FAQ International: all the answers to your questions

Every year, 350,000 foreign students come to study at a French campus or university. Welcoming international profiles is strongly encouraged, and numerous financial aid schemes are in place. One example is the “Welcome to France” label awarded by Campus France, which rewards establishments that work to integrate foreign students into French society. Internationally, France is recognized for the excellence of its higher education.

In addition, campus locations are usually in or near major cities, offering a wealth of cultural choices. The student is thus immersed in a formative and enriching experience. The status of student is widely valued by facilitating access to cultural services through discounts.

As well as offering a wide range of training courses, the country is renowned for the quality of its training and infrastructure. For an employer, it’s a real guarantee of qualification to study in France.

Several cities have an excellent international reputation thanks to the quality of their education. It is the alignment of several factors (housing, training, cost of living, cultural offer…) that ensures a city a dynamism and an unparalleled attraction from students coming from Europe and elsewhere.

Among the cities with the highest demand in the region are :

• Paris
• Lyon
• Bordeaux

These large conurbations offer an exceptional cultural environment, immersing foreign profiles in the country’s rich history. The desire to study in a stimulating environment is a key factor in the success of a course of study, and represents a significant added value for a future employer.

But the city with the strongest appeal remains the city of Paris.

The City of Light boasts some of the most prestigious universities in the world. Student life is punctuated by an unrivalled cultural offering and local initiatives that encourage exchange and contact. You can also count on an extensive transportation network and a wealth of employability opportunities.

OMNES Education offers a wide range of courses to enable foreign students to train or even settle in France to work. Our Bachelor, BBA, MSc, MBA, DBA and Programme Grande École courses cover the following themes:

• Business & Management
• Engineer
• Political Science & International Relations
• Communication & Creation

European Union students

The French territory is freely accessible, regardless of the length of your stay. Thus, a European student can travel without the need for a VISA. This is one of the major assets that Europe offers.

Students from outside the European Union

To complete a successful course of study in France without belonging to the European Union, you need to go through a regulated process. Students from outside the European Union must submit an application for admission to the Cooperation and Cultural Action Department of the French Embassy.Theapplication must be made between October and January, before the current year of study.

In Paris, non-French-speaking students wishing to study at a higher education institution must take the TCF DAP (test de connaissance du français pour demande d’admission préalable). This is an approved language evaluation test, available on the web or via various organizations, comprising oral and written comprehension tests. It takes place at the CIEP (Centre international d’études pédagogiques) and validates your ability to follow courses in French.

France is the leading French-speaking country in terms of foreign student intake. It is highly attractive, but candidates who come to try their luck must have a minimum B2 level to follow the course. It is therefore necessary to assess his language level. The scale is defined as follows:

• A1: beginner level
• A2: intermediate or common level
• B1: Threshold level
• B2: advanced or independent level
• C1: autonomous level
• C2: mastery level

A B2 level is required for a first year of study. Various tests are carried out to validate the ability to follow a training course. This level of language corresponds to everyday French. The student must be able to manage a discussion on concrete or abstract topics, including technical terms.

European citizens

A European student studying in France has the right to work in parallel with his studies. French law allows European students to work 964 hours per year, which is 60% of the legal working time. It cannot be considered a primary job. It is thus a supplemental wage.

In the case of a job in France, student or not, an employee will always be protected by the guarantee of a legal minimum (SMIC). It amounts to 10.25 euros gross per hour. However, the situation is relative to the profiles.

Non-European nationals

Foreign students from outside Europe or the Schengen area need a residence permit for the duration of their stay.

The procedure is carried out via the “études en France” platform, and is automatically forwarded to the authorities in the country of residence. If you’re not sure whether you need a visa or not, the France Visas wizard will help you in just a few minutes.

There are several types of visa:

• Long-stay visa : This visa allows you to study in France for a period of four months to one year.
• Visa long séjour talent chercheur: This visa is for doctoral studies or research in France. It can be renewed each year.
• Working Holiday Visa: Aimed at young people aged 18 to 30, this allows them to visit France for a year to work or study.
• Visa long séjour stagiaire (long-stay trainee visa ): This visa allows you to follow an internship in France for more than four months.

The Omnes Education Group offers, through its campuses, training courses leading to a certificate in 5 major cities in France.

Beaune and its campus offer an INSEEC Bachelor’s program, a one-year course following a post-baccalaureate +2 qualification. The geographical and cultural context is particularly favorable for students looking for a friendly atmosphere, innovative subjects and rigorous learning.

Bordeaux is one of the most popular cities in France. There are many reasons to do so, and Omnes éducation offers a prestigious setting, via its campus on the banks of the Garonne, in the heart of the historic Chartons district.Authentic surroundings, high-tech equipment and modernized workspaces combine to create afriendly, adapted working environment.

Chambéry, in the Rhône-Alpes region, offers a unique environment in the heart of the mountains and lakes, thanks to its festive cultural events and multiculturalism. It features, among other things, co-working spaces,data rooms, student associations and a sports field...

Lyon is one of the biggest student magnets in the region. A dynamic economic environment, numerous career opportunities and a reputation for a pleasant quality of life all combine to make Lyon a great place to study. Housed in the former Citroen industrial building, Omnes éducation offers a renowned campus for a variety of disciplines, including chemistry, digital engineering and tourism...

The capital, Paris, is the most popular place to study. That’s why Omnes Education offers exceptional campuses with research centers, unique cultural offerings and close proximity to numerous companies.

Students from :

• ESCE
• ECE
• Sup de Pub
• HEIP
• INSEEC

The three Parisian establishments are spread over three locations:

• Paris Eiffel Campus
• Paris Defense Campus
• Paris Villette Campus

The Ministry of Higher Education and Research grants scholarships to foreign students up to the age of 28.

The criteria are as follows:

• Be a member of the European Economic Area
• Reside in France for at least 2 years or be fiscally attached to France
• Refugee or stateless status.

In order to apply for a scholarship, you must first enter your student social file (DSE) on the Internet. According to a precise scale, an amount will then be allocated according to the applicant’s profile.

OMNES Education offers a scholarship opportunity of up to 10%, subject to validation by the international admissions teams. For more information, contact us at internationaladmissions@omneseducation.com.

Fees for international students vary depending on:

• of the study cycle
• campus
• the student’s nationality (outside Europe / Europe)

The French government and programs such as Erasmus+ offer a wide range of grants to foreign students who come to France to study. 1/4 of the aids are financed by the Ministry. The French embassy pays the rest.

Developed by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the “France excellence Europa” scholarship program provides grants for students from Europe to study for a Master’s degree in a higher education establishment.

Developed by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attract foreign students to Master’s and PhD programs, the “Eiffel” scholarship program provides grants of between 12 and 36 months, depending on the degree and field of study.

As soon as they arrive on the territory, Omnes education accompanies the students to have access to an accommodation and to the simplest aids.

The Studapart platform connects landlords and tenants in a simple way, based on search criteria and properties on offer. Human exchanges and virtual visits are facilitated by the platform. Students benefit from a promotion code.

Assistance is available to make up for the lack of guarantors, as well as insurance against unpaid rent, through Allianz. The process is carried out online, and answers are provided in less than 72 hours.

Partnership with Caisse d’Epargne bank: assistance with opening a bank account.