i’m going to france - paris descartes · 4 - i’m going to france...

I’M GOINGTO FRANCE

2009

4 - I’m going to France

Nowadays international mobility is a fundamental issue both for stu-

dents and host countries. With the current globalisation and inter-

nationalisation of exchange programmes, young people are keenly

aware of the need to incorporate a stay abroad into their training

programme.

If in your own country you are preparing to enter the fields of

science, culture, administration, or business, then France is the best destination for you.

In fact, it stands out among the major host countries. For, as well as a reputation

for the excellence of its institutions, generosity is a feature of the French higher edu-

cation system. In keeping with its traditional policy of hospitality, foreign students enjoy

the same benefits as French students, within an institution that is for the most part publi-

cly owned and free, and also offers a range of social services to make student life easier.

The CROUS and CNOUS network is in charge of organising French student life, and

they aim to fully integrate foreign students

Recently the French government decided to bestow a charter relating to the recep-

tion of foreign students, to enhance the profile of its higher education provision. Today

everyone involved in the reception process, including the CROUS and CNOUS network,

is working towards making your project to study in France easier.

For a long time “I am going to France”, available in a variety of languages, has been

the reference handbook for those wishing to plan their stay from their own country:

providing useful information on choosing a course, preparing your departure, and on

the practical and administrative organisation of your stay.

EDITORIAL

I’m going to France

EDITORIAL

The contacts and advice contained in it are invaluable for answering all your ques-

tions: how to fit in to the higher education system, how to find accommodation, how

to obtain a residence permit and organise health insurance, etc…

Ministry of Education, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the universities, with whom

a close relationship is maintained throughout France. In addition to accommodation

in university halls of residence, in which more than 25 % of residents are international

students, our regional centres have set up a number of reception facilities which you

can find out about on arrival or on the CNOUS and CROUS websites.

The 2009 edition of “I’m going to France” has been completely revised to take into

account new developments. All the institutions and administrating bodies involved have

contributed to this update.

The 2009 edition of “I’m going to France” has been completely revised to take into

account new developments. All the institutions and administrating bodies involved have

contributed to this update.

It is our way of saying welcome. Have a great stay in France!

Jean-François CervelDirector of the CNOUS

Editorial


Editorial

Welcome to the CNOUS International students’ guide to life and higher education in

France, which is designed to help all overseas students who wish to study in France.

This document is mainly aimed at those who are eligible for French grants. Copies of

these brochures are widely available in no less than 170 French cultural centres around

the world.

The aim of the CNOUS International students’ guide to studying in France is to

provide prospective students with useful information and to help them make the most

of their studies in France. The subjects that we will be covering in this brochure range

from organizing studies to getting to know the French lifestyle.

During an international student grant-holder’s stay in France, the CNOUS and CROUS

will be there every step of the way. CNOUS and CROUS provide a welcome upon

arrival as well as information and help with administrative procedures concerning both

schooling and finances during the course of studies. These valuable contacts aim to help

students succeed.


INTRODUCTION


20 QUESTIONSTO ASK YOURSELF

BEFORE YOUSET OFF


1. How long in advance do I need to start getting organised? (p. 46)

2. Where can I get an Application Form? (p. 46)

3. How do I find out the French equivalent of my qualifications? (p. 49)

4. What can I bring through Customs? (p. 59, p. 60, p. 61 and p. 62)

5. What documents do I need to take to the ‘Prefecture’

(police headquarters) to obtain my Student Residents card? (p. 68 and p. 69)

6. How are the CNOUS overseas students grant services organised?

(See the: “Overseas Student French Government grant-holders’ section,” p. 249)

7. Where can I find French language classes? (p. 96)

8. How do I obtain a student card? (p. 67)

9. How much are the enrolment fees going to cost? (p. 54 and p. 67)

10. Can I change subjects or schools during my time in France? (p. 178)

20 questions to ask yourselfbefore you set off


11. Do I have sufficient health cover? (p. 112)

12. How do I, to whom and when should I apply for a grant? (p. 55)

13. Can I have more than one grant? (p. 55)

14. How much money does a student need to cover monthly expenses? (p. 54)

15. How do I apply for a room in student accommodations? (p. 73)

16. How do you get access to the university canteens? (p. 72)

17. Can overseas students work and study at the same time? (p. 77)

18. What student services do the ‘Œuvres universitaires’ provide? (p. 77)

19. What do I need to know about driving in France? (p. 114)

20. How do I keep in touch with France and French culture when I go back to

my home country? (p. 187)

*BGF: French Government grant holders.


20 questions to ask yourselfbefore you set off


Éditorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.4

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.7

20 questions to askyourself . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.10

1.Your host country:‘La France’

The birth of a nation . . . p.19Key dates in French history . . . . . . . . p.19

A modern country . . . . . . . p.26Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.26Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.28A Competitive Economy . . . . . . . . . . p.28The French economy today . . . . . . . p.29France’s ranking on a global scale p.30

Discover the country . . p.31Geography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.31‘La Douce France’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.31The Environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.35Find out what the Frenchare all about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.36

French cultural events . p.39Museums and exhibitions . . . . . . . . . . p.39Cultural events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.40

2. Before setting off

How to plan your stayin France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.46CampusFrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.46Applying to a French universityfor 1st cycle studies prior tocoming to France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.46All you need to know about:Are my qualificationsrecognised in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.49French language test: the TCF . . . . p.49How to apply for a VISA that coversthe length of your stay in France . . . . p.50Short term Visa: “student entranceexams” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.50All you need to know about:

• Documents needed when applyingfor a VISA for the first time . . . . . . . p.52

How am I going to payfor my studiesin France? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.54Necessary resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.54Applying for grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.55All you need to know about:

• Checklist of essentialdocuments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.56

3. Settling in

Arriving in France . . . . . . . . . p.59All you need to know about:

• What to do whenyou get to Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.63First administrative procedure:enrolment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.66Applying for a resident’s card . . . . . p.68

• Documents needed whenapplying for a “student” residentscard for the first time. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.69

SOMMAIRE



Sommaire

‘Œuvres universitaires’Student informationservices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.71University life starts at theCROUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.71The university canteen service‘At the heart of student life’ . . . . . . p.72Student accommodation . . . . . . . . . . p.73Temporary employment service . p.77Working while studying . . . . . . . . . . . p.77CROUS student welfare services . p.79‘Le dossier social étudiant’ . . . . . . . . p.79CROUS cultural policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.80The Franco-German youth office(OFAJ). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.82‘Œuvres universitaires’ overseasstudent information services . . . . . . p.83All you need to know about:

• Local and regional ‘ŒuvresUniversitaires et Scolaires’student welfare centres . . . . . . . . . . . . p.85

Sport at universityin France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.89All you need to know about:

• FFSU regional offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.90

Social Security andstudent insurance cover p.93Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.93Student insurance companies‘les mutuelles étudiants’. . . . . . . . . . . . p.94All you need to know about:

• Special proceduresfor grant-holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.94

Learning Frenchas a Foreign language. . . p.96Learning Frenchprior to coming to France. . . . . . . . . . p.96Learning French in France . . . . . . . . p.96French national diplomas:DILF, DELF and DALF . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.97The Alliance Française diplomas . . p.99

University diplomas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.99All you need to know about:Training in teaching French . . . . . . p.100All you need to know about:

• Pedagogical research body . . . . . p.101

• Published works on teaching . . . p.101

4. Getting into theswing of French life

Everything you needto know about findingaccommodation . . . . . . . . . . . . p.106Where can I find offersof accommodation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.106All you need to know about:

• A few pointers before youstart renting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.108

French eating habits . . p.109You are what you eat… . . . . . . . . . . p.109Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.109All you need to know about:

• Examples of averageliving expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.110

French social cover . . . . . p.112Healthcare for everyone . . . . . . . . . p.112Students healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.112What to do if you have togo to hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.113Pharmacies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.113

A modern system ofcommunication . . . . . . . . . . . . p.114On the road in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.114Internal flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.115Public town transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.115Postal and telephoneservices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.116All you need to know about:

• ‘La Poste’ in a nutshell . . . . . . . . . . p.117

• Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.117



Consumerism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.118French banks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.118Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.118All you need to know about:

• The Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.119

• A couple of ideas for holidays . p.120

• The international student card p.120

Media, cultureand leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.121The French Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.121The French audiovisuals galaxy . . p.121Theatre, cinema andcultural activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.122A museum in each town . . . . . . . . . . p.123Libraries and sources ofinformation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.123Boarding houses, lodgings,youth hostels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.124Sport and keeping fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.125

5. Studying in France

French higher educationsystem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.130

A few guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.130

French higher educationestablishments& disciplines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.133Short courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.133Long courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.133

Higher education: Shortvocational courses(BTS, DUT, DEUST) . . . p.136Useful Information: ONISEP andCampusFrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.137French higher educationsystem organigram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.138

Studying at aFrench university . . . . . . . . . p.139Broad area study subjects . . . . . . . . p.139- The LMD system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.140- The Licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.140- How to choose the right ‘Licence’ p.140- Which Masters program? . . . . . . . p.143Post-graduate research cycle . . . . p.145- The doctorat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.145Vocational or specialisedcourses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.145- ‘Licence professionnelle’ . . . . . . . . p.146- MIAGE, MSG and MST courses . p.146- IUP vocational courses . . . . . . . . . . p.146- IUFM’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.1483rd cycle vocational courses . . . . . . . p.148- ‘Le Magistère’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.148- ‘Le DRT’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.148- Engineering coursesat university . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.148- The Master Pro (ex- DESS) . . . . p.149Health studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.152

Studying at oneof France’s‘Grandes Ecoles’ . . . . . . . . . . p.155Preparation classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.156- Preparation coursesin Literature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.156- Preparation courses inScience-related subjects . . . . . . . . . . p.157- BCPST preparation courses . . . . p.157- Preparation courses inEconomics and Business . . . . . . . . . . p.158The ‘Ecoles NormalesSupérieures’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.158Engineering schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.160Business and managementschools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.162Other ‘Grandes Ecoles’ . . . . . . . . . . . p.163Other prestigious institutions . . . . p.165

Courses in vocationalsubjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.167Social work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.167Aeronautical studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.167Agriculture, ‘agri-business’ . . . . . . . p.167Paramedical studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.167Architecture. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.168Creative arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.168Fine arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.168Professions in cultural heritage . . p.170Performing arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.171Music and opera studies . . . . . . . . . . . p.172Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.172Audio-visual arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.173Images and Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.173Journalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.174Interpreting and translation . . . . . . p.175Other disciplines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.175Agricultural studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.176

Making the most ofyour studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.178Your study plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.178Changing courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.178Finding the right path of study . . . p.179European programmes . . . . . . . . . . . p.179

6. Keeping in contactwith France

A network of contacts . . p.184Building a network duringyour stay in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.184Maintaining and expanding yournetwork after your return home . . p.184Keeping in touch with France . . . . p.185

Appendices

Useful addresses . . . . . . . . . p.190

Education officetelephone numbersand addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.196

University addresses(international studentservices and SCUIO) . . p.198

European universityassociationsin France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.211

Student insurancecompanies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.212

Mutuelles de l’USEMbranch listing andaddresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.216

‘Cité internationaleuniversitairede Paris’ affiliatedestablishments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.222

Tourist offices(in university towns) . . p.224

Specialised schools . . . . p.227

Specialised informationcentres. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.234

Map of the ‘académies’and towns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.239

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.240

Useful web sites . . . . . . . . . . p.246

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.250

The overseasFrench governmentgrant holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.257


Sommaire

YOUR HOSTCOUNTRY

“LA FRANCE”

The birth of a nation

The birth of a nationKey dates in French history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.19

A modern country

Institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 26Administration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 27A competitive economy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 28The French economy today . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 29France’s ranking on a global scale . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 30

Discover the country

Geography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 31‘La Douce France’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 31Population of France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 34The environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 35Find out what the French are all about . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 36

Cultural life

Museums and exhibitions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 39Cultural events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 40

THE BIRTH OF A NATION

Your host country “la France”

Key dates in FrenchHistory

From the beginning to 1214From an amalgamation of tribes who were

constantly at war with each other, a nation wasborn. Over centuries, divided territories werereunited under the reign of a monarchy whosepower was slow to reach its peak: and so aftermany an ordeal, France was constructed.

What do we know about France’s first inha-bitants? Popular imagery remembers ‘France’sancestors the Gauls’, but there were a numberof very diverse local populations.Many centuriesbefore the Gauls, other tribes had alreadypopulated the France thatwe know today.Wedonot knowa great deal about France’s distant ances-tors, but traces of their existence have been foundin some of the country’s finest prehistoric sites.France’s fertile land and mild climate have seentribes come and go and even settle.These inva-sions caused theweaker tribes to back down,dif-ferent races to mix and different types of bloodto intermingle.Therefore even though most ofthe French territory was occupied by the Celtsin the days of Julius Caesar, there has neverbeen one ethnic group in Gaul.The Gauls wereevidently divided into several dozen tribes.Incapableof joining forces against the threat of new inva-ders, they called upon the help of the Romanlegions.For five centuries,the people ofGaul rea-ped the benefits that came with the peace ofthe Roman Empire.The Gallo-Romans contri-buted to fending off the Barbarians beyond theRhine andDanube rivers.Meanwhile,Christianitypervaded the country. After the first persecu-tions, the Edict ofConstantine enabled theChurchto become powerful.

However, then came the decadent era of the

RomanEmpire.An adventurous and cunning Frankleader called Clovis emerged, and with hisconquests reunited scattered territory.

After accepting to be baptised Clovis king ofthe Franks, the founder of the Merovingiandynasty gained support from the Church. Butat the time of his death his kingdom was splitbetween his descendants. Compared with theGallo-Roman epoch, the Merovingian era wasnoted for its decadence. During these uncer-tain times the Church was the only thing thatmorally held the nation together,striving tomain-tain an ideal.At that time religious life was at itspeak.Out of the Merovingian chaos then emer-ged thePepinnites (Pepin the Short’s followers).After Charles Martel, conqueror of the battleof Saracens at Poitiers in 732, his son Pepinthe Short was proclaimed king by the pope. In800 Charles (Charlemagne), son of Pepin theShort was crowned king in Rome.A new Empirewas created under the strong rule ofCharlemagne;his reign was one of great cultu-ral renaissance and saw the development of freeeducation for everyone.Bitter battles took theirtoll on theCarolingianswho could not hold outagainst newwaves of invasions.As theCarolingianswere incapable of defending the masses, theyoften left this task to the tribal leaders.To theirdisadvantage, they hastily moved towardsFeudalism. At this time,France saw the rise of acaste of landowners,who possessed a military-like power.Feudal Lordshipsmultiplied andwerethen inherited by later generations. In this newhierarchical society,vassal and sovereignmastersbound people to each other. Feudalism hadconstructed a pyramid where the King and thesovereignmasterswere at the top,but the powerwas decentralised as it lay with the private lan-downers.

The founder of the Capetian dynasty, HughCapet,who owned but a patch of land in Ile deFrance, was hoisted on to the throne by theChurchwho actedon behalf of a failingCarolingianarmy. Hugh Capet seemed particularly weak incomparisonwith the powerful lords around him.However,with the clergy’s support, the monar-chy managed to consolidate. King Louis VI’s



rise to the throne marked a turning point. Hefought against the less noble of the pillaginglords, did justice and intervened in the systemof private kingdoms.During this time,theChurchsent the chivalry on long expeditions to prepare tofreeTheHolyLand(theCrusades).PhilipIIAugustus(who quadrupled the size of his territory) had tofight the‘Plantagenêts’ (ownersofa largepartof landinwestern France) toward off the permanent dan-ger that they represented for his dynasty.The vic-tory of the battle of Bouvines helped to establishhis authority across the kingdom.He was the firstCapetian king to neglect the duty of anointing hisson(theheir tothethrone)duringhis lifetime(LouisVIII easily took over the throne).He thought thattheroyalauthoritywasstrongenoughtodowithoutthe prerequisite unction.

Feudal France 1214-1515Modest to the core and having overcome

many difficulties and dangers, the Capetiandynasty was slow to assert itself. The kinggave up the role of suzerain in order to beco-me a sovereign.Louis IX was the most virtuousperson in the dynasty.The man who was tobecome ‘St. Louis’ went on to model every-thing he did on the example that had been setby his predecessor.With authority and wisdom,he strove to prevent corruption and to let jus-tice reign: a noble ideal for a world that wasdominated by violence and force.

