Why leave to France? 

For the quality of its system of higher education

France's higher education system is not only one of the best in the world—it's also open to all!

The quality of French higher education is widely recognized throughout the world. French institutions figure prominently in the Shanghai Classification of Universities, in the rankings of the Financial Times and Times Higher, and in the European Report on Science and Technologies published by the European Commission.

Each year, France makes massive investments in education and research. In fact, education is the largest category of government spending, accounting for more than 20% of the budget.

In France, higher education programs are grounded in accredited research laboratories or the knowledge of seasoned professionals: whatever your field of study, you will always be in contact with renowned experts.

For the international flavor of the country's higher education system

Each year more than 278,000 international students choose France for their higher education. 

The world's fifth-largest economy, France is also the fourth most popular destination for international students. The country remains committed to its long-standing policy of equal treatment for domestic and international students. Some examples of that policy: Tuition rates at French institutions are identical for all students. For programs leading to national diplomas, tuition rates are set by law. All students, regardless of origin, enjoy the same benefits (health coverage, housing assistance). 

France spends about €23 billion annually on higher education. Financing for higher education is predominantly public (87%). France's spending for higher education represents an investment of about €10,800 per student, including international students. 

France's institutions award degrees that adhere to the common European architecture known as LMD (for Licence, Master, abd Doctorate). French diplomas are therefore recognized and accepted throughout the world. 

For many students, studying in France means an opportunity to learn French or to extend one's command of the language. Doing so allows them to join a global community of 250 million speakers of language of Voltaire, Hugo, and Camus, an official language of the Olympics, the United Nations, and the European Union. 

To experience the unique French "art of living"

Come learn the famous French art of living!

Studying in France also means joining a society rightly renowned for its practice of the "art of living." Did you know that France is the leading tourist destination in the entire world?

France is a relatively large country of immense geographic variety. Its health-care and transportation systems are second to none. France is also a safe and tolerant country.

For the vibrancy of contemporary French culture 

Contemporary French culture does not take a back seat to its rich past. France's artists and performers excel in every facet of culture.

Outstanding examples include Marion Cotillard, who won the Oscar for best actress in 2008; Jean-Marie Le Clezio, who claimed the Nobel prize in literature the same year; and Michel Houellebecq, the best-known living French author, whose works are available in 30 languages.

Music

Who hasn't heard of Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Gabriel Fauré, or Olivier Messiaen? But since the 1980s, with the work of Jean-Michel Jarre, the "French Touch" in electronic music has reached audiences around the world. Artists such as Air, Daft Punk, Justice, Martin Solveig, David Guetta, and Bob Sinclar fill conference halls on every continent.

Festivals

Each year, particularly in summer, hundreds of cultural festivals take place throughout France, celebrating contemporary music (Vieilles Charrues, Francofolies, Jazz in Marciac, Eurockéennes), classical music (opera in Aix en Provence, piano in La Roque d'Anthéron), theater (Avignon), and photography (Arles).

Film and photography

France has an uninterrupted cinematic tradition dating back to the creation of the art form by the Lumière brothers in 1895.

The annual Cannes film festival is a must for all film professionals.

France is a leading film producer. Each year French films garner international attention. The works of Jean-Luc Godard, François Truffaut, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, and Luc Besson have played on five continents after being screened in France's 2,000 movie theaters. 

French photographers Raymond Depardon, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Bettina Rheims, and Yann Arthus-Bertand have earned an international reputation in the 20th century. 

Architecture and design

Many great modern architects have been French. Three of the most prominent are Gustave Eiffel (Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty), Le Corbusier, and Jean Nouvel (the Louvre in Abu Dhabi, the Quai Branly Museum in Paris).

Charlotte Perriand, Andrée Putman, and Philippe Starck are among today's most celebrated designers.

Contemporary art

In addition to the country's famous 20th-century artists (Duchamp, Soulages, Klein, Dubuffet, and others), France welcomes and exhibits contemporary from throughout the world. Prominent examples include Jeff Koons and Murakami (at Versailles).

