Janice Lozano
France is a popular destination for international students seeking to study medicine, with over 10,000 enrolling annually. The country offers affordable tuition fees, top hospitals, globally recognised degrees, and a strong emphasis on clinical exposure. France also boasts a long history of medical excellence, with approximately 80 medical discoveries and 13 Nobel Prizes in Medicine and Physiology. The first step for international students is to ensure they meet the language requirements, as all lectures and communication with patients and hospital staff are in French. Students must also submit the required documents, including proof of sufficient financial funds, and apply for a visa. Applications for medicine are made through the centralised application portal of France, Parcoursup, and international students may need to file a Demande d'Admission Prealable (DAP) request. The first year of study, PACES, covers basic health science subjects, and is followed by a selective competition that decides who is admitted to further years of medical studies.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Language requirement | French proficiency (DELF/DALF diploma or IELTS 6.5 for English programs) |
| Academic qualifications | High school diploma, with 70-75% in science subjects |
| Application process | Apply through Parcoursup or University Portal; non-Europeans must request admission ("Demande d'Admission Prealable") |
| Tuition fees | €170 to €650 per year at public universities; private universities vary |
| Living costs | €850-€1,200 per month |
| Curriculum | Basic medical sciences in years 1-3; practical training from year 4 |
| Selectivity | PACES exam at the end of the first year has a low pass rate (10-20%) |
| Opportunities | Internships, exchange programs, research |
| Recognition | Globally recognized degrees |
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What You'll Learn
Application process and requirements
To study medicine in France, international students must meet certain requirements and follow a specific application process. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the process:
Application Process:
- Choose a University: The first step is to select a university that offers courses in the field of medicine. Research and compare different universities' programmes, reputations, locations, and costs to find the best fit for your needs and interests.
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you meet the academic and language requirements. Academic qualifications typically require a high school diploma and a certain grade percentage in science subjects. Language proficiency can be demonstrated through the DELF B2 exam for French or IELTS 6.5 for English programmes. Some universities may require additional language tests.
- Register on Parcoursup: Most French public universities accept applications through Parcoursup, the national platform for higher education applications. Create an account, fill out the necessary information, and submit your application.
- Non-European Applicants: If you are from a non-European country or do not hold European nationality, you must file a "Demande d'Admission Prealable" (DAP) request. This should be sent to the French embassy in your country of residence before the academic year starts.
- Supplementary Testing: Some universities may require supplementary testing, oral or written, to assess skills relevant to health science studies. Students with exceptional grades may be exempt from these tests.
- Visa Application: Once you receive an acceptance letter, you can initiate the process of obtaining a study visa, which is mandatory for international students wishing to study in France.
Requirements:
- Language Proficiency: Proficiency in French is essential, as most medical programmes are taught in French. You may need to obtain a DALF or DELF language diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education.
- High School Diploma: A high school diploma is required for admission to French universities.
- Financial Resources: International students must demonstrate sufficient financial funds to support themselves throughout their studies. The costs include tuition fees, living expenses, and other related expenses.
- Competitive Exams: Some universities may require additional competitive exams or entrance exams specific to medical schools, such as the PACES ("Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé").
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Language requirements
To demonstrate proficiency in French, applicants to medical schools in France must obtain a French language certificate. The DELF or DALF diploma, awarded by the French Ministry of Education, is widely accepted. The common level required for foreigners is C1, indicating fluency. Some universities may also require an additional language test, so it is important to check with your chosen institution.
In some countries where French is the teaching language, such as Morocco, Tunisia, or other African countries, students may be exempt from French language tests. However, for those whose native language is not French, passing a French language test is generally a prerequisite for pursuing medical studies in France.
While public universities in France primarily offer programs in French, some private universities and medical schools provide courses in English to attract international students. These programs vary in cost depending on the institution and specialization.
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Tuition fees and scholarships
The tuition fees for medicine studies in France depend on whether you attend a public or private university, with public universities being more affordable. Tuition fees at public universities range from €170 to €650 per year, with an average of €200 to €450 per year. However, some sources state that fees can be as low as €170 or as high as €600 per year. The tuition fee for non-EU students at public universities is higher, ranging from €2,770 to €3,770 per year. Private institutions can charge significantly more, with fees ranging from €10,000 to €30,000 per year. These higher fees often come with the benefit of specialized programs and smaller class sizes.
