How to select a University for MS in France

The aura of France extends beyond its rich culture, haute cuisine, architecture, and bourgeois brands to the domain of education. It is counted amongst the only six EU member countries that pay a minimum wage of more than 1000 euros per month. If you are a student, you are up for claiming discounted prices at shopping, transportation, and free museum entries by presenting a student’s id. European Commission notes that France is one of the most popular preferences of ERASMUS- European Exchange Program to receive training or studying. Such exposure to diverse cultures makes it a great place to learn. If you're not fluent in French, consider taking a course in English. It could help you navigate the country's various administrative systems. Although, it is recommended that you learn basic French to navigate the city conveniently. 

Table of contents 

• Your guide to selecting a University for MS in France. Is it a posh affair?
• What do you need for admission to MS in France?
• 7 things you need to get right away when you reach France.
• The documents you need to apply for France student Visa.
• What is triple-crown accreditation?
• Top ranking universities for MS in France.
• Jobs after MS in France
• What exams do I need to do MS in France?

 How to select a University for MS in France? 

1. Location- What comes to your mind when you think of France? The dazzling lights of the Eiffel tower in Paris. The city of love stands out with its intricate architecture and global hub, but it could get too overwhelming for some people. Don’t stress; numerous beautiful cities like Montpellier, Lille, Nice, Toulouse, Lyon, and Grenoble would accommodate you. These are some student-dominated cities far away from the madding crowd. The French transportation system is one of the best in western Europe, and you can always travel to other cities if you are quite an explorer. 
2. Cost of education- The average yearly cost of obtaining an MS degree in France is less than UK and USA. One is expected to spend around 7.53 lakh INR yearly on tuition fees. Other variable costs of living like rent, essential utilities and, water bills could be cut down by living in a smaller city and shared apartments. Your expenditure would vary based on your lifestyle. The international students can also apply for CAF (Caisse des Allocations Familiales) to seek aid from the French government if they aren’t able to afford the rent amount. The authorities grant as much as 200 euros (16,800 INR) to assist France's student’s financial needs. 
3. University rankings- The universities in France have secured top rankings in the QS world ranking and Times Higher Education Rankings. This makes it an attractive option to study. These rankings are credible and evaluate the Universities on their standard of education. Therefore, traveling this far for an MS degree should come with a promise of quality teaching.
4. Placement and job opportunities- Upon completing an MS degree in France, a student can apply for and get a temporary resident permit - –PS - –or a period of 24 months to hunt for jobs in their specific fields. This rule has opened the door to endless opportunities for students aspiring to benefit from an international job. Ad everyone looks for a justified return on their investment. 
5. Scholarship- France offers scholarships, grants, and fellowships to students pursuing MS in France. Every year, the French Embassy in India awards scholarships up to 11 crore Indian rupees to 500+ meritorious Indian students for higher education. Individual Universities offer scholarships based on ELTS and TOEFL scores. Visit the website of your dream University and read about their scholarship grants. Other notable programs are assisting student’s education in France as well, like- 

• The Charpak Scholarship Programme
• Eiffel Scholarship Program of Excellence
• Make our Planet Great Again( MOPGA)

What do you need for admission to MS in France? 

The Master's program in France typically lasts two years. MS in France is grouped into "teaching units" (TU) that cover a variety of topics within a particular subject area (workshops, discussions, and independent projects). Dissertation (or a similar extended research project). The competitive nature of the applications makes it an ambitious race. Prepare in time with these documents to prepare well for the screening process. 

1. Completed university application
2. High school and college transcripts (If you didn’t attend a college, then just the high school ones will do)
3. Copy of passport
4. A passport-sized photo
5. Essay (if asked)
6. English proficiency results (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, etc.)
7. Copy of birth certificate
8. Certified translation of the birthplace of your parents
9. Proof that you can support yourself financially
10. Any other required document depending on the University
11. After admission: A French Student Visa

If a college requires an additional document, you would know about it on their website. Please adhere to the formats provided by the Universities while sending out your applications. 

Which Are the Entry Requirements for Universities in France?

