years to complete. Students in two-year programs often have to pass an intermediate exam at the end of the first year. In some fields of study, students have the option to complete a six-month work placement instead of writing a master’s thesis.

The cost of a master’s degree in France

Since France has many different types of universities, tuition fees may vary widely. At public universities, you often have to pay only a one-time admission fee ranging from 150 to 450 euros, whereas the Grandes ècoles or private institutions charge up to 15,000 euros per year. To help you finance your studies, funding is available through scholarships or educational loans that you must apply for in advance. Plus, EU students do not have to pay anything for visas, study permits or other registration fees.

Benefits of doing a master’s in France

Doing your master’s in France involves the unique opportunity to fine-tune your skills in a language spoken around the world. By attending a French university, you not only earn a first-rate, internationally accepted master’s degree, you also get the opportunity to discover the diverse aspects of French everyday life. Over the course of a relatively low-cost master’s programme, you thus acquire intercultural skills that will you give you a competitive edge over other job applicants.

More info on a Master's in France