After the duller reign of Philip III theBold,St.Louis’s grandson Philip the Fair’s reigncould not have been more different.With hisjurists, he maintained a tough policy, shuntedroyal power towards absolutism and laid thefoundations for strong government and admi-nistrative organisation. Following the reignsof Philip’s three sons, the crown was passed onto younger members of the family (1328), theValois.The country did not seem to suffer fromthe change in the monarchy. Under theValoisDynasty, royal power was well established,andFrance was known as the richest and most den-sely populated state in Europe.But theHundredYears War jeopardised the Valois Dynasty’schance to progress.

On the death of king Charles VI (‘le petit

roi de Bourges’), and as Joan of Arc emergedand was assigned the task of driving the Englishout of France, Charles VII was defeated byHenryV of England at Agincourt (1415).Afterthe Consecration of Rheims, the Virgin mar-tyr made it easier for the French to unite andgave the resistance a decisive boost.

In spite of the ruin the country hadaccumulated,one has to admire France’s abilityto bounce back; there was quick industrial andcommercial recovery of which the ‘bourgeoisie’took great advantage. But the king still had tobeat a coalition of lords.For several generations,of all the lords of the coalition, the Dukes ofBurgundy, had proved to be the biggestthreat to the monarchy. King Louis XI’s reignrepresented a step towards unity andabsolutism in France. Patient and cunning, noairs and graces nor the slightest bit pompous,he intended to be the sole master.As he waswell aware of the economic situation, heinstituted good economic reforms:establisheda courier service, set up markets and promotedcraftsmen and shop owners.Nevertheless hestill had to fight the great feudal lords such asCharles the Foolish.After Charles the Foolishdied, Burgundy became part of France. KingLouis XII’s reign coincided with a period ofgreat economic growth.The middle classesbecame richer and there were many changesin society. At the time of Louis XII’s death(1st January 1515) the country was flourishing.

Renaissance and reform 1515-1648The dazzling Renaissance dominated the

XVI century. CharlesVIII and Louis XII caval-cades in Italy opened their eyes to a moreprestigious way of life.When they returnedto France, a Revolution broke out.The Frenchcivilisation was thus modelling itself on the‘Great age’ (period before the Middle Ages).Francis I and his royal court generously pro-moted artists and architects.He ordered thatthe Louvre Palace be restored and many ‘cha-teaux’ were constructed, e.g. Chambord,Chenonceau.Under his reign, France underwent greatintellectual renewal.The Concordat of Bologna



ensured that the monarchy was well thoughtof by the Clergy. Meanwhile, the governmentsystem had been greatly improved. In spite ofthe amazing victory at Marignan (1515),Francis I experienced serious internationalproblems.His sonHenry II continued to be atwar with Austria. For Henry II, the Reformbrought yet more harm than good.Under FrancisI ’s rule,repression remained sporadic.The newking Francis II (1559-1560), less tolerant thanhis father, was arrested for heresy, and burntto death at the stake all those who were againsthim.Catherine de Medecis played an influen-tial role during Francis II’ s short reign and thenwenton to take regency in the nameof her secondsonCharles IXwho did not have any strong reli-gious beliefs.Themost ghastly horror of this per-iod climaxed at theMassacres of St.Bartholomew(24th August 1572).

Under king Henry III the dynastic issuegot caught up with the passionate world ofreligion: the royalty’s power and thecountry’s unity came under threat. On thedeath of Henry III , Henry de Navarrewho later became Henry IV had to facethe ‘Ligues’ (coalition of the Roman CatholicChurch) and the support of their Spanishallies.The Edict of Nantes (1598) ensuredthe co-existence of the two confessionsand soothed the Protestants troubled minds.However Henry IV had to carry out thegreat task of re-establishing order in the coun-try.Yet another giant step was taken towardsan Absolute Monarchy.The King made Sully(Maximilien de Béthune) his minister and assignedhim the role of straightening out the budget.

Louis XIII entrusted the Cardinal ofRichelieu, in whom he saw the making of agreat politician, the task of restoring France’sfinances after the Wars of Religion. TheCardinal managed to see through all threeof his designs: he subdued the Protestantrebellion by seizing La Rochelle, incessantlymade theAristocracy tow the line against theirwill, and made a stand in the ThirtyYearsWarfighting the Austrians to victory. On theCardinal’s death, shortly after the death ofLouis XIII, 14th May 1643,Absolute Monarchyhad firmly taken root.

The Regent of France, Anne of Austria,who alongside Mazarin ruled in the name ofher son Louis XIV had to face up to the revoltof politicians and princes. Mazarin’s flexible,cautious and clever character meant that hebent but never broke.The revolt was a goodtest before an Absolute Monarchy was to befinally established.The attempted Revolutionturned out to have had the opposite effects ofwhat had been planned.

The rise and fall of the absolutemonarchy 1648-1789

After the death of Mazarin, Louis XIV (TheSun King) wanted to assume absolute power(the Divine Right of Kings). Every aspect ofhis rule was inspired by his thirst for gloryboth for himself and his kingdom.While itseemed as though the Aristocracy was fairly‘domesticated’ the important positions weregiven to people of lower birth, such as thelikes of Colbert. Determined to keep firstplace in Europe, in the beginning Louis XIVheld happy wars.The king’s great literary inter-ests led the way for the triumph of Classicism(Molière, Racine, La Fontaine, Blaise Pascal).However, as time went on he faced more andmore problems.The War of the successionof Spain left a trail of misfortunes throughouta rather impoverished France. During theseunfortunate times in Louis XIV’s reign, a deci-mated Royal family went through successiveperiods of mourning.

At the time of Louis XIV’s death in 1715,Philip of Orleans became Regent of Francein the name of young Louis XV.When hisuncle died, Louis XV would become heir tothe throne after the death of Cardinal deFleury. During this Age of Enlightenment(Voltaire , Rousseau, Benjamin Franklin,



Lavoisier,Diderot) a new state of mind deve-loped.

Philosophers guided by reason wanted totransform political and social order.The cir-culation of new ideas played an important partin the run up to the Revolution.

Louis XVI began his reign in 1774, with aserious mistake: the recall of the membersof Parliament that were made to tow theline by Maupertius.The Magistrates took backtheir obstruction work.Turgot, (controllergeneral of Finances) who was following up aplan of Reform,came up against too many obs-tacles, and the king did not support his efforts.A coalition of financial interests underminedthe monarchy; the privileged joined forces withthe people who wanted to do away with abso-lutism. Louis XVI was incapable of fighting hisopponents and avoiding going bankrupt, sowas obliged to call upon the help of Neckerwho he saw as the one to save the day, andthen announced that there would be a mee-ting of The States General. been planned.

The French Revolution, the Consulateand the 1st Empire 1789-1815

The States General was speedily transfor-med into the ‘Constituent Assembly’ (9th July-30th September 1791), where the third estateplayed an influential role (in fact it was the thirdestate of the ‘Bourgeoisie’).After Bastille wastaken on the 14th July 1789, symbol of absolu-te royalty, the people took notice of theirpower.TheAristocracy decided to abolish theirprivileges and theAssembly drew up theHumanRights and Citizens act. In June 1791,the Kingmade an attempt to flee the country, but hewas caught up and arrested in Varennes.Louis XVI officially accepted the Constitution(14th September1791).From now on,the monar-ch and the new Assembly, the ‘Legislative’(1st October 1791-10th August 1792) had towork together to ensure that France pros-pered and its people remained content.TheWar against Austria was declared. Right fromthe first defeat, the king was accused of trea-son by the patriots, who then set nation’s uni-

ted forces against the monarchy. Meanwhilethe Federates arrived in Paris and the installa-tion of the Insurrectionary Commune provi-ded the perfect opportunity to carry out theattack on the Tuileries (10th August 1792).

With the‘Convention’ (20th September 1792-26th October 1795) came the dawn of the FirstRepublic.The constitution of the First Republicwas drafted by the Convention in 1793.FrenchArmies went on to attack andmarked the begin-ning of the battle of the Conquests. Louis XVIwas executed 21st January 1793. TheMontagnards, leaders of theAssembly were for-ced to fight the enemy and the enemy within(which represented a rather brief outburst ofFederalism).The Mass up-rise enabled clarifi-cation of the Military situation, whilst theRevolutionary government was behind theorganisation of ‘the Terror’. Alongside theCommittee of Public Safety backed byRobespierre, the General Security Council wasin charge of law and order.After getting rid ofHerbert’s followers, whose ideas were tooadvanced for their time and Danton’s followersone after another, tired of all the bloodshedthat they had created for themselves,Robespierrewas left to rule.The great Reign of Terrorpervaded.At that precise moment in time whenthe soldiers ofYear II (the French Republicancalendar) made their glory complete at Fleurus(26th June 1794),themembers of the Conventionwere trembling in Robespierre’s presence.Thefall of Robespierre on 9thThermidorYear II (27th

July 1794) was spectacular and terrifying. Hisdeath marked the end of the Reign of Terror.

Thus, the era of the ThermidorianConvention began, but from then onwards,the Revolution started to stagnate. TheAssembly’s position was fortunately streng-thened by victories outside the Assembly andthe signing of more treaties.The Conventionsplit up to make way for ‘the Directory’.Meanwhile, in Paris, a young general namedBonaparte undermined the Royalist insur-rection of Véndemiaire (1st month of theRepublican calendar).With a blow-by-blowapproach, the Directory tried to find a way



of maintaining an awkward equilibrium. SoNapoleon wouldn’t get involved in any schemesthat would show him in a bad light and toreassure directors whowere unsure of his popu-larity, the Corsican took a step back and wentto Egypt.Yet more defeats in Italy emphasisedthe unpopularity of France’s statesmen.

The great Napoleonic era lasted fifteen years.It began with a transition period:theConsulate.Napoleon’s first aim was to establish new orderby restoring finances, administration and jus-tice. But the country wanted to hastily finishthe wars overseas. Bonaparte’s popularity soa-red when he concluded the Treaty of Amienswith England (25th March 1802). In the publiceye, the first Council was perceived as peace-keeper. Throughout the country, stability andprosperity reigned.The Teaching Reform, theinstitution of the Legion of Honour and thepublishing of the Civil Code added to the coun-try’s feeling of general satisfaction.On 18thMay1804, the Revolution’s greatest soldier beca-me Emperor.

Napoleon was surrounded by an excel-lent court,which appointed marshals,high digni-taries and created an imperial aristocracy. Hewanted to rule a docile country. He appoin-ted prefects who were totally devoted to himand police to guard his suspects.The press see-med to be muzzled.The French wouldn’t haveeven dreamt of grumbling about having to goto battle, let alone fighting overseas.The conque-ror re-organised the map of Europe,destroyedthe old German Empire, and gave the Germanthrone to his brothers. But in Berlin, on the21st November 1806, the Continental System

that was created in order to make England towthe line caused imperial politics to get invol-ved in yet more conflicts. Up until 1808, theEmpire had only ever won battles.Napoleon’sEmpire now extended to Hamburg, Romeand was made up of 130 counties.The Russianalliance split up and hence, a new war loomedon the horizon. ‘La Grande Armée’ (aliasNapoleon’sArmy) plunged into the Russian step-pe. The Campaign ended in catastrophe.Afterthe campaign in Germany and the defeat ofLeipzig, invasion followed. Even though he dida fine job of using his strategic genius during theFrench Campaign,Napoleon was neverthelessobliged to abdicate on 6th April 1814.

Monarchies, Revolutions,the second Empire: 1815-1870

After the Empire came the Restoration.Louis XVIII ruled with his moderates. But hefound himself torn between those who werefor going back to the Old Regime, Pro-Revolutionists,not to mention those who werenostalgic about the Glory of the Empire.CharlesX did not seem to get any further with theproblem either.The first barricades in Pariscaused him to flee the capital in 1830. LouisPhilip I replaced him and took the throne.Hisposition was just as unstable:born amidst riots,he seemed to be at the mercy of them.Thepressure mounted during the campaign for thebanquets.The French did not want a king anylonger and especially not a bourgeois king.Louis Philip, in turn, was obliged to flee thecountry (1848).The February Revolutionistsproclaimed the Second Republic which wasto abolish slavery and proclaim universal suf-frage. But after the celebrations were over,uncertainty spread throughout the country.In 1848, as in 1830, the Bourgeois dreadedthe social upheaval that theWorking classeshad been hoping for.The conflict swiftly cameto a head.With Louis Napoleon Bonaparteas leader,the voters supported a strong govern-ment and proved to be incapable of standingup to the future Emperor’s many predictable‘Coup d’Etat’.

Prince Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was elec-ted President of the Republic with a strongmajority on 10th December 1848.After a‘Coupd’Etat’, he went on to be president for tenyears and then as heir to the throne becameNapoleon III. The first decade of his rule



was a happy one.The country was undeniablysatisfied. Industry boomed, the economy beca-me more modern, finances were given a newlease of life,new projects were taken on boardand Baron Haussmann’s urban scheme trans-formed Paris.An excellent court entouragesupported the Emperor, the Empress Eugenieand their son, the heir to the throne; it alsoadded a touch of prestige to the Imperial couple.Meanwhile, France won the Crimean war andhelped Italy fight to victory against theAustrians,thus flattering national pride. In fact,after 1860,the Second Empire moved towards a pro-gressively more liberal regime.

In spite of the apparent contentment thatwas particularly noted during the UniversalExhibition in 1867, the regime slowlydwindled towards its fall.During the electionsof 1869, the supporters of the liberal empirewon, and the defeat by Prussia in 1870 causedthe empire fall.

From the III to the V Republic1870-2000

The Republic was proclaimed on the 4th

September 1870.CivilWar took over war over-seas: The Commune.Under theThird Republic,France started by licking its wounds, Frenchterritory was now free; finances and adminis-tration were under control. Despite theGeorges Boulanger Affair and the DreyfusAffair, the Republic had firmly taken root.Theera was noted for its movement towards secu-larism, its teaching reform and its colony expan-sion policy.TheThird Republic’s weak point layin the political instability (between 1871 and1914, there were 55 statesmen).A few yearslater, and thanks to King EdwardVII of England,France signed an agreement that was to beco-me the ‘Entente Cordiale’ with their oldarchenemy.Hence,the‘Belle Epoque’ (that coin-cided with England’s Edwardian era) wasborn.The currency was stable,themiddle classesbecame richer, and peasants did not want formuch as long as they had their woollen stoc-kings.

A rather unexplainable logic did, however,dictate that Europe was heading forcatastrophe.

InAugust 1914, the French went off to batt-le thinking that the war would be short-lived: the sea crossing, the trench warfare andthe massacre atVerdun all indicated that it wasfar from over.Georges Clemenceau perso-nified the will that would carry France tovictory.With the United States of Americaentering (1917) into the FirstWorldWar toge-ther, they managed to compensate for theRussian defection.After the terrible alert inthe spring of 1918, the allies finally forcedthe enemy to armistice.TheTreaty ofVersailles,signed on 28 June 1919 between Germany andthe Allies, was tough and unjust, and provo-ked huge resentment in Germany.

A victorious France emerged impoverishedfrom the conflict, in spite of the uncertaintythat characterised ‘lesAnnées folles’ (WorldWar I). The devastation of the war causedfinancial, economical and social problems toworsen. The French began to realise thatthe conciliation policy that Aristide Briandhad made with Germany in the 1920’s ris-ked falling through. However, during theseyears, nobody seemed to pay much attentionto the Nazi Party’s rise to power. In 1933,Adolf Hitler became Chancellor and metho-dically followed through with his plan to breakup the Treaty of Versailles.Whilst Hitler was imbuing Germany withmilitarism, in France there was much upheaval:the Popular front had risen to power (1936) andthe Matignon agreement had been finalised:40hr week, collective contracts, paid holidayswere obtained by the working classes in themidst of this period of social unrest.Whilst theyaccepted Germany’s annexation ofAustria andthe Sudeten Mountains without a qualm in theAugust 1939Germano-Soviet agreement,Hitler’sattack on Poland no longer allowed the allies topussyfoot around:WorldWar II was declared.

