In the French side, on a foreign planet...
French education, celebrated in David Tukhmanov's song, is rightly considered one of the best in the world. It is here that many of our romantically inclined compatriots flock in order to perfectly master the language of Hugo and Molière and gain knowledge in the homeland of Rousseau and Montesquieu. What trials await them on the path to the coveted master's degree?
First, you need to complete preparatory courses at universities or long-term examination courses at language schools, which include French language courses. Upon their completion, an exam for the DALF certificate is held, based on the results of which the decision on the enrollment of a foreign student is made. In addition, you must write a motivation letter in French and have it notarized (it must explain why you want to study specifically in France), a certificate of secondary education or diploma, as well as an application for admission to an educational institution.
University education lasts five years (the academic year is from October to June) and is divided into three cycles, at the end of each of which students receive a diploma. However, having it does not guarantee continuation of studies at the next level: everything depends only on grades. Studying several consecutive cycles is called formation universitaire longue.
The first cycle provides basic general education over two academic years and a diploma of general university education - DEUG (it means practically nothing and is not valued on the labor market). Or a diploma of scientific and technical university education, DEUST, which is more prestigious and valued by employers. It corresponds to the level of a "junior and middle manager".
The second cycle is designed to expand and deepen the knowledge gained during the first. It can last one year - then a licentiate diploma is issued (the License degree is equivalent to our incomplete higher education). After two years you receive a master's diploma (Maitrise - completed higher education), after three - an engineer's diploma (Maitrise in the field of science and technology, in management, and in information management methods). All of them are nationally recognized documents. In addition, some universities offer a three-year second-cycle course with a Magistere diploma. This document of higher education has not received much recognition in France.
You can go through all stages of education sequentially: licentiate - master - engineer. Or you can immediately enroll in a two-year or three-year course - this is much simpler. However, our compatriots can enter the second and third cycles only upon presenting our higher education diploma: the French recognize our documents as equivalent to their DEUG.
In the first and second cycles, students undergo one or several internships at enterprises: they are mandatory for everyone, and their results are taken into account when assessing academic performance. At the same time, they are not as formal as ours, and they really bring tangible benefits. As a rule, students themselves look for organizations and companies willing to take them for an internship, contact them on their own, and negotiate with management. You can also go to gain experience abroad - to England, Germany, or Spain. Such internships are encouraged by universities, and a multiple-entry French visa will allow you to live and study without problems in any country of a united Europe.
And, finally, the third cycle covers the last year of study. It can be compared to our postgraduate studies - students take a course of very high specialization and preparation for research activities. You can enter here with a master's degree or an engineer's diploma. There are also two types of study. A professional course with mandatory practice at an enterprise lasts one year, and upon completion a DESS diploma is issued (a diploma of specialized higher education giving the right to professional activity). Study in the field of research can take from one year (DEA diploma) to three or four years (PhD). These diplomas of advanced higher education allow you to continue scientific work and prepare for writing a dissertation.
Today in France, in addition to private ones, there are 71 higher education institutions. Universities can issue national diplomas recognized throughout the country and therefore of equal value, regardless of the prestige of a particular university. Or their own "internal" diplomas, which are less preferable for those intending to work outside France. And although some of them are quoted on par with, and sometimes (on the domestic French market) even above national ones, their recognition in other countries of the world, even given the fame and prestige of the institutions that issued them, is not guaranteed.
Canada: one language is good, but two is cooler!
An additional bonus of studying in Canada is knowing two languages at once. After just a couple of years of study, you will not only acquire the necessary knowledge in your chosen specialty, but also perfectly master English and French. Both languages are recognized as official, and whether you like it or not, you will have to learn them.
How to join the ranks of Canadian students? You need to pass the TOEFL test (at least 550 points - with poor knowledge of English there is nothing to do here) and provide documents on higher or incomplete higher education obtained in your home country.
Canadian university programs are divided into Undergraduate Programs (upon completion a bachelor's degree is awarded) and Graduate Programs (which confer master's degrees - Master’s Degree and doctor's degree - PhD). The bachelor's degree system is somewhat different from ours. After three years of study you receive a bachelor's degree, after four - the same degree but "with honors". And only the latter gives the right to continue education and obtain a master's degree.
To become a certified master's degree holder, you need to study for at least one year and write a research or practical thesis. Then you have a direct path to doctoral studies - another three years, - and the degree is yours! Don't want to lose so much time? Check the admission rules at your university. Some universities may accept you into doctoral programs with an honors bachelor's degree.
And be prepared for a demanding schedule. After all, the well-known saying that 'from exam session to exam session students live merrily' was clearly not written about Canada! You will face a dense timetable of lectures and seminars, an endless number of tutorials - assignments for independent work. For example, the usual weekly workload you will have to complete in the first year of the business school at Queen's University is 500 pages of text and one or two laboratory works. And that is for just one subject! However, the volume of assignments is partly compensated by freedom of choice. Students decide for themselves what and when to do to complete them. If you need access to a particular laboratory, an individual laboratory schedule, or early exam taking, teachers will always meet you halfway. And if you write a paper poorly, you need not fear that all your classmates will see your failure. Although grades are posted for everyone to see, next to them are not names but conditional personal numbers, which only their holders know.
Useful information
To study at a foreign university, you must obtain a student visa and provide documentary proof of your creditworthiness.
The cost of tuition at universities in France ranges from 800 to 4,500 francs per year, and at private business schools up to 25,000 - 100,000. The approximate budget of a French student is from 30,000 to 72,500 francs per year, including health insurance payment - 950-5,000 francs, housing - 700-1,000 francs per month (in a dormitory) or 2,000-4,000 francs (renting an apartment). Food, transport, and pocket money on average amount to 2,500-3,000 francs per month.
At the same time, a scholarship - if you are lucky enough to get it! - amounts to 3,500-6,000 francs per month and covers almost all study expenses. And if there is not enough space in the dormitory and you have to rent an apartment, you can apply for an additional scholarship that compensates for housing costs.
The tuition fee for international students in Canada depends on the institution, its location, and the program (approximately from $2,000 to $13,000). Annual living expenses are about $10,000 for one person and $14,000 for two.