France has announced plans to simplify visa procedures, reform tuition fees and boost English courses at French universities in an effort to more than double the number of foreign students over the next decade.
为在未来10年中将留学生人数增加一倍以上，法国政府近日宣布了简化签证程序、改革大学学费、以及在大学提供更多英语课程等措施。
Unveiling the new measures on Monday, Prime Minister Edouard Philippe said increasing the number of foreigners studying in the country would help build French influence overseas.
法国总理爱德华·菲利普本周一在宣布这些新举措时说，增加国际学生人数将有助于扩大法国在海外的影响力。
Home to centuries-old universities such as the Sorbonne in Paris and some leading business schools, France is the world's top non-English speaking student destination, but it ranks behind the United States, Britain and Australia.
法国拥有巴黎索邦大学和多所顶尖商业学府等百年历史名校，是全球留学生首选的非英语国家，但其排名在美国、英国和澳大利亚之后。
The number of foreign students at French universities fell by 8.5 percent between 2011 and 2016 and the country has seen increased competition from Germany, Russia, Canada and China, the prime minister's office said.
法国总理办公室表示，在2011年至2016年间，法国大学的留学生人数下降了8.5%。法国大学也日益面临来自德国、俄罗斯、加拿大和中国等国家高校的竞争。
"Many countries are already building global attractivity strategies, linking studies, the job market, tourism, which explains the influence of Asia or monarchies in the Gulf," Philippe told reporters as he presented the government’s “Welcome to France” plan.
爱德华·菲利普在向记者阐释政府的“欢迎到法国”计划时说：“很多国家已经建立起全球吸引性战略，把学习、就业市场和旅游业联系起来，这也是亚洲国家或海湾地区君主国影响力扩大的原因。”
"In this field just as in other economic ones, the world's balance of power is shifting. That's why we need to welcome more foreign students," he added
他补充说：“就如同在其他经济领域一样，留学领域的全球实力水平也在发生转变。因此我们需要吸引更多的留学生。”
Philippe said the number of courses taught in English, which have been increased fivefold since 2004, would be further boosted.
爱德华·菲利普说，法国大学的英语课程将进一步增加。自2004年以来，法国大学的英语课程数量已经增加了5倍。
More French classes will also be on offer for foreign students and student visa applications will be made available online.
法国还将向留学生提供更多法语课程，学生签证申请也将可以在网上完成。
非欧洲国家留学生学费将飙涨
Under the plan, France will simplify student visa regulations but will also increase tuition fees for students outside the European Economic Area in order to be able to provide better facilities. Despite the increase, fees will still be much lower than in Britain and other neighboring countries.
根据最新计划，法国将简化学生签证规定，但要提高非欧洲经济区国家留学生的学费，以提供更好的设施。不过，学费上涨以后，仍比英国和其他邻国的学费低很多。
From March 2019, foreign graduates with a French master's degree will be able to get a residence visa to look for work or set up a business in France.
自明年3月起，在法国大学取得硕士学位的留学生将可以获批居留签证，方便在法国找工作或创业。
"We are constantly compared, audited, judged among 10 other possible destinations. In an age of social media, no one can rest on its reputation only," Philippe said.
爱德华·菲利普说：“学生们一直在将法国和其他10个留学国家进行对比、审查和评判。现在是社交媒体时代了，没人可以一直依赖过去的荣誉。”
French officials said current fees of around €170 a year for a bachelor's degree in France or €243 for a master's – the same as those paid by French students.
法国政府官员表示，目前在法国就读本科和研究生每年的学费大约分别为170欧元（约合1342元人民币）和243欧元，和法国本国学生学费一样。
From September 2019, non-European students will be charged €2,770 annually to study for a bachelor's degree and €3,770 a year for a master's and PhDs.
自明年9月起，非欧洲国家的留学生就读本科学位的学费将上涨至每年2770欧元，就读硕士和博士学位的留学生每年学费为3770欧元。
"That means France will still subsidize two thirds of the cost of their studies," Philippe said. "And the fees will remain well below the €8,000 to €13,000 charged by the Dutch or the tens of thousands of pounds paid in Britain," he added.
他补充说：“这意味着法国仍将补贴留学生三分之二的学费。在荷兰，留学生学费在8000欧元到1.3万欧元之间，英国学费则高达数万英镑。”
本文来源：中国日报网
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