French education France (2024)

FAQs

French education France? ›

The French education system consists of three stages: primary education, secondary education, and higher education. Most French elementary and secondary schools, as well as a large number of universities, are public institutions that have highly centralized administrations.

School education in France is highly structured and state controlled through the ministry of education, although some private schools do exist, many of which are catholic. At age 6 children are required to enter école élémentaire primary school to study the first 6 grades of their education.

Although studying in France is then not entirely “free”, you will only be charged a very small amount when you study at a public university. However, if you are not a citizen of an EEA country or Switzerland, or already a permanent resident, you will have to pay higher tuition fees in France.

That said, French state schools generally offer a high level of education, and as a result, only a minority of children (about 20%) attend private schools. Nonetheless, whichever route your child follows, their academic interests and grades will impact which specialist streams they choose in their secondary education.

Adults with upper secondary or tertiary education attainment in France 2006-2022. Since 2006, the share of French people aged 25 and over with tertiary or upper secondary education has been increasing year by year until 2022. In 2006, 67 percent were in higher education, this rate has risen to 83.3 percent in 2022.

School routine

Generally speaking, the school day in France is from 8:30 until 4:30, but it varies depending on which area you live in.

Typically the American school day starts earlier, but the French school day is longer. American schools operate from Monday to Friday and typically start at 7:30am and end around 2:15pm. In France, the school day starts at 8:30am and ends at 4:30pm; however, on Wednesdays, the school day ends at midday.

Studying in France in English is Possible!

Francophiles who don't speak French can still live out their dreams in France by studying in English. Whether looking for short-term options like summer or a semester or a full degree and a more permanent life abroad, there is something for everyone.

French healthcare costs

Medical treatment and tests are partially paid for by the government, but the patient is responsible for the remaining amount. French state health insurance covers 70–100% of necessary treatments like doctor visits and hospital stays.

Why is there no school on Wednesday in France? ›

Historical legacy. The practice of not sending children to school on Wednesdays dates back to the late 19th century. At that time, French pupils attended school six days a week. Over time, however, the need to reduce pupils' workloads and make adjustments to the structure of the school week emerged.

Is it better to study in the USA or France? Ans. Both France and the USA are excellent study-abroad destinations that offer world-class education and a wide range of employment opportunities.

They have not been compulsory in state schools in mainland France since 1968. But uniforms have made a return to one town as part of a government pilot scheme to establish if they can reduce inequality – and improve behaviour.

What is the average salary in France? According to figures from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE ), the average salary in France in 2022 was 2,340 euros net per month, or 39,300 euros gross per year.

At France's open enrollment public universities, the first year dropout and failure rate is close to 50 percent—compared to just 8.4 percent at British institutions.

Course fees

Studying in France isn't free, but when you choose to do so you'll enjoy relatively low tuition fees because the French government subsidies higher education. In this section, we will look at tuition fees for the 2022/23 academic year, as stated by Campus France.

French schools are overcrowded, stifling, and lack personal attention. The “devoir fait” system was introduced to address this lack of personalization, aiming to reduce inequalities and focus on individual difficulties, but it only represents a few hours per week and is optional.