Language leads to university
The minimum level that universities require from foreigners is B2 (the fourth level out of six possible), but sometimes they accept students with a B1 level (the third level). However, educational institutions may also raise their requirements to C1 (the fifth level). In any case, it is better to check the language requirements on the website of the specific university.
TCF-DAP. This exam must be taken only by those applying for the 1st and 2nd years of a French university (starting from the 3rd year, it is no longer required). This exam can be taken once a year at the French Cultural Center (Gonchar St., 84, www.ifu.com.ua) in February. You must register for this exam in advance. As a rule, the announcement of registration appears on the center's website a month before the test itself. The cost of the test is 830 hryvnias. Its results are valid for 2 years.
This exam determines the student's level of foreign language proficiency. It consists of four parts: listening comprehension, grammar or vocabulary test, reading comprehension test, and written expression. The student is assessed both in each part of the test (setting their level from A1 to C2) and overall, depending on the number of points scored. The maximum score for this test is 699 points. Based on the number of points scored, the overall level of French language proficiency is determined. To reach level B1, you need 300-399 points; for B2, 400-499 points; and for C1, 500-599 points. The maximum score for the written expression part is 20 points. The minimum to achieve here is 10.
TCF. Those entering the 3rd year and above must take the TCF. It is also conducted at the French Cultural Center three times a year – in November, February, and June. It costs 1150 hryvnias, and the results are valid for two years. It consists of 3 parts (exactly the same as in TCF-DAP, except for written expression). The scoring principle and the correspondence of points to a particular language level are the same as in TCF-DAP.
DELF and DALF. Also, to study in France, you can take DELF at level B2 or DALF at levels C1, C2 (depending on the university's requirements). These two language exams are universal for admission to French universities, regardless of the year of study. Passing any of them can exempt a potential student from taking a number of other language exams that universities sometimes require for admission, for example, the same TCF and TCF-DAP.
DELF/DALF can be taken three times a year – in November, February, and June at the Institute of Philology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv (Shevchenko Blvd., 14). You also need to register for them. As with TCF-DAP, the announcement of registration appears on the same website a month before the exam. The cost of these exams is as follows: DELF B1, B2 – 240 hryvnias (for one level), and DALF C1, C2 – 280 (also for one level). The results are valid for life.
The DELF and DALF exams, unlike the previous one, confirm a specific level of French proficiency rather than assessing knowledge in general. That is, if a person wants to confirm level B2, they need to take DELF B2; if C1 or C2, they need to take DALF C1 or C2. The maximum score that can be obtained is 100. To receive a certificate for a particular level, you need to score at least 51 points.
Square meters
In France, just like in Germany, there are no dormitories at universities. In rare cases, some "grandes écoles" may have their own square meters for students. Therefore, each student must arrange their own housing, especially if it is not about scholarship holders.
Student accommodation is handled by the state institutions CNOUS and CROUS (www.cnous.fr) – the national and regional centers for university support, a kind of logistics centers. The "hunt" for a place in a university dormitory begins about 6-7 months before the start of the academic year: even then, even before being admitted to the university, a future student must submit an application for a place in a dormitory.
To "reserve" a place under the roof, they must fill out a "social dossier" (link – dse.orion.education.fr/depot/) and send it to the regional CROUS (at the location of the university). This must be done from January 15 to April 30. There are usually far more applicants than places in this organization's dormitories. Priority is given to scholarship holders and representatives of socially vulnerable groups. Only then does it come to all other students.
The cost of a small furnished room for one person is 130-240 euros. If the room has amenities (toilet, bathroom, and a small kitchenette in one room), you'll have to pay more – from 200 to 400 euros. If you fail to get a place from CNOUS/CROUS, don't despair, because in France there are many organizations that offer private dormitories for students. You can find a place on the following websites – www.laureades.com, www.univercity.fr, www.estudines.fr, www.adele.org, www.leclubetudiant.com, www.logetudes.com.
An apartment in the private sector will cost 600-700 euros per month (in Paris) and 400-700 euros (in the regions). Often, many French students prefer to share accommodation. You can find an apartment on www.sejoursfrancefamille.fr, www.chambrestudio.com, www.monadresse.fr, www.alouer.com, www.immostreet.com. And to find a roommate – www.appartager.com, www.easycoloc.fr, www.colocation.fr, www.kel-koloc.fr, www.e-cologis.com, www.agebis-colocation.com, www.eurocoloc.com, www.placeducampus.com.
Despite such prices, renting accommodation in France is still beneficial for a student: even in the private sector, each student can receive a state subsidy for housing, provided they submit the necessary documents to obtain this assistance to the special institution "Family Allowance Fund" (CAF, www.caf.fr). The savings on housing costs can be up to 40% of the monthly rent.
Student part-time jobs
Foreign students have the right to work no more than 60% of a full work week (35 working hours), or – 964 hours per year. During vacations, they can work full time, as long as they do not exceed the above norm. As for scholarship holders, according to the rules, they have no right to work at all. In extreme cases, occasional part-time jobs are possible. The minimum wage per hour of work in France is 8.82 euros.
To be continued.
Lyudmila KOLB.
Based on materials from the newspaper "Segodnya".