Education in France: system, levels, features and reviews

Many young people dream of getting an education in France. If you are among them or just interested in this issue, then pay attention to this article. In it, we will tell you how the education system works in France, and what levels need to be learned by the student.

A bit of history

Currently, many students and students prefer to receive education in France. The states in Europe offer to all comers the qualitative and, what is very important, quite affordable training. To get high marks, the state went a long way, which lasted more than a hundred years. The well-known "Ferry Laws", issued at the end of the 19th century, required citizens to study compulsorily from six to twelve. The next stage in the development of the system was the sixties of the 20th century. It was then that the government took drastic measures that helped the country achieve the desired results in the age of education. France had to introduce compulsory education of children under 16, to establish a junior and secondary school (college, lyceum or technical college). Next, we propose to examine in more detail all the levels of education in France.

Preschool education

French kindergartens are waiting for children in their walls from two to five years. Most modern parents prefer to release kids to preschools from the age of three, although staying there is not compulsory. Here I would like to tell a little more about the development of education in France. The first kindergarten in this country appeared in the late 18th century, and already at the beginning of 19 a whole system appeared and actively functioned. In large industrial cities worked kindergartens for the poor and for the children of workers. The well-known teacher Polina Kergomar made a great contribution to the preschool education in France. It was she who offered to teach preschool children by playing methods and to abolish corporal punishment. Thanks to her "Mother's School", which was formed in the beginning of the 19th century, became very popular and still functions in all cities of the country. This analogue of Russian kindergartens has the following levels of education:

• Up to four years old children only play.
• Up to five years of study in drawing, modeling, improving oral speech and interpersonal communication.
• The last age group is up to six years. Here, the kids are preparing for school, mastering the account, reading and writing.

Sometimes criticism can be heard about mother's schools, which argue that the orders are unnecessarily strict. However, most experts believe that the French kindergartens provide the children with a decent preparation for the school - one of the best in Europe.

Primary education in France

Children who have reached the age of six, go to college, where they study for the same program for all. Without fail, children improve their numeracy, writing and reading skills. Also they all learn a foreign language and improve spoken language in their native language. In the third grade, students take exams and receive a diploma.

Secondary education

At 11 years old, children can choose their future path - enter a normal lyceum, into a technical or professional lyceum. The latter option involves a two-year training of the chosen profession (as a vocational school in our country), after which a certificate of its completion is issued. However, in this case the student does not have the right to receive higher education, in contrast to the first two cases. The end of the general lyceum allows entering any university, after the technical school, to continue studying in their specialty.

In the country there are not only state, but also private schools. There are also boarding schools. In state institutions, education is absolutely free (only textbooks will have to be bought independently) and there you can apply not only to French citizens, but also to foreigners. However, it is necessary to pass the test for knowledge of the language, pass an oral interview and write a motivation letter. In private schools, foreigners are taken without problems if they know the French language at a basic level.

Higher education in France

Anyone can get higher education, but a future student needs to have a bachelor's degree, which every graduate of the Lyceum receives. Then he has to choose what type of education he wants to receive. You can go on a short journey and in two years become a certified specialist in the field of service or industry. The advantage of this way is saving time and the possibility of quick employment. Anyone who prefers long-term training (and this is from five to eight years), after graduation, can claim a high-paying job in a prestigious firm.

Universities

The education system in France is designed in such a way that anyone can get a profession for free. Even foreigners can enter these schools if they pass a test of language skills and pass an interview. It should be noted that the most prestigious universities are those that train the profession of a doctor, lawyer, teacher and journalist. In most universities, the state pays 30% of seats, and the rest of the students will have to pay the entrance fee (from 150 to 500 euros). However, many are happy with these conditions, since students are entitled to a scholarship, which is approximately 100 euros per month. Private universities take from students for a fee of 10,000 to 20,000 euros per year (depending on the chosen specialty).

Higher Schools

Higher education in France can be obtained in prestigious higher schools, however, in order to receive such an opportunity, you will have to pass a serious exam. Some of them accept only students who have completed a basic course at the university. Studying at such a school is considered more prestigious, as graduates are guaranteed employment and high earnings. Some students receive scholarships from the state, as they are future teachers, military, librarians and even politicians.

Language Schools

If you decide to learn French, then so-called language schools will help you. You can arrive for training in a period of seven days, but the average duration of the course is from two to four weeks. People with any level of language proficiency can learn here - elementary, basic or advanced. Immersion in the language environment guarantees a high result for both. Also there are courses for such narrow specialists as doctors, lawyers, employees of travel agencies. Many students combine this peculiar training in France with culinary courses, a riding school and many other entertainments. Students usually spend between 20 and 30 hours a week, and the average cost per week is 300 euros.

Feedback from Russian students

Every year, many foreign students come to the country to get a quoted and prestigious French education worldwide. France, by and large, does not care who becomes a student - a foreigner or a local citizen. Therefore, Russians enthusiastically prepare for exams, learn the language and apply for education at once in several schools. Our compatriots are delighted that education in France can be obtained free of charge or find sponsors in the face of private firms. Thus, it is possible to secure not only a diploma of a highly evaluated university, but also a promising job with a good salary.

French universities

Next we want to introduce you to the most famous universities of the country and tell about their features:

• The Sorbonne - the history of the most famous temple of sciences began in the 13th century, and now it is one of the best higher educational institutions in the world.
• Nantes University - is one of the largest and most famous universities in France and annually it trains 45 thousand students. It is not as old as other educational institutions, but it boasts a wide range of disciplines and a high quality of education.
• Toulouse University - represents seven different educational institutions, united by the same name. The cost of training in the oldest university in the country is up to 360 euros per year. Students can live in a local hostel or rent an apartment in the private sector.
• University of Grenoble - in this old university students study for doctors, technicians, linguists and connoisseurs of social sciences. The number of students includes many foreigners who, like French citizens, receive free education.
• University of Montpellier - in addition to an excellent reputation is famous for the fact that in the 16th century, a well-known worldwide predictor and alchemist Michel Nostradamus was expelled from these walls . The list of specialties taught in the modern university is quite large: doctors, mathematicians, chemists, biologists, athletes, humanities and technicians.

We will be happy if you need the material outlined in this article. Education in France is not as unavailable as many Russians think. In fact, anyone who wants at any age can get a profession or learn a language in one of the most famous educational institutions of the world.