Classes Internationales is a flagship program launched in September 2024, as a result of an agreement between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. This initiative aims to welcome India’s brightest high-school graduates to France, regardless of their proficiency in French.
Key Features:
- Inclusivity: Open to all Indian students, irrespective of their French language skills.
- Duration: Students spend between one semester and a full academic year at a preparatory school in France.
- Language Proficiency: Programs cater to various levels, from complete beginners (A0) to advanced learners (C2).
- Application Deadlines: March 31, 2025, for beginners (A0 level) and mid-May 2025 for those with A2 proficiency.
- Academic Focus: Offers access to prestigious French institutions across various fields, including universities, grandes écoles, and specialized schools in engineering, management, sciences, humanities, arts, and more.
- Cultural Immersion: Students are immersed in French culture and language, participating in institutional student activities.
- Scholarship Opportunities: Outstanding students may receive scholarships from the French Embassy in India.
Participating Institutions:
- Aix-Marseille Université: Offers programs in Mathematics, Physics, Mechanics, Computer Science, Economics, Management, and Law.
- CPE Lyon: Engineering Institute of Chemistry and Digital Sciences.
- Clermont Auvergne: Engineering, Science and Technology, Information Technology, Computer Sciences, Physics, Chemistry.
- Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Arts et Métiers: Technology, Industrial Engineering, Battery Engineering.
- Cergy Paris Université: Social Sciences and Management, Design, Mathematics, Political Science, Computer Science, Information Technology.
The program provides a unique opportunity for Indian students to gain comprehensive French language training and potentially secure scholarships at the program’s end. It aims to support the goal of having 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030.