In addition to tuition fees, there are other costs to consider, such as health insurance (€20-€50 per month), books and learning materials (€50 per month), and a contribution to campus and student life (€91). Living costs in France can also vary depending on your location, with Paris being generally more expensive than other cities. Campus France estimates living costs at €850-€1,200 per month.
To help offset these costs, there are various scholarships and financial aid options available for international students in France. Some universities offer scholarships of up to €10,000 per academic year to students under 30 years old who meet academic excellence criteria. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs offers scholarships through the Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Programme, primarily for Master's and PhD students. Additionally, the French government and private institutions provide scholarships, and need-based and merit-based grants are also available. International students from India may benefit from additional scholarship opportunities, as the French government has taken initiatives to attract students from India.
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University rankings
France has a long tradition of medical excellence and innovation, with its medical education system being among the most rigorous and respected in the world. The country's healthcare system is ranked among the best globally, offering students access to world-class hospitals and cutting-edge medical research opportunities. French universities and medical schools have an international reputation for quality education, groundbreaking research, and clinical practice.
The QS World University Rankings are designed to meet the needs of prospective students, with more weight given to student-centric metrics such as staff-student ratio, international recruitment, and employer opinion. In the QS Rankings, 15 French universities rank in the top 500 globally for clinical and health studies. The ARWU rankings reflect the presence of elite academics and the future academic success of graduates. Times Higher Education rankings are strong in academic focus and diverse teaching metrics, but do not include employer-specific metrics.
According to Campus France, public universities in the country offer affordable tuition fees ranging from €170 to €650 per year. Living costs are estimated to be between €850 and €1,200 per month. The best cities to study medicine in France, based on the number of universities and their ranks, are Paris, Villeurbanne, Orsay, and Bordeaux.
The University of Lyon 1 is a university at the forefront of innovation and offers high-quality education and research excellence in a beautiful setting. The Université Grenoble Alpes, located in the French Alps, is known for its scientific and technological research activities and is ranked as one of the top 10 most beautiful universities in Europe.
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Internships and career prospects
The strong emphasis on clinical exposure in French medical education means that students gain practical experience through numerous clinical rotations in hospitals and other healthcare facilities. The clinical stage of French medical degrees begins in the fourth year, where students transition to hospitals for training.
In addition to the career prospects within France, French medical degrees are globally recognised. This is due to the country's long history of medical excellence, with approximately 80 medical achievements and discoveries first made in France, leading to 13 French citizens being awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology.
French universities also offer internships to medical students, providing them with the opportunity to gain practical experience and apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. These internships can be completed in hospitals or other healthcare facilities, and they are often a required part of the medical curriculum.
Furthermore, French medical universities offer preparatory courses for the PACES exam, which is the entrance exam for medical schools in France. While this exam is known for being challenging, with only about 10% of students passing on their first attempt, there is an opportunity to retake it.
Overall, studying medicine in France offers a promising future for international students, with top hospitals, globally recognised degrees, and a wide range of financial aid options.
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Frequently asked questions
The prerequisites for studying medicine in France are a high school diploma and proficiency in the French language. A sufficient grade in an advanced French course or possession of a DALF language diploma is usually enough to prove language proficiency. However, some universities may require an additional language test.
First, you must choose the university to which you would like to apply. If you are applying for the first year of your studies in medicine, you must apply through the centralized application portal of France, Parcoursup. If you are from a non-European country or do not have European nationality, you will need to file a "Demande d'Admission Prealable" or DAP request to the French embassy in your country of residence before the academic year begins. Once you receive your acceptance letter, you can apply for a visa.
The first year of medical studies in France is called PACES ("Première Année Commune aux Études de Santé"), which covers basic knowledge in health science subjects. At the end of this year, there is a competitive exam that decides who is admitted to further years of medical studies. The first cycle of medical studies, which covers the first two years, is called Premier Cycle d’études Médicales or PCEM. The curriculum during these two years is the same for students in the medical, dental, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and nursing fields. The second and third years of medical studies (DFGSM2 and DFGSM3) cover basic medical subjects such as pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology. The fourth to sixth years focus on clinical subjects, and students complete clinical rotations in hospitals and healthcare facilities to gain practical experience.