After the“phoney war”, in the space of twoweeks, Germany occupied France.The coun-try was split in two: non-occupied territorygoverned by Marshal Petain who willinglycollaborated with Nazi Germany, was southof the Demarcation line, and occupied terri-tory was north of the line. After Armistice,General de Gaulle won England’s support.In London on 18th June 1940, he made his



Resistance appeal. He came a long way fromhis solitary debut as he saw his followers mul-tiply and get organised. He became leader ofthe Free France movement. After the alliesarrived on the shores of Normandy in June1944, he regained French support. Due tohis indisputable immense popularity,de Gaulleentered Paris to head the new government ofFrance’s Fourth Republic. Assisted by theMarshall Plan, he went on to draw up exten-sive plans for restructuring the country thathad suffered four years under German occu-pation. At odds with the other Parties’ viewson new institutions, General de Gaulle reti-red from political life in January 1946.

The Fourth Republic (1947-1958) continuedexploring plans for rebuilding and moderni-sing France’s Economy.Nevertheless by givingParliament such pre-eminence, the institutionscreated great political instability; thus makingthe regime incapable of dealing with the unrestthat had resulted from decolonisation.Whenwar broke out in Algeria, the regime itselfwas under threat the most.As France was onthe verge of civil war,the people made an appealfor help to General de Gaulle.He accepted tocome back as France’s leader and created newinstitutions, which gave the President of theRepublic a key role. From 1962 onwards, thepresident was elected by means of universalsuffrage.The Constitution of the V Republicwas adopted through a referendum of a largemajority. Up until 1962, General de Gaulledevoted himself to sorting out the War ofAlgeria that ended with the Evian agreementwhich gave independence to the old French colo-ny. The de Gaulle administration was charac-

terised by a period of economic growth andby his foreign policy that emphasised France’ssplendour and independence during theCold War. Before they spread throughoutthe country, the student riots in May 1968revealed the social debt of the regime andastounded General de Gaulle. He resigned in1969.The centrist statesman Valéry GiscardD’Estaing who had to deal with the econo-mic consequences of two oil crises replacedhis successor Georges Pompidou who diedin 1974. In 1981 François Mitterrand ledthe left to power for the first time since1958.During his two seven-year terms,he irre-versibly committed France to the construc-tion of the European Union via the UniqueEuropeanAct in 1986 and the MaastrichtTreatyin 1992. On the home front, the countryexperienced cohabitation of two Politicalparties twice:The republican statesman JacquesChirac was Prime Minister from 1986-88, hisfellow republican Edouard Balladur was thenPrime Minister from 1993-95. In 1995, JacquesChirac was elected President of the Republic.The Socialist candidate, Lionel Jospin,became Prime Minister after the early GeneralElection in June 1997.

The 2002 Presidential Election ended fiveyears of cohabitation government.The ballot,exceptional in every way,eliminated the Socialistparty candidate,Lionel Jospin, in the first roundin favour of Jean-Marie Le Pen (far right),who qualified for the second round.A large-scale mobilisation of civic organisations – youngpeople among them – to “bar the far right”made its wishes known. By receiving a massi-ve amount of votes that had gone to candi-dates on the left in the first round, JacquesChirac was able to gain re-election as Presidentof the Republic on May 5, 2002.

Following the General Election in June 2002,which saw a high rate of abstentions, Jean-Pierre Raffarin became Prime Minister.He wasreplaced on 3rd May 2005 by Dominique deVillepin after the failure of the referendumon the European constitution.

Nicolas Sarkozy was elected President ofthe Republic on 6 May 2007 with 53.06% ofthe votes cast (18,983,138 votes) against 46.94%for Ségolène Royal (16,790,440 votes), beco-ming the 23rd President of the French Republicand the 6th President of the Fifth Republic.



The Fifth Republic’s Constitution of October4, 1958, adopted by way of a referendum, hasgoverned the functioning of its institutions. Ithas been amended several time for suchchanges as the election of the President bydirect, universal suffrage (1962), introductionof a new clause covering the criminalresponsibility of members of government (1993),creation of a single session for Parliament,exten-sion of the scope of referendums (1995), tem-porary terms regarding the status of NewCaledonia (1998),establishment of the Economicand Monetary Union,equal access for men andwomen to elected office and functions, reco-gnition of the jurisdiction of the InternationalCriminal Court (1999), reduction of thePresidential term of office (2000).

France is a Republic that is renown for itsindivisibility and its democracy,both on a sociallevel and in terms of religion, in which all citi-zens no matter what their creed or colour areequal in the eyes of the law.

French democracy of today owes a lot tothe French Revolution in 1789. Its principlesare based on the Human and Civil RightsDeclaration that the French Constitution of1791 used as a prelude.

• The French motto is “Liberty, Equality andFraternity”.

• France’s Emblem: theTricolour (Red,white& blue) flag.

• France’s NationalAnthem:‘La Marseillaise’• France’s national celebration day fallson the 14th of July and celebrates the anni-versary of the storming of the Bastillein 1789.

French institutions

France’s executive power

In France the President of the Republic is theHead of State. He is elected for a period offive years by universal suffrage.The President’sduty is to promulgate acts, sign orders anddecrees and can put forward proposals for new

laws by calling a referendum. He makes surethat everything complies with the constitution.He has the power to break up the NationalAssembly after consulting the Prime Ministerand the presidents of the National Assemblyand the Senate, ‘Upper Chambers ofLegislatures’. In case of grave crisis,he can exer-cise emergency powers.The President appoints the Prime Minister(government leader) and together they appointthe members of Parliament.He presides overthe Council of Ministers.The Prime Ministerdirects the actions of the government andensures execution of the laws.The government is accountable for the decisionsthat are made in the Parliament.The President particularly deals with foreignpolicy:His job is to negotiate and ratify treaties,to appoint French ambassadors for embassiesabroad and to entertain foreign ambassadorswhen they are visiting France.The President is Commander in Chief of thearmed forces.

Legislative power

Parliament is made up of two assemblies:The National Assembly led by the President,who is voted in for five years as a result ofuniversal suffrage,and the Senate,which is votedin for nine years as a result of universal suf-frage. Every three years a third party isreassessed.The most recent election for theSenate was held in September 2004,and in June2007 for the National Assembly.

The Government votes in new laws,authorises the ratification of international trea-ties and can be entrusted with the task of revi-sing the Constitution by the President of theRepublic.

Judicial power

The legal system is independent of theexecutive and legislative powers.As guardianof personal liberties, the judicial authority inFrance is organised into a fundamental separa-

MODERN FRANCE AT A GLANCE



tion between judicial jurisdictions responsiblefor resolving disputes between individuals onthe one hand, and on the other hand, adminis-trative jurisdictions for disputes between citi-zens and government offices.

The judicial system consists of two typesof courts:

• Civil CourtBasic legal jurisdictions (Court of First

Instance) or specialised ones (Court of CommonPleas, Commercial Law Court, Social SecurityCourt and theArbitration Board that decidesdisputes between employees and employers).

• Criminal Courts, which deal with three sepa-rate levels of infractions:

- Fines assessed by Police Court (Tribunalde police).

- Misdemeanours judged by the Court ofCorrections (Tribunal correctionnel).

- Felonies by the Court of Justice (Courd’assises) (the only court with a jury,whosedecisions may only be contested via appeal).

Lastly there is a specific court for both civiland criminal offences involving children calledMinors Court (Tribunal pour enfants).

The Supreme Court (Cour de cassation),the highest judicial authority, is responsible forhearing appeals of rulings from the appealscourts.

At the top of the administrative jurisdictions(administrative tribunal,administrative appealscourt), the State Council (Conseil d’Etat)passes final judgement on the legality ofgovernmental actions. It is also consulted by

the government to provide its opinion onproposed laws and certain proposed decrees.

The Revenue Court judges the publicaccounts and the regional chambers of accounts.

Other institutions defined by the

Constitution

The President of the Republic, the Presidentof theAssembly and the President of the Senateappoint the nine members of the ConstitutionalCouncil. Its main job is to ensure that the elec-tions run smoothly and to check if govern-mental laws and laws that have been referredfor its review meet the requirements of theConstitution.

The members of the Economic and SocialCouncil are representatives of variousorganisations (syndicates,workers unions,andassociations), individuals who are eitheralready qualified or appointed by the govern-ment. It is a body that is there to inform peopleabout proposals for new laws,decrees and socialand economic projects.

The Supreme Council of Magistracy, whichis made up of magistrates and other individuals,is chaired by the President and the FrenchMinister of Justice (equivalent of the LordChancellor in England). Its duty is to nomina-te high magistrates and as a disciplinary coun-cil must give the verdict.

The task of the Court of Justice of theRepublic (formerly known as the ‘High Courtof Justice’ and made up of fifteen judges, twel-ve statesmen and three magistrates) is totake legal action against and judge membersof parliament. Action is taken if membershave committed minor or serious criminal actsin connection with their profession.Anyonewho feels that they have been wronged bythe criminal act of a Member of Parliamentcan lodge a complaint to the RequestsCommission.

Modern France at a glance


Introducing France’sadministration system

The regions of France

Metropolitan France is divided into 22 regions.Each region is administrated by its‘Conseil régio-nal’; Councillors are elected via universal suffra-ge.The Deferre Bill on decentralisation confer-red two obligations on the regions.These areongoing adult training and economic develop-ment.However,councillors can intervene in otherareas (transportation, culture, tourism, etc.).

The transfer of additional authority andgreater financial autonomy will soon contri-bute to reinforcing the political and econo-mic power of the regions.

France’s départements (counties)

France is made up of 96 départements inmetropolitan France, 4 colonised islandsoverseas (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunionand Guyana) and the other overseas coloniesof (Polynesia, New Caledonia, Mayotte,Saint-Pierre, Miquelon, Wallis, Futuna,Terre-Adélie [Adélie Land], Kerguelen Island,Crozet and Saint Paul).

Départements are administrated by their‘Conseil général’, (‘County Council’) whosemembers are elected via universal suffrage.Thepolice represent the State. Départements aredivided into (339 including those overseas)‘arrondissements’, (areas), districts (3995)and 36,565 towns or as in French ‘com-munes’.

French towns

The Mayor and the town councillors whoare elected via universal suffrage look after thetown administration.

A competitiveeconomy

1945-1961At the end ofWorldWar II,even though the

French were on the winning side it had tosort out the state of its tattered economy.Atthe time, France had 40 million inhabitants (asin 1900) a rate of production that was 50%lower than it was before World War II, ashortage of rawmaterials and inflation that waswithout precedent.The three first governmentproposals rebuilt basic industry and raised pro-duction; they made the French economy faceup to international competition.

1962-1973During these years, the enormous efforts of

the State bore fruit.The growth rate was thehighest ever-recorded in France’s economichistory (5-6%), thus creating plenty of jobs, afeeling of well-being, higher consumption andrapid pay rises.

Different proposals were devoted totown planning, investments,expansion and orga-nisation of the society (reforms in socialsecurity and the generalisation of pensions).

Progressive industrialisation has led to socie-tal change.Agricultural jobs went from 20% inthe 1960s to a little over 10% in 1970.Urbanisation and rural exodus occur together.

From 1973 onwardsAfter three oil crises (1973,1979,1980)

and world economy crashes, France’s econo-my faced slow growth and growing inflation.

From 1976 to 1981, economic policy focu-sed mainly on fighting inflation and containingthe national debt.The result, as was the casein other European countries, was a significantincrease in unemployment.From 1981 to 1983,the Socialist government launched a vigorouspolicy of boosting the economy and employ-



ment that ran up against external constraints.France returned to a policy of fiscal disciplineand liberalised the economy through privati-sation and deregulation.

The GulfWar and German reunification drag-ged Europe into recession.A restrictive mone-tary policy followed, with weak growth and anew rise in unemployment. In parallel,France’sparticipation in the construction of a unitedEurope brought about an economic policywhose main goal was a single European cur-rency and adherence to the criteria for conver-gence laid out in theTreaty of Maastricht (infla-tion, national debt).

From 1997 to 2000, a return to growthallowed France to introduce innovativesolutions to its employment policy (reduc-tion of withholdings from lower salaries,creation of jobs for youth, reduction in thework week) and to cut unemployment.

The French economytoday

In terms of GDP, France ranks in the topworld economies. The country has manyadvantages: transportation, telecommunica-tions, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals as well asbanking, insurance, tourism and luxury pro-ducts (fashion, perfume, alcoholic beverages).

AgricultureThe agricultural sector is highly concentrated,

professionalised and specialised. Overall, thenumber of agriculture jobs and small, non-specialised farms has dropped,but France remainsthe top ranked agricultural producer and expor-ter in Europe.The principal French products arecereals (ranked 5th worldwide),wine (2nd world-wide), milk (5th worldwide), sugar beets and oilproducing seeds.

IndustryAs in other developed countries, industry’s

share has shrunk. In France, the sector onlyemploys a little over one worker out of six.Traditional sectors have endured majorrestructuring (steel making, metals,mechanical, textile).

Other remain very competitive, namely:- Construction and public projects(Bouygues, ranked 1st in Europe),

- Agribusiness (1st ranked exporter and2nd producer for Europe),

- Chemicals industries (Air Liquide,Rhodia),

- Fashion and luxury (Vuitton, Hermes,Jean-Paul Gaultier, Dior),

- Pharmaceuticals (4th ranked producerworldwide),

- Processed materials (Péchiney, SaintGobain),

- Telecommunications,Aviation andAerospace,TGV.

French industry is an open market,particularly in Europe.Over 60% of all trade inthe industrial sector is with Europeancountries.The sector is dependent upon othercountries because Francemust import the natu-ral resources it doesn’t have, mainlyfossil fuels.

ServicesThe service sector has developed

significantly.Among France’s strong points isthe banking, financial and insurance sector.Thislast area ranks 4th worldwide (Axa, 1st

insurance company in Europe).

Modern France at a glance


The development of services has taken placeboth in the commercial sector, with stronggrowth in business and personalservices, as well as the public services sector,which has also grown significantly (healthcare,education).

The tourism industry, among the largest inEurope, plays a critical role in the balance oftrade. It represents 6,5% of the GDP and 2 mil-lion jobs.As an example, several French hotelchains are established on every continent (Accor,Club Méditerranée, etc.).

France is the most visited country in theworld (over 78 million foreign tourists in 2006)and ranks 3rd worldwide in tourism revenues.

France’s ranking ona global scale

France holds an essential position in theworld:- among Latin countries (in 2000,one out of6 people are from a Latin country);

- among French-speaking countries, whichconstitute a community of approximately105 million people;

- among European countries, tightly connec-ted to the European Union,with whom thecountry conducts the majority of its trade(50% in the Euro Zone).

As a major economic player,France ranks 4th

in the export of goods (mainly equipment) world-wide and 2nd for services and agriculture.

The country ranks 4th worldwide amongdestination countries for foreign investment.

France is one of five permanent membersof the UNO, United Nations Organisation tohave the right of veto and is also one of fiverepresentatives of the IMF, InternationalMonetary Fund and member of the G8.France’scapital city is also home to the head office ofUNESCO - The United Nations, Educational,Scientific and Cultural Organisation.



Studying in France gives you the oppor-tunity to discover the extraordinary varie-ty of landscapes, towns and regions thatFrance has to offer.Being a student in France also means

learning about living with the Frenchand sharing their lifestyle and their out-look on life. Every intellectual expe-rience is a beneficial exchange that isjust as good for those who entertainas for those who are being entertained.

Geography

StructureFrance’s geography is one of the most diver-

se in Europe.700million years of geological rockformation that left behind very high mountains,(some of whose eroded peaks can still be seentoday in the‘Massif armoricain’,‘Massif Central’,‘Vosges’ and ‘Ardennes’) large sediment-filledponds and high mountain ranges.These moun-tain ranges are the Alps, Pyrenees and JuraMountains.

In theWest and North of the country thereare plateaux, plains and hills of an altitudethat are generally less than 200 metres.Thisarea is the France of eroded mountains andlarge pools.The threshold of Poitou separatesthe Parisian pool and the pool of Aquitaine.

In the South and in the East you will find rug-ged mountain ranges (Alps that soar 4807metres in the air, the Pyrenees at 3298 metresand the Jura at 1728 metres) and rustic, nar-row stretches of land. In central France thecontours of old volcanoes are located aroundthe pool ofAquitaine to theWest (700m-900m),the RhoneValley to the East (1000-1700m),andon the plain in the south of Languedoc.

Geographical diversityFrance’s geography makes France exceptio-

nally rich in terms of its surroundings, butalso makes it unique because so many fea-tures are reunited in one country.

