The French president explains the strategy aimed at attracting international students as part of the Great National Debate

Asked by the President of Evry University about the ongoing reform on university enrolment fees, the French President answered by placing the reform in the overall context of France’s appeal as an education and university destination. 

He reminded of the balance upon which rests the introduction of differentiated enrolment fees for non-EU students:

1. To give universities the possibility to charge non-EU students enrolment fees, but cap them at a much lower level compared to the other main countries that host international students;
2. Support the most deserving students, together with Campus France, by offering them scholarships to guarantee their access to French higher education.

The French President emphasised his attachment to the universal vocation of French universities, which nevertheless cannot take away from the quality of the reception and of academic excellence. 

With regard to other countries that charge significantly higher enrolment fees than those charged by French institutions, the French President believes it will be essential to:

• use surplus budgets “in a proportionate and measured way” to improve study and reception conditions for international students;
• ensure that the most deserving students are supported by Campus France through scholarships; 
• develop partnerships in order to create university courses, both undergraduate and postgraduate, in the students’ home countries. 

The strategy aimed at attracting international students was unveiled on 19 November 2019 by the French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe at the opening of a forum organised by Campus France. It is based on 6 key measures:

1. Simplify and harmonise visa policies; 
2. Double the number of courses taught in English and French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes; 
3. Create a “Bienvenue en France” (“Choose France”) certification (“Label”) to guarantee that international students are suitably welcomed in French institutions; 
4. Introduce differentiated enrolment fees while guaranteeing that exemption scholarships for international students triple; 
5. Promote the presence of French institutions abroad; 
6. Launch a worldwide communications campaign.