The University of Paris IV - Cours de Langue et Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne is monitored by the French Ministry of National Education as an official state institution.
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Available Programs
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Intermediate French Language & Culture
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French Language & Liberal Arts
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Intensive French Language
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University of Paris IV - Cours de Langue et Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne
The University of Paris IV - Cours de Langue et Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne is one of the most prestigious and oldest universities in the world. It was founded by Robert de Sorbon in 1253 and has attracted thousands of students each year from around the world. It is often referred to as the "Sorbonne." Courses for CEA students are offered by the Cours de Langue et Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne (CLCF), the University center dedicated to teaching French language and culture to international students. CEA students attend the "new" Sorbonne, housed on the same site it has occupied for more than 700 years, preserving the history and prestige for which the Sorbonne is so famous. Students who successfully complete the program will be issued a transcript from the University of Paris IV - Cours de Langue et Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne, which is recognized by the French Ministry of National Education
The University is located in the Latin Quarter. Fashionable cafés, restaurants, movie theatres, classy boutiques and street vendors play an essential role in the vibrancy of the 5th arrondissement. In addition, CEA students attend classes with other international students, giving them the opportunity to meet many of the world's cultures in one of Europe's most diverse and exciting cities. The overall student population at the University is 25,000, with an international student population of 3,000.
The University provides a variety of services to CEA students including a university ID card, access to university affiliated libraries, and language labs.
Classroom Information
- Language courses are taught by faculty at the University of Paris IV - Cours de Langue et Civilisation Française de la Sorbonne.
- Periodic exams, homework assignments and final exams will be administered.
- Attendance of classes is mandatory and monitored by each professor.
- Class size range between 10 and 25 students allowing more personalized attention.
- Classes are specifically offered to be taken with other international students of equivalent language level and not with native French students.
- French style of teaching is different from those found in the U.S. or Canada. Be prepared to adapt to the different classroom structure and coursework expectation for your school.
Grading
The French grading system is based on a scale of 20, as opposed to 100 in the US system. It would be inaccurate to merely multiply a French grade by a factor of five to find its U.S. equivalent. Grades in France are awarded on a scale of 1-20, but the tradition is such that grades higher than 16 are seldom awarded. The passing grade for a single subject is usually 10/20 although grades of 8 and 9 can indicate satisfactory performance. Grading in France is particularly severe and can vary from one institution to another and from one course to another.
The Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange recommends the following comparison of grades:
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French Number Grade
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US Letter Equivalent
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Points Per Hour
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US Verbal Equivalent
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16-20
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A+
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Trés Bien
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Very High Honors
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14-15.9
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A
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Bien
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High Honors
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12-13.9
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B
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Assez Bien
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With Honors
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10-11.9
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C
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Passable
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Pass/Satisfactory
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8-9.9
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D*
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--
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--
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0-7
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F
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Ajourné
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Failed
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*There is no French equivalent for the US grade D. This score is regarded as a passing grade if the entire year was passed.
RESOURCES
- Interpretation of the French scale in terms of American grading standards was taken from the website of World Education Services, WES (www.wes.org).
- The Franco-American Commission for Educational Exchange supports the interpretation of the French scale provided by WES.
- For more information regarding the French educational system refer to:
- Assefa, A. Mariam. France: A Study of the Education System of France and a Guide to the Academic Placement of Students in Educational Institutions in the United States. Washington, D.C.: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers, 1988.
