French College at MSU: reviews

The French college at Moscow State University is often called the "Moscow Sorbonne". This institution has been functioning successfully since 1991, and in its way it is really unique. Thanks to this college, almost anyone who has three years of training behind in any university in Russia or the CIS can get a second higher education. And most importantly, the French college at Moscow State University, the feedback of students about which we consider in this article, provides this opportunity completely free of charge.

Brief history of the appearance of the college

The official opening of this educational institution took place in 1991 on the basis of the Moscow State University. The College of French at Moscow State University appeared largely with the assistance of a French public figure named Mark Halter and thanks to the initiative shown by the world famous academician Sakharov. The peculiarity of this institution is that it is based on cooperation between the seven largest universities in France and Moscow State University.

College Diplomas

To date, the college at Moscow State University provides an opportunity to obtain a diploma in three humanitarian areas:

• literature;
• right;
• history.

It is also worth noting that after graduation, the graduate receives a diploma issued by French partner universities. For this reason, the French college at Moscow State University, whose diploma is recognized in all French universities, enables its students to continue their studies in France after graduation, enrolling immediately in the second year of the master's program. And given that this opportunity is free, the question of how realistic it is to get into this college is of interest to many young people.

French college at Moscow State University: how to apply for training

However strange and unusual for our students, this may sound, but in order to become a student of this college, it is not necessary to take exams. The main thing is to be a student of at least the 4th year of any Moscow university or university of the CIS and have a certificate of completion of 3 courses in your institution. Already finished higher education the French college at the Moscow State University is only welcomed.

To enroll the applicant must necessarily have Russian citizenship or be a citizen of one of the CIS countries. There is no upper age limit for those wishing to study, the only limit is the maximum age of 35 years for those who want to receive a scholarship for further studies already in France itself.

When enrolling, the specialty that is available does not matter in principle. The exception is only legal professions, for which it is necessary to have basic concepts in the field of law or economics.

The French college at Moscow State University has two language forms of education - Russian-speaking and French-speaking. Naturally, in the future, learning in French gives students more opportunities, and those who want to learn it on it, must pass a written test for knowledge of the language.

Admission procedure

In order to enroll in the French University College at Moscow State University, you need to go through a few simple formal procedures:

1. Apply for membership electronically (can be done through the official website of the college).
2. To carry out an administrative record, that is, to submit all necessary documents (2 matte photographs, a photocopy of the passport, a copy of the diploma of the university or student card and record book).
3. Further for admission, you must pass a test that checks the level of the French language (is necessary for those who plan to study in the French-speaking department).
4. To go through the procedure of pedagogical recording (after the test in the French language is passed, the student needs to decide on his two main disciplines). If the test is not passed, the student can be enrolled in the Russian-language faculty, and then he needs to choose for himself 1 main discipline. For the pedagogical recording, you will need to present a student ID card issued after the administrative entry, and also fill out a form for enrolling in college. Passage of the stage of the pedagogical recording obliges the student to attend all lectures on the chosen disciplines, and also gives the right of access to the examination surrender and the defense of the thesis.

Second year of study

Only students who have successfully passed exams in their disciplines after the first year can continue their studies in the second year of study at the French College. Also, pedagogical and administrative records will be required, which can be done at the secretariat at the same time. Students who have finished their first year at the Russian-speaking department, in the second year of study, can not switch to French-speaking. But this transition is possible at the beginning of the first year of study. If the student was not able to pass the test in French and was enrolled for training in Russian, but in the first months of his studies significantly improved his French skills, on the recommendation of one of the teachers he could be transferred to the French-speaking department.

Free listener

For those who do not seek a prestigious diploma, but primarily interested in expanding their horizons and actively engaged in self-education, the French College at Moscow State University has prepared a chance for self-improvement. This school provides an opportunity to attend interesting lectures as a free listener. To do this, you simply need to complete 2 items from the compulsory list for enrolling in college (file an electronic application and make an administrative record).

In this case, a student is issued a student card, and on it he can go to the territory of Moscow State University and listen to interesting lectures. But it should be remembered that the diploma will not be given to such a free listener. For those who wish to receive a diploma, two forms of training are provided - in Russian and French.

Features of the conduct of the educational process at the French-speaking offices

Before the beginning of the first academic year, students must choose two main disciplines for further study in the college. It is in these disciplines that French teachers conduct seminars and lectures during their studies. Also in the college, French assistants conduct practical classes every week.

The first year of study for each of the selected disciplines are two examinations in writing. Further, under the guidance of the French scientific leader, scientific work is written. In the first year of training the amount of study hours is 228, in the second year - 114 hours.

Education in the College in Russian

It is slightly easier to go through the college curriculum in Russian than in French. And it's not just the languages themselves, but the program, which is more simplified. In the first year you will have to choose only one discipline as the main one. The second discipline is selected as an additional discipline. During the first year, students attend lectures, and in cases where they are conducted by French teachers, they can use the services of simultaneous interpretation.

Further, in each of the disciplines, only one written examination is submitted. In December - on additional, and in May - on the main.

In the second year of training, only the main discipline takes place. Students listen to lectures and attend practical classes, which are conducted by the teachers of Moscow State University. Under their leadership are written scientific works, which are protected by students at the end of the year. The number of academic hours in the Russian-speaking form is less than in the French-speaking one. In the first year of training it is 126 hours, and in the second year - only 84 hours.

French college at MSU: student feedback is negative

It would seem that the opportunities offered by the college are really beautiful and not to use them would be foolish. But, despite the fact that this institution provides a free opportunity to learn French perfectly, to get acquainted and get in touch with the famous French teachers, to get a diploma of the second education, only half of the total number of students coming to the first year is awarded.

Why this happens helps to understand the feedback left by college students in various forums. One of the main reasons that prevent students from obtaining a diploma is a high degree of congestion and intensity of study, especially in the first year. The majority of students come to college, being full-time students in their main university, and combining their studies, especially in the last years, according to students' reviews, is really very difficult.

The second problem for many students is the lack of a hostel, that is, those who come to lectures, passing exams and defending diplomas, should look for housing in Moscow on their own, and this may be problematic and costly for newcomers.

Also, while studying in college, many students begin to lose their initial enthusiasm. And this is due to the fact that college diplomas are mostly humanitarian. Gradually students come to the understanding that, for example, a diploma in philosophy is unlikely to help to find profitable work, since the market of humanitarian specialists has been overcrowded for so long, and the demand for them, alas, does not increase.

Positive feedback

Many students write that college staff, although not required, but very often help new students to solve the issue of housing. For the duration of studying in college it is quite possible to agree on living in a hostel at Moscow State University.

Also, especially diligent students have a chance to receive a scholarship for further education, and during the educational process, various trips are organized with French teachers (for example, going to another city for sociological research), which give colossal experience, and moreover are paid by the college .