Simple visa rules, scholarships & more from France for Indian students

Attaché for Scientific and University Cooperation, Caroline Gueny-Mentre says that students who want to pursue Masters' programme in France can stay on in the nation for up to one year after they complete their course to find a job.

Simplified visa rules:

Officials of the Campus France India said that the rules for visa have been made simpler to enable Indian students to opt for admissions into over 800 Masters' programmes which are being offered in France, in English.

She said at an event organised by the Campus France India for 2014 winter admissions that, "We don't want to overburden students and have taken all possible measures to simplify visa regulations." Over 20 French B-schools, engineering schools and arts and hospitality institutes took part in this event.

To motivate and welcome students from India to France, Francois Richier, the Ambassador of France to India, has also permitted a five-year short stay visa to all Indian alumni of French institutes. According to the French officials, students of past, present and future, who hold a Master's or any postgraduate degree, are allowed to stay in France for a period of five years after their completion of graduation.

Caroline Gueny-Mentre said, "Very few study visas of Indian students are rejected every year. There is no limit to the number of visas that we are willing to offer to Indian students. There are adequate scholarship opportunities for meritorious students. We hope these measures will help double the number of admissions of Indian students in French universities."

The French educational authorities said good research facilities, small class size, easy access to renowned academics and affordable tuition fee would make French education a preferred education system for Indian student community.

A double intake of Indian students is what the Campus France India authorities said they were looking for. This is 3,000 students per year.

"The UNESCO has ranked France as the third best destination for international students after US and UK. There are not many phoney educational institutes in France and students can take complete guidance from our student counsellors for admissions," said National Co-ordinator, Campus France India, Sapna Sachdeva.

It is not mandatory to learn the local language for students, as per the Campus France officials.

"All the courses are being offered in English. It depends on the personal interest and choice of students whether they want to learn French language or not," said Director, Alliance Francaise, Hyderabad, Jean-Manuel Duhaut.

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