The French College at Moscow State University is often called the “Moscow Sorbonne”. This institution has been successfully operating since 1991, and in a way it is truly unique. Thanks to this college, almost anyone who has three years of study at any university in Russia or the CIS can get a second higher education. And most importantly, the French College at Moscow State University, the student reviews of which we will consider in our article, provides this opportunity for free.
A brief history of the emergence of college
The official opening of this educational institution took place in 1991 at the Moscow State University. The French Language College at Moscow State University appeared in many respects with the assistance of a French public figure named Mark Halter and thanks to the initiative taken by the world-famous academician Sakharov. A feature of this institution is that on its basis there is cooperation between the 7 largest universities in France and Moscow State University.
College diplomas
To date, the College at Moscow State University provides an opportunity to receive a diploma in three humanitarian areas:
It is also worth noting that after graduation, the graduate receives a diploma issued by French partner universities. For this reason, the French College at Moscow State University, the diploma of which is recognized in all French universities, gives its students the opportunity to continue their studies in France after graduation , enrolling immediately in the second year of graduate school . And given that this opportunity is free, the question of how realistic it is to get into this college is of interest to many young people.
French College at Moscow State University: how to apply for study
No matter how strange and unusual for our students it may sound, but in order to become a student of this college, you do not need to take exams. The main thing is to be a student of at least the 4th year of any Moscow or CIS university and have a certificate of completion of 3 courses at your university. Already completed higher education French College at Moscow State University only welcomes.
To enroll, an applicant must have Russian citizenship or be a citizen of one of the CIS countries. There is no upper age threshold for those wishing to study, the only restriction is the maximum age of 35 years for those who want to receive a scholarship for further studies already in France itself.
When enrolling, the specialty that is available does not matter. The only exceptions are legal specialties, for which it is necessary to have basic concepts in the field of law or economics.
The French College at Moscow State University has two language forms of education - Russian-language and French-language. Naturally, in the future, studying in French gives students more opportunities, and those who want to study in it should pass written testing for language skills.
Admission procedure
In order to study at the French University College at Moscow State University, you need to go through several simple formal procedures:
- Submit an application for entry in electronic form (can be done through the official website of the college).
- Carry out an administrative record, that is, submit all the necessary documents (2 matte photographs, a photocopy of the passport, a copy of the university diploma or student card and grade book).
- Further, for enrollment, it is necessary to pass a test that checks the level of the French language (necessary for those who plan to study in the French-speaking department).
- Pass the procedure of pedagogical recording (after the test in French is passed, the student needs to determine his two main disciplines). If the test is not passed, the student can be enrolled in the Russian-language faculty, and then he needs to choose for himself 1 main discipline. For pedagogical records, you will need to submit a student ID issued after the administrative record, as well as fill out a college entry form. Passing the stage of pedagogical recording obliges the student to attend all lectures in the selected disciplines, and also gives the right to access the examination and defense of the thesis.
Second year of study
Only those students who have successfully passed the exams in their disciplines after the first year can continue their studies in the second year of study at French College. It will also require pedagogical and administrative records that can be made at the secretariat at the same time. Students who have studied for the first year at the Russian-language department, in the second year of study can not switch to French. But at the same time, such a transition is possible at the beginning of the first year of study. If a student could not pass the test in French and was enrolled in Russian to study, but in the first months of study he noticeably improved his French skills, he could be transferred to the French-speaking department on the recommendation of one of the teachers.
Free listener
For those who are not seeking a prestigious diploma, but are primarily interested in expanding their horizons and are actively engaged in self-education, the French College at Moscow State University has prepared a chance for self-improvement. This educational institution provides the opportunity to attend interesting lectures as a free listener. To do this, simply follow 2 points from the mandatory list for admission to college (submit an electronic application and make an administrative entry).
In this case, a person is issued a student card, and through it he can go to the territory of Moscow State University and listen to interesting lectures. But it is worth remembering that a diploma will not be issued to such a free student. For those who still want to get a diploma, there are 2 forms of training - in Russian and French.
Features of the educational process in the French-speaking departments
Before the start of the first school year, students should choose for themselves two main disciplines for further study in college. It is on these disciplines that French teachers conduct seminars and lectures in the process of study. Also in college, French assistants conduct practical classes every week.
In the first year of study, two written exams are taken in each of the selected disciplines. Further, under the guidance of a French scientific adviser, a scientific work is written. In the first year of study, the volume of training hours is 228, in the second year - 114 hours.
College education in Russian
Going through the college curriculum in Russian is a little easier than in French. And the point is not only in the languages themselves, but in the program, which is more simplified. In the first year you will need to choose only one discipline as the main one. The second discipline is selected as additional. During the first year, students attend lectures, and in cases where they are taught by French teachers, they can use simultaneous translation services.
Further, for each of the disciplines, only one written exam is taken. In December - for additional, and in May - for the main.
In the second year of study, classes are held only in the main discipline. Students listen to lectures and attend practical classes, which are taught by teachers at Moscow State University. Under their guidance, scientific papers are written that are defended by students at the end of the year. The number of class hours in Russian is less than in French. In the first year of study, it is 126 hours, and in the second year - only 84.
French College at Moscow State University: negative student reviews
It would seem that the opportunities that the college provides are truly wonderful and it would be foolish not to take advantage of them. But, despite the fact that this institution provides a free opportunity to perfectly learn the French language, get to know and make connections with famous French teachers, get a diploma of a second education, out of the total number of students who come to the first year, only half comes to graduation.
Why this happens helps to understand the feedback left by college students in various forums. One of the main reasons that prevent students from getting a diploma is the high degree of workload and the intensity of study, especially in the first year. Most students come to college as full-time students at their main university, and combining studies, especially in the last courses, according to student reviews, can be really very difficult.
The second problem for many students is the lack of a hostel, that is, those who come to lectures, take exams and graduate studies must seek housing in Moscow on their own, and this can be problematic and costly for visitors.
Also, while studying in college, many students begin to lose their initial enthusiasm. And this is due to the fact that college diplomas are mostly humanitarian. Students gradually come to understand that, for example, a diploma in philosophy is unlikely to help find a profitable job, since the market for humanitarian specialists is already full and the demand for them, alas, is not increasing.
Positive reviews
Many students write that college staff, although not obligated, often help visiting students to solve the housing problem. At the time of college, it is quite possible to agree on accommodation in a hostel at Moscow State University.
Especially diligent students have a chance to receive a scholarship for further education, and during the educational process, various trips are organized with French teachers (for example, traveling to another city for sociological research), which give enormous experience, and also paid by the college .