Study Journalism in France

France is one of the countries that is very advanced in journalism, yet the number of universities that teach it is less than the number of private schools specialized in this field.

Moreover, these educational institutions (whether public or private) are not quite the same. One crucial thing to think about when you choose a training course is obviously the recognition of a diploma because in France there are three different types of schools:

State-recognized schools.

Profession-recognized schools.

The School without a contract.

Avoid especially the last kind of schools that offer courses without recognition in France (maybe they have some recognition abroad, but not in France). Only institutions recognized by the State provide courses that meet the Minister of Higher Education criteria (i.e., bachelor, master, etc. recognized by the State). However, holders of this diploma often do not find work easily because the course they have taken is unknown to the CPNEJ “La Commission Paritaire Nationale de l’Emploi des Journalistes” (National Commission for Journalists Jobs).

This brings us to expose the schools recognized by profession, which were grouped at the National Conference of Journalism Professions (CNMJ) in 2010, after which this term came into being. There are 14 of these schools, with 5 of them in Paris. They are listed as following:

Professionally recognized schools:

ESJ Lille “École Supérieure de Journalisme”: one of the best European schools of journalism, recruits through competitive exams starting from Bac+3, and for certain post-bac courses with a journalism option in partnership with the University of Lille. ESJ Montpellier is recognized by the University of Lille, which recruits by competitive examination for a two-year post-baccalaureat program.
CFJ Paris “Centre de Formation des Journalistes,” one of the best French journalism schools, is very prestigious and recruits by competitive examination from Bac+3.
Sciences Po School of Journalism: master’s degree in journalism, admission by competitive examination.
CELSA – Sorbonne University: Master’s degree in journalism, admission by competitive examination.
IPJ ” Institut Pratique du Journalisme de l’Université Paris-Dauphine ” : Master of Journalism admission by competitive examination.
IFP – Panthéon ” Institut Français de Presse “: Master of Journalism is open by competitive examination to holders of a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent diploma who have already completed one or more journalism internships.
CUEJ ” Centre Universitaire d’Enseignement du Journalisme de Strasbourg ” : Master of Journalism, recruitment on file for foreign students.
EJDG ” Grenoble School of Journalism ” Double degree (Diploma from Sciences Po Grenoble and Master of Journalism from Grenoble Alpes University), accessible by competitive examination from Bac+3.
EJCAM ” École de Journalisme et de Communication d’Aix-Marseille ” (Aix-Marseille School of Journalism and Communication), open on application from Bac+2 on competitive examination to enter the Master of Journalism.
École de journalisme de Cannes – IUT Nice Côte d’Azur: two-year post-bac DUT in journalism open to competitive exams, and one year in Audiovisual Journalism, recruitment based on an application from Bac+2.
EJT “Toulouse School of Journalism,” open to bac+2 on competitive examination or bac+3 on application.
IJBA “Bordeaux Aquitaine Institute of Journalism”: Master’s degree in journalism, open by competitive examination.
EPJT “Tours Public School of Journalism”: Master’s degree in journalism, open by competitive examination.
IUT Lannion: Two-year post-baccalaureate DUT in journalism accessible by the application.