We realize that you may have questions and we hope that the questions outlined below, will help address your concerns/doubts. Select the relevant categories and browse the questions within them. You may also use the "Filter" for a quick search; just type in the keyword/phrase related to your question.
If there additional inquiries, we would love to be of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly.
General
Is it possible to work whilst studying?
A number of students work whilst studying in order to finance their career plans and gain experience. To work at the same time as following the training programme, the student must be exceptionally organized and have a flexible employer.
For foreign students, it is important to be aware that a special visa is sometimes required to work legally in France.
If you are in possession of a long-stay student residence permit, you are allowed to carry out paid work as a secondary occupation during your studies in France (totalling a maximum of 964 hours per year). You do not need any form of authorization. Your employer must declare your employment at the prefecture. In the following 3 cases, however, you must request a work permit: if you are Algerian, or need to work for more than the authorized amount of time, or are in possession of a temporary 6 month visa.
Information on visas: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/venir-en-france/
Is it essential to speak French to study at Le Cordon Bleu Paris institute?
Le Cordon Bleu Paris offers French lessons for students and future students. More information can be found at: https://www.cordonbleu.edu/paris/fle-french-courses/en
All theory classes (excluding Business Bachelors) are bilingual, English/French. It is, therefore, not necessary to speak fluent French. It is, nonetheless, crucial to have a firm command of either French or English in order to get the most out of the classes.
The Bachelors, and Restaurant Management Diploma, are taught in English. It is, therefore, essential to master the English language to get the most out of all of the classes.
Language skills are tested during the admission interview.
Why study in France?
Admissions
What are the admission criteria?
Culinary Arts Diplomas - Cuisine, Pastry and Boulangerie: Wine and Management Programme: Bachelors degrees:
What is the latest time for registering before classes begin?
There is no deadline for registration. However, as places are limited, it is highly recommended that the application file be submitted at least 6 months before the start date of the chosen training programme.
Payment
What are the different means of payment?
There are three options for paying registration fees:
Option 1: Payment by bank transfer or transfer via Flywire - www.flywire.com/pay/lcbparis (for international payments)
Option 2: Payment by cheque in Euros
Option 3: Payment by credit card (Visa, Mastercard, JCB)
Can I pay my tuition fees in a number of instalments?
It is possible to pay in a number of instalments as long as all tuition fees have been paid in full 8 weeks before the beginning of the training programme.
For any questions concerning the financing of studies, please contact the Admissions service parisadmissions@cordonbleu.edu
Programmes
I am not sure whether I will follow all the levels to graduate with a Diploma, what should I do?
Just apply for the Basic Cuisine or Pastry Certificate. It will give you an excellent founding in cuisine or pastry and you can always, depending on your availability, go on to the next programme. It is important to be aware, however, that a reduction in tuition fees is only applicable to students following a Diploma and not a Certificate.
Do I need to choose between Cuisine and Pastry?
Absolutely not! It all depends on your professional goals but, to undergo comprehensive training, Le Cordon Bleu recommends that students register for both Cuisine and Pastry.
If you have chosen an intensive training programme rather than a standard one, you can only follow one discipline at a time.
Can I follow Basic Cuisine and Intermediate Pastry at the same?
No, only Cuisine and Pastry classes of the same level can be followed simultaneously.
How are students evaluated?
There is a combination of continuous assessment and exams. For each practical class, students are marked out of 5 (excluding the first 4 practical classes for basic level). At the end of each certificate, there is a written exam (multiple choice questionnaire) and a practical exam.
Are there rules concerning absenteeism?
For the Cuisine Diploma, 6 absences are tolerated. For the Pastry Diploma, 5 absences are tolerated. It is, however, important to be aware that a student who is absent during a demonstration will not be allowed to take part in the practical class.
Boulangerie Diploma: 5 absences are tolerated.
Bachelors and Wine and Management programmes: 15 absences are tolerated.
Do you need to have Culinary Arts knowledge before registering for one of the diplomas?
It is not necessary to have knowledge or experience in the culinary domain. The majority of students do, in fact, come from very different fields. Many students are looking for a change of direction or career.
Planning
Is it possible to choose your schedule?
