Why France?
There are many reasons why foreign students, including those from the republics of the former Soviet Union, enter universities in France. Some fall in love with the French language, others are attracted by the country itself, others follow in their parents' footsteps, and still others plan to connect their lives and careers with the French-speaking world. An education received at one of France's higher education institutions is highly valued on the world market. And the state itself acts as a guarantor of the quality of education in universities - both public and private. It is worth noting that French employers more often prefer holders of state diplomas over those who graduated from private educational institutions.
French higher education is one of the most affordable in the world. The state takes on most of the expenses. Students only have to pay a registration fee (the amount of which is also set by the state), which is the same for both residents and foreign applicants. In addition, scholarships are awarded every year to cover tuition fees and sometimes living expenses. Both foreigners and French can apply for scholarships. However, far fewer of our compatriots enter French universities than, for example, British ones. Whether it is a lack of knowledge of the language or distrust of 'free cheese'... One can only advise to cast aside doubts, learn some French, and take a decisive step that could change the rest of their lives. To enter a French university, the main thing is to meet all the requirements for applicants in a timely and successful manner.
You are going the right way...
Foreign applicants are required to meet the following: equivalence of diploma and level of education, knowledge of the French language confirmed by a certificate of passing international exams or special tests, and proof of financial solvency. Although education is free, you will still have to pay the registration fee, health insurance, accommodation, food, study materials, etc.
As usual, a domestic secondary school certificate is not enough for admission to a university. It is not equivalent to the French baccalauréat. Therefore, you will also need to provide the admissions committee with a certificate from a domestic university, where you must have studied for at least one year, and in the same specialty that you plan to study in France. Note that the recognition of educational documents is a very delicate matter and falls entirely within the competence of the university: however it decides will be final.
The criteria for admission to the university are determined by the educational institution itself. An absolute requirement is a knowledge of French at a level sufficient for study. All applicants must take the language test TCF-U, the results of which must be indicated in the application. Holders of the DALF diploma are exempt from this test. The exam tests the candidate's skills in reading, writing, and listening.
To enroll in the first year of a public university, you must prepare a preliminary registration file (DAP). Those who are applying to a private university or for creative specialties by competition, holders of French, Franco-German or European secondary education diplomas, and French government scholarship holders are exempt from this procedure. Remember that in one year you can receive only one file, in which you indicate two universities (in case the first one refuses to accept you) and one more optionally (as a last resort).
An obligatory document that will be sent for consideration to the French university is your motivation letter. The French often require applicants even for schools to justify their choice and describe why you want to study in this country, in this educational institution. The letter must be written so that after reading it, the university committee is sure that you are the best candidate. It is important to indicate why you are choosing this particular specialty, how you plan to use the acquired knowledge in the future, and how you envision the learning process.
For applicants, there are two ways to prepare and submit documents: do it independently or contact a specialized agency. You can choose the educational institutions you like, get in touch with them, clarify all the requirements for candidates, and fulfill them one by one. Or you can trust professionals. Assistance to foreigners wishing to study in France is provided by the agency EduFrance.
Francophones and Citizens of the World
A win-win option for entering one of the French universities is obtaining the national secondary education diploma Baccalaureat (BAC) at one of the French schools. Foreigners are accepted not only by private but also by some public schools.
One of the well-known French secondary schools, Ecole des Roches, accepts students aged 11-19. The majority of students are French (80%), while foreigners make up only a fifth of the entire student body. The school uses a unique, specially developed teaching method, and the promise that school students become bilingual in just one year sounds very attractive. 82% of students receive the BAC diploma upon graduation, which opens the doors to French universities - and this is a very good indicator.
The teachers follow six basic principles: active participation of students in the pedagogical process (teachers work with students, not for them), development of each one's creative abilities (classes in drama, photography, choreography, etc.), physical development (28 sports to choose from), fostering responsibility and self-discipline, creating a family atmosphere, and introducing to world civilization.
The French language program for foreign schoolchildren consists of three levels: beginner (25 hours per week), intermediate (18 hours per week plus partial integration into school classes), advanced (6 hours of French and full integration into school classes). Additionally, at the school one can study English, German, Spanish, and even Russian.
At Ecole des Roches, students are prepared not only for the BAC diploma, but also for the French language exams - DELF, DALF, as well as other foreign languages.
You can also obtain a BAC diploma at another private boarding school - Ecole de et Lycee International de Touraine, which accepts students aged 12-18 with a good knowledge of French. Some subjects at this school can be studied in English, and for those who wish, there are additional French language classes.
In the southwestern part of France there is another private boarding school that opens the doors to French universities for foreign students - Tersac. The school's curriculum complies with the state standard, and special French lessons are organized for foreign students.
One should not forget the opportunity to study for a year at a public school by becoming a participant in the 'Academic Year' program. It does not provide for obtaining an educational diploma, but gives the opportunity to familiarize oneself with the French education system, integrate into the environment, and bring one's knowledge of French to a level sufficient to pass the university entrance test.
To become a French schoolchild, you need to provide a reference from your school, information about academic performance and health, and often you are required to write a motivation letter and pass a language test. Those who plan to study under the 'Academic Year' program must additionally pass written and oral testing.
Polishing French
As is known, the best way to learn a foreign language is where it is spoken. And since instruction at French universities is conducted in French (the number of English-language courses is very small), one of the stages of preparation (which, by the way, will also ensure university admission) could be completing a long-term language program leading to DELF and DALF diplomas. Such programs are offered by French language schools and some specially organized preparatory courses at universities.
For example, Bordeaux 3 University (Universite de Bordeaux 3) specializes in humanities and combines the Faculty of Philology, the Faculty of Arts, and the Faculty of Humanities. The department of French as a foreign language offers future students courses lasting a semester or a year. Students are introduced not only to the subtleties of the language, but also to French culture - art, literature, theater.
Special language courses for beginners and the course 'Language + French Culture' are organized by the Cultural Center at the oldest French university - the Sorbonne. For beginners - an intensive preparation program, 25 hours per week. For those who already have a sufficient command of French - 20 hours of classes, including lectures on French culture. Students, depending on their level of preparation and academic results, can choose annual or semester programs. The minimum age of participants is 18 years.
Preparation for the DELF and DALF exams is carried out by the language school Accord Language School. This school was the first to propose using elements of theater in teaching French in 1988. Thanks to this innovation, students not only begin to speak more fluently, but also learn to express thoughts and feelings through gestures, tone, etc. And all this in French. The school organizes intensive and super-intensive courses of varying duration and intensity - 26, 30, 34, 38 hours of French per week.
The programs of the Odyssea language center, located in Montpellier, are also aimed at preparing for the DELF and DALF exams. The standard course formula: 20 hours of classes plus two thematic lectures of choice per week. When choosing an intensive course, six hours of individual lessons are added to the standard set. Before each exam, which can be taken at University Paul Valery, Odyssea organizes special preparatory classes.