The quality of engineering studies in France offered at more than 250 selective engineering universities is exceptionally good, in addition to being more difficult and more prestigious than other universities in different countries around the world.
This is mainly because engineering faculties in French universities are very selective about their student selection process as they only accept the best students.
The level of engineering study curricula in France in engineering colleges is also a combination of theoretical training in scientific concepts and practical training in engineering principles.
Studying engineering in France is a distinct field in the French higher education system. Today more than 800000 engineers work in a wide range of different industries.
Such as civil engineering, information technology, aviation, agricultural engineering, electronics, transportation, health, energy, artificial intelligence or defence.
Are you scientifically minded? Are you interested in technology? Do you enjoy working as part of a team?
If you want a career that allows you to rise to the challenges of the modern world, then Engineering Science is the course for you. France can offer you a number of options.
Duration of studying engineering in France
Typically, a degree to study engineering in France is only awarded after pursuing a minimum of 5 years of study . This 5-year French engineering degree is known as Diplôme d'Ingénieur It is equivalent to the European “Master’s Degree” and the “Master of Science in Engineering” in the United States of America.
Specialized engineering degree : About 20 engineering colleges in France offer this specialization course in a specific field. This is a 5-year course for engineering students who have studied B.Eng for 4 years and it is a XNUMX-year course for those who have pursued only XNUMX years of higher education in engineering.
Specialized Master's degree : This is a degree accredited only by engineering schools that are members of the Conference Grandes Ecoles (CGE) in France. This degree was created in 1983 in response to a demand from French companies for graduates with specialized knowledge and experience in specific fields.
Types of engineering colleges in France
Engineering universities in France are divided into two groups:
- Conference of French Schools of Engineering Directors (CDEFI): Reuniting public and private colleges by CTI to grant the engineering degree of graduate engineer.
- Conférence des Grandes Ecoles (CGE): The association of great schools not only in engineering but also in management, administration, arts and sciences and some specialized fields – all recognized by the French government which awards a national diploma.
Top 10 universities to study engineering in France
- Joseph Fourier University
- Grenoble Institute of Technology
- University of Lorain
- Pierre and Marie Curie University
- Polytechnic School
- Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse
- University of Lille
- National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon
- University of Montpellier
- Sorbonne University
Ranking of engineering colleges in France
1. Joseph Fourier University
Joseph Fourier University, known as UJF, is one of the best universities for studying engineering in France. It is a French university based in the city of Grenoble. Its roots extend back to the year 1811, when the French scientist Joseph Fourier established a college of sciences in Grenoble. Joseph Fourier University specializes in the study of sciences, technologies and health sciences, and was formerly known as the University of Grenoble.
Joseph Fourier University occupies sixth place among French universities in terms of preference, according to the Academic Classification of World Universities for the year 2009. It also occupies fourth place in France, and 115th globally in the field of engineering and information technology, according to the QS World University Rankings.
2. Grenoble Institute of Technology
The second best university for studying engineering in France, the Grenoble Institute of Technology is a French technical university system consisting of 6 engineering schools, all of which are located in the city of Grenoble with the exception of the National Higher School of Advanced Systems and Networks, which is headquartered in the city of Valence. More than a thousand engineers graduate from the Grenoble Institute of Technology annually, making it the largest major school in France.
3. University of Lorraine
The third best university for studying engineering in France, the University of Lorraine is a public university in France that was founded in January 2012. It arose from the union of several universities, including the University of Nancy. The merger process began in 2009. The university is divided into two departments, one in Nancy and taught, and the second in Metz and taught. The university has 101 accredited research centers in 9 research fields.
4. Pierre and Marie Curie University
The fourth best university for studying engineering in France, Pierre and Marie Curie University or the University of Paris 6, is one of the thirteen Parisian universities and one of the member universities of the Association of European Research Universities. Its headquarters are located on the Jussieux Campus in the Latin Quarter in the XNUMXth arrondissement in the heart of Paris. Specializing in science and medicine, it is the largest university in France in this field.
5. Polytechnic School
The fifth best university for studying engineering in France, École Polytechnique (French: École polytechnique), nicknamed the letter X, is a French school for engineers that was founded in 1794 under the name of the Central School of Public Services. It is under the command of the French Ministry of Defense and has the rank of a public school for teaching and research. It has been a founding member since 2007 of Paris Tech (Science and Technology School in Paris).
It is one of the poles of French and European research and higher education. The school graduates batches of 500 student-engineers, who are accepted after passing an exam, from students of the preparatory departments for high schools and the Higher Normal School, and also through academic admission. The certificate requires three years of training and holds the title of engineer graduated from the Polytechnic School since 1937; Since 2004, the duration of study has become four years for those wishing to obtain a second certificate, the multiple technology certificate.
In addition, the Higher School has offered doctoral degrees since 1985 and master's degrees since 2004. The majority of students after graduation join French companies, and 20% of graduates choose employment in higher centers in France. The school has a high position within the French higher educational institution. The name of the school is synonymous with educational quality and selectivity.