France represents a complete model ofthe European continent,with its western plains,

ancient mountains,steep ranges,multiple shoresand Mediterranean mildness.

Rivers & lakesThe French nickname for France‘L’Hexagone’,

taken from the country’s hexagonal shape, iswell hydrated with its dense tributaries that aremade up of thousands of streams, rivers, smallcoastal lakes and five main rivers.

The Loire River is the longest river in France(1 010 km).The calm River Seine (775 km) thatruns through the capital is the most navigableFrench river.

The Garonne River (525 km) is renown forhaving seriously flooded its banks several times.The Rhone River (520 km) runs throughSoutheast France in a north to south line.And finally there is the Rhine River,which runsthrough 195 km of French territory.

‘La douce France’

A mild climate80% of the protected sites of natural inter-

est in Europe are in France. France is situatedin the Temperate Zone of the NorthernHemisphere and so benefits from a moderateclimate that follows the rhythm of four well-defined seasons. In during winter,average tem-peratures vary from 0-8°c. In the summer theyvary from 16-24°c.Annual rainfall adds up to600-800 mm of water for more than half ofFrance.

The geography of each region determinesits specific climate, according to differentcombinations of cold and warm continentalfronts, oceanic andAtlantic breeze, or subtropi-cal Mediterranean air. Brittany and Normandypossess humid oceanic climates (approxima-tely 200 rainy days per year), with strongwesterly winds, mild winters (average tempe-rature is 7°c) and cool summers (16°c).Aquitaineis prone to oceanic andmeridianweather condi-tions, changeable winds, and heavy rainfall inthe spring, with an average temperature of5°c in winter and 22°c in summer.The east andthe northeast’s climate are semi-continental.

A COUNTRY THAT HAS PLENTYTO OFFER


32 - I’m going to France32 - I’m going to France

The winters are bitterly cold there and it snows(average temperature is -1°c).The summersare hot and stormy (average temperature is19°c).The winds come from the north andthe east.

The South of France has a Mediterraneanclimate, with rain in the autumn, north andsouth winds, mild winters (average tempera-ture is 6°c) and hot summers (average tem-perature is 20°c).

The weather in the mountainous regionsof France is characterised by heavy rainfall, longsnowy winters,hot stormy summers,often withmuch different weather on the slopes, i.e.,micro-climates (neighbouring areas thatexperience different weather conditions).

le climat de montagne est caractérisé pardes précipitations abondantes, un hiver long,froid et enneigé, un été chaud et orageux,avec de grandes différences selon les versantset de très nombreux microclimats.


Mediterranean Climate

Transitive Climate

Oceanic Climate

More subdued Oceanic Climate

Semi-Continental Climate

Mountain Climate

France’s different climate zones


A country that has plenty to offer

Plains and Sedimentary plateaux

Ancient Pools

Young Alpines Ranges

Massif Armoricain

Massif Central

Mer du Nord

Manche

Océan Atlantique

Méditerranée

Ardennes

Bassin Parisien

BassinAquitain

Pyrénées

Alpes

Jura

Vosges

2

1

1

2

Structure and contours of France


France’s population

DemographyIn 2007, France’s population consisted of

63.4 million inhabitants; 2.8 million were from

overseas territories, which makes FranceEurope’s 2nd largest nation and the 20th largestin the world.The birth rate rose afterWorldWar II and then slowed down until 1997when the birth rate steadily rose again. It hasremained high since late 2000.


Population age pyramid (number in thousands)

Population in mainland France 1980 1990 2000 2006

Total (in thousands) 53880 58751 60751 63195births (in thousands) 800 794 808 831Deaths (in thousands) 547 535 541 531Birth rate (%) 14,9 13,6 13,3 13,1Mortality (%) 10,2 9,2 8,9 8,4Infant mortality rate (%) 10,0 7,3 4,4 3,7Marriage rate (%) 6,2 5,1 5,0 4,4Total fertility rate(children per woman) 1,9 1,78 1,89 1,9Age distribution on 1 January (%) 2007under 20 30,6 27,8 25,6 24,720 to 59 years old 52,4 53,2 53,8 5460 years and over 17 19 20,6 21,3

Source : INSEE


A not so dense population densityCompared with its neighbours, France is a

sparsely populated country. France’s averagepopulation density is 112 habitants per squa-re kilometre compared with 234 in Germanyand 459 in the Netherlands. Each area popu-lation density greatly differs from region toregion according to their contours and eco-nomic evolution.

- In the industrial zones of the north and inthe Rhone Alps region, there are anaverage of 300 inhabitants per square kilo-metre. Population density in the Ile deFrance is 957. In the Seine, Garonne andRhoneValleys, it is 80 inhabitants per squa-re kilometre.

- In the mountainous zones, forests cover aquarter of the territory and where thereare plains of poor quality earth, there areless than 60 inhabitants per squarekilometre.

- The other half of the country that’s leftranges from 50-150 inhabitants per squa-re kilometre depending on whether thereare plains, plateaux, or if the region isagricultural or industrial.

France’s townsThe development of industry and services

and the modernisation of the agriculturalsystem encouragedmore people from the coun-tryside to move to towns.A rural drift thatbegan back in the 19th century made a comeback after 1946.

Today, 75% of French people live in townsand less than 5% work in farming andagriculture.

29 French towns have more than 200,000inhabitants and roughly forty towns have 100,000inhabitants. Paris comes out on top with anagglomeration of almost 10 million city dwel-lers (2,166,200 in Paris alone), followed byMarseilles with 826,700,Lyon (467,400),Toulouse(437,100), Bordeaux (229,500) and Lille(224,900).

The environmentEcologists’ reactions against plans for

building nuclear power stations have shownthat the French are becoming more and moreinterested in looking after nature and theenvironment both in town and in thecountryside.

The GrenelleAgreement on the Environmentin October 2007 launched legislative measuresfor the protection of the environment. See thewebsite:www.legrenelle-environnement.fr



Population in mainland FranceIn thousands

• 27.7 million French people are active(43% of the population),10% are looking forwork (25,000,000 people actively working).

• Working men account for 61,7% of theactive population.

• Working Women account for 49,3%of the active population.

• Population assessment by sector ofactivity:- agriculture: 3,6 %- industry: 14,1 %- construction: 6,4 %- services and other: 75,9 %

source: INSEE


The urban landscape is forever changing.While the city centres have more or less remai-ned unchanged for centuries, colourful over-populated suburbs sprawl around them.

The rural landscape is also evolving.Thebiggest changes have been noted in smallplaces; jobs in agriculture that have slumped(that account for 3.6% of employment) havebeen replaced with industrial farming.Like townsand cities, rivers and beaches are being affec-ted by pollution.

In any case, France’s green spots are tendingto become residential areas and a lot of effortis being made to improve the quality of life inthe suburbs.

Find out what theFrench are all about

Their budgetFrench spending power doubled over the

last quarter of the century with consumptionof goods and services tripling from 1959-1994.

Salaries (civil servants’ salaries, manualworkers’ wages,doctors,architects and lawyers’rates) are the main source of income for aFrench family’s budget. Pensions, benefits,copyright laws and various other paymentscan be added to the list of state benefits thatare paid to families in France.

The average monthly salary in Francebefore tax is about 1,584 euros.Half of Frenchsalaries are,however,under 1,302 euros.Salariesare slightly better in Paris than ‘en Province’and vary from company to company.The dif-ference in the salaries of an executive andsimple employee range from 2.5 to 3.3%.Money is spent on accommodation, healthservices, food, transport, telephone bills,purchasing goods and services, leisure, andclothing, in order of the most to the leastimportant. Purchases are usually made bycheque or credit card.VAT is added on to all ofthese purchases‘TVA,taxe sur la valeur ajoutée’.

Direct tax (income tax, tax on privatelyowned property or Council tax), retirementpayments, social security, medical insurancecover, insurance, and television licence canall be added to the chapter on“spending”.Youcan save money by opening a savings accountin a bank or at the Post Office ‘La Poste’.

Nearly 10% of households in France pos-sess 50% of France’s heritage.

A minimum job seeker’s allowance (RMI,revenu minimum d’insertion) was establishedin France in 1988 for the worst off. Like allstate benefits, the much debated minimum jobseeker’s allowance was periodically re-asses-sed and in 2007 stood at 447 euros a monthfor a single person living in the metropolis.

The MinimumWage (SMIC, salaire mini-mum interprofessionnel de croissance) aftertax stands at 1 280 per month, according toprices and other salaries.The CMU,UniversalMedical Cover, was created in 1999.

The French daily routineFrench people tend to plan their day

differently depending on whether they live intown or in the country. In the provinces,many shops close between noon and 2pm. Inbig towns, shops and offices are open all dayand so people leave work earlier to go shop-ping on their way home and then watch tele-vision (3 hours a day on average).

Young children go to primary school, seniorschool or college from Monday morning untilFriday evening with a day off onWednesday forprimary school pupils.The 4-day week is car-ried out by 24% of primary schools. However,proposals are being put forward to re-organi-se the school day.Core subject lessons are heldin the morning when the children are suppo-sedly more alert, and afternoons are usuallydevoted to different activities.

For most people who work, Saturday andSunday are days of rest; and for shop owners,Sunday and Monday.



A typical day in the life of French retiredpeople is usually a lot less cluttered, withoutthe hustle and bustle of work or university life,clubs, etc., to think about.

There are 11 long awaited public holidays eachyear in France:

• 4th July: ‘La Fête Nationale’ Anniversaryof the Storming of the Bastille

• 8th May:V(ictory) Day to markWorldWar II

• 11th November:Armistice• 1st January: NewYear’s Day• 1st May: Labour Day

There are three fixed holy days:• 15th August:Assumption• 1st November:All Saints day (but the dayof ‘les deux morts’ is not a public holiday)

• 25th December: Christmas dayThere are three holy days that fall on diffe-rent days each year:Easter Sunday and Monday that followthe 1st full moon of springtime.The Ascension Thursday (40 days afterEaster)Pentecost (7th Sunday and Monday afterEaster)

The year begins on the 1st January and theschool year starts in September,after the sum-mer holidays in July and August.The schoolcalendar is divided by the Christmas and Easterholidays into three terms.

School holidays differ according to the region.There are three regions:

• Zone A : Caen , Clermont-Ferrand ,Grenoble, Lyon, Nancy-Metz,Nantes,Rennes,Montpellier andToulouse.

• Zone B:Aix-Marseille, Amiens,Besançon,Dijon, Lille , Limoges, Nice,Orléans-Tours, Poitiers, Reims,Rouen and Strasbourg.

• Zone C: Bordeaux, Paris, Créteil andVersailles.

Free timeSince 1945 proposals were put forward to

reduce the working week.In 2001, many sectors switched to the

35-hour week. Different leisure activities tosuit people of different ages, social andprofessional backgrounds, standards of livingand personal tastes are very diverse.

The average length of paid holiday isbetween 25 and 30 days.The Seaside still comesout at 44% of the population’s most favouriteholiday resort.TheMountains are another favou-rite place to go on holiday.

Every household has a radio and families lis-ten to at least France-Inter, RTL, Europe 1 orother FM radio stations.Almost every house-hold owns a television and can watch nationaltelevision (France 2, 3 and France 5,Arte, LeSoir and the private channels, (TF1, Canal +,M6). For 118 euros (in 2007) for a TV licenceyou can legally own a colourTV.

On 31March 2005DigitalTerrestrialTelevision(TNT) was launched, broadcasting high quali-ty, digital television programmes. All homesequipped with a simple antenna aerial, plus aTNT adaptor,can receive 18 free channels plusaround ten subscription channels.

Le savoir-vivre (The “know how”)If some aspects of French life seem the same

as anywhere else in the world,there is one thingthat the French have and the rest of us don’t,




and that’s ‘savoir-vivre’. The ‘savoir-vivre’tends to differ among different generations ofFrench people.

When meeting someone you shake handsor if you know the person quite well you cankiss them on both cheeks.You can use‘tu’ whenspeaking to your friends and family,but it is bet-ter to ‘vous’ everyone else. It is advised notto phone people after 9pm or to arrive tooearly or too late when meeting up with someo-ne and you must make sure to let the personknow when you cannot make it.

When using public transport it is polite togive your seat to elderly people,pregnant womenor handicapped people; to wait for everyoneto be served before you start eating at the mealtable, to ask permission to smoke, to leave atip for waitresses, guides, taxi drivers, etc.

Young people tend to behave in a more frankand friendly manner (for example, by usingpeople’s first names).

EntertainingFrance is renown for its passion for

gastronomy.Towards the end of the week orfor a special occasion,the French present mealsin a special way. They may put smallplates on bigger plates to make the meal lookmore elegant, and in the countryside, peoplehave kept up the grand old tradition of sittingdown to a big meal. Everyday French cuisinefollows the international trend of giving youless time to eat to make more time for otherthings and eating less because it is healthier.The French are, therefore, open to varietybut at the same time do not leave their culi-nary traditions behind.Eating habits vary moreby gender and age, but the recent emphasison safe, healthy eating has played an increasin-gly vital role in the French diet.

Host familiesOne of the best and most effective ways to

adapt to the French way of life is to live with

a French family.However,unlikeAnglo-Saxons,the French are not used to welcoming studentsinto their homes as easily, so finding a familymay take some time.Making friends with Frenchpeople is a good way to find a family. If all elsefails, the CROUS staff can give you the namesand addresses of host families who are lookingfor foreign students and a list of special orga-nisations that can put you in contact withhost families (see chapter 3, p. 85).



France has been a beacon of cultureand invention all throughout its History.In the XIII century, the universities ofParis, Orleans, Toulouse andMontpellierwere already accommodating studentsfrom all over Europe. Rather than planyour stay for you, we simply would liketo invite you to discover asmuch as pos-sible about the French culture duringyour stay. Below is a list of recommen-dedmuseums to visit and dates of eventsto note down. The CNOUS cultural ser-vices also organise student activities.

Museumsand exhibitions

Art and archaeology museumsMost big university towns have museums

that act as living proof of the wealth of France’sculture.Admissions to national museums arefree on the first Sunday of every month.

In Paris, The Louvre has brought toge-ther a range of treasures fromOriental,Greekand Roman Antiquities as well as paintings ofall eras (Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa,Vermeer’s‘Lacemaker’,Watteau’s ‘Le Pierrot’, Chardin’s‘La Pourvoyeuse’, Delacroix’s ‘The deathof Sardanapale’).

You can get to the Louvre by the glasspyramid entrance in the middle of the LouvrePalace’s courtyard that is oppositeTuileries gar-dens. Metro:Palais Royal;open every day (exceptTuesdays and some Bank Holidays) from9am-6pm, late night closing at 10pm onWednesdays and Fridays;www.louvre.fr.

The Musée d’Orsay displays a vastcollection of XIX Century paintings (Daumier,Courbet, Millet and also Van Gogh) as wellas famous Impressionist works of art (Monet,Renoir, Manet, etc.) in the former Orsayrailway station. Main Entrance: 1 rue de la

Legion d’honneur, 75007 Paris, RER Muséed’Orsay. Open every day except Mondays,from 9.30am-6pm, late night closing until9.45pm on Thursdays; www.musee-orsay.fr.

The Capital city is also home to museumsthat are dedicated to individual artists: TheNational Picasso Museum that was setup in a XVII Century private hotel and displaysthe artist’s paintings, sculptures, illustrations,etchings and ceramics.You can also find thework of Rousseau, Cezanne, Derain, Matisse,Braque and Miro here to name a few. 5, ruede Thorigny, 75003 Paris; metro Saint Paul.Open everyday except Tuesdays from 9.30-5.30pm; www.musee-picasso.fr.

If you like sculptures you’ll find bronze andmarble sculptures byAuguste Rodin and CamilleClaudel at the Rodin museum 77 rue deVarenne, 75007 Paris; metro Varenne; openevery day except Mondays from 9.30am-5.45pm;www.musee-rodin.fr.

Nantes ‘Musée des Beaux-Arts’ (FineArts) (10, rue Georges Clémenceau, 44000Nantes) collection brings together old (Georgesde la Tour, Philppe de Champaigne, Rubens,Ingres, Delacroix, Courbet…),modern (SoniaDelaunay, Kandinsky…) and contemporaryworks of art (Soulages,Tinguely, Richter…),mainly European works from the 14th Centurythrough today.Open daily exceptTuesdays andBank Holidays, from 10am to 6pm – late nightopening onThursdays until 8pm.

