France: An amazing student destination with high career prospects

Paris: On 1st May, 2019 the agreement between France and India for the Mutual Recognition of Academic Qualifications, signed during President Emmanuel Macron’s maiden State visit to India in 2018, came into force. The agreement was inked on 10th of March 2018 during the India-France Knowledge Summit, the first high-level summit for university, scientific and technological cooperation held by the two countries.

The mutual recognition of AISSCE and Baccalauréat degrees will enable students to advance their studies in both French and Indian educational systems. It promotes mobility of students between the two countries. It is the first such intergovernmental agreement that India has entered into.

Since then the agreement, an exodus of Indian students occurred. Five years ago, there were 3000 students in France. In 2019, France had a target of 10,000 Indian Students studying in France. France & India now aim to have 20,000 Indian Students studying in France by 2025, double the number than it is right now. This means that the Indian students are whole heartedly welcomed to study France.

Welcoming the MoU, the Ambassador of France to India, H.E. Mr Alexandre Ziegler, said, “I am delighted that the Agreement will benefit Indian students wishing to study in France and French students wishing to study in India, since both Governments will recognise their degrees. Over the past few years, our country has taken several steps to facilitate student exchange between India and France. With this MoU we have reached an important milestone, which is a great opportunity for students from both countries. In addition to encouraging student mobility, this Agreement will also promote excellence in higher education through cooperation and exchanges between Indian and French universities. People-to-people ties are essential for strengthening our links, and producing ambassadors of each other’s countries.”

Offering top quality education and scientific facilities, France ranks third globally, welcoming the highest number of foreign students. 8,000 Indian students chose France in 2018 to pursue their higher education – mostly in the English medium – a significant increase over the previous years.

The Embassy of France in India is committed to fostering this positive trend with supporting initiatives. The target set by President Emmanuel Macron to welcome 10,000 Indian students annually by 2020, will be reached by the end of this year.

The Embassy has developed a highly attractive visa policy for Indian students, which includes the option of a 2-year employment visa in France after the completion of post-graduate studies.

Furthermore, all Indian alumni who hold a Master’s or higher degree from State-recognised French institutes are eligible for 5-year short-stay visas.

Indian alumni with French degrees enjoy many career opportunities in India as well, as over 500 French companies, employing more than 3,50,000 people, operate in India.The French Government currently invests 1 million Euros (7 Crore rupees) in over 500 scholarships for Indian students every year. The French Embassy founded the Franco-Indian Education Trust in 2017 to further increase scholarships.