The schedule is drawn-up by the Academic Department in line with pedagogical needs and cannot be modified.
What time do classes take place?
It all depends on the programme:
Cuisine and Pastry: classes take place between 8am and 10pm. Practical classes and demonstrations last 3h. Classes can take place between 8am and 11am, 12pm and 3pm, 3.30pm and 6.30pm or 7pm and 10pm.There are, on average, 15h of classes per week for the Pastry Diploma during a standard session and 20h of classes per week for the Cuisine Diploma. The pace is much faster for intensive Diplomas with between 35 to 40h of classes per week.
Boulangerie: the 6h classes take place in the morning or afternoon. Classes begin at 8am and finish at 3pm or begin at 3.30pm and finish at 10pm. Therefore, students have either the morning or the afternoon free.
Wine and Management: classes generally begin at 9.15am and finish between 4pm and 5pm.
Bachelors: theory classes usually take place between 8am and 5pm or 9am and 6 pm. The times of practical classes are the same as those for the Culinary Arts and therefore take place between 8am and 10pm.
When are the schedules available?
Class times are available at least one week before the beginning of classes.
It is important to be aware, however, that some class times may be changed.
Do some classes take place during the evening or on a Saturday?
It is likely that students will, during the course of their training programme, have classes during the evening or on a Saturday.
Wine and Management Programme students take part in compulsory events which can take place on a Saturday.
What is the difference between intensive and standard programmes?
If you have limited time, but great determination and motivation, you can follow the intensive programmes in less than 5 weeks in Basic, Intermediate or Superior levels for the Cuisine, Pastry or Boulangerie Diplomas. The intensive programmes’ content is exactly the same as that of standard programmes.
As the timetable is fully packed, only one intensive programme can be followed at a time, either in cuisine, or in pastry.
For further information, click here.
Visa and insurance
Is a residence permit (for France) necessary?
Yes, for foreign students who are not members of the European Community, who want to study in France for longer than three months. Please read all the documentation sent by the school with great care so that you can make the specific visa request which will enable you to obtain a "residence permit" once in France.
How can I get a student Visa?
CAMPUS France is available to provide visa information: http://www.campusfrance.org/fr/
The best way to obtain precise information on a Visa for France is to contact the Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence or by internet at the following address: http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/venir-en-france/etudier-en-france/demarches-administratives/ .
We recommend that our future students request their Visa a number of weeks before their departure. The length of time for being granted a visa can, in fact, vary from one country to another.
Please note that official confirmation of registration is a prerequisite for requesting a Visa at the French Consulate.
Is French insurance necessary?
All foreign students, under the age of 28, who will be entering higher education in France for more than three months, are obliged to enrol in the social security system. The conditions of enrolment vary, however, depending on the student’s nationality and age.
Students who are older than 28 years of age must take out private insurance.
The insurance can be French or foreign but must cover accidents, illnesses and civil responsibility at an international level for the whole length of your time at the school. Proof of insurance might be necessary to be granted a visa.
Career
I would like to become a Chef and open my own restaurant – Which class(es) should I take?
We recommend the Grand Diplôme for the intensive Cuisine and Pastry practical skills, followed by a Restaurant Management Diploma to have complete control of the project for opening your business, from A to Z. If you would prefer to specialize in a particular subject, choose the Cuisine or Pastry Diploma in line with your personal preference.
Does Le Cordon Bleu Diploma enable you to open your own pastry shop/bakery in France?
As our training programmes are recognized by the RNCP (French National Register of Professional Certifications), it is entirely possible to open your establishment with the Le Cordon Bleu Diploma, without having taken a CAP, on the condition however that you have 5 years of work experience.
Life in Paris
Is it safe to live in Paris, in France?
Where are the best places to go in Paris?
For more information on activities available in Paris, the following sites are packed full of information or you can buy specialized guides such as Time Out, Fooding and L’officiel des spectacles which are available from newspaper stands…
How can you widen your network of contacts?
Studying in an international school will provide no shortage of opportunities for meeting other students or professionals from the industry, all with very different backgrounds.
In addition, Paris has a myriad of associations where you can develop new interests or devote yourself to your favourite pastimes, notably in the field of culture and the arts, or to developing franco-foreign friendships.
