Pathway to France - A summary

So you want to study medicine in France? Just follow this complete guide with us!

It will take a total of 7 years to graduate as a medical doctor from France. Additional years will be required for specialization. Basically, medical studies in France are divided into three courses (PCEM, DCEM and General Medicine or other specialties) and ends with obtaining the country’s PhD certificate in medicine. But don't fear, if you do end up completing your residency outside of France, there is still a pathway called DFMS that allows you to practise as an MD in France.

Applying to a medical school in France:

The first step is to register at Parcoursup (https://www.parcoursup.fr/), and can even be done during your final year of high school. Parcoursup is an application process designed by both the French Ministry of Education and the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation that enables you to apply for medical schools in France. Via the website you will be given the option to select the medical school you want to apply to. Through the application process you will be required to provide a list of documents include for example personal information and your school transcript. After finishing the process, the universities will review your application and grant you acceptance if you meet their specific standard.

This link provides you with a list of medical schools In France you can choose to apply to: https://www.medicalstudyguide.com/universities-of-medicine-in-france.html

Applying for Visa:

After getting accepted, the next step will be applying for a student visa. No person from a country which is member in EU / EEA will need a visa to study. You can apply directly to the university or graduate school of your choice. Otherwise, students from non-EU countries need a student visa that requires them to pass through the Campus France Institution. During the first school year, international students only need to show their visa as evidence of their residency. However, you must register with the immigration office within 30 days of your arrival and perform a medical examination to complete the administrative procedures for your visa. Starting from your second year of studies, you must apply for a residence permit.

Language requirements:

If you are Lebanese the first question you should take into consideration is the type of secondary school certificate you have. Is it a “bac francais” (BF) or “bac Lebanai” (BL). If BF you are considered fluent in French, and no other language requirements are needed. If BL you should pass a number of language exams.

If you think you're weak in French, you can improve your language skills by joining French language courses offered by private centers. It is preferable that the student wishing to complete their studies in France starts learning the French language well in advance.

With regards to tests you’ll have to take; you must either obtain a French Language Diploma (DELF) or a focused Diploma in the French language (DALF) and get a minimum of a B (yikes high school throwback). These diplomas reflect the student’s skills in the French language. These are valid for life and recognized in the whole world. Indeed, they are also necessary in order to search for a job in France or in any French-speaking country (B2, for example, is the level generally required in French universities). Moreover, students should sit for French TCF / TFE tests. Basically, these tests assess the candidate’s proficiency level in the French language. Unlike the lifetime valid DELF and DALF diplomas, TCF certification is only valid for two years.

Next, we will go through an overview on the structure of your medical studies in France

First Cycle (PCEM)

The first cycle is two academic preparatory years where students all study the same course of medical, pharmacy, dentistry, nursing and physiotherapy. It is worth noting that students have only two chances to pass the first year. In order to pass for the second year, you must pass a competitive exam at the end of the first year. Moreover, the maximum number of foreign students admitted from outside the European Union is limited to 8% of their total students.

Second Cycle (DCEM)

The second cycle lasts four years. In order to reach the third stage, students of the fourth year must successfully complete the second cycle. They must pass their theoretical exams, complete their hospital internships and participated in seminars. After sitting for DCEM's final exam, depending on your grades students can then follow the speciality of their dreams.

Third Cycle (DES)

The third cycle includes two study programs: General Medicine or other specialties, both of which enable you to obtain a Diploma of Specialized Studies (DES). Furthermore, you may complete some specialties in order to obtain the complementary specialized studies certificate DESC, which takes two years of study. Afterward, the student can prepare and discuss a thesis for obtaining the country’s PhD in medicine.

Apply to France – Residency

For residency you can apply as an independent applicant to DCEM's final exam. But be warned it is a highly competitive programme and you need to have met the language requirements. But, if you do manage to make it pass these steps, a French residency awaits you!