PSL voices | Choosing to study in France: the thrills and the trials

I came to France in 2022, right after finishing my high school studies in Spain. After pursuing an interdisciplinary Bachelor’s Degree for two years at a different university, this year I’m starting my studies at ENS, a member school of PSL. Moving to Paris has definitely been an exciting and fulfilling experience. However, I’ve also gone through some difficulties that I could have faced better if I had more information beforehan

The thrills

Interdisciplinary coursework

One of the main factors that made me come to France, and more recently to PSL University, was the possibility to follow an interdisciplinary coursework. At the ENS you can take any courses you want parallel to your training in your main discipline. PSL also organizes two PSL Weeks a year during which you can follow an intensive course to discover a different discipline.

Life in Paris

On top of that, coming to study in Paris has been an incredible opportunity to discover the French capital. Paris is the second biggest student city in the world, and PSL has various campuses all over the city, with various of them located around the Latin Quartier, among its historic bars, museums and independent cinemas. As Hemingway famously said, “There is never any end to Paris”, and studying here is a great chance to explore the possibilities of this renowned infinity.

Tuition fees

Another interesting feature of education in France, at PSL and other public higher education institutions, is the generally affordable tuition fees. You can expect to pay a few hundred euros in tuition fees per year for both EU and non-EU students. However, this might vary depending on your situation and course of study, and there are many different exceptions to take into account. In any case, PSL offers diverse financial aid options and scholarships available, which can be helpful if you are afraid that moving to France might be financially challenging for you.

The Trials

French education system

The French education system is very particular, and for that reason, it can be very confusing to foreigners (it certainly was to me!). Thus, if you are considering to study in France, it might prove useful to do some research about all the paths available. PSL itself is a very diverse University integrated with very different schools that offer a wide range of education programs. That’s why I recommend learning more about studying in France and exploring all the different programs offered by PSL University to find the option that suits you best. Also, for a more precise explanation of what PSL University is, don’t hesitate to check out this article by my colleague Charlotte :)

Housing

When I moved to Paris, I struggled quite a bit to find housing. Fortunately, the PSL Housing Service assists all PSL students in finding accommodation in Paris and its webpage contains loads of useful information. PSL Welcome Desk has as well a on finding housing in Paris. If you look for a room or apartment through apps or websites, be cautious and beware of fraudsters. Foreign students sometimes have a hard time finding a garant (a guarantor who takes responsibility if you don’t pay your rent), but there are options for specifically aimed at international students. Also, some housing options don’t even require declaring a guarantor at all, and some PSL member schools offer housing options to their students.

French language

Finally, getting used to the French language can sometimes be a bit challenging, particularly in casual contexts. Even if you are capable of following your lectures or listening to podcasts in French, you might find yourself struggling to follow a conversation at a bar and other day-to-day exchanges. But don’t panic! The initial shock might be scary, but you will be amazed by how fast you can get used to new sounds, and in just a few weeks your listening skills can improve a lot. Moreover, PSL offers French as a Foreign Language (FLE) lessons to its international students. are also great options for improving your speaking skills. In any case, if you are worried about how much French you should know before coming to France, I recommend you go check out Mahammad’s article on the matter.

I hope this post reassured you that coming to France for your studies can be incredibly cool! I also hope it gave you some useful information about the challenges such an experience can entail, so that you can face them without much stress. Finally, don’t hesitate to contact me if you have more questions, and have a great day!