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France

Quick Facts:

Population:

60,742,000

Language:

French

Currency:

Euro

Capital City:

Paris

Known for:


Eiffel Tower, Museums and Art Galleries, Fabulous Food and Culture.

Program Dates:

2010:

September:

3 month program:
Start Date: September 1, 2010
End Date: November 30, 2010
5 month program:
Start Date: September 1, 2010
End Date: January 31, 2011
10 month program:
Start Date: September 1, 2010  
End Date: June 30, 2011

2011:

January:

3 month program:
Start Date: January 1, 2011
End Date: March 31, 2011
5 month program:
Start Date: January 1, 2011
End Date: June 30, 2011

Application deadlines for the student exchange programs each year are:
September (5 or 10 month) – May 28, 2010
January – October 1, 2010


L’école in France is similar to here, in Canada. Education is compulsory for children from ages six to sixteen. The academic calendar begins in September and ends in July, with a weekly schedule of twenty-four hours of class instruction time. The school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 16:30 pm, with two breaks in the day.

Secondary school is broken into two phases; collège for students aged 11 to 15 and lycée for ages 15 to 18. The final three years of lycéeare divided into seconde, première and terminale. This is the point at which students determine the focus or specialization of their studies; arts and literature, technology, science or social & economic studies. Final exams are known as the baccalauréat or International Option Baccalauréat and are globally recognized qualifications for university entrance.

France is a country alive with art and culture, where the joie de vive is not just a saying, but it is a way of life. The opportunities to explore and experience the incredible culture of this country will extend far beyond the school setting.

School System

  • Compulsory for children age 6-16
  • School year starts in early September and finishes in July
  • School week is 24 hours long
  • School day hours vary between regions but is generally 08:30-16:30 with two breaks
  • Lunch hours vary from school to school and in general last one and a half to two hours
  • Secondary education is broken into two phases. It begins with the compulsory first cycle  for ages 11 to 15 at collège after which, on completion a successful scholar receives a diploma (brevet des collèges). This is followed by the post compulsory second cycle for ages 15 to 18 at a lycée
  • Collège is the first cycle for scholars aged 11-15 years. On completing the CM2 cycle and receiving a brevet the pupil is ready for admission into sixième (6ème). 
  • Lycee - For ages 15 to 18. The final three years are the seconde, première and terminale. It is at this point that the scholar specialises in a chosen area. The final exams are the Baccalauréat (the "Bac"). The Baccalauréat and the "International Option" Baccalauréat (OIB) are globally recognised qualifications for university entrance. 
  • The "bac" subjects are grouped by discipline:
  • General bac include:
    • Arts & Literature (BAC L),
    • Science (BAC S),
    • Social & Economic (BAC ES)
  • Technological bac includes:
    • Science & Industrial Technologies (STI)
    • Science & Laboratory Technologies (STL)
    • Medical & Social Sciences (SMS)