What education can be provided to a child in France?

France is one of the top destinations chosen by students for their education. After the USA and the United Kingdom, approximately 300,000 students from different parts of the world study here. France's education system is one of the oldest in the world, so graduates of educational institutions are highly valued in any field. What kind of education can you give your child in France?

Specialists from the GARANT.IN migration agency often encounter this question during consultations. We decided to delve deeply into the study of the issue and gather information for students of all ages.

Education in France and its features

The education system is divided into 4 stages: preschool, primary, secondary, and higher.

Children aged 6-16 must receive compulsory basic education, which is free and accessible to all. Private schools account for about 20% of all schools, but their programs are also approved by the state.

Preschool stage. Preschool education is not mandatory. Children aged 3-6 attend kindergartens. Here, students learn to read, write, and count.

Primary stage. The primary stage covers the period from 6 to 11 years old, lasting 5 years, divided into several sub-stages. Upon completing the first stage, students take an exam and are issued a certificate of primary education (certificat d'etudes primaire, CEP). Regardless of the location of the school (capital or province), education follows a unified plan. French schools are characterized by a strong national aspect, so students planning to study here should familiarize themselves with the local culture and values in advance.

Secondary education. The secondary level is divided into 2 parts - college and lycee. College is a mandatory stage where students study a range of general subjects and a foreign language. After a year, the opportunity to study one of the additional foreign languages is added. After completing the college program, students take tests and receive a certificate of completion. Then students can choose to enter a vocational lycee, where upon completion, they can obtain a professional education certificate, or complete a lycee with a general education program. In lycee, students spend 3 years - after testing, they receive a certificate of completion and a Bachelor's degree (baccalaureat).

Higher education. This stage also consists of several blocks - two main and an additional one. The latter essentially serves as a postgraduate program. The first stage involves obtaining a DEUG (Diplome d’etudes universitaire generales) - a diploma of general education at a university. The second stage involves obtaining a licence within the first year after DEUG, a Licence degree upon completion of the first year, and a Master's degree upon completion of the second stage. The third stage allows obtaining a diploma of specialized higher education (DESS, Diplome d’Etudes Superieres Specialisees) or a research diploma (DEA). Upon completion of the doctoral program, it is necessary to defend a dissertation to obtain a Doctorate degree. To obtain a professorship, one must present their personal scientific work to the National Jury for evaluation.

Student visa

To study in France, a long-term student visa is required. To apply for a visa, documents are submitted to the French consulate. It is necessary to schedule an interview no later than 3 months before departure for studies. A mandatory requirement for obtaining a long-term visa is knowledge of the French language.

Residence permit for students

To obtain a student residence permit after obtaining a long-term visa, you need to contact the administration of the educational institution and submit a complete set of documents. If the decision is positive, the next step is to pay the tax fee and receive the residence permit card. The document is valid for one year and can be renewed. After 5 years of having a residence permit status, one can apply for a new immigration status.

If a student has excelled during their studies, participated in various programs, they can apply for permanent residency after 2 years of studying at the university. A residence permit status allows for cheaper tuition, more favorable conditions for obtaining medical insurance, and visa-free travel to Schengen countries.

If your plans include obtaining an education in France, contact the specialists of the licensed GARANT.IN agency. Applying for a visa and residence permit is a cumbersome and complex task. We are ready to take on all issues related to document collection and processing, solve additional tasks within tight deadlines, so that you can guarantee the desired result.