The musée du quai Branly, musée desarts premiers, il présente des collectionsexceptionnelles d’objets des civilisationsd’Afrique,d’Océanie, d’ Asie et desAmériques(37, quai Branly, 75007 Paris; métro Alma-Marceau - Bir Hakem).Tout les samedi à par-tir de 18h, le musée est gratuit pour lesmoins de 26 ans; www.quaibranly.fr.

FRENCH CULTURAL LIFE




The Museum of Modern Art inVilleneuve-d’Ascq (1 allée du musée,59650,Villeneuve d’Ascq) displays modern and contem-porary art by Modigliani, Léger,Van Dongen,Buren,Lipchitz,etc;open daily exceptTuesdays,from 10am to 6pm;www.nordnet.fr/mam.

At the Antoine Vivenel Museum inCompiègne,you are invited to discover Greek,Roman and Gaul antiquities, paintings,sculptures and objets d’art that date from theMiddle Ages, the Renaissance and the modernday. (2 rue d’Austerlitz 60200 Compiègne;03 44 20 26 04;www.mairie-compiegne.fr).

Music exhibitsTheCité de lamusique includes amuseum

based on music, two concert halls (classicalmusic, contemporary, jazz and world music),music and dance information centre and aneducational media library.(221 avenue Jean Jaurès75019 Paris;métro Porte de Pantin;open fromTuesday-Saturday fromNoon till 6pm,Sundaysfrom 10am-6pm. Information and reservations:01 44 84 44 84, www.cite-musique.fr).

Science exhibitsLe Palais de la Découverte (The Palace

of Discovery) is home to permanent andtemporary exhibitions and has ‘hands on’activities and guided tours.The Museum has aPlanetarium and a photo lab.You can have les-sons and courses onAstronomy (avenue FranklinD Roosevelt,75008 Paris,métro:Champs ElyséesClemenceau;open fromTuesday –Saturday from9.30am-6pm, Sundays from 10am-7pm.Information at 01 56 43 20 20. www.palais-decouverte.fr.

La Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie(Science and Industry) organises spectacularinteractive exhibitions,puts on shows and hasDocumentation Centres (30 avenue CorentinCariou,75019 Paris,metro Porte de laVillette;openTuesday-Sunday from 10am-6pm.Sundays10am-7pm; www.cite-sciences.fr.

The Museum of Natural History haspermanent and temporary exhibitions, showsfilms and puts on conferences and educatio-nal activities. It also has a menagerie and a medialibrary (57, rue Cuvier, 75005 Paris; métro:Jussieu: open daily except Tuesdays, from10am to 5pm; reservations: 01 40 79 36 00;www.mnhn.com).

Futuroscope, a 53 hectare theme parknear Poitiers,brings together all the latest audio-visual technology (giant screens,3D cinema andsurround sound ) and interactive activities; infor-mation and reservations: 05 49 49 11 12;www.futuroscope.com.

Cultural events

For the ‘Fête de la Musique’ (France’sAnnualMusic Festival on21st June),professionalartistsand increasinglymoreclassicandmodernamateur musicians from all over the world aregiven permission to do live concerts in most ofFrance’sbig towns for theday.Theprogrammeofevents is available before the festival onwww.fetedelamusique.culture.fr.

Other successful cultural events take placeeach year throughout France: Heritage Days(September) when historic monuments (minis-tries, buildings, embassies, banks) are speciallyopen to thepublic.

The aim of Science Week is to provideinformation on developments in science andtheir implications for society. Several universi-ties participate in this.

LaFêtedel’Internetbrings thepublicuptodatewith issuesof information andnewtechno-logies;www.fete-internet.fr.

Nantes organises “crazy days” dedicatedto classical music.

Au Printemps de Bourges (Mid April,to see programme:www.printemps-bourges.com)andAux Francofolies de La Rochelle (Mid



July; to see programme: www.francofolies.fr),enable various French singers to show off theirtalent and meet each other.

The techno-parade takes to the streets ofParis around the 18th September:www.technoparade.fr.

TheAvignon Theatre &Dance Festivalis held every year from the beginning of June-end of July (box office opens from beginningof June) where each year, many a well-knowndirector takes to the stage to put on a play ora dance performance www.festival-avignon.com.

For La Fête du cinéma (France’s Annualfilm festival around the 30th June), you cansee as many films as you like for the price ofone ticket with only 2 euros extra for anadditional ticket.www.feteducinema.com.

The Clermont-Ferrand Film Festival(at the beginning of February) speciality is sho-wing short (French and foreign films); infor-mation: 04 73 91 65 73.www.clermont-filmfest.com.

The Three Continents Film Festival(late November) in Nantes offers films fromAsia,theAmericas andAfrica presented by someof their directors.

Comic book lovers are advised not to missthe annualComic BookFestival atAngoulême,which takes place in February or March.www.bdangouleme.com.

2BEFORESETTING OFF

2How to plan your stay in France

CampusFrance Centres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 46Applying to a French university for 1st cycle studies . . . . . . . . . p. 46Are my qualifications recognised in France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 49French language test: the TFC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 49How to apply for a VISA that covers the lengthof your studies in France. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 50Short term visa: “student entrance exams” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 50All you need to know about:

• Documents needed when applying for a VISA for the first time . . . . p. 52

How am I going to pay for my studiesin France?

Necessary resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 54Applying for grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 55All you need to know about:

• Checklist of essential documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 56


Before setting off2


Before setting off


Regulations for entering the countryas a student for a long period of time aredifferent from when you are visiting thecountry as a tourist.

Obtaining permission to live as a student inFrance depends on your financial resources andupon acceptance of your application for secon-dary studies.

This application must be presented indifferent forms depending upon whether youare admitted into 1st or 2nd year, masters, ordoctoral level studies. Please note that beingturned down for masters level studies does notgive you any priority for 1st or 2nd year (under-graduate) studies. Therefore, if there is anydoubt, it is advisable to work on both.

Campus FranceCentres

Today there are CampusFrance Centres inabout thirty countries :

Algeria,Argentina,Benin,Brazil,Cameroon,Canada, China, Colombia, Congo Brazzaville,South Korea, United States, Gabon, Guinea,India, Lebanon, Madagascar, Mali, Morocco,Mauritius, Mexico, Czech Republic, Russia,Senegal, Syria,Taiwan,Tunisia,Turkey,Vietnam.

These CampusFrance Centres aim to helpoverseas students wishing to study in Francewith the university and administrative proce-dures.

If you live in one of the countriesabove, you have to enrol through thecorresponding CampusFrance centre(fill in the form on the website), to makeyour application and to obtain your stu-dent visa.

To find the website for each countrygo to: www.campusfrance.org

Application for pre-enrolment onlineenables your personal electronic file tobe set up. It is a quick and simple ope-ration, and you will be required tomakea payment. This process significantlyspeeds up the response time of the esta-blishments and the visa formalities. Youcan therefore plan your study visit in thebest possible way.This online enrolment is followed by

personalised questions both to assess andto pinpoint your study plan, and thelevel of your French language skills (byproficiency test).

The preliminaryapplication foradmission (DAP) foran undergraduatecourse in a highereducation institution

When the candidate has chosen a disciplineand the higher education establishment wherethey would like to study, an applicant for firstor second year studies must then in Decemberpick up or ask the Service de cooperation etd’action culturelle (SCAC) of the Embassy ofFrance to send a pre-application form (called“le dossier blanc”) to their home address. Incountries with a CampusFrance Centre,the pro-cedure can be organised online.The application form is also downloadable onthe web site for the Ministry of Youth, PublicEducation and Research:www.education.gouv.fr

Pre-application is a must when applying forall of the following studies for the first time: firstand second year university studies in Medicine,

HOW TO PLAN YOUR STAYIN FRANCE

Before setting off

2

Dentistry,Pharmacy and Law.This applies whenthe candidate’s secondary qualifications are notFrench.

Please note:this process has very strict dead-lines. You must consult these on theCampusFrance websites or on the website ofthe Ministry for Higher Education and Researchor the French administration portal.

Special cases

• Candidates that are living in France and haveat least a 1 year Resident’s card must pickup an application form from their nearestuniversity;

• European Union and European economiczone citizens can enrol directly at theuniversity of their choice without goingthrough this procedure.These applicants,and certain others (see table on p.48) mayalso bypass the procedure.

Choosing a universityStudents are asked to choose three uni-

versities and to put them in order of prefe-rence, except when applying to three Parisianuniversities (Paris,Créteil,Versailles),where youcan only choose one.

Once the pre-application form has beenfilled in and you have enclosed everythingthat is required, it must be sent back to yourfirst choice French university. If your firstchoice of university does not accept you, theywill automatically send your form onto your

second choice of university. Similarly, if thesecond university does not accept you, theywill send it on to the third

.


How to plan your stay in France

For more information, go to the followingwebsites:

www.campusfrance.orgwww.education.gouv.frwww.service-public.frwww.cnous.fr


Before setting off2


Before setting off

Special exemptions

Candidates do not need to go through themotions of getting a visa card if they are:

• Holders of a French baccalaureate orholding an exemption certificate,holdersof an international or Franco-Germanbaccalaureate;

• Students undertaking studies withinthe framework of an approved pro-gramme agreed between governmentsor within a programme defined by aninter-university convention;

• French or overseas government grant-holders that are looked after by aggre-gated French organisations (such asCampusFrance / CNOUS / EGIDE);

• Students who are recognised as state-less or as refugees by the French officefor the protection of refugees andstateless persons (OFPRA),and, if neces-sary, with the permission of the direc-tor of this Office, applicants who havenot yet obtained this status;

• Children of diplomats currently holdingposts in France

• Citizens of the European Union and/orthe European Economic Area

ReminderIn the following cases, application is made directly to the institution:

•Masters or doctoral level students or labo-ratory research students provided thatthey get a place in their chosen universityand that their study years/diplomas are vali-dated (VAE).If a candidates’ diplomas aren’tvalidated, they will have to pre-enrol;

• Candidates whowish to enrol in a Frenchhigh school (CPGE,STS:preparatory classesfor the hautes écoles, advanced technicalsection);

• Students requesting enrolment in aninstitution of higher learning that basesadmissions on a portfolio, entrance exam,panel vote, or degree (IUT, IEP, etc.);

• Students studying at schools that are notunder theministry ofHigher Education andResearch, (for example Schools of musicorAgriculture)must contact the school orits associated ministry directly.

2


Are my qualificationsrecognised in France?

French educational institutions should reco-gnise qualifications from other countries.Thereis no legal equivalent between internationaldiplomas and French diplomas.

Consequently, an academic board thatconsists of a president or the director of thecandidate’s chosen university is responsible forall decisions regarding validating qualificationsfrom other countries.

Also, the ENIC-NARIC Centre France hasinformation on the recognition of academic andprofessional diplomas. It provides certificatesfor the recognition of study levels for over-seas diplomas.

All information relating to this centre canbe found on the website: www.ciep.fr

French languagetest: the TCF

To be able to register in a higher educationinstitution or to receive a certificate of preli-minary registration, you will need to haveexcellent French language skills.The TCF (Test of French language

skills) is obligatory for applicants within theframework of preliminary requests for admis-sion (DAP) to diploma courses at a university(licence 1 and licence 2) or to a school of archi-tecture;

Candidates who do not hold the DELF B2or the DALF should take theTCF relevant tothe course for which they are applying,“TCFfor the DAP”. There is a fee for this test.

The TCF is the official test of the FrenchMinistry of Education. Only universities,schools of architecture, French embassies andthe CIEP (International Centre for EducationalStudies) are approved to holdTCF sessions forthe DAP.

Testing

• overseas, students must make contact withthe cultural cooperation and action depart-ment at the French embassy in theircountry. These departments will provideinformation on: the dates of the sessions andthe fees forTCF for the DAP. Once enrol-led, students must take theTCF for the DAPin an establishment indicated by the Frenchembassy (the French Institute, AllianceFrançaise, French Cultural Centre, univer-sity, etc)

• in France students must take the TCF forthe DAP only in their chosen university orschool of architecture. Usually these esta-blishments organise the sessions for theTCFfor the DAP in January or February. It isfor the students to make direct contact withthe departments of the university or schoolof architecture before 31 January.

Test content

The TCF for the DAP lasts a total of 3hours. It consists of:

• an oral comprehension test:30 questions• a test on language structures (grammarand vocabulary): 20 questions

• a written comprehension test: 30 ques-tions

• a test of written expression (on two sub-jects: a commentary ondata in 250 words,and a reasoned argument in 400 words).

For further information go to: www.ciep.fr



Before setting off2


Before setting off

Exemptions

The following persons are exempt fromthe French proficiency test:

• holders of a DELF B2 or a DALF C1 orC2, of a French baccalaureate (awardedby the French Ministry of Education) a stu-dent or graduate from French bilingualdepartments on a list established jointlyby the French Ministries of NationalEducation and of international affairs;

• holders of the assessment test inFrench (TEF), organised by theChamber of Commerce and Industry inParis, and who have obtained 14 out of 20for the written expression test; (pleasenote: theTEF qualification is only valid forone year)

• nationals from countries where French isan official language: Bénin, Burkina Faso,Congo, Ivory Coast, Gabon, Guinea-Conakry,Mali,Niger,Democratic Republicof Congo, Sénégal,Togo;

• candidates who are nationals of the coun-tries of the European EconomicArea areexempt from the DAP process, and cantherefore make a direct application to theuniversity of their choice, which willdecide whether or not they need to takea language test

How to apply for avisa that covers thelength of your stayin France

Obtaining a long term visa

Overseas students who are planning tostudy in France must go to their nearest FrenchConsulate and get information about comingto France and what you need to do to obtaina Resident’s card. Students who are not natio-nals of the 30 countries of the EEA (EU coun-tries plus Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein),andwho are not nationals of Andorra, Monaco,Switzerland, San Marino or the Vatican, must

obtain a long-stay visa with the mention “stu-dent” to study in France,when they are inten-ding to stay for longer than six months.

You can also refer to the web site for theMinistry of Foreign and European Affairs:www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

No visa, no go

In France and in other European countries,overseas students who have a temporary“tourist” visa cannot obtain a French Resident’scard. Applying for a short-term visa beforecoming to France is, therefore, essential.

Overseas students (other than EU nationals)staying in France for longer than 3 months haveto obtain a student residence permit withintwo months of their arrival in France.

Obtaining a shortterm visa for ‘entranceexam students’

The short term ‘étudiant-concours’ visa isdesigned for those whose enrolment was gua-ranteed by a successful interview, test resultsor entrance examination.Temporary studentvisas (and visa protection) are awarded to thosewho can prove that they passed the entry exa-mination. By producing an“etudiant-concours”visa along with proof of passing the exam,a stu-dent may obtain a temporary “student” resi-dency card at the Prefecture of Police.

For shorter stays you can contact the yourcountry of origin’s Consulate and Embassy forinformation on how to obtain a visa.

2


Practical informationMinistry of Education has set up a “student portal”, a website for information on Higher

Education options and student life.

InMay 2006,the FrenchMinistry for licence,master and doctorate levels. Education laun-ched a“student portal”. This information canbe accessed in www.etudiant.gouv.fr providinginformation on different ways depending onwhether or not higher education coursesand their the student knows which coursehe or she professional insertion, to help stu-dents wants to take. make “an informedchoice”.

At first glance, going into higher educa-tion appears to be a complicated business.The portal currently has 22,000 courses andinformation about them

This portal brings together informationon all higher education courses, for both uni-versities and the “grandes écoles”, for alllevels.

Web links in each category enable furtherresearch.

The portal also has a section on“studentlife” with information on fees, grants,accommodation, student welfare, etc,., andsections entitled “Going abroad to study”and “Studying in France”

© MESR.



Before setting off2


Before setting off

Useful Information:Documents needed when applying for a visa for the first time

Proof of enrolment

To be sent either in the form of apositive response for a pre-application,confirmation of pre-enrolment in a state-run or public establishment.The documentmust state the level of studies attained andthe chosen discipline. If it’s a publicestablishment, the number of lesson hoursand confirmed payment of fees for the yearahead must be mentioned.

Proof of funding

• If the student is a grant-holder, they needto produce: on the grant company’s letterheaded paper, a document that states theamount of the grant allocated and the lengthof time that it covers.

