Self-Funded Study Opportunity in France for International Students

How can Bangladeshi students apply for higher studies in France?

November 19, 2022, 08:55 AM
by Shahriar Rabab

UNB News
Publish- November 19, 2022, 08:55 AM
Shahriar Rabab
Update- November 19, 2022, 09:37 AM

Self-Funded Study Opportunity in France for International Students

Eifel Tower France (Photo: Wikipedia)

The western European country France presents a unique mix of tradition, modernity, art, and culture. With world-renowned philosophers and artists gracing its lands, France has a history that dates back several thousand years.

Over the last few decades, France has established itself as a prestigious European hub for higher education in streams beyond art and literature. Whether it's engineering, life sciences, or world-renowned business degrees, the country has something for every aspirant.

In this article, we take a deep dive into higher studies in France. Let's take a look at whether France is a great study-abroad destination for international students including Bangladesh.

Why Study in France?

France hosts some of the highest numbers of international students in the entire European region. Currently, the country is home to 300,000 students from all over the world pursuing a degree in multilateral streams.

France offers a robust and dynamic culture that will enthrall many, whether it’s the picturesque prefectures or the fast-paced city life. Of the 71 accredited universities in France, 57 make it to the global top 1000 institutions for higher education. And the trend has been upward for several years now.

France also has some of the lowest tuition fees in all of Europe. As a result, it can also be a great opportunity for self-funded students, as most streams fall within an affordable limit. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t scholarship opportunities in France.

In this article, we’ll go over the application process, admission requirements, and the associated cost of studying in France as a self-funded student.

How to Apply for Higher Studies in France

Required Documents for Higher Studies in France

The documents required for application are standard and are in line with other European countries. If you are opting for bachelors, you should provide your LSAT scores based on the stream. The same goes for masters and MBA, which might require a GMAT or a GRE score.

These are circumstantial, and several institutes don’t even require them. However, there are a few key documents that you will need to prepare beforehand.

The required documents include –

-High School transcript certified by the appropriate authority ( For bachelors)
-Bachelor’s transcripts certified by the issuing university (For masters and Ph.D.)
-Campus France authorization
-Passport
-Language proficiency score (IELTS/TOEFL iBT/ DELF/DALF)
-SOP
-Letter of Recommendation
-Application fee payment receipt.

Additional documents might be required, depending on the application process. For example, if you are opting for a thesis-based masters, you might want to contact a professor beforehand in your desired university with whom your research interest matches. In that case, you might need to prepare a research plan along with other documents.

What Documents are Required for Campus France Authorization?

For non-EU citizens, the process of studying in France starts with obtaining a Campus France authorization. This essentially allows a prospective student to be eligible for “Etudes en France” or study in France.

Campus France authority even has a separate web portal where a prospect needs to register to obtain an authorization letter.

The required documents for the authorization include –

-Passport
-Proof of funding for the studies and accommodation
-Letter of application
-Proof of accommodation
-Medical insurance
-Air ticket.

Once you’ve got all that, you’re all set for the Campus France authorization. It is to be noted that Campus France authorization isn't required for the application to the universities themselves. Rather it's required to get a student visa after acceptance into a French university.

Application Period

There are two main intakes on the French higher education curriculum – fall and spring. The fall intake generally has a deadline of September 15th of the previous year, with the classes expected to commence in the first week of January.

For the fall session, early enrolment can start as early as January 17th and last till April first based on the rolling admission process. Classes are expected to start in the first week of September.

Application Process

The application process is pretty simple. Each French university has its application process, which you need to go through individually. The application process starts with selecting the desired major. Students can visit Campus France to explore all the different streams and majors available at the bachelors, masters, and P levels.

After that, check whether you meet the admission criteria and simply follow the guidelines to complete the application process.

Cost of Studying in France

As we already mentioned, the cost of higher studies in France is fairly reasonable. The cost can be broken down into three different types based on bachelors, masters, and Ph.D.

The cost of bachelors is actually pretty low at about 170 to 600 Euros per year. But that’s only limited to EU, EEA countries, and Switzerland. If you’re from anywhere other than these places, you would have to pay around 2700s euros or 288,035 BDT per year (1 EUR = 106 BDT).

The story is somewhat similar with masters too as the cost may run up to 3700 Euros or 394,714 BDT per year. The cost of a Ph.D. is fairly nominal at around 380 Euros or 40,538 BDT per year.

But these are estimates in public universities. If you opt for a private one, the cost might go as high as 20,000 Euros or 21,33,594 BDT per year.

Living and Work Opportunities in France

The cost of living, however, is far greater than the students' tuition. The annual cost of living may range from 10,000 and 15,000 euros, depending on the cities. The price may even go up if the student resides in Paris. A Bangladeshi student should be able to afford around Tk106500 to 16,00,000 each year.

The French government requires the students to demonstrate their ability to pay for their study and remain in France without the aid of a job or scholarship. The amount is close to at least 1000 euros or Tk106500 per month.

In short, a student will roughly require 800 to 1000 Euros or Tk85,000 to 1,06,500 per month as living expenses depending on where they are staying.

The work opportunities are also ample with high wages being available in big cities. Generally, a student can expect to make 7900 Euros or 842,769 BDT annually based on working hours. There are also many on-campus jobs available including GTA and GRA positions.

Final Words

France has been one of those countries that have been disseminating knowledge for centuries. Their rich culture, history, conspicuous mannerisms, globalization, and unique education system made France one of the best destinations in the world for higher studies.

So far we have discussed how to study in France from Bangladesh with self-funding. Whether France is a good study destination for international students depends on many factors. Overall, studying in France would be a wonderful opportunity for international students including Bangladesh. It will not only provide the students with global perspectives but also provide hands-on experience in problem-solving, critical thinking, and being a global citizen with an illustrative career.