A British student in Paris

Article submitted by   Christopher Rattray Hall Ll.B., DEA,
currently reading for a thesis at Paris-I (Panthéon-Sorbonne)

 The British university system certainly promotes inde-pendence of thought and depth of analysis. There is nothing like a year in France, however, to put a bit of order into your ideas. The civilian reasoning is more than a myth: Descartes is still doing well. A year in France can be a very enriching experience: not only for the language, but for the style and the culture.

 The French University System

University study is divided into three periods: the premier cycle, of two years duration (the DEUG); the deuxième cycle, comprising the two one-year courses of licence and maîtrise;[1] and finally the troisième cycle, with DESS,[2] DEA[3] and doctorat.[4] Access to the first year of university is in principle unrestricted: the institutions thus tend to be large and the form of teaching impersonal in lower years, and selection of candidates only comes marginally into play with the maîtrise and, at a level close to that of the British system, in the troisième cycle.

 Parisian university buildings also tend to be many and far between, although the troisième cycle is generally privileged with the older and most central buildings. Among these are the Sorbonne, which houses parts of several Parisian universities (Paris-I, -III, -IV and -V), and the old Law Faculty, 100 yards away at the Panthéon, home to two universities which have law as their main speciality: Paris-I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) and Paris-II (Panthéon-Assas). Some of the newer and less central universities, such as Paris-X (Nanterre) and Paris-XII (Dauphine) are also recognised for their teaching in law. Similarly, the law faculties in several provincial towns (such as Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux, Lille, Lyon, and Rennes) have reputations that rival those of Paris.

Legal studies are not, however, the exclusive domain of the universities, and some Grandes écoles also offer law subjects.[5] A proper description of these (very French) institutions and their admissions process is beyond the scope of this article.

 What to do

There is an enormous variety of self-standing courses, particularly in the troisième cycle. It may also be worth looking into specialised courses designed specifically for foreign students: the joint Anglo-French maîtrise organised between Paris-I and King’s College London is one notable example.

Language requirements vary enormously, from the ability to put two words together to certificates of aptitude and entrance exams. Many universities have foreign student administrative offices that can be very helpful in overcoming the many administrative hurdles.

Admissions are dossier-based, and criteria also vary widely. In any event, it is generally necessary to have some postgraduate or professional experience on top of a degree in order to enter the troisième cycle. Certificates must be officially translated, which means either through a certified translator or by the verification of the translated documents (the British Council will do the latter for a small fee).

Funding does not pose a particular problem for access to the universities: fees are very cheap by British standards (£100 to £200 per year). It is more important when it comes to the studies themselves, particularly in Paris where the cost of living is high. Furnished and shared flats are not the norm, but may be found through the university services (the CROUS) the student press, or from flyers stuck to most surfaces in and around the universities. If you plan to rent a flat in Paris, think in square metres and count £15 per m2 per month.

Finding applicable scholarships is in itself a test of might and endurance. An extremely welcome development has been the launching this year of the Entente Cordiale Scholarships, organised through the French Embassy and the British Council.[6]

For the admission, it is advisable to start worrying around Christmas. If you plan to study in Paris it is well worth taking a week’s holiday in early February (checking for holidays beforehand), packing your certificates and translations,[7] and doing a tour of the university offices. Never believe anything you are told before double-checking with somebody else, and wear comfortable shoes.

Finally, be sure to take an E111 with you and a full birth certificate. The latter is essential in order to get a fiche d’état civil (from the British Consulate), often required as administrative proof that you do really exist. The E111 exempts you from paying Social Security contributions on matriculation, although the inconvenience that this causes (being obliged to pay the entirety of medical fees up-front, slow and incomplete reimbursement) may well outweigh the small cost (975 francs in 1996-97).[8]

Once that’s done, you can pick up a copy of le Monde, take a seat and order un espresso. The real education is about to begin ...