FRANCE: A HOST COUNTRY FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

1-TRAINING COURSES FINANCED AND GUARANTEED BY THE STATE

France finances a very significant proportion of the actual cost of each student's studies (€11,740 per student per year). No distinction is made between international and French students: entry requirements, diplomas awarded and attractive tuition fees are all the same.Higher education diplomas, structured around the European Bachelor's Master's Doctorate architecture, are validated by the French government, guaranteeing international recognition.

2- HIGHER EDUCATION OF EXCELLENCE, ADAPTED TO ALL NEEDS

The French higher education system is based on a network of 3,500 public and private establishments. France offers high-quality training at all levels and in all disciplines. More than 900 programs offer training in English in France, in all fields of study.

3- HIGH-LEVEL RESEARCH

France ranks 6th in the world in terms of domestic R&D spending, and the CNRS is the world's leading research organization (Nature Index, 2015). 12 of the 55 Fields Medals (the equivalent of the Nobel Prize in mathematics) have been awarded to French researchers. 42% of doctoral students enrolled in France are international students.

4- A WORLD-CLASS ECONOMIC POWER

France is the world's 5th largest economy, Europe's 2nd largest in terms of GDP, and Europe's 2nd largest market with 65 million consumers (IMF 2014, Eurostat 2014). France is the world's 4th largest exporter of services (WTO, 2013) and Europe's 1st destination for industrial investment (EY, 2014).

5- CUTTING-EDGE INDUSTRY, WORLD-LEADING COMPANIES

France is home to 31 of the world's top 500 companies (Fortune Global 500, 2014). A number of French industrial groups are leaders in their sectors and have operations all over the world: Airbus (aeronautics), Total, Areva (energy), Orange (telecommunications), Sanofi (healthcare) LVMH (luxury goods), L'Oréal (cosmetics), Danone (agri-food).

6- A FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENT FOR INNOVATION AND YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

France is the 1st European country represented in the top 100 most innovative companies (Thomson Reuters, 2014). It ranks 6th worldwide for international patent filings (WIPO, 2013). 71 competitiveness clusters form an attractive ecosystem bringing together start ups, laboratories, universities and major corporations. French Tech, with €200m invested, supports the development of digital companies and attracts young talent.

7- A PLEASANT AND FULFILLING LIVING ENVIRONMENT IN THE HEART OF EUROPE

At the heart of Europe, France is the world's No. 1 tourist destination in terms of the number of foreign visitors (UNWTO, 2014). For the 3rd year running, Paris tops the list of the best student cities (QS Best Student Cities, 2014). France ranks 3rd worldwide for the adequacy of its healthcare infrastructure to the needs of society (IMD, 2014).

8- A FRENCH ART OF LIVING

More than 40,000 protected monuments and sites, 39 Unesco World Heritage sites, 80,00 museums, 2,000 cinemas and almost 500 festivals testify to the richness of France's cultural life. French artistic creation shines in all fields. With 15 laureates, France has the highest number of
Nobel Prize for Literature (Patrick Modiano, 2014).

9- FRENCH, AN INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGE

Present on 5 continents and the official language of many states and international organizations, French is the 5th most widely spoken language, with 274 million speakers. After English, French is the most widely-learned language in the world. French is the 3rd language of business and the 2nd language of international information (OIF, 2014).

10- AN ATTRACTIVE DESTINATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

With over 295,000 enrolled in higher education (MENESR, 2014), France is the world's 3rd most popular destination for international students, after the United States and the United Kingdom (Unesco, 2012). 80% of those who have studied in France say they are satisfied with the quality of teaching and the added value of the French diploma. 9 out of 10 students who have come to France rate their stay positively and recommend France as a study destination (Baromètre Campus France - TNS Sofres, 2013).

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