[PDF] education system in france vs america

What are the differences between the higher education system in France and the United States?

The French and American education systems are very distinct from each other. For example, in France, students will start to narrow their field of study in high school, whereas American students only choose a major once they’re in university.

How do teaching methods and language differ between French and American schools?

American students only choose a field of study once they enter university, unlike French students who choose it in high school. Grading systems also vary drastically. For example, while French teachers grade students from 0-20, American teachers use a 0-100 scale or a letter scale from A-F.

What is the average number of years of schooling in France compared to the United States?

So, basically a student with a baccalauréat who is 18 to 19 years old is at about at the same level of someone in the US who has 3 years of College. After that, in France, you can get your Licence (Bachelor), Master (Master) or Doctorat (Doctorate).

Are there any similarities between the French and American education systems?

The American diploma is similar to a "Master II" in France, in most cases. If the student has written a dissertation in order to obtain a Master’s degree, French universities consider the student as postgraduate. Without a dissertation, the student must prepare a Master’s degree. The French doctorate is similar to the American one.