SERRANO Danna
4 min.
14 March 2024
Danna Serrano is an international student enrolled in the Bachelor in Business - International track at Esdes Business School in Lyon, France. In this article, she will explain how to study in English here in France and will share her personal experience as an international student.
Many students believe that studying in France for their dream career is impossible due to their lack of proficiency in French, or even not knowing the language at all. However, let me address these misconceptions: Some French universities offer a wide variety of English-language taught programs. You don't need to be fluent in French to study there; if you have proficiency or even an intermediate level of English, you can do it. So, stop worrying about language barriers!
Types of programs available in France in English
When discussing English tracks in universities, you might assume that they are all linguistics focused. However, let me clarify that not all English tracks are linguistics. There are numerous programs available for both national and international students, in fields such as commerce, business, environmental studies, politics, finance, law, and engineering.
Moreover, these programs are not limited to bachelor's degrees; they are also available at the master's level.
Keep in mind that France is a country known for its numerous innovations and diverse academic fields. Therefore, you may come across new programs taught in English at universities each year. Another point to consider is thoroughly checking the program profiles over and over again, because French universities may label programs differently compared to those in your country.
Consequently, you may discover a program aligned with your ambitions but under a completely different name.
How to find English tracks in France?
Now comes the most important question: how to find it?; the answer is that there are two ways:
General Websites
The first option is to conduct a general search on the internet. Simply type 'English tracks (city name/France)' into Google, and you'll find numerous blogs and websites listing potential universities. If you have a specific career in mind, you can narrow down your search accordingly. Moreover, some web pages collect data for universities and can provide you with the help that you need. Those pages have filters for pairing your budget with the tuition, duration, and location (some truthful examples are study portals, keystones, etc.).
From my standpoint, I will just recommend this option if you do not have any idea what you want to study. However, do not forget that these sources may not always provide essential information or updates, so visiting the official website of the university is necessary to be updated about the requirements of application.
Official Websites
You can use official websites provided by the French government. Campus France, a department dedicated to international students, offers a useful list of universities with English tracks. Personally, I use this option to search for my degree and currently, I am studying International Business in Lyon in English.
This option is the most beneficial as it provides filters for regions, fields of study, degree levels, and more. This makes it easier to find programs that align with your preferences and saves time.
Additionally, once you've found a program of interest, you can access essential information such as requirements, tuition fees, locations, and objectives with just one click. The website also allows you to select and compare your preferred programs for further consideration. One disadvantage is that it is not too update, so there may be universities missing from the list.
Studying in English at Esdes Business School
When I decided that I wanted to study business in France, I thought it was impossible because my level of French was A2. However, currently, I am studying International Business in a total English program at Esdes Business School.
Esdes helped me a lot to understand and clarify any doubts about the application process. They assisted me in my mother tongue because they have multilingual workers, which made the process easy and quick. One of the things that impressed me the most is that they do not require any level of French for their English tracks.
In addition, the other bullet point that caught my attention was the academic program. It immerses you in a global context for each subject and prioritizes theoretical as well as practical knowledge, which helps me to get more knowledge of international markets, geopolitics, global trends, and competences for more job opportunities.
Although the track is essentially in English, the university also offers French classes within the academic program. So, I am gradually improving my French, which helps me a lot to communicate and make new friends in this country.
Conclusion
With all the information just mentioned, France can become a promising destination for studying in English. As a suggestion, I recommend listing the region you wish to study in or the specific degree names to start your research and gain a clearer understanding of your aspirations. For your research, I highly recommend starting with the Campus France website due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive resources. However, if you don't find what you're looking for there, don't hesitate to conduct a general search on the internet.
Personally, I understand the tediousness of the process, but you will find something according to your interest at the end of the day.
So, let's begin your research journey, and remember, don't hesitate to reach out to universities with inquiries in English. They are extremely receptive and willing to assist you.
Here, I attach some links to the mentioned websites to start this incredible journey:
