France Welcomes Indian Students to Study French in France Without IELTS and Before Degrees

France has created Classes Internationales (international classes), a unique initiative that allows Indian students to study French for a year in France before pursuing a degree of their choice. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the program's commencement during his state visit to India as the primary guest for Republic Day celebrations on 26 January. The Classes Internationales program is intended to allow India's brightest high school graduates to access France's comprehensive and renowned educational offers without being limited to English-taught curricula, according to a statement from the French Embassy.

Indian students can now be admitted to undergraduate programs

Whether Indian students are already fluent in French or are complete beginners, they can now be admitted to undergraduate programs taught in French at French higher education institutions after completing a foundational year of language training, according to the statement.

This plan was stated in the joint statement signed by Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi after their meeting on 26 January. In a joint statement, the two leaders said they would back what they called the "initiative of setting up international classes which will enable, from September 2024 onwards, Indian students to be taught French as a foreign language, methodology and academic contents in highly reputed French universities in France during one academic year, before entering their chosen curricula in France".

Macron met Indian students

During his visit to Amber Fort, Macron met Indian students from Alliance Française de Jaipur, the French departments of Delhi University and Jawaharlal Nehru University, and graduates who had returned from France after graduation. Macron emphasised France's commitment to providing additional chances for Indian students, as seen by initiatives like Classes Internationales and a five-year short-stay Schengen visa for alumni. He also pointed out that India is now the largest recipient of French academic scholarships.

We want to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030

"We want to welcome 30,000 Indian students to France by 2030," Macron said, adding that achieving this objective would make him the "happiest president" ever. The Classes Internationales program is notable for its universality, as it is open to all Indian students, regardless of their current level of French, with academic success being the only criterion. It provides diverse educational opportunities, including admission to prestigious French higher education institutions such as universities, grandes écoles, engineering, management, sciences, humanities, arts, and other specialty schools.

Students will be immersed in French culture and language, with French language sessions targeted to the student's chosen field of study and supplemented with field-specific preparatory courses. The French embassy will grant scholarships to outstanding students to help them pursue further education in France. Applications are accepted till 31 March 2024.