going to university

[ella]

I graduated from secondary school and I am going to France as an au pair for a year. I would like to go to university in France aftre that (that would be autumn of 2011 or 2012). What are usually the requirement to apply? Are there any tests, exams etc? Is it expensive? Is it pretty much impossible to get into Sorbonne, especially for someone who's not French and doesn't speak French as a mother tongue?

[Pickles]

[quote user="ella"]Is it pretty much impossible to get into Sorbonne, especially for someone who's not French and doesn't speak French as a mother tongue?[/quote]

Have a look at http://www.paris-sorbonne.fr/fr/spip.php?rubrique1504 which links to two pages indicating what you must do and in particular the French language tests that you must take. Since the Sorbonne is not one of the Grandes Ecoles, fees are low (couple of hundred € per annum) compared with the UK, and you need to sign up for health cover etc for another few hundred € depending on the level of cover you choose.

Regards

Pickles

[thepenofmyaunt]

Ella, I went to the Sorbonne. To be frank with you, I wouldn't bother.  I'm sorry if this sounds a little harsh but you will get a far better education at a UK university and if you do a language course you will get to spend a year at University in France but with the support network of the  uni behind you. French university is very different to the UK. There is no pastoral care and your lecturers will do just that, lecture you. They will have no interest in how you are coping outside your classes and, without a good level of fluency in the language you may struggle.  The only advantage you will have is that university in France is cheap but then you do get what  you pay for.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and enjoy your year as an au pair.

[ScoobyInFrance]

thepenofmyaunt - that was my reaction exactly.  Why would you go to university in France when you could have a much better university eduction in the UK. Most (British) people we know in France are doing the opposite and sending their kids back to the UK for Uni.  As POMA said - best of luck anyway...whatever your choice.

[NormanH]

[quote user="thepenofmyaunt"]

Ella, I went to the Sorbonne. To be frank with you, I wouldn't bother.  I'm sorry if this sounds a little harsh but you will get a far better education at a UK university and if you do a language course you will get to spend a year at University in France but with the support network of the  uni behind you. French university is very different to the UK. There is no pastoral care and your lecturers will do just that, lecture you. They will have no interest in how you are coping outside your classes and, without a good level of fluency in the language you may struggle.  The only advantage you will have is that university in France is cheap but then you do get what  you pay for.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do and enjoy your year as an au pair.

[/quote]

Don't live in Somerset then.

A county of wurzels with no University .

[Sprogster]

ella, French Universities are not rated at all highly internationally, mainly because they have been starved of investment and most do not have selective entry. Therefore the UK would be the better option for you.

[thepenofmyaunt]

With Bristol Uni (ranked 27th in the world and well above the TOP French university), Bath Uni, Southampton  and UWE all within easy reach, we don't need one do we now Norm? 

Ella, this article mentions the Sorbonne. Might be interesting reading for you.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article7061130.ece

[Clarkkent]

Why are we assuming Ella lives in the UK? She may be from the USA or another English speaking country.

The information in the Times article is nothing new. I retired from teaching in a university quite low in the pecking order about a decade ago and we had French students who chose to study in England rather than France.

[NormanH]

[quote user="thepenofmyaunt"]With Bristol Uni (ranked 27th in the world and well above the TOP French university), Bath Uni, Southampton  and UWE all within easy reach, we don't need one do we now Norm? 

Ella, this article mentions the Sorbonne. Might be interesting reading for you.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article7061130.ece

[/quote]

By whom? Not an Anglo-Saxon body by any chance?

Interesting to see that many French students use an English first degree as a way into the Grandes Ecoles.

 

[Chancer]

I have just this minute heard on TF1 that a global survey carried out by the Financial times has ranked 5 French universities in the worlds top ten.

I dont quite know how to reconcile this with: -  Bristol Uni (ranked 27th in the world and well above the TOP French university

[NormanH]

I think they were Business Schools.

What is sure is that the French system is very different, and the way of measuring favours the typical UK or American establishment.

