School versus university in France? That is the question !

Many applicants contact us, expressing their strong interest in our university. We're delighted, except for one detail: we're not a university!

A detail? Perhaps not...

It's not just a linguistic quirk.

While there's no question of pitting the two organizations against each other - they certainly complement each other, and each certainly corresponds to a different profile - let us give you a few ways of differentiating them.

1. Theory and practice

At university, lectures are still the most common form of teaching, especially in the first years of study. The underlying idea is to teach as many people as possible, while preserving time for practical application in the form of small-group tutorials (20-25 people).

In higher education schools, theory and practice are not usually separated, and teaching generally takes place in "human-sized" classrooms, where student/teacher interaction is possible. Amphitheatre sessions also exist, but are reserved for specific conferences or master classes.

2. Autonomy

Generally speaking, at university, attendance in class or lecture hall is not recorded by the administration. It is therefore possible to sit the exam without having attended all the classes, but this necessarily presupposes self-discipline and the ability to manage one's time and workload.

In the schools, attendance is an important part of the assessment. Attendance is compulsory and is recorded throughout the academic year. Students' work is closely supervised, with checkpoints and milestones marking their various productions.

3. Governance

Although there are exceptions, most universities in France are public. They are funded by the French state, which contributes directly to their operation and development. Education is virtually free of charge, as it is financed entirely by taxation.

Schools, on the other hand, are for the most part private, and operate independently of the state on their own funds, much like a business. This means higher tuition fees than at public universities.

4. Degrees

Degree titles are important, and depending on who issues them and who guarantees their quality, the vocabulary may not be identical.

The national licence degree, or simply "licence", can only be awarded by a public institution of higher education, such as a university. Non-university establishments, i.e. schools, can only award "le grade de licence" under certain conditions.

The same applies to the national master's degree, commonly known as the "master", which can only be awarded by public establishments. Under certain conditions, schools can also award "le grade de master ".

5. Student services

Most private schools, which run their business like companies, with tuition fees in particular, are able to place students at the heart of a nebulous array of services and attentions all geared to developing their employability. From personal marketing training to alumni networking, junior enterprise and a host of other initiatives, the school experience goes beyond learning a trade. It's about personal fulfillment, building self-confidence and ensuring a successful transition to the job market.

Of course, these are generalities, and as nothing in life is ever totally black and white, there are subtleties or exceptions to each of these points of difference. What is certain is that, before making your choice, it's important to be aware of these few distinctive elements.

Investing €7,000 in a year of study, for example, is not the same thing as benefiting from virtually free tuition. At the same time, not everyone can manage the self-discipline and workload required to succeed at university. Nor is it for everyone to know how to approach the job market after obtaining a general university degree...

Whether you're an international student or not, these are the questions facing all those wishing to undertake higher education in France. The MediaSchool International team will be happy to be your "sparring partner" to help you make the right choice.

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