1 best international colleges in Paris 2024

Secondary education received in Paris is an opportunity to master one of the most beautiful languages perfectly, study according to advanced pedagogical methods and get a certificate that opens the doors to most universities in the world. No schools in the world pay as much attention to innovation as French ones.

The TOP colleges in Paris for foreign students offer high-quality education, popular educational programs that allow you to enrol in prestigious universities abroad. Choosing a college for foreign students depends on a long list of factors: academic ability, length of stay in France, location, budget. The French education system offers education in private, bilingual and international schools and colleges.

• The best colleges in Paris for foreign students allow you to continue studying according to the chosen program and in the chosen language, even if you have left the country. Moving in itself is a difficult stage, and for children who do not know a foreign language at a sufficient level for study, studying at a local school without preparation may require a long adaptation, affect the quality of academic performance. This is especially important for older children, for whom each academic year is crucial.
• The colleges are also good for expats who move frequently, as the standards in international schools are similar around the world, which allows you to smoothly move from one school to another without wasting time on adaptation.
• The private colleges in Paris give children the opportunity to meet and make friends with people of different cultures, nationalities, and make it easier to learn languages.
• International general education institutions offer students small classes, excellent conditions and high educational standards. They follow internationally recognized programs leading to qualifications accepted by universities around the world.

The community colleges in Paris for foreign students offer a whole list of popular programs: successful study in any of them and obtaining an internationally recognized certificate will open the doors of prestigious universities for foreign students, will improve their knowledge of English/French, develop academic skills and adapt to international educational standards.

The best colleges in Paris for foreign students offer various studying formats and types of programs. The education system includes international colleges, international sections in French schools and bilingual schools. Prestigious community colleges in Paris offer a program of British or American schools with instruction in English. Graduates of these schools receive GCSE and A-Level certificates, American certificates of secondary education SAT / PSAT.

Other colleges in Paris offer to the students the internationally recognized International Baccalaureate program as their curriculum, which allows them to obtain a prestigious diploma and enrol in leading universities in the world. Lessons are usually conducted in English, and sometimes in French, German or Spanish (depending on the school). In some bilingual schools, the curriculum includes elements of national (British, German) and French programs; others teach Option Internationale du Baccalauréat.

International colleges can be primary and secondary, most of them are full–time, only some offer boarding. Most British and American schools are located in and around Paris.

• International Baccalaureate

An internationally recognized educational program offered in 3,000 schools and 143 countries. Preparation for the IB diploma for students aged 16-19 requires students to study six subjects for two years. These include the study of languages and literature, history and sociology, natural sciences, mathematics, and art. There are different courses in each subject group. Students must also take an additional course in philosophy ("Theory of Knowledge", TOK), participate in the Creativity, Activity and Service Program (CAS) and write an extended 4,000-word essay.

The IB program is widely recognized as an educational qualification sufficient for admission to prestigious universities around the world.

• Option Internationale du Baccalauréat

It is the international version of the French general education program. Students choose from the study blocks L (French, Languages or Art, Philosophy), ES (Economics, Mathematics) and S (Mathematics, Physics/Chemistry, Earth Science, Biology), subjects of choice from the national block (literature, history and geography). The international version is taught in the language of the native country. ORB provides automatic admission to higher education institutions in France and is recognized for admission to universities in other countries of the world.

• GCSE, IGCSE, A-level

The British general Education program involves studying and passing exams in a number of subjects, including mathematics, English, natural sciences and humanities. A-Level certificate with high scores allows you to enter British and some other universities without exams.

• High school diploma, Advanced Placement

Some mid-level international educational institutions offer an American course leading to a prestigious diploma, including preparation for the SAT + exams, students can choose one of the Advanced Placement classes for admission to the university.

• Notre Dame International High School
• Bilingual International School of Paris (BISP)
• British School of Paris
• International Deutsche Schule Paris
• Bilingual Montessori School of Paris
• Lycée International
• Lycée de Sèvres
• Marymount School
• Swedish School in Paris
• CIPEC (Centre International Privé pour l’Education et la Culture).

The best colleges in Paris for foreign students open enrolment six months or a year before the start of the academic year. The list of those waiting to enrol in them can be quite large, so it's better to take care of submitting an application early.

The package of documents for enrolment includes the following ones:

• Completed application form (online)

• A copy of the passport
• Extract of grades from the last place of study for two years
• Certificate confirming knowledge of a foreign language (depends on the language of instruction)
• Motivation letter/resume
• Recommendations of teachers, school director
• Diplomas, certificates, awards for participation in academic, creative, sports competitions, Olympiads.

Some colleges in Paris conduct entrance exams, interviews with applicants, testing before the start of studying, allowing you to determine the level of proficiency in basic academic disciplines, English/other language.