Nina Droff 07:34, March 22, 2023

Faced with the difficulty of medical or paramedical studies, French students decided to go to other European countries to study health in private universities that were less selective than in France.

Belgium, Romania, Spain... These destinations are popular for young French people who decide to learn the care professions abroad. In Spain, 11,400 students are enrolled this year, 23% more than in 2020. These students prefer to try their luck in foreign private faculties rather than rely on the French system.

Quality of courses

After two failures in the medical entrance exam, Louise chose to try her luck in Romania. She is now in her eighth year there.

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"This is clearly not studies sold off. The quality of the courses is very correct. I have always done summer internships in France and I have never had a negative remark about my level. Romania offered me this opportunity to practice the job I had always dreamed of, unlike France," Louise told Europe 1.

Studies at 14,000 euros per year

Some students decide to go directly abroad without trying the competition in France. This is the case of Louisa who is studying in the second year of physiotherapy in Madrid. "The reform had just passed, there was only one year left to pass the exam. I didn't want to lose another year. These are schools that are fee-paying. At first, I was a little afraid to pay for a diploma but finally it took a lot of work," she explains.

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These courses cost up to 14,000 euros per year but they attract more and more young French. "In my class, the majority of people have not succeeded in medicine in France but there are also more and more post-baccalaureate," adds Louisa. The vast majority of them decide to return to France to practice.