See:

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/9c0fbd20-c0a7-11df-94f9-00144feab49a.html

[Clarkkent]

[quote user="Chancer"]

I have just this minute heard on TF1 that a global survey carried out by the Financial times has ranked 5 French universities in the worlds top ten.

I dont quite know how to reconcile this with: -  Bristol Uni (ranked 27th in the world and well above the TOP French university

[/quote]

I suspect that this: http://rankings.ft.com/businessschoolrankings/global-mba-rankings?segid=70114 is what you misheard. [6]

It states that INSEAD is ranked fifth (London Business School is ranked first). To the best of my knowledge INSEAD is a private institution that happens to be located in France (I'll check up).

EDIT

According to Wikipedia it is a private business school with campuses in France, Singapore and the Middle East.

 

[NormanH]

I think that my link makes better sense in the context, and the article gives a very clear explanation of the French paradox.

Universities in France are almost like FE colleges in the UK, but there are real establishments which offer a world-class level

[dragonrouge]

Do we have any FE colleges left in the UK. As to UWE its Law School and by any judgment (spelt the legal way) has a fantastic reputation and is one of a handful of Universities that has the Bar Vocational Course. I think? I should know.

[Clarkkent]

Dragonrouge

I think you are confusing further education and higher education. There are plenty of FE colleges - these are the local "techs" doing craft, A-levels, adult education, life-long learning and so on. HE colleges do post A-level courses (degree and diploma courses, professional training). I think that your assumption that these have sought to be viewed as universities is correct.

Chancer

These French institutions are doing MiM courses. To the best of my knowledge they are mainly institutions in the Grandes Ecoles system (specialist training colleges) and are not in the mainstream Business School sector. This has now been discussed elsewhere.

 

I notice that Ella has not returned.

[Cerise]

Ella - if you are still reading and you are in UK - University of London have one of their Colleges in Paris where all the teaching is done in French (not a lot of people know this). My niece is currently in her third year there and is enjoying very much. She has English style courses, pastoral care etc but entirely in French. The university also helped her to find lodgings - a small studio in the private house of a French family. If you have the apprpriate A levels you could apply there as a compromise.

[Chancer]

Clark Kent.

The news item was referring to business schools and the results of a financial times survey so I should not have cited it with reference to universities.

From what I recall the rankings were made from the successes or other wise of M.B.A. students measured a few years after their graduation in terms of  how many had found work and the salaries that they earned, I didnt mis-hear, you cant get something like 5 of the top ten and X of the top 35 wrong even in French on TF1.

It was as Norman says the Grand Ecoles that held the high places after IIRC Harvard and the London Business School.

[pachapapa]

For affirmed masochists Part 2 tonite on Arte of the enarchique saga millissimés 1980s.

Missed Part 1 last night due to an apéro.

ENA is a Grosse Ecole.

http://www.programme.tv/l-ecole-du-pouvoir-2994588.php

[Clarkkent]

[quote user="Chancer"]

Clark Kent.

The news item was referring to business schools and the results of a financial times survey so I should not have cited it with reference to universities.

From what I recall the rankings were made from the successes or other wise of M.B.A. students measured a few years after their graduation in terms of  how many had found work and the salaries that they earned, I didnt mis-hear, you cant get something like 5 of the top ten and X of the top 35 wrong even in French on TF1.

It was as Norman says the Grand Ecoles that held the high places after IIRC Harvard and the London Business School.

[/quote]

I readily accept that you did not mishear, and have no intention of dragging this business out. (Poor Ella - I bet she wished she had never asked now!) However, I followed NormanH's links to Financial Times material and found that there were two separate sets of rankings measuring slightly different things. I suspect that TF1 reported the one most favourable to French interests. http://www.completefrance.com/cs/forums/4/2247517/ShowPost.aspx#2247517

 

[Chancer]

I think that is a given [:D]

[ella]

Actually I don't live in an english speaking country, I live in Estonia

[Lollie]

Ella,

I would enjoy your year in France, learn about the country,you will soon pick up the language, then make your decision based on your own personal experiences here in France.