If someone who lives in France financiallysupports the student, they will need to pro-duce a letter written and signed by this per-son.A photocopy of this person’s identity cardor passport, proof of income (guarantor’slast three pay slips, or proof of pension pay-ments if retired,and their last income notice).

If the student depends on funding fromoverseas: he/she will need to prove that theyhave a bank account in which to transfermoney from their country of origin (thus,enabling the guarantor or funding company tomake all signed transactions in French).Theywill also need to produce either the writtenagreement signed or a letter confirming fun-ding by the candidate’s country of origin.

Student‘Au pairs’ (work placement – homehelp,Chapter 3,p.78):One of the following isrequired:Host family exchanges organised bythe Department of Employment and Careers,Overseas manual worker’s service.

Parental Consent

Students under the age of 18 must havetheir parent or guardians consent beforestudying in France.

Medical

All overseas studentswho are resident card-holdersmust have amedical exam in France bya French doctor who is a member of the OMI’office des migrations internationales’. If theoverseas student is a French governmentgrant- holder,the examcanbedone in the coun-try of origin by an accredited doctor of theANAEM (formerly the Office for InternationalMigration)

Obligatory vaccinations

If your country of origin has recently beenhit by an epidemic, certain vaccinations maybe required.

Contact your nearest French Consulate before setting off,or look at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs website:

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr: enter “visa” into the search engine box.You can also look at the website: http//vosdroitsservice-public.fr/particuliers/F223l.xhtml

2



© MAE.

© La Documentation française.


Before setting off2HOW TO FINANCE YOURSTUDIES IN FRANCE

Before setting off, it is necessary to spe-cify which financing method you are goingto use to fund your stay.

You will need to work out a budget thattakes into account your resources and givesyou a rough guide to your financial needs.

Financial support can be provided either by:• The candidate’s family• A higher education grant• A loan

Necessaryresources

The French minimum wage

The minimum wage ‘le SMIC’ in France hasbeen around 1,321.02 gross since 1st July2008,1,037.53 net,based on the 35 hour wor-king week).

Such a small wage leaves little room forextravagant spending.

Student privileges

Students can benefit from “specialtreatment” in France.

• Subsidised university canteens;• Possible student accommodation (Halls ofresidence, Guesthouses, ‘HLM’ basicaccommodation (equivalent of councilflats);

• Special Student transport rates(see chapter 3).

These special deals should enable studentsto stretch their budgets to cover their basicliving costs as well as student expenses (books,going out, etc.)

Monthly needs

In France, a student can live reasonablywell on a sum of anything between 700 and850 euros per month.

This amount of money should cover thecosts of rent and deposit, food,healthcare,goingout, leisure,etc.Overseas students are advised

not to come to France empty-handed.Studentsare therefore expected to try and save up forthe stay in France.About 430 euros is a goodestimate of the amount of money you’ll needevery month.You could end up needing lessmoney if you take into account all the facilitiesavailable to students (i.e. living with relativesin France).

Fees for schooling

The annual rate for school fees in State-runhigher education establishments varies between165 and 900 euros and according to the cur-riculum. But this amount can be higher, parti-cularly in certain private establishments,wherethey may be 3000 to 7000, if not more.

Please note: course fees should be added tothese enrolment fees, and may be much higherthan the enrolment fees.

Social cover

Overseas students are entitled to studentsocial security:

- if he or she is under 28 years old (this limitcan be extended for some specific courses ofstudy or situations);

- if they are following a complete initial trai-ning in a higher education establishment;

- if they are not covered by any other socialsecurity system;

Where students are not eligible for studentsocial security, the CMU‘Couverture MaladieUniverselle’, in some cases, can allow them tobenefit from social security through healthcosts.

Students should contact their local CPAM‘Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Maladie’.

2


Indicative monthly budget(excluding fees for schooling)

his estimated monthly budget is for a single student who,as is typical for students, is not in university housing

Rent (including utilities) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300 €Restaurant meals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230 €Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 €School supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 €Cultural events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 €Leisure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 €General maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35 €TOTAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .725 €

Applying for grants

The different types of maintenancegrants available

There are three types of grants for studentswho would like to study in France.

• Grants that are allocated by the Frenchgovernment and arranged by diverse orga-nisations. The French Embassy’s Culturaland cooperation services (SCAC) inthe candidate’s countries of origin arethe only organisation to award thesegrants.

• Overseas government maintenance grantsare awarded to students who want to pur-sue their studies abroad (contact the Stateorganisation that deals with grants);

• International and non-governmentalfoundations as well as associations awardmaintenance grants also.

To at have a look at the list of the last twotypes of maintenance grants, pick up a copy ofthe UNESCO:Bi-annual guide to studying abroad.Copies can be ordered on the UNESCO web-site: www.unesco.org/education/studyingabroad

Grant applicationsmust bemade a year in advancebefore you plan to come to France. It is not pos-sible to have more than one grant from the sameinstitution or from two different institutions.

Students who were awarded maintenancegrants from their country of origin must informtheir Embassy or Consulate at home know thattheyhave arrived safely in France.Thoseof youwhoare grant-holders with international maintenancegrants or non-governmental grant-holders (ONG:‘Organisation non gouvernemental’)must similarlycontact the grant-awarding organisation in France.

Travel costs

MAEE grant-holders’ out and in boundflights are usually paid for by the grant-awar-ding body, which may also pay for travel inFrance between the arrival point and desti-nation.

For other grant-holders (from overseasgovernments, foundations, international bodies)the transfer from the arrival point to the des-tination (and the return transfer) may be paidfor either by the grant-awarding body or bythe student.

We advise non grant-holders to contactseveral different airlines and travel agents andto “shop around” for the cheapest ticket andgood student deals.Whether you are headingfor Paris or not, travel agents usually offer youthe widest choice of routes and connections.

To look at the list of addresses go tothe Ministry of Foreign and EuropeanAffairs website:www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/annuaire

How to finance your studies in France


Before setting off2


Before setting off

Practical Information:Checklist of essential documents

• A valid passport or identity card;

• A long term “student” visa;

• A cover letter from the French Embassy’sCultural services in the candidate’scountry of origin for French governmentgrant-holders only;

• About 10 passport sized black & whitephotos (3.5x4.5cm);

• The originals and their certified translationsof all secondary and further educationqualifications that provide access to highereducation in the candidate’s country;

• A detailed account of examination andcoursework grades from the last twoyears of study. Candidate’s grades areessential for enrolment in preparatoryclasses for ‘les Grandes Ecoles’, in someIUT’s and some university disciplines;

• A detailed programme of the candidate’scurriculum, subjects studied and gradesobtained during further education;

• A detailed research project to be enclosedin your application form for postgraduatestudy;

• A letter from the university,confirming thatthe candidate has been offered a place ontheir chosen course;

• Authorised translation of written proof ofIncome;

• The authorised translation of candidate’sBirth Certificate.

• The originals of all written evidencepresented to the consulate to obtain thevisa. These may need to be shown atCustoms and when applying for theresident’s card.

If you want to have a car in France:

• International insurance card;

• A valid driving licence that will allow youto drive for two years in France, to beexchanged for a French driving licence oran international driving licence after oneyear.

If you want to import a car:

• You must have ‘a carte grise’ or a proof ofownership for the vehicle;

• An International insurance card ‘carteverte’

And especially:

• A sum of money of at least 150 euros tocover the very first expenses.

For any complimentary information beforesetting off contact the Service de coopé-ration et d’action culturelle (SCAC) in thenearest French Embassy to where youlive or refer to CampusFrance’s website:www.campusfrance.org. For educational gui-dance contact the universities’ information andsupport services and the ONISEP website‘Office National d’information sur les ensei-gnements et les professions’: www.onisep.fr,under “Je recherche... une formation”.

3SETTLING IN

3

Arriving in FranceCustom control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 59

Practical:The arrival in Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 63All you need to know about: What to do when you get to Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 66Documents needed when applying for a residents card for the first time . . . . p. 69

‘Œuvres universitaires’ Student information servicesUniversity life startsat the CROUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 71The university canteen service‘At the heart of student life’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 72Student accommodation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 73All you need to know about:• How to get a flat in universitary residence? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 76Temporary employment service . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 77New and confused?Working professionally while studying . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 77The CROUS student welfare services are here to help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 79‘Le Dossier social étudiant’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 79CROUS Cultural Activities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 80The Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 82Student travel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 83‘Œuvres universitaires’ overseas student information services . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 85All you need to know about:• Local and regional ‘Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires’ student welfare centres . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 89

Sport at the university in FranceSport in French universities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 89• FFSU regional offices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 90

Social Security and student insurancecover student

Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 93Student insurance companies ‘les mutuelles étudiants’. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 94All you need to know about:• Special procedures for grant-holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 94L’USEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 95

Learning French as a foreign languageLearning French prior to coming to France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 96Learning French in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 96French national diplomas: DILF, DELF and DALF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 97Test of knowledge of French test: the TCF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 98The Alliance Française diplomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 99The Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIP) exams . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 99University diplomas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 99Teacher training courses in teaching French . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 100Short teaching courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 100All you need to know about:• Pedagogical research body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 101• Published works on teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 101


ARRIVING INFRANCE

Settling in3

Going to a new country is a real test.Discovering a new environment, learningnew customs, rules and regulations is nevereasy. The best way to adapt to the changeof environment and to make your stayworthwhile is to get information in advanceand to find out what are the first things youneed to do when you arrive.

Going through Customs

When you arrive at the airport, like all tra-vellers, overseas students must go throughCustoms:

Passport/Identity card check for peoplefrom European Union member states andCustoms driving licence and foreign currencycheck (see table below).


Customs restrictions

1 - The followingregulationsapply to alltravellers.

There are certain goods that are banned orrestricted (counterfeit, weapons, animals, pro-ducts that are protected by the Convention ofInternationalTrade and Endangered Species ofWild Fauna& Flora,telecommunications equip-ment, cultural items, narcotics or psychotro-pics, etc).

-If you are a non-European Unioncitizen:

You can legally bring up to 175 euros worthof goods per person (90 euros if the person isunder 15) that you have bought or that havebeen given to you in France without having todeclare them to Customs.

Personal belongings contained in yourluggage, whose nature or quantity does notdenote that they are for sellingpurposes,areper-mitted. In addition to“allowance” goods,travel-lers are allowed* limited:Cigarettes: 200 unitésor cigarillos: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 unitésor cigars: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 unitésor tobacco . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250gandCoffee: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .500 gor Coffee extract or essence: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 gTea: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 gor tea extract or essence: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 gandAlcoholic BeveragesWine: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 litresFortifiedWines with an alcoholcontent of over 22%: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 litreor FortifiedWines with an alcoholcontent of 22% or less: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 litreandPerfume: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 litresandEau de toilette: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25 centilitres

* Persons under the age of 17 cannotimport tobacco or alcohol.


Settling in3


Customs restrictions (continuation)

Medicines: medicines are allowedwhen theyare imported for personal use, that is, in quan-tities corresponding to 3 months treatmentwithout a prescription (or larger quantitieswith a prescription), and if they are carried inyour luggage. For medicines containing narco-tics or psychotropics, a prescription is obliga-tory.

NB:if the amount carried exceeds that cor-responding to personal use,importationwill notbe permitted.

Tobacco and alcohol products can be impor-ted within the authorised allowance limits.

For example, if you buy 100 cigarettes, andyou only use half your allowance for this cate-gory of tobacco, you can then take the remai-ning allowance as cigarillos (50 pieces),cigars (25pieces) or tobacco (125g).

- If you are a European Union citizen:

On 1st January 1993,the tax and duty regu-lations on the borders between EuropeanCountries were abolished.

You no longer have to declare goodsfrom EU Member States on which youshould pay duty or tax if your purchases arefor your own personal use (on which youpay the EU country’s correspondingVAT).

Nevertheless there are quantity limitsthat have been fixed for certain goods. If youexceed the limit, then the merchandise isconsidered to be for selling purposes.Therefore you will have to go along with theright documents and settle the duty and taxrequired.

Cigarettes : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .800 piècesCigarillos(weighing 3 grams each) : . . . . . . . . 400 piècesCigars : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 piècesSmoking tobacco: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 kgSpirits: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 litres(Gin,Whisky, etc)Fortified wines andother liquors: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 litres(Vermouth,Port, etc))Wine (only 60 Litres of thiscan be Sparkling) : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90 litresBeer : . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110 litres

Useful information: temporary arrange-ments allow the transport of tobacco productsmanufactured by visitors coming from newmember states of the EuropeanUnion (Bulgaria,Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland,Slovakia,Slovenia,CzechRepublic andRomania).

Thesemeasures are intended tomaintain thetax-free limit of 200 cigarettes.

Over and above this quantity you mustdeclare your cigarettes to the customs service,and pay the excise duties applicable in France.

Note: this limit may vary depending on thecountries listed above

3


Arriving in FranceArriving in France



2 - Your personalbelongings andvaluables

In addition to a traveller’s “allowance”goods, people who are coming to study inFrance can bring study materials. (Studentessentials and suitable second-hand furni-ture for a student’s room).The allowance isallocated to students at least once a year onpresentation of the following documents:

• An attestation of attendance;• 2 copies of a detailed, approximate inven-tory dated and signed;

• An attestation from the Director of theestablishment that mentions the course’sstarting date;

•A (CERFA n°10070*01) proof of purchasefor furniture of value and other valuables.Customswill give you a copy for the inven-tory.

(*) European Union Member States:Germany,Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Danemark,Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hongry,Irland, Italy,Lettonia,Lituania,Luxembourg,Malta,Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic,United Kingdom,Slovakia,Slovenia and Sweden.

For further information do not hesitate tocontact the Customs Information Service on:0 820 02 44 44 (0.12€/mn)

Email: [email protected]

Paris Customs Information Centre :

84, rue d’Hauteville75498 Paris cedex 10Tél. : 01 53 24 68 24www.douanes.gouv.fr

You can also enquire at a French CustomsandExciseofficeor at a regional FrenchCustoms&Excise department.For awide range of infor-mation and a list of contact details for FrenchCustoms & Excise, go to their website at:www.douane.gouv.fr.

MoneyBringing various forms of money in and

out of the country is not restricted.However both French people and forei-

gners enteringor leaving the countrywith a sumof €10,000 (including cash, cheques, travellers’cheques,bills of exchange and foreign letters ofcredit,cash vouchers,capital bonds,stocks andshares and other letters of credit negotiable bythe bearer, etc) must make a written declara-tion:

• To the Customs department if you comefromanon-EuropeanUnionmember state;

• To the ‘service des titres du commerceextérieur’ ‘(SETICE’ 16, rue Ives Toudic,75010 Paris –Tel:01 40 40 39 00) at least15 days before you travel if you are comingfrom an EUmember state or if during yourtravels you canmake awritten declarationto one of the inter-community customsdepartments that still exist between theboundaries.

Useful informationTo give up (by sale, hire, loan) duty-free

goods youmust pay charges and taxes associatedwith importation taxes.


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Your personalvehicle:If you live outside the EuropeanUnion:

There are no formalities to comply withif you are staying in France for less than sixmonths, and if you leave with your perso-nal vehicle.

During your stay in France, you cannotlend, hire out or hand over your vehicle toa resident of the European Union.

If you live in the European Union:

If you buy a non-community vehicle foryour private use, you must go through thecustoms formalities and pay the fees andtaxes.

When you arrive in France the fuel in thetank of your private vehicle and in a fuel can(max 10L) is exempt from duty and taxes.

Plants and plantproducts

Certain plants and plant products,becausethey may spread harmful organisms, areautomatically subject to a phytosanitarytest on entry into the EU community mem-ber state.

However, there are some exceptions tothe phytosanitary inspection when the plantshave been imported under the following,cumulative conditions:

• in small quantities• in the visitor’s personal luggage• for consumption while travelling or fornon-commercial reasons

Food productsand products ofanimal origin

Food products and products of animal ori-gin, such as powdered milk and baby foods,special food products required for medicalreasons, can be carried in the luggage of visi-tors coming from a third country, providingthat the following, cumulative conditions arefulfilled:

• products not requiring refrigerationbefore being consumed;

• pre-packed, branded products;• products in original packaging.

NB: The importation of any other per-sonal items of meat,milk or dairy productsis only permitted by customs authorizationon arrival, and on presentation of officialveterinary documents.

Products other than meat, and meat-based products are authorised in quantitiesunder 1kg (e.g. fish).

