Which French university?

Chances are I'll be off to France next year to study a year abroad in my Maths degree. My choices are Université Pierre et Marie Curie and Université Bordeaux 1. Obviously Paris is an attractive prospect but it comes at a cost. I'm basically looking for someone to provide some sort of insight.

Reply 1

Nitrogen

I doubt most people would have any knowledge on french universities. It looks like you prefer to be in paris. TBH if you know how to use your money efficiently and where to shop, then the cost is not as high as you think.

Reply 2

Auxiira

Hi! Living in France, everyone, and I mean everyone, has heard of Université Pierre et Marie Curie. It has ridiculously high entrance requirements, something like 18/20 and above, and you may (I can't remember) have to pass the concours, even if you're foreign. I would imagine that it's the same or Université Bordeaux 1. Just be aware that if you fail the concours twice, you can never pass it again. During your degree, you will probably pass more concours, and the same goes for those. A concours is basically an exam that they use to thin out the numbers. A French degree is highly competitive. (Just an example, the Ecole Nationale de Météorolgie has about 5 places for 200 applicants)
Secondly, Paris is probably the most expensive place in France you could choose to study in. It's an amazing city, but expensive. I don't live in Paris, so I wouldn't be able to tell you much about it. You would need to speak at least a bare minimum of French as well.

I don't want to put you off of going though!

If you want to talk more about this, then you could PM me if you like.

Reply 3

Edwin Okli

Original post by Auxiira

You would need to speak at least a bare minimum of French as well.

I don't think that's a problem, my university already insists on us taking French classes in the first two years so that they can ensure that we are ready for it.

See, I'm worried both about how difficult studying in Paris would be and how expensive accommodation would be. I have no knowledge of Paris so it could be the worst idea.

Reply 4

pane123

I studied at HEC Paris. Can you not stay in university accommodation? Private accommodation in Paris is very, very expensive.

If you want to live the typical student life of going out clubbing etc. then that, too, is very expensive. You are talking €7 a pint in a pub, with bog standard clubs charging up to €12 for a vodka + mixer. Get used to pre-drinking, as wine and beer is dirt cheap in supermarkets.

They are the the only negatives. Paris is an incredible city, with so much to do. You will be able to spend night walking around the sites for free. If you are anything like me, you will never get bored of doing this, such is the beauty of the place.

Reply 5

eleanor23

I'm currently in my second year at uni in Paris, and while it is expensive it's manageable, and I know for a fact it would be around 2 or 3 times the cost if I were living in fairly central London. I'm living in fairly central Paris, and I'm paying around €700 a month for a very small studio flat, which is the sort of standard amount (600+). I got my flat through an agency called Lodgis, so had to pay their fees but they've been great. Otherwise you can find flats on sites like 'particulier a particulier', although they can be very competitive and can't always be trusted.

Reply 6

zero_gravity

Original post by Edwin Okli

First of all, I would like to congratulate you for going to France for a year abroad! In my opinion, I would definitely go with Pierre et Marie Curie, considering that it is one, if not the best, French universities specialised in sciences.

Of course, given that it is in Paris, your costs will be much higher than what you would incur in Bordeaux. However, I believe the city itself is worth an experience if you haven't been there before and personally, if you like an atmosphere of a huge city like London, then Paris would be nice to stay in. However, note that finding a place in Paris would be really difficult if you were not provided a residence hall or that you were not able to apply for one, so be prepared to get some documents ready and search online for flats and apartments. I have experienced this (I had gone to Sciences Po for a semester abroad and I must say finding an apartment is a pain in the ass) and I must say you will have to devote a lot of your time to do research on this if you are deciding to go to Pierre et Marie Curie (unless of course, you are going to decide to go with a rental agency and pay exorbitant fees for their services).

If you would like a change in scenery, then Bordeaux would be nice fit for you. Considering that it is located on the southern part of France, you will have access to nicer weather (which is a really nice thing in the winter) and if you are interested in travelling, you can head to other parts of France like Toulouse, Montpellier, Marseille, which are all within a few hours' reach, as well as Spain. I would also assume that the rent will be significantly cheaper than Paris, so if you have any travel plans, then Bordeaux might be a better choice for you.

Now that being said, I personally loved the student life in Paris. You have a lot of choices (clubs, bars, nightclubs, you name it) in Paris, as there are several districts that you could choose from. Although it is really expensive to get alcohol in bars, you can always avoid that by pre-drinking or party with friends within the comfort of your own place with wine and other types of alcohol. This should not be a problem, considering a variety of convenience stores and supermarkets within walking distance (provided that you will be residing within the boundaries of Paris and not in the suburbs).

If you have any more questions or need any help with regards to Paris, feel free to quote me or comment on what I had said. Hope this helps!

ecole polytechnique

Original post by HK786

ecole polytechnique

That is unfortunately not a choice since I am applying through the School of Maths at university. They arrange the special bond between departments so I have no choice other than which university I prefer.

Thank you for all the advice you've all given me so far. It's a decision that I'll definitely have to think hard about.