For the distinctive French art of living

For the past five years, International Living magazine has ranked France among the world's top countries for quality of life. It was number one in 2010!

Living in France means enjoying one of the world's best health-care systems, according to the World Health Organization. Upon their enrolment in a French institution, international students are also enrolled in the national health system—at an affordable cost. 

Life expectancy in France is among the highest in the world: 77 years for men, and 84 years for women. The country's labor laws provide ample leisure time (35 hour work week and 5 weeks vacation each year for all workers).

France has a pleasant climate and a clean environment. It is one of the safest countries in the world.

The world's most-visited country

France is home to 35 UNESCO World Heritage sites. Paris is the world's top destination for business tourism and international trade fairs. The Eiffel Tower is one of the world's most-visited paid-admission sites. Disneyland Paris is Europe's most-popular theme park.

In the heart of Europe

Sharing borders with nine countries, France is truly the crossroads of the continent. Paris's Charles-de-Gaulle airport is the second-busiest in Europe and the sixth-busiest in the world. France has the world's densest road network. High-speed trains connect major cities in France and elsewhere in Europe (including London, Amsterdam, and Geneva). From the heart of Europe one can travel to the 22 countries of the Schengen Area with a single visa. The euro is used in France and 15 other countries. 

An unparalleled art of living

Since 2010 UNESCO has classed France's cuisine and extraordinary culinary richness among the world's leading examples of intangible heritage. The country produces 350 types of cheese. Fine wines flow from the vineyards of Bordeaux, Burgundy, and many other distinctive areas. The highly flavored cooking of the Antilles thrives alongside the masterpieces of celebrity chefs. In cities and on seashores, in mountains and meadows, one finds an endless array of recreational activities—all in close proximity to expressions of culture and the arts. 

For the country's advanced economy 

France's economy is the world's fifth largest. It accounts for 5% of world GDP and 6% of global trade.

Investors like France. The country is the top recipient of foreign investment in Europe and the second-largest recipient in the world.

A major force in the world economy

France is:

• the world leader in luxury goods
• number one in Europe in retailing and agriculture, and number two in the world in both areas
• the world's third most productive country

Cutting-edge industries

39 French companies figure among the 500 largest in the world. Among them:

• Agri-food (Danone)
• Fashion, luxury goods, and cosmetics (Louis Vuitton, Yves Saint-Laurent, Chanel, Dior, L'Oréal)
• Automobiles (Peugeot-Citroën, Renault) and tires (Michelin)
• Electronics (Thlès, Thomson)
• Aerospace (Airbus, Dassault)

Transportation and telecommunications

France's famous TGV is still the world's fastest train, and, since its merger with KLM, Air France is the world's largest airline.

France is the world's most digitized country. Alcatel is the leading carrier of digital information. Orange, France's largest digital carrier, is also the world's fifth largest. 

For the power of French know-how

France is especially competitive in a number of trades and in the training of athletes. 

The high art of French craftsmanship

920,000 French businesses employing 10% of all French workeres produce the high-quality artisanal goods for which France is rightly famous.

France exports know-how in the graphic arts and 3D animation, as well as in the more traditional areas of fashion and textiles.

The country's postsecondary programs in woodworking, furniture-making, glass-blowing, masonry, ceramics, and perfumes, flavors, and essences are world famous. 

The taste professions (gourmet cooking, bread-making, chocolate and pastry-making) are represented by some of the world's most famous names—Alain Ducasse, Paul Bocuse, and Pierre Gagnaire, to name just a few. The "taste of France" contributes in no small part to the country's international allure. 

Sports and athletics

France has a long history of training athletic champions. The physical education sections of French secondary schools and the training centers affiliated with professional sports teams and athletic clubs train top-notch athletes in individual and team sports (swimming, figure skating, tennis, skiing, soccer, and basketball). 

The excellent athletic facilities available in Paris and throughout France host world-class competitions, among them world cups in soccer and rugby, the winter olympics, and the Euro 2016 soccer tournament.