Recent report reveals Chinese students' favored majors in France

More Chinese students favor business, science and engineering majors for further education in France, according to a new report released on Saturday by overseas education consultancy EIC Education Group.

The EIC Report on Studying in France shows that the proportion of applications for business majors have increased from 64.7 percent in 2019 to 76 percent in 2023.

The data from the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation shows that France has nearly 400,000 international students in 2022.

Among the 27,479 Chinese students in the 2021-22 academic year, 10,115 studied in business schools, 2,934 in engineering schools and 1,836 pursued doctoral degrees.

The Group's data shows that, over the past five years, 80 percent of Chinese students applied for master's programs, while 67 percent applied for higher business schools. In 2023, Emlyon Business School received the biggest number of applications from Chinese students.

Wu Dan from the Group's Program Management Center said the report provides comprehensive and professional analysis and advice for students and families intending to study in France.

The report combines the latest figures from various French official institutions, as well as customer service data and student interviews collected by the group, she said.

It covers information about the French education system, application guidelines, admission data, and strategies for getting into prestigious higher institutes and finding jobs.

The report highlights that one of the factors determining the employment for international students in France is the graduate's higher institutes.

Generally, students graduating from institutions such as engineering or business schools find it easier to land a job, it said. These schools emphasize more on practical education, providing opportunities for students to engage with industry elites and expand their professional networks, it added.

Since China and France signed the diploma recognition agreement in 2007, the Chinese government recognizes all higher education diplomas approved by the French government, according to the report.