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Arriving in France


Arriving in France

Practical informationArrival in Paris: airport and train stations

Parisian airports

Orly Sud et Ouest :• Informations and reservations servicesAir France from 6:30am to 11:45pm,Tel: 3654 (€0.34/mn)

Charles-de-Gaulle- Roissy 1 et Roissy 2 :

• Informations and reservations servicesAir France 6:30am to 11:45pm,Tel: 08 92 10 48 (€0.48/mn)

• passenger information centre 24/24,Tél. : 3950 (€0.34/mn)

Flight information: - refer to websiteAéroport de Paris:www.adp.fr- forAir France flight, got to website: www.airfrance.fr

©Aéroport de Paris (AOP)


Settling in3ARRIVING IN FRANCE

All you need to knowabout what to do when you get to Paris Airports and train Stations (continuation)

Airport-Paris bus service

Air France Coaches

Round the clock information:0892 350 820(0.45€ /mn)• Orly South,OrlyWest- ParisBuses leave every 15minutes from 6am-11pmpm for‘Invalides’ Station (in the centre of Paris)and stop at ‘Gare Montparnasse’.The journey takes: 35 minutes.Fare: 9 euros

•Charles deGaulle Roissy 1 andRoissy 2- Paris:Air France coach line n°2 stops at ‘Place del’Etoile’ at the corner of rue Carnot and PorteMaillot on boulevard Gouvion Saint-Cyropposite theMéridienHotel.The coaches leavefrom aérogare I,at the arrivals gate n° 34,aéro-gare II HallA & C gate n° 5,Hall B & D gate n°6.Coaches leave the airport every 15 minutesfrom 5:45am-11pm.The journey takes: 35 to 50 minutes.Fare: 14 euros.

•Air France coach line n° 4 goes to theGare deLyon (boulevard Diderot) and the GareMontparnasse (rueduCommandantMouchotte).Coaches leave fromaérogare I at thearrivals gaten° 34 and aérogare 2A & 2C,exit 2 from 2C.

• Orly - Charles de Gaulle Roissy linkAir France coach service (line n° 3) runs from6:00-10:30pm.

Fare: 16 euros.

Alternatively: take the ‘Orlyval’ from OrlyAirport and then change to the RER under-ground train line BFare: 17,20 euros

RER (réseau express régional)

Is the train systemwhich is both the‘Métro’and the ‘RER’ rolled into one and stops at allthe main transfer stations where you will seethe‘correspondance’ sign,meaning that the sta-tion is linked to Paris’s Métro system.

• Paris-Orly - The RER line C (directionVersailles,Western Suburb) stops at the ParisianStations that run along the River Seine,such asthe Gare d’Austerlitz.The Orlyval shuttle buslinks up with the RER line B,which runs fromthe North – South of Paris.The first train is at6am.The last train is at 11pm.The journey takes: 8 minutes.FTrains come every 4 to 7 minutes.Fare: Orly - Paris : 9.30 euros ;

• Charles de Gaulle Etoile/Roissy-ParisTheRER lineB (directionRobinsonor Saint-

Rémy-les-Chevreuse, Southern suburb) runsthrough Paris, stopping at Gare du Nord,Châtelet, Saint-Michel,The Latin Quarter,PortRoyal, Luxembourg.To get to the RER For theRER station, take CDGVAL and get off at thestation forTerminal 2 orTerminal 3.

RATP

Paris’s public transport system runs Paris’sunderground and bus system and part of theRER in conjunction with France’s NationalRailway, the SNCF (Société Nationale desChemins de Fer Français).

• Roissy :- The bus service from Roissy-Paris (Opéra-Roissy-Charles de Gaulle) leaves every fifteenminutes.The first bus is at 5:45 am fromOpéraand the first bus from Roissy is at 6am.Thelast bus from both stations is at 11pm.The journey takes: 45 to 60 minutes ;Buses leave every 15 to 20 minutes ;Fare: 8,40 euros.

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Arriving in France

All you need to knowabout what to do when you get to Paris Airports and train Stations(continuation)

Airport-Paris bus service (continuation)

Paris’ railway stations

The National Railway Company, theSNCF, owns all of Paris’s Railway Stations:

Gare d’Austerlitz

The trains from this station go down to theSouthWest of France (Bordeaux, Clermont-Ferrand, Limoges, Orléans, Pau, Perpignan,Poitiers,Toulouse,Tours) and to the Southernsuburbs (also linking up with main lines thatlead to Spain and Portugal).

Gare de l’Est

Asitsnameimpliestrainsfromthisstation coverthe East of France (including Metz, Nancy,Reims, and Strasbourg), the Eastern suburbsand main lines that go to Germany,Austria,Poland, Russia or Scandinavia.

Gare de Lyon

Paris’s High Speed (TGV) train station.Thetrains from this station go to the South East ofFrance (Aix-en-Provence,Besançon,Chambéry,Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, Lyon,Marseille,Montpellier,Nice,Nîmes,Saint-Etienne,the South Eastern suburbs and link upwithmainlines that lead to Switzerland, Italy and theBalkans

Gare Montparnasse

TheHigh-Speed (TGV) trains fromthis stationgototheSouthWestandWestofFrance (Angers,Bordeaux, Nantes, Poitiers, Tours, Rennes) andtheWesternandNorth-westernsuburbsand linkupwiththemainlines leadingtoSpainandPortugal.

GareduNord

The trains fromthis station go to theNorthofFrance (Amiens,High Speed train (TGV) to Lille)and the suburbs to theNorth of Paris and link upwiththemain lines leadingtoEngland,Belgium,TheNetherlands,andNorthernGermany.

GareSaint-Lazare

The trains fromthis station go to theNorthofFrance (Amiens,High Speed train (TGV) to Lille)and the suburbs to theNorth of Paris and link upwiththemain lines leadingtoEngland,Belgium,TheNetherlands,andNorthernGermany.

CDGairport 2TGVstation

This station servesmany French towns aswellasBrussels fromCharlesDeGaulle2.Youwill findadditional, more precise information (includingtrain timetables) from all French stations and onthewebsite: www.gares-en-mouvement.com

-The first bus from Roissy leaves at 5am.Thelast bus leaves at Midnight.Buses leave every15 minutes.Fréquence de passage : 15 minutes.The journey takes: 25 minutes to get to ‘Gare duNord’,and 45 minutes to get to Denfert-Rochereau.A bus ticket from Orly-Paris costs 8.20 euros.

Taxis

There are plenty of taxis at Orly and Roissyairport.The average fare during the day to thecentre of Paris varies from 50 euros fromRoissy and 31 euros fromOrlywith 1 euro perpiece of luggage that weighs over 5kg.


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First administrativeprocedure: enrolment

In France the university year is generally fromSeptember to June, but research and studiescan be done during the summer months.

Applications should be made directly or bypost to the registry office at the establishmentthat you are applying to, which will then sendyou information about required documentsthat you will have to provide.

Every foreign student obliged to pre-enrolmust individually and definitively enrol each year.

There are twostages to the final enrolment pro-cedure:administrative enrolment and pedagogicalenrolment.

Administrative enrolment

This officially accords you student status.Eachuniversity independently determines the conditionsfor this important administrative step, but beaware that you canpickup anenrolment form fromthe beginning of July.The universitywill inform youof thedate limits for handing in the enrolment formand paying tuition fees. Basically the enrolmententails being issuedwith a student card that is validfor the academic year (from 1st October to

All you need to knowabout what to do when you get to Paris Airports and train Stations (continuation)

Domestic transport system

If you are not heading to Paris, you can tra-vel by plane by booking a domestic flight.

Travelling by train is a good way totravel if there are high-speed (TGV) trains toyour chosen destination.Information is availableat the airport on how to get to the relevanttransfer station in Paris (there are six stations,see“Practical Information”:Arriving in Paris Seeprevious page).

Transporting luggage

If your hand luggage is in excess of the requi-redallowance,youmust let theAirlineCompanyor the SNCF know in advance.Luggage trolleysare available at the airports and train stations.

Self-service lockers or luggage offices allowtravellers to temporarily leave their luggage in asafe place,providing that they look after the keyor locker number in order to get their belon-gings back (see Chapter 4).

SNCF Information

For information about train times,ticket prices or to reserve main line andinternational bound train tickets you can call:+33 (0)8 92 35 35 35 (0.45 €/mn) from 6am tomidnight.

- Or look at the SNCF web site:www.sncf.com where you can check traintimes and book and pay for tickets online.

- PublicTransport Information for the Parisregion: +33 (0)8 91 36 20 20 (0.30 €/mn)

The Paris-Gallieni International BusStation: www.eurolines.fr

TheTravelAgents‘Euorlines’ run a coach ser-vice that is situatedon theoutskirts of Paris andofmost European towns (for information aboutEurolines and theParis-Gallieni Bus station call+33 (0)8 92 69 52 52 (0.45 € /mn).

You can contact the Paris Centre at MétroStation ‘Gallieni’.

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Arriving in France


Arriving in France

30th September of the following year).If your student card is not provided

immediately, you must ask for an attestation ofenrolment.You will need this in order to obtainyour residency card.

We recommend that you keep your studentcard with you at all times.

University course fees

Fees for a year’s schooling with a view to pas-sing a national diploma in a state-run institution ofhigher education range from150 to 900€ depen-dingupon the typeof degree (includinguseof libra-ries). If you are under 28 years old, you are alsorequired topay 192€ to registerwith the studentsocial security system (in 2007-2008).

For certain fields of study there are othercosts in addition to enrolment costs: correspon-dence, duplicated lecture notes, joint subjectcourses.

Enrolment fees also include contributions touni-versity preventive medicine.To learn more aboutthis, go to Chapter 4,“Social Cover” p. 112.

Pedagogical enrolment

This second and final part of the enrolmentprocedure registers you for all the courses youmust take (determining your schedule) and laysout the conditions for validating your grades.

It is free, and you must register at the ‘Unitéde Formation et de Recherche’ (UFR) that dealswith your course.

Students then,choose their subjects,modules‘unités d’enseignement’, study support groups‘travaux pratiques,travaux dirigés’ and class times.Students are advised to get information about

the different enrolment procedures (includingentry requirements and calendar) in all higher edu-cation establishments (other than universities) bydirectly contacting the establishment of theirchoice.

The administrative enrolment application formEven though each university independently defines the contents of this form,

expect to provide:

a) Certified proof of level of study obtained.Students must enclose the originals oftheir certificates, attestations or gradesheets alongwith the translations inFrench,along with a copy;

b) a birth certificate or civil registry record.A photocopy of your passport with resi-dency visa,or identity card for citizens ofEuropean Union member countries;

c) Certified proof of Insurance cover:Proofthat you have student social security, orthat you have adequate insurance coverif you are not eligible for student socialsecurity (see Chapter 3, p. 93);

d) The university will provide you withan enrolment sheet (often called an“enrolment file”), which you arerequired to complete with allrequested information (birth certificate,etc.) as precisely as possible.This willbe essential for the school’sadministration of your studies and togenerate statistics on higher learningin France;

e) Registration sheet for a ‘mutuelleétudiante’ (Student insurance company)if you have decided to take outsupplemental insurance;

f) 3-6 passport-sized photos.


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Applying fora resident’s card

Date limits

Foreign Studentswho come to France to studyfor a periodofmore than threemonthsmust applyto their nearest‘Prefecture’ (PoliceHeadquarters)for a temporary student resident’s card as soonas they arrive.

Length of validity

The validity of your temporary student cardcorresponds to the validity of your passport.It can-not exceed the length of your period of study. Itis valid for a maximum of one year.However,youcan renew your card.When renewing your card,your plans for study will act as a serious enoughreason for the‘Prefecture’ to re-issue a new tem-porary student resident’s card.Studentswill be jud-ged by their examination results obtained. Theprefecture will only acknowledge an applicationwhen they have sufficient reason tobelieve in a stu-dent’s capacity to see through their plans forstudy in France.

Where do you need to go?

In Paris, Bordeaux, Lyon and Nice:• You must go to the reception centre foroverseas citizens at the‘Prefecture de Police’:13 rueMiollis,75015 PARIS (metro Ségur,line10 or Cambronne line 6 or by buses 80, 39,70,89,Monday toThursday from 8:45 am to4:30 pm,and on Friday from 8:45 am to 4:00pm) with all the necessary documents thatprove that youare anoverseas citizen in France(Visa and University registration document).

• Someestablishments have their owndepot ofoverseas student’s files (see university educa-tional services). Students who are registeredhere do not have to go to the ‘Prefecture dePolice’,butmust go to the centre that has thefile that was passed on from the depot (theresidence permit is issued by the prefecture).

If you are living in Paris’s suburbs:• In the suburbs bordering on Paris:

Students must go to the county’s policeheadquarters

• In the provinces:Students must go to their nearest police stationor to the local sub-prefecture or police head-quarters.An information help-line is open to overseas citi-zens: +33 (0)1 58 80 80 58 from8:35 am-5:25 pm.

Obtaining your resident’s card

After handing in the application form,studentswill receive acknowledgement of receiptand an appointment to comeand collect their card.Students have to collect their temporaryResident’scard themselves and pay a tax of 55 euros.

Youmust provide your Resident’s card to yourchosen university’s admissions service in order toreceive a student card.


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Arriving in France

Resident’s CardDocuments needed when applying for a resident’s card for the first time

Avalidpassport (original + 2 photocopies ofthe pages that mention your date and place ofbirth,the expiry date of your passport and visa).If you are married or divorced and if your dateof birth or your maiden name is not mentio-ned on your passport,youmust enclose amar-riage or divorce certificate or an identitycertificate from the consulate (original + pho-tocopy).

Certificatedproofof studies (originals+pho-tocopies): Social security registration certificate,proofof enrolment andPre-enrolment in a state-run or public educational institution or in a trai-ning school.If the studies undertaken do not correspond toa final honours course or university course,thecertificates must state the university’s aggrega-ted establishment number;the nature of study;the length of the course;course times and thenumber of lesson hours per week; the sum offees paid for one trimester.

Certificated proof of permanent homeaddress (original and photocopy).• If you are renting a flat or living on your own,youmust enclose your last gas or electricity billor your home insurance contract or a rentreceipt.• If you are lodging with someone, you mustask your landlord to give youadocument (a tem-plate is available in overseas student offices atthe prefecture de Police) that proves that youare living under the same roof.A photocopy oftheir passport, identity card or resident’s card,and if your landlord is not a European Unioncitizen, they will need to give you an (original)the latest gas, electricity or rent statement orproof of ownership of the property.• If you are lodging in a hostel,then youwill haveto produce an attestation from the directorof the hostel.

If you are not an EU citizen (with theexceptionof people fromSwitzerland),youmustprovide proof that youhave a long-termvisa thatis adapted to your situation.• Either a long-term visa that will allow you toobtain a student resident’s card;

• Or a short-term visa entitled ‘étudiant-concours’, which only applies to studentswhose admission depends on whether theyhave passed the entrance exam.Therefore, atemporary visa will not entitle students whofail their entrance exam to obtain a resident’scard.

Certificated proof of sufficient funding:

EU citizens simply need an attestation statingthat they have been allocated sufficient funding*.Non-EU citizens must produce all the neces-sary documents that are required by the consu-late to obtain a visa. If the person is employedby a third party,proof of employment,togetherwith 3 latest pay slips and tax assessment. Foroverseas students that have grants from theircountry of origin and for students on EuropeanUnion exchange programmes, a copy of theirgrant form will be sufficient.*Funding that is the equivalent of 70% of theFrench Government’s monthly maintenancebenefit (70%=430eurospermonth for the year2007).

3 recent, frontal, black & white or incolour passport-sized photos (3.5cm x4.5cm),that bear a resemblance to the student(without any headgear).

1 stamped addressed envelope with suf-ficient postage


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Settling in

Resident’s CardDocuments needed when applying for a resident’s card for the first time (continuation)

A valid passport (same procedure as forthe first time you applied).

Certificated proof of a permanenthome address (same procedure as for thefirst time you applied).

The previous resident’s card (original+ photocopy).

Certificated Proof of studies (originals+ photocopies):first resident’s card applicationform (see procedures for applying for a resi-dent’s card for the first time), as well as anyother documents that prove that the stu-dent has been in school during the lasttwelve months (attendance certificate, qua-lifications obtained,etc).A list of courses stu-died since the student has been in Franceand their study plans for the coming year.