The school is ranked 34th in the world according to Time magazine (and second in the world among small universities after the California Institute of Technology) and first in France (in the category of engineering schools).
6. Paul Sabatier University - Toulouse
The sixth best university for studying engineering in France, the University of Toulouse (French: Université de Toulouse) is a system of universities, graduate schools, and other institutions of higher education and scientific research. The university bears the name “University of Toulouse,” one of the oldest European universities, as it was established in the year 1229. , and later contained the newer universities that succeeded the parent university.
7. University of Lille
The seventh best university for studying engineering in France, the University of Lille North (in French: Université Lille - Nord-de-France) is a university located in the city of Lille. It was established in 1562. It has approximately 110,000 students out of the total number of students.
8. National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon
The eighth best university for studying engineering in France, the National Institute of Applied Sciences in Lyon is one of 205 French engineering schools qualified to grant an engineer’s degree.
The school was established in 1957 to train highly qualified engineers, support continuing education, and conduct research. The five-year curriculum aims to train engineers who possess human qualities and are well-versed in the basic areas of science and engineering. Students can pursue a doctoral degree upon completion of the 5-year curriculum. INSA Lyon graduates are called Insaliens.
9. University of Montpellier
The ninth best university for studying engineering in France, the Université de Montpellier is an ancient French university located in the city of Montpellier in the Languedoc-Roussillon region in southern France. In 2015, three universities, the University of Montpellier 1 and the University of Montpellier 2, united to form the University of Montpellier, while the Paul Valery University of Montpellier remained separate.
10. Sorbonne University
The tenth best university for studying engineering in France, Sorbonne University (French: Sorbonne), a high-ranking Parisian university, and one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world. It is located in the Latin Quarter of the French capital, Paris. It was founded in 1253 AD in the Middle Ages by the efforts of Robert de Sorbon, the spiritual guide of King Louis IX of France.
It is the first university to offer a doctorate degree. The university also excels in the disciplines of history, international affairs, literature, and social sciences. In 1970, the University of Paris was divided into 13 universities. Today, of the thirteen independent universities, four are located in the historic Sorbonne building: the First University of Paris (Panthéon-Sorbonne), the University of Paris III - New Sorbonne, the University of Paris IV (Paris-Sorbonne) and the University of Paris V (Paris Descartes). All of them have their headquarters in the old buildings of the Sorbonne. Three of them include the word “Sorbonne” in their names. Her degree is a key to high-ranking positions and fame.
Top 9 engineering majors in France
- the industrial engineering
- mechanical engineering
- Production engineering
- Mining engineering
- Materials engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Architecture, construction and design engineering
- Marine ship engineering
- Petrol Engineering
Conditions for studying engineering in France
First. Conditions for studying a Bachelor of Engineering in France
While most French institutes start their academic year from mid-September until the end of June of the following year, some also have year-round enrollment as well. If you have decided to study at a particular university, it is best to submit an application two months before the start date of your chosen course. In order to attend a bachelor's course, you need:
- Must have a French Baccalaureate, equivalent to 10+2.
- To pass the specific admission tests required for the university of your choice.
Second. Study Master of Engineering in France
There are two types of graduate programs in France:
- Master's teaching
- Research Master
“Teaching MA Engineering in France” are courses with similar patterns to undergraduate studies while “Research Masters” are often seen as prerequisites for entry to a PhD or PhD programme. Students on the Research Masters program are required to research and produce a thesis or final project at the end of their period of study. The application process for a graduate program in the country is the same as the application process for a graduate program. Remember, international students who want to attend a French college or university need their passports when completing the application process.
Third. PhD study in engineering at French universities
Doctoral programs in France are offered in French with language requirements determined individually by each institution. Candidates looking to go beyond a Master's degree are required to take a French language proficiency test unless you have studied French academically or have an equivalent proficiency certificate. All other applications are handled through the Campus France portal. Many institutes also conduct Skype interviews with potential international candidates.
Documents required to apply to French engineering colleges
Different institutes have different criteria for admission and require different documents but some of the most common requirements are:
- Certified copies of all academic records from the high school level
- GMAT, GRE test scores, etc. where applicable
- Academic references
- Passport size photos
- Statement of purpose
- Biography
The cost of studying engineering in France
Many universities in France, especially public universities, are accustomed to lower tuition fees than in many other European countries. However, since September 2019, international students in France will have to pay slightly higher tuition fees. Here's an overview of the new costs:
- Bachelor's courses: 2770 euros per year
- Master's courses: 3770 euros per year
- Doctoral courses: 380 euros per year
Cost of living requirements
Living in France is generally more expensive because the cost of living is very high. The following table is a general breakdown of different expenses to help you understand the financial requirements for living and studying in France.
Compared to many other institutions in France and other EU countries, these costs are much lower.
| details | Monthly expenses |
| Accommodation | 200-700 euros |
| طعام | 130-150 euros |
| health care | 380-750 euros |
| Miscellaneous | 100 يورو |