The entry requirements for international students in French universities are these:

• Campus France authorization: Students have to register on the Campus France platform. The platform will help you during your application process, and it will save all the critical data in your file.
• Resume: Students have to prepare a detailed CV for their application. In the CV you have to include all your achievements, and arrange them by the order you accomplished them.
• Letter of purpose: Make sure you include a well-written letter of purpose. In the letter, you must state why you want to study in France, why you chose the particular program, and what your career goals are.
• Reference letter: The majority of universities will ask for reference letters. Some universities may ask for more than one, and some may have specific requirements on who you should ask to write the reference letter. For example, most will ask you to provide letters from a professor in your previous academic institutions or an employer who knows you well. 

7 Things you need to get right away when you reach France

1. Book accommodation- There is a section Visa where you need to show where you are staying. Most schools have an accommodation team that guides the students. You can move to another accommodation later. You won’t get a visa without this.
2. Get your student card and registration certificate- It is an official document from the University verifying you are their student. In French, it is called certificat de scolarite.   
3. Take an appointment with an international office for visa renewal purposes - To help you with OFII (French Office for Immigration and Integration) procedure. To travel in the Schengen region, you need a resident permit.  
4. Open a local bank account- You need it for traveling, insurance, and any subscription. Avoid paying the conversion fee at each transaction. Sometimes, you receive money from these banks to open an account as a student.
5. Take care of your health insurance- Register on ameli.fr- a centralized platform to register for health insurance. 
6. Buy a sim card and phone connection- You can easily buy a sim card from a local store on your arrival in France. 
7. Buy transportation card- Using student discount, get the transportation card made for affordable traveling around France. 

Let’s understand the OFFI procedure

Formalities:

Within 3 months after arriving in France, you have to submit all necessary paperwork to the OFII. You have to send, by post, to the closest OFII office:

• The filled OFII certificate application form
• A copy of the pages of your passport with your identity information and the police stamp you got when you entered France.

Upon reaching the OFII, you will receive a certificate of deposit and a registration letter at the address you wrote on the form. Depending on the motive of your stay, you will receive a summon (by post) to a health check and an arrival visit. 

• Documents to take along when you go to the OFII:
• Your passport and your visa
• Proof of residency (rent receipt, electricity/water/phone bill)
• An identity photo.
• Tax stamps (the price will depend on your type of visa)
• Depending on the case, proof of the health check you took with a doctor licensed by the OFII. 

Exceptional cases for students at the time of their academic year: upon your arrival, you don’t need to send your application to the OFII if :

• If you come from a higher education establishment that passed a convention with the prefecture of the department you live in and the OFII
• and if you arrive at the beginning of the academic year 

If it is your case, you have to give the OFII your application form and a copy of your passport:

• If you live outside of Paris, to your establishment/university’s office for foreign students
• If you live in Paris, the International students welcome the Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris (International university campus in Paris). Go to the OFII’s office during the first two months of the academic year. 

Cost :

During your appointment at the OFII, you will have to pay a tax. The cost will depend on your type of visa (the cost of your visa adds to the OFII tax). You can pay this tax by the Internet (sur le site timbresofii.fr) or with ordinary tax stamps.

What is Triple Crown Accreditation?

If you are looking for management education, you must understand triple-crown accreditation's value – Equis, Asec, and Amba. These act as a quality assurance for business programs. Only 1% of business schools across the globe hold Triple Crown accreditation, and of those, 65% are based in France. It’s a country that promises quality education. The most influential business organizations award the accreditation, and schools undergo a thorough, concise process to receive recognition. The three leading organizations are:

• AACSB – The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. (Based in the United States)
• AMBA – The Association of MBAs. (Based in the United Kingdom)
• EQUIS – EFMD Quality Improvement System. (Based in the European Union)

Receiving accreditation as a business institution highlights the school's high standard and quality academic offerings. Awarding the accreditation considers the school’s teaching, the calibre of staff and faculty, and the student evaluation.

Top 10 Universities for MS in France (2022 QS rankings)

Jobs after MS in France

Pick internships that align with your future work profile. It will help you bridge the gap. You keep renewing it. A permanent contract (contrat à durée indéterminée – CDI) is the most common form of employment contract in France. It allows employers to offer individuals permanent positions in their company. Such contracts are signed between an employee and an employer in France. Their duration is, by definition, unlimited.

