Study abroad: Towards poles of knowledge other than France

In recent years, there has been a certain decrease in student flows to French universities. This new generation of students decides to move towards new centers of knowledge…Decryption!

For several years, more and more foreign students have chosen to study in Spain rather than in France. There are many reasons for this choice: lower living costs, more flexible study programs, and a more welcoming university culture. According to the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports (MECD), the number of foreign students enrolled in Spanish universities increased by 7.5% between 2016 and 2017.

And this observed rush can be explained by several reasons, in particular: the quality of teaching, the diversity of the study programs offered, the increasingly efficient research and the relatively affordable tuition costs compared to other countries in the European Union. Moreover, Spain is a country rich in culture and history, which attracts many international students. It is also increasingly common for Spanish universities to position themselves well in international rankings. “Indisputably, today we are witnessing the emergence of new centers of knowledge such as Spain, China, Turkey…”, confides to us, Mohamed Tazi, Managing Director of the consulting firm Archimede.

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It should be noted that the costs of studies in Spain vary according to several factors, such as the level of studies, the type of establishment and the region. In general, tuition costs for university studies in Spain are generally lower than those in France, although this may vary depending on the institution and the study program chosen.

In detail, tuition costs for university studies in Spain are generally divided into two categories: resident students and non-resident students. Resident students in Spain generally pay lower tuition costs than non-resident students. In general, tuition costs for university studies in Spain vary between €500 and €1,500 per year for resident students and between €1,000 and €10,000 per year for non-resident students. Tuition costs for masters and doctoral programs are generally higher. “In the case of France, to access public universities, you need between 3000 and 4000 euros. As for business schools, the minimum is 7,000 euros and can go up to 20,000 euros,” explains Mohamed Tazi. Moreover, the consequences of this rush for French universities are significant. French universities have traditionally attracted many foreign students, but with increasing competition from Spain, they find themselves in a difficult situation. French universities need to focus on promoting their study programs and improving the foreign student experience to stay competitive.

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In addition, increased competition for foreign students may also impact the finances of French universities, which often depend on foreign student tuition fees to support themselves.