France
With tuition fees significantly lower than the UK and Paris chosen as winner of the QS Best Student Cities in the World 2012 survey, studying in France could be an appealing prospect. Don your beret and find out about funding options, student visas and French exchanges...
There are three types of higher education institutions in France:
When applying to a higher education institution, you must present your A-levels (baccalauréat) or undergraduate degree (licence). Entry requirements vary for each university, so make sure you contact institutions directly to ensure your application is correct.
For French-speaking courses, you are required to take a Test de Connaissance de Francais (TCF) . This can be organised by the French Ministries for National Education and Higher Education and Research and is designed to test your French language capabilities.
There are around 600 postgraduate programmes in France that are taught in English. Generally speaking, candidates for these courses are not required to speak French.
European Union (EU) citizens are entitled to attend university in France or any EU country (this means the 27 member states plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway). The same conditions apply to all EU citizens whether a national of the country or not. This means that you are not required to pay higher course fees and that you are entitled to apply for any grants available to help with tuition fees.
Funding and study grants in France are assigned depending on individual circumstances. There is a variety of financial help and support available to students, from research allowances to assistance with accommodation and transport. The French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs allocates a large number of grants to international students.
Search for a grant for your nationality, subject area and level of study at Campus France - Grants Search Engine and CNOUS - Foreign Students .
Students attending UK universities can take part in the EU's flagship educational exchange programme Erasmus . The scheme offers work placements, study opportunities and language assistantships, which last from three months to one academic year in EU countries.
Financial support is also available to selected Masters and Doctoral students through the Erasmus Mundus initiative.
Your university must have a formal agreement with a partner university in another EU country. Check that your university is involved in the programme and offers the Erasmus scheme in your subject.
You can arrange intensive language courses before you go, although it isn't always necessary to speak the language of your host country. Speak to the Erasmus coordinator at your university about available opportunities.
As an EU citizen, you are permitted to live in any EU country while studying as long as you:
Some countries require you to register with the local authority after three months. Find out how to register at Europa - Rights, Conditions and Formalities and Campus France - Obtaining and Renewing a Residency Permit .
If you're tempted to work in France, the cultural and gastronomic hub of Europe, find out about the job market before you pack your bags and book your flight
France has a strong tourism industry - it's actually the most visited country in the world, with more than 75 million tourists heading there each year. If you are interested in working in the tourism industry, jobs are available all year round.
Working in a mountain resort is a popular option for those seeking seasonal employment. Contracts are almost always temporary and an average salary brings home around €1,090 per month.
Each winter, 2,000 jobs become available in hotels, restaurants and bars. There's also a great demand for qualified sports instructors in both the summer and winter seasons. For more guidance on temporary jobs in the mountains, go to Seasonworkers Ski jobs in France .
The French agriculture and industrial sectors are always looking for new recruits to fill a wide range of jobs, many of which are seasonal. The French government is alert to ecological concerns and, as a result, many eco jobs are being created. Jobs involving the environment, or 'green jobs' as they are often known, look set to be the future of this sector.
Healthcare professionals are in high demand due to an increasing need for medical treatment. One factor causing this increased demand is a rise in life expectancy.
France is also influential in the production of aircraft, cars and pharmaceuticals.
Search for jobs in France at:
Work experience is seen as vital in France, with most French university courses containing some form of internship, known as 'stage'.
Multinational company L'Oréal offers international internships to graduates who are fluent in French. Positions exist within research, finance and marketing to name just a few areas and internships last from three months to one year. To find out more, see L'Oreal Internships and Apprenticeship .
For those interested in teaching English in France, schemes are available for graduates who hold a minimum of AS level in French or equivalent. You don't need to be fluent in French, as it's important to create an English-speaking atmosphere in the classroom. For more information, read i-to-i Requirements to Teach in France .
You can apply to work as an English language assistant through the British Council - Language Assistants in France .
Internships and summer work placements for students can also be arranged by:
Voluntary work is well worth considering if you can afford to work unpaid in order to gain experience. Not only will it put your language skills to the test and help you to understand French culture, it will provide you with an opportunity to make valuable contacts and look fantastic on your CV.
The European Commission (EC) funds a scheme called The European Voluntary Service (EVS) , which is aimed at people aged 18 to 30 wishing to volunteer abroad. It offers young people the chance to volunteer for up to 12 months in a number of European and non-European countries.
Opportunities vary from placements concerned with sport and culture to others focused on social care and the environment. For successful applicants, accommodation, travel, food and insurance are all covered by a European grant and you even receive a personal allowance each month.
Make sure you thoroughly research all volunteering opportunities and always check the terms and conditions before committing yourself to a scheme.
The key to gaining employment in France is the language and this cannot be stressed enough. For almost all jobs, it's essential that you have a good understanding of French (both spoken and written).
There are lots of French language courses in the UK and many good websites exist to help you learn a language or improve your skills. To test and then sharpen your skills, visit BBC Languages - French .
According to the EC, European Union (EU) citizens have the right to:
For more information and to check what conditions and restrictions apply, see:
EU nationals may also be entitled to have certain types of health and social security coverage transferred to the country in which they go to seek work. For country-specific information on social security entitlements, see European Commission - Your Rights Country by Country .
Depending on your occupation, your qualifications may be recognised in some countries. To find out more, visit Europa - Qualifications for Employment .