What career paths are open to international students trained in France?

Donwload the survey

A sample of over 10,000 respondents 

More than 10,000 alumni responded to the survey at the end of 2023. With an average age of 33, most of them have studied in France over the last ten years, and half of them have been awarded a scholarship. 54% of respondents were men and 46% women. The sample is geographically diverse, with alumni from 154 countries, particularly from the following: Sub-Saharan Africa (28%), North Africa - Middle East (21%), Europe (20%), Americas (18%) and Asia-Oceania (12%).

A majority of degee-seeking university students among respondents

The vast majority of respondents came to study in France for the purpose of getting a degree: 70% by pursuing diploma-seeking programs and 12% through joint degree programs. Nearly two out of ten respondents came to France as part of an academic exchange, including over a third via the Erasmus+ program (35% of 19%).

Nearly seven out of ten alumni studied in France in a university (68%), two out of ten in an engineering school (20%) and one out of ten in a business school (9%). Nearly seven out of ten respondents were enrolled at Master's level during their studies in France (69%).

Studying in France: advantages for your career

A third of alumni continued their education after studying in France: 96% of them declare that it was an asset for their further studies.

87% of alumni found a job within a year of studying in France (73% within 6 months). For 88% of them, the job met their expectations in terms of profession, sector and salary level. – see appendix 2.

91% of respondents say that their studies in France were an asset in helping them get their first job. Nearly one in two alumni found their first job in France (48%), 44% in their country of origin, and 8% in another country.

A career-long advantage

80% of alumni currently work in an intellectual or managerial professions: 55% in an intellectual and scientific profession; 25% in manager or executive positions.

90% of respondents say that their studies in France were an asset in helping them get their first job.

The French language is central to the experience of studying in France

Studying in France significantly increased alumni’s French speaking aptitudes. Just about half of respondents declared that they could speak two languages before their studies in France (47%): more than three quarters at the end of their stay (76%). Almost 80% of alumni now use the French language in their daily business and/or personal lives 

Alumni, ambassadors for France

93% of respondents have a positive image of France: the words most often used to describe their experience are "discovery, enriching, freedom, culture".

Staying in France for study purposes majorly contributes to France's attractiveness as a business location for alumni: nearly nine out of ten say it has a positive effect on their desire to work with French people (88%), and more than eight out of ten say it has a positive effect on their desire to work with French companies (85%).

96% of alumni are ambassadors for France, recommending it for study, 97% for vacation, 85% for work, 82% for living.

Results of the poll were published during the 2nd world Alumni Day, which was on the theme: “French-speaking talent, global careers”. This operation was launched in 2023 at the initiative of the ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. ILaunched in 2023 by the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, this operation is organised by Campus France to celebrate French higher education graduates and their achievements across all five continents.