There are numerous grants and scholarship programmes for international students. Each year the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in France offers various types of grants that cover tuition fees and various services like health insurance, travel costs, and living expenses.

Biswa Raj Samyangkham

France educates more international students than any other country after the US and the UK. Right now more than 260,000 international students --12 per cent of the nation's post secondary enrolment -attend universities and high schools in France. Understanding the importance of global education, the Ministry of Education in France started promotion of education in late 90's and removed the necessity of the French language in order to pursue higher education in France.

More choices, less cost
There are some 40,000 courses and programmes out of which 1,200 courses are taught in English to choose from, fee structure is reasonable, different schemes of scholarship and grants, internationally recognised degrees and availability of renowned universities and schools are the major reasons that attract students to France.

Students, who have completed their studies from France and those who are going there to attain higher education, said in unison that education in France is very cheap as compared to other European countries.

“The research-based practical teaching method, coordination between students of different countries and reasonable education fee are the best part of studying in France,“ shared Hisila Manandhar, who completed Masters of Science in Landscape from France.

Suman Bista, who is going to France for a two-year course of Masters in Computer Vision from De Bour gogne University in September, agrees with Manandhar.“My tuition fee for one year is around 1,000 Euros and it's really reasonable compared to the US and the UK.“

Prabin Bikram Rana, incharge of Campus France, a national agency of Nepal that promotes higher education in France said, “Among many other reasons, reasonable fee structure and quality education are the main reasons why students are allured to study in France.“

According to Rana, one year tuition fee in public universities on an average comes between 200 to 400 Euros. In addition, the government provides 60 to 70 per cent discounts in accommodations for the student. As such, the average monthly budget for a student is 1,000 Euros in Paris and 800 Euros in other parts of the country.

Niranjan Neupane, assistant in-charge of Campus France said, “For genuine students, France is a highly preferred destination and one can complete his/her studies at an unexpected low amount.“

Grants and scholarship
There are numerous grants and scholarship programmes for international students. Each year the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs in France offers various types of grants that cover tuition fees and various services like health insurance, travel costs, and living expenses.

Grants under Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs include study grants, internship or training grants, travel grants for scholars and scientists.While, scholarship programmes include European Union's Erasmus Mundus, a full scholarship programme for Master and Doctorate level. Another is partial scholarship, the Eiffel Scholarship Programme, for Master and Doctorate level students provided by the Government of France in which students are paid certain amount on monthly basis.Applying process Campus France is a facilitating body in Kathmandu that operates under Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Education in France. This institution helps Nepali students for documentation and admission process. Rana informed, “We facilitate admission processes of Nepalis students free of cost.“

Once any French univer sity or school approves ad mission of any student, the Embassy of France in Kath mandu looks after the furtther process for visa approval. “If you want to know details and processes of studying in France, Alliance Francaise at Tripureshwor gives you detailed information for free or you can , check the website
http://www.campusfrance.org,“ informed Rana.

Eligibility criteria
Any student presently enrolled in higher education in his or her home country may apply for admission to a French University or other specialised schools of higher education in France, provided they fulfil certain criteria.

Students should complete IELTS, TOEFL, GMAT or other specific courses referred by the Universities or Schools they have applied for. But there are no percentage limitations for higher level study in France. Rana suggested, “Students with high academic profile is the most eligible ones to study in France.“

FEE STRUCTURE
Tuition fee per year ·
177 Euros for Bachelor level ·
245 Euros for Master's level ·
372 Euros for Doctorate level ·
584 Euros for Engineering

Fee structure in private institutions and schools of business range between 3,000 Euros to 10,000 Euros per year.

COURSES OFFERED
At universities ·
> State Diploma of Doctor of Medicine,Doctorate
> State Diploma of Doctor of Dental Surgery ·
> State Diploma of Doctor of Pharmacy ·
> Research Master · Professional Master ·
> Engineering Degree · License (bachelor-level course) ·
> License professionnelle (professional bachelor) ·
> University Diploma in Technology.

At specialised schools ·
> Specialised Master-MS ·
> Master of Business Administration (MBA) ·
> Engineering degree Master of Science (MSc) Business School
> Diploma Degree of the Grandes Ecoles State diploma of Architect,
> Diplomas of Health, Social Work and Tourism,
> Architecture Diploma
> Higher Technical Certificate.

source:Samyangkham,Biswa Raj(2011)," The French Connection", The Himalayan Times, 3 August 2011