Medicine: France or abroad?
Torn between Parcoursup (PASS or L.AS) and applying to a European university? It does not have to be either/or: many students prepare both. Here is what you need to compare calmly, with figures taken from our university database.
The French route
Through Parcoursup you can aim for a PASS or an L.AS: two chances to access medical studies. The application includes a motivated project limited to 1,500 characters.
Studying abroad
Each country and university sets its own rules: entrance exam, file, language of instruction, fees. More choice, but also more procedures to compare.
Figures from our database
Medicine universities published on EuroMedPath. These figures are indicative: always check with the university.
France (PASS / L.AS)
- Medicine universities
- 29
- Countries
- 1
- Annual fees (medicine)
- 170 € – 3,950 € per year
- Teach in English
- 0 %
- Teach in French
- 100 %
- With an admission exam
- 100 %
Abroad
- Medicine universities
- 198
- Countries
- 30
- Annual fees (medicine)
- 0 € – 83,254 € per year
- Teach in English
- 54 %
- Teach in French
- 6 %
- With an admission exam
- 97 %
Side-by-side comparison
| Criterion | France (PASS / L.AS) | Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Admission mode | Parcoursup, with two access routes (PASS and L.AS) and a motivated project of up to 1,500 characters. | Varies by university: entrance exam, file review, or both. |
| Calendar | A national yearly calendar, detailed in our article on the Parcoursup calendar. | Dates specific to each university and exam: to be tracked country by country. |
| Cost | See the range above (data from our database). | See the range above, to be completed with the cost of living in the chosen country. |
| Language | Programmes taught in French. | Depending on the university: English, French or the local language. Check the required level. |
| Diploma recognition | National route, no recognition question. | To be checked for your own plan (practising in France, targeted specialty…). Consult official sources before committing. |
Who is it for?
The French route may suit you if…
- you want to stay in France and study in French;
- you are comfortable with a national university route and its calendar;
- you want to rely on the two chances offered by PASS and L.AS.
Abroad may interest you if…
- you are ready to prepare an entrance exam or a file specific to each university;
- you are comfortable with another language of instruction, or with English;
- you want to compare several countries, their fees and calendars.
Neither route guarantees a place. You can also prepare both in parallel, keeping an eye on each calendar.
Go further
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply in France and abroad in the same year?
Yes, nothing prevents you from preparing both routes. You do need to track each calendar and requirement separately and check each university's conditions.
Is studying abroad easier?
Not necessarily: the difficulty changes nature (entrance exam, language, fees) rather than disappearing. Compare based on your profile, not on a general idea.
Will my degree be recognised in France?
It depends on your plan and the country of study. To be checked for your own plan, with official sources, before committing.
Where should I start?
With an overview: compare a few universities, estimate your budget, then run your file analysis to see which ones stand out for you.