When a permanent contract is written, it must specify:

• The identity and address of the parties.
• The job title and professional qualifications.
• The place of work.
• Working time.
• Remuneration (salary and bonuses).
• Paid leave.
• Duration of the probationary period.
• Notice periods in the event of contract termination.
• A non-competition or mobility clause, if applicable.

Permanent contracts must be drafted in French. However, foreign employees may request a bilingual version or a copy translated into their language for information purposes. The French version of the contract is the reference version. 

Why do you need an English proficiency test to study for MS in France?

Before you apply to study abroad, make sure you have the necessary documents to secure a place. One of the essential requirements is a valid score card of an accepted English Language Test. France is a popular destination for international students. It has a variety of study programs, the tuition is affordable, and it generates several scholarships and exchange programs. However, international students may have to submit some types of certificates proving they have completed a required international exam. Exams for Studying in France vary on the admission requirements, the University itself, and the nature of the study program. The exams may be either language exams or specific skills exams.

You will need at least one of the following exams if you want to study in France: 

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
• TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication).
• IELTS (The International English Language Testing System).
• TCF (Test de connaissance du français).
• Le TEF (The French Evaluation Test).
• DELF (Diplôme d’études en langue française).
• DALF (Diplôme approfondi de langue française).
• GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
• GRE (Graduate Record Examinations).

TOEFL 

TOEFL is an English language test required for students whose native language is not French or English. Some universities may ask for different English language tests – as long as you have one certificate that the University accepts, you should have no problems. A non-profit group administers the test. It can be found in various countries, and once you're in France, you'll most likely be asked to bring the certificate.

TOEIC 

This is another type of exam that measures your proficiency in using the language. Unlike the TOEFL, TOEIC only asks about your communication skills. It targets individuals who need a language certificate for the workplace. Some universities will only ask for the TOEFL, while others will require TOEIC, depending on the program level.

IELTS

For non-native English speakers, the IELTS is an assessment test that measures their level of proficiency. Most students will complete their lectures in English. The British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, and IELTS Australia are the organizations that administer the test. It measures proficiency in reading, writing, and speaking. The range score is different from TOEFL, as it ranges from 0 to 9. You typically need a 6 or higher to pass. However, the score requirement is different for each institution. 

TCF

TCF is another language test that assesses the applicant’s usage of the French language. Students who want to follow lectures in French must also submit a language test. This test is organized by the CIEP (Centre international d’études pédagogiques) for the French Ministry of Education. The exam follows the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which means that language proficiency is measured from A1 (basic user) to C2 (advanced user). 

TCC has a compulsory part of the examination and an optional one. 

The compulsory section includes:

• Listening.
• Grammar and vocabulary.
• Reading. 

The optional section includes:

• Spoken interaction.
• Written expression. 

TEF

The TEF became an acceptable test for studies only in 2012. It analyses your command of the French language. The test consists of multiple sections, and it includes a variety of strategies and formats. You will need to score at least 14/20 in the written compression section and/or oral section to pass.

DELF

The International Centre administers DELF for French Studies on behalf of the French Ministry of Education. It’s an exam to test the French language proficiency of the applicant. It comprises four levels from A1 to B2, and it tests reading, writing, oral, and listening skills. 

You will need to score a 50 out of 100 to pass. The requirement for this exam depends on whether you want to study while attending the lessons in French and completing school exams in French. 

DALF

This exam tests French proficiency in the remaining levels according to the Common European Framework for Languages, C1 and C2. While the exams are correlated, the certificates are separate diplomas, and you can apply for whichever level you wish to take the exam. 

GMAT 

The GMAT is a test that measures various fields of study, such as math, language, and geometry. It also asks for critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Business schools and similar study fields will most likely require this test. You will be evaluated in four sections:

• Analytical writing
• Integrated reasoning
• Quantitative
• Verbal

You can take the test 5 times within a year, but you must wait 16 days between the dates. The test cannot be taken more than eight times in total. 

GRE

GRE is very similar to GMAT as they test similar skills such as logical and reasoning skills and verbal and language skills. However, GRE is usually taken by students in various graduate programs, while GMAT is meant for students who specifically went to business school. 

The university application for MS in France is available twice a year. For the fall admission and spring admission. Keep your alerts on for beginning a journey to enhance your career and experience a lifetime of opportunities. France is just a flight away! Book a consultant to manage your financial load for investing for your future self.