France ranks is the third most-frequently chosen country for foreign students. While they leave with a smile on their faces, they also remember the difficult path they had to travel to come study in France. They have but one word of wisdom for you: plan ahead. This way, folks!

Going to Class…French-Style

It’s not easy getting around the university system when you come from abroad. The administrative system, courses, exams, grading system and degree programmes are all different. The grandes écoles come out on top, here, offering greater guidance and supervision to the students. However, it can be difficult to adjust to their work methods. A different mindset and a different teaching tradition – welcome to school, French-style.

In the University system

You will have approximately 20 to 30 hours of classes per week, divided up between lecture courses in halls seating 100 to 1 000 students, and seminar-style classes (travaux dirigés, TD) or laboratory sessions (travaux pratiques, TP) in scientific majors. During the lecture hall courses, students take notes the entire time. Generally speaking, such courses are not designed for discussion, but students may go see the professor at the end to ask him questions. Even though attendance is not taken, it is best not to skip such courses, as the exams deal in part with what is taught in the lecture hall.
The TD/TP sessions, in contrast, are mandatory, and student attendance is tracked. The sessions involve smaller groups, in classrooms, and are designed to explore lecture content in greater depth or apply it. “In France, we are much more academic and a lot of time is spent in the classroom. This often comes as a shock to foreign students, who are accustomed to more freedom and are used to working on their own”, points out Christian Attiogbé, Professor of IT at the University of Nantes. It is at the Master’s and Doctorate levels that students have more time to dedicate to research for their term paper or thesis.
The academic year in the university system extends from October to June and is divided into two semesters. At the end of each semester, the students take exams, known as “mid-terms” (“les partiels”). They are also assessed on the basis of their grades throughout the year, on “periodic testing” (“contrôle continu”). “Our grading system is also very different to foreigners. In their countries, it is possible to earn an A. They need to be explained that they are not poor students because they were given a 16 and not a 20”, adds Christian Attiogbé.

In the Grandes Ecoles system

Teaching in the Grandes Ecoles is closer to that offered in the secondary system. Many hours are spent in the classroom and the classes are smaller. “Depending on their nationality, students are more or less able to cope”, explains Laurence Lambert, Head of the International Department at the Rennes ESC. “Asians are used to memorising their courses and are somewhat lost when asked to reflect and apply knowledge, as we do with case studies. The Anglo-Americans, meanwhile, are very good at writing papers and theses, and contribute their considerable creativity to the mix”.
The added value of French education lies in its ability to accustom students to structure, and teach them to apply a plan to the corporate world, work as a group and participate actively.
According to Didier Vray, Director of International Degree Programmes at Lyons’ INSA, foreign students appreciate that added value: “Students from Shanghai have their pick of the best Chinese universities, yet come to us because we offer the opportunity to learn the French language and receive a more open, concrete education.”