Hello,
Is it difficult for foreigners to pass the exams at the end of the international law program at the Sorbonne? I know someone who has tried several times but failed. He gives excuses about how hard they are but I wonder if this person just isn't very talented. Does anyone know what the pass or failure rate is? The person is an English speaker who learned French as an adult. He claims to be fluent.

Well, I can't speak for the masters program, but I did study for my licence at the Sorbonne. I strongly recommend that you do not dismiss your friend's concerns or presume that he just "isn't very talented."

I studied for my licence at the Sorbonne and when I was there, the pass rate for the first year was 15%. Failure is not only common, but is virtually expected. It does not have the same horrifying connotation as it does in North America, where failure of exams and courses is much, much less frequent (though, of course, I don't know where you are from.)

I speak French fluently, and did poorly my first two years of study. I also knew of a student from McGill (a highly reputed law faculty) who had excellent marks at home, and who failed multiple exams at the Sorbonne (to his great humiliation and shock.) It is not an easy feat for a foreigner. You have to remember that in addition to the French language, law itself is a separate language and even for someone who is fluent in French it is difficult to adopt both "languages" at once when the marking standards are so stringent.

In truth, you are allowed to state on your exams that you are a foreigner, but in all my years there, I did not meet a single anglophone who came on their own to the school (outside of an ERASMUS exchange or exchange with their own university, for example - in which case you are not marked on the same basis as French students) and who managed to complete the program.

Again, I am not speaking specifically of the masters program because I did not take it, but keeping in mind that the pre-masters program is notoriously difficult for foreigners, that might help you understand why your friend is probably struggling.

Hi,

I've studied 5 years in Sorbonne Law School...

I'm french but used to hang out with foreigners. If talented and hard working they would pass the exam, even with honors for some.

It is true that the pass rate is very low compared to other countries. We have no selection to enter University so that's the way they do it : more and more students fail over the years and in your final year only the good ones (from other universities also) are left. In France, University is 300 euros the year so it's all about merit.

It is true you should at least be very comfortable with french as it is an important part of success (a lot of writing in exams, you have to learn tons of stuff by heart etc.)