Certificated Proof of sufficient fundingfor the current year: students mustenclose.All documents that state the amountof grant that they have been allocated.For the coming year: grant holders mustproduce an official document on thecompany’s headed paper that states theamount of grant allocated, the length of timethat it covers and the nature of the coursethat was studied.

• Non-grant holders that are financially sup-ported by a guarantor in France mustprovide:

• a letter written and signed by the guarantoror funding company (by following thetemplate available from the receptioncentre for overseas citizens at the‘Prefecture de Police’).

• a photocopy of the guarantor’s valididentity card or passport and proof ofincome (their last three pay slips,or proofof pension payments if retired, and theirlast income notice).

• Students who are financially supported byorganisations overseas: must provide tra-vellers cheques, foreign exchange officereceipts or any other document that provesthat they are regularly receiving financial aidfrom an overseas-based organisation andstates the amount of monthly grant alloca-ted.

• Students working part-time your threelatest pay cheques. In fact, except forAlgerian students, the temporary studentresidence permit authorises up to 964hours of work per year. Algerian studentsshould apply for a temporary work permit.-

3 recent, frontal, black & whitepassport-sized photos (3.5cm x 4.5cm),that bear a resemblance to the student(without any headgear).

Adoctor’s certificate as proof of havinghad a medical examination from theAgence Nationale de l’Accueil des Etrangerset des Migrations (ANAEM) which only needsto be presented the first time the resident’scard is renewed.

‘Prefecture de Police’ addresses can befound on the Minister of the Interior’sweb page: www.interieur.gouv.fr under ‘lespréfectures’.

* ‘Service de la Main d’Œuvre Etrangère’(MOE) that is part of the DDTEFP‘Directions Départementales duTravail, del’Emploi et de la Formation’professionaltraining. The Ministry of Employment andSolidarity’s web page lists all the DDTEF and‘Préfectures de Police’ addresses:www.travail.gouv.fr

For further information,go to the website:www.service-public.fr; enter “overseas stu-dents” into search.


Founded in1955, the ‘ŒuvresUniversitaires’student welfare services set out to improvehigher education students’ working and livingconditions in order to enable them to makethe most out of their studies.

The‘CentreNational desŒuvresUniversitaireset Scolaires’ (CNOUS) operates,organises andplays a vital role in running 28 regional centres(CROUS),16 local centres (CLOUS) and over 40smaller branches thatoffer student information ser-vices and are there to cater to students needs.

• About 2.2 million students can benefit fromthe various CNOUS services that are provi-ded by a workforce of 12,000 employees.

• The ‘Œuvres Universitaires’ annual budgetpeaked, in 2008 at more than 1 billion euros,of which 32.05 % is financed by France’sMinistry of Higher Education and Research,3.24 % by the Ministry of ForeignAffairs andEuropean Affairs and 64.71 % by their ownfinancial resources.

All students who benefit from these servicescan take part in the daily running of CROUS lifein the different establishments by being elected arepresentative via the boardof governors‘Conseild’administration’.

University life startsat the CROUS(See section Local and regional ‘Œuvres

Universitaires et Scolaires’ student welfare centres,p.85)The CROUS services cover every aspect of

student life:•Student catering services: 54.4 millionreduced-rate meals were served every day in2007 the CROUS’ s 870 canteens;

•Accommodation: 155,000 students areaccommodated in one of France’s biggeststudent lodgings agency that has halls ofresidence and HLM‘habitations à loyer modéré’equivalent of inexpensive accommodationprovided by the local council;The CROUS "off-campus" service also offers student accom-modation with private landlords.

• In 2006,265,039 international studentswere enrolled in a French state-run university,which corresponded to 12% of the quota, thatuniversities had tomeet.TheŒuvresUniversitairesstudent services directly dealt with 14,000 over-seas French Government or International orga-nisation grant-holders;

•Culture: 1,200,000 were allocated to theCROUS to be spent on Campus-based andstudent cultural activities (700“Culture actionS”activities were set up);

•Employment:The CROUS offers studentsthe possibility to find temporary work.You canlook at job offers on the different CROUS web-sites by connecting to the CROUS online net-work: www.cnous.fr ; click on CNOUS –CROUS.

• Student Welfare: In 2007 the CROUSprovided students in difficulty with over6 million euros of emergency assistancethrough donations and loans.

• Grants: the University Services managethe student financial assistance from theMinistry of Higher Education and Research:489,853 awards were made in 2006-2007for social reasons (social criteria, univer-sity criteria,on merit, study allocations,per-sonal loans)


3 Arriving in France

‘ŒUVRES UNIVERSITAIRES’STUDENT INFORMATIONSERVICES


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The canteen service‘At the heartof student life’

The ‘Œuvres Universitaires’ provides studentrestaurant facilities.604 canteens are run directlyby the CROUS, and 248 are certified by theCROUS.

The ‘Restaurants Universitaires’ are (affec-tionately known as ‘Resto U’) a central part ofstudent life that enables students to get togetherand enjoy a balanced meal.

Quality food hygienically prepared

The menu on offer is prepared according tostrict food hygiene standards using the HACCP(HazardAnalysis Critical Control Point).

Each restaurant undergoes national and regio-nal health and safety inspections.

The different menus

Several different lunch and dinner menus areon offer to students in the canteens:

• Awhole self-servicemeal‘à la française’:star-ter, hot main meal, side order and dessertfor a fixed rate of 1 meal ticket worth 2.90 €in 2008-2009);

• In themajorityof university towns,theCROUSoffer specialities from around the world;

• Cafeterias, sandwich shops, pastry and crois-

sant bars,chip bars that provide studentswithsnacks and fast food throughout theday at uni-versity, at their hallsof residenceor in theeatingareas.

Several CROUS (Lille, Créteil, Bordeaux,Grenoble,LaRéunion) are equippedwith fast foodvans on their university campuses and in hallsof residence.

Approved restaurants

Approved restaurants are companies run inde-pendently of the CROUS but which neverthelessaccept student payment by university restaurantvoucher. They are set up in locations where theCROUS are not present.

Settling in

Conditions of admission

•To have access to the different services thattheCROUSoffers,youmustbeenrolledatanesta-blishment or part of a higher education establish-ment that automatically qualifies you for studentsocial security. Student cards therefore act as aCROUS pass.

Note: Some services (student lodgings in hallsof residence, grants service, hardship funds or ‘leFondsdeSolidaritéUniversitaire’)arenotopentoeveryone.

• In the context of CROUS agreementsand twinning with ‘Studentenwerke’, the ‘Franco-AllemanddesŒuvresUniversitaires’cardenablesstudentsfromFranceandGermanytobenefit fromreciprocal services in both countries without anyadditional administrative procedures for shortperiods of study.

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Studentaccommodation

University residences

In older student halls of residence, thefollowing services are available to students:

• A bedroom measuring about 10 m2 ;• Shared kitchen area;• Access to study,computer,meeting and com-mon rooms;

• Cleaning service for all communal areas andin some cases bed linen and porter servicesare provided.

An averagemonth’s rent per person for a stan-dard room is 135 .Lodgers can apply for housingbenefit or‘Allocation Logement àCaractère Social’(ALS).The‘Caissed’AllocationFamiliale’ (CAF)dealswith this housing allowance.

For further information go to the ‘CAF’ website:www.caf.fr

Over the last few years to move with thetimes, the CNOUS and the CROUS have chan-nelled their efforts into a vast renovation andnew student accommodation construction

programme.Thesenewconstructionprogrammesdo not correspond toone national building agree-ment but are defined by eachCROUS service.Theflats or‘studios’ that measure 18-23m2 are equip-ped with:

• A kitchenette;• Bathroom facilities;• A room design that ensures comfort andconvenience (individualwiring and sockets fortelephone and television);

• Home automation system (card to enter thebuilding, individual use of utilities);

•Communal services (launderette,study rooms,meeting rooms, discotheque, games rooms,photocopymachine rooms,cafés,readymademeal vending machines).

The average rent ranges from 250-350 eurosdepending on the type of accommodation. Insomecases certain lodgers can apply for (APL)‘AidePersonnalisé au Logement’ (individual housingbenefit).The (CAF)‘CaissedesAllocationsFamiliales’dealswith this housing allowance.For further infor-mation go to the CAF web site:www.caf.fr


‘Œuvres universitaires’Student information services

Access to student canteen services

To use the student canteen services,youmusthaveastudentcard issuedbyaFrenchhigheredu-cation establishment.

Tickets-restaurants’ (mealtickets)ormealcardsaresoldatareducedrate,whichis fixedbytheStateat (2.90€ for a meal ticket in 2008 – 2009).

Meal tickets and payment by cash areslowly being replaced in the CROUS canteensby an automated system (magnetic chip cards,cardswithmagnetic strips ormagnetic badges).

The list of all CROUS university canteens canbe found on the CNOUSwebsite:www.cnous.fr


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Settling in

‘La Cité InternationaleUniversitaire de Paris’

• La Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris’(CIUP), which iconsists of 39 houses and stu-dent halls of residence’, is made up of Frenchand international halls of residence.There area complete range of facilities and services thathave been put together onone campus to offerresidents the best possible living and workingconditions andmeeting places.The residence aregrouped together on 34 acres of parkland andaccommodate nearly 5,600 students, interns,post-doctorate students,and researchers fromover 132 countries.

•“LaCité InternationaleUniversitaire” de Parisis open to2 typesof residents:student residentsand research residents.

1)To qualify for admission as a student resi-dent (Masters or Doctorate) you need:

- to have reached first degree level or its equi-valent, and not hold a doctorate.

- to be enrolled at a higher educationcollege or one of the Paris, Créteil orVersailles faculties with a view to obtaininga diploma that is recognised by the FrenchState.

- art students whose qualifications are not for-mally recognised by the State tend to beadmitted if their diploma course equated totwo years of higher education study and wasissued by a prestigious institution that isrenown for its excellence.

Admission is for one year and can be grantedtwice more.

Generally, if a candidate is under 30, he orshe will be considered as a student for ini-tial training; if the candidate is over 30,he orshe will be considered as a student in conti-nuing education (in this case acceptance foradmission is accepted between defined dates,for a period not exceeding one year, rene-wable once).

2) To qualify for admission as a Resident –researcher, you need:

- to hold a doctorate and have approval for apost-doctorate project (postdoctorants) or anacademic project (invited researchers andteachers, teachers on research leave) and itmust be within the framework of a HigherEducation establishment policy and researchprogramme. Admission is granted for oneyear and can be granted again once.

• Students and researchers can apply online atwww.ciup.fr “preparing your stay”. Applicantswhose nationality is represented by an inter-national house can go directly to that website,(see website information aboveWebsite).

• For any further information,you can contact:

- Bureau d’Accueil des Etudiants en Mobilité:Tél: +33 (0)1 70 08 76 30 / 36Email: [email protected]

- Bureau d’Accueil des Chercheurs EtrangersTél: +33 (0)1 70 08 76 30 / 34Email: [email protected]

© Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris

3



©CitéIntern

ationaleUniversitaire

deParis.

‘La Cité internationale universitaire de Paris’(continuation)

© Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris.

© Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris.

•As a general guide,themonthly living expensesat the ‘Cité’ for the year 2008/2009 (indicativefigures):

Student residents:Single room:(depending on size) 400 to 535 €

Single room:For standard 350 to 410 €

Research residents: (rate per person)Single room from 440 to 615€Single studio flat from 423 to 900€

• From June to september,a“summer offer”offers temporary individual or group studentaccommodation.

- For groups,APO (Partnership-Observation-Admission) at the following address:[email protected]

- For individual enquiries, apply online at:www.ciup.fr

As an example, the 2008/2009 “summerscheme” rateswere as follows (per person,pernight)

- Standard single room: from 23 to 30 €- Good quality single room: 31 to 38€

TheCité Internationale in Paris offers studentsmany cultural activities:music (orchestra,choirs,jazz bands,etc), live shows,plastic arts,etc,andevery day presents lectures, exhibitions, filmshows or concerts there.

The Cité organizes exhibitions, meetings anddebates, lectures and conferences in partner-shipwith schools or architecture,urbanism andthe countryside, embassies, universities, regio-nal communities, etc. All the events are linkedwith the traditions of the site

The documentation of the resource centre isavailable to the public. It consists of over 2000documents: archived files, files concerned withrenovations and thedevelopmentof the site,col-lections of photographic archives.

Always on the lookout for ways to renew per-formance arts, the theatre of the CitéInternationale Universaire de Paris continuesin its special mission as a showcase in Paris foryoung directors and choreographers fromFrance and from overseas.

For information:www.ciup.fr


Settling in3

Laces at the ‘Cité internationaleuniversitaire’ are restricted

It is very difficult to get a place in studenthalls of residence if you do not have a grant. If12-15% of student lodgings are offered to inter-national students, then this means that theFrench government grant-holders and overseasstudents who have grants from the ‘ŒuvresUniversitaires’ student services are given prio-rity. In Paris, being a French government grant-holder does not guarantee you a place instudent halls of residence.

HLM accommodation

‘Studios’ and furnished flats in HLM‘Habitationà Loyer Modéré’ buildings account for 5% ofCROUS student lodgings.This kind of indepen-dent, off-campus accommodation is particu-larly well suited to young (married) couples.

CROUS aggregated hostels

The CROUS also offers accommodation intwentyor so hostels,that areoften for youngwor-kers, or sectarian hostels where lodgers have tosign a contract.An averagemonth’s rent varies from310-500 euros.

TheCROUSAccommodation Service and the‘Centre d’Information etDocumentation Jeunesse’(CIDJ) can give you some hostel addresses upondemand.

Privately rented accommodation

TheCROUS has developed a service that putsstudents in contact with individuals who wish torent out a room, studio or flat.

An updated daily list of offers is available to stu-dents as well as advice concerning the legalities ofrenting in France. (See Chapter 4, p. 106).

For further information

All the information you need to know aboutfinding accommodation is available from theCROUS’s accommodation service: ‘Le PointLogement’.

The accommodation advisors help studentslook for the type of accommodation that is mostsuited to the their needs: room in halls of resi-dence, low rent studio,HLM accommodation,flatin the city,private residence or hostel.A compu-ter database and an on-line data processing sys-temare available to help students pick out the rightinformation.


Settling in

Practical InformationHow to obtain a place in a student hall of residence

• Registering with a higher education college iscompulsory if you want to apply for a roomin student halls of residence.However, regis-tration does not automatically guarantee stu-dent accommodation.Admission is a functionof the amount of places available and eachCROUS board of governors’ policy.

• French government grant-holders or othergrant-holders who are registered with theCNOUS have priority (see section accom-panying booklet: Overseas Student FrenchGovernment grant-holders guide, reserved

for French government grant-holders p.257).

• Students are advised to contact the CROUSfrom December to find out conditions foradmission and entry requirements for the fol-lowing.

• With all written applications, please enclosea large (26 x 33cm) stamped addressed enve-lope addressed to the sender’s home addressalongwith the international‘coupon-réponses’for postage.SomeCROUS charge a small feefor dossier handling.

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Temporaryemployment service

Each CROUS offers students a temporaryemployment service that finds thousands of joboffers each year within different companies thatare keen to recruit. However, demand is stillmuch greater than supply.

Student jobs

To name a few:looking after children,‘au pair’,private lessons, surveys and opinion polls...

You can consult the following web sites:www.europairservices.comwww.etudis.com.

How to get access to the ‘job offers’

In each CROUS, there are ‘jobs services’, thatadvertise temporary employment vacancieswhichare stored in a national computer-aided job databank.

Careers information service

The‘ŒuvresUniversitaires’ student informationcentres also provide studentswith advice and gui-danceondifferent careers.Theyorganise study trips,and student group visits to companies.

Working while studyingPrinciple

Foreign nationals holding a temporary studentresidence permit marked “student”, can under-take paid professional work in France without awork permit. This activity should be in additionto studying,and limited to 964 hours of work peryear. Having a student card entitles you to doany kind of paid work in France.

Employment

An overseas student can only be employedthrough a nominated declaration from theemployer at the Prefecture,which granted the stu-dent’s residence permit. The employer has tocomplete this formality at least twoworking daysbefore the employment starts. The declarationmust include a copy of the student’s residencepermit,and must specify the nature of the work,the length of the contract and the number ofhours worked annually.

Sanction when the authorised workperiod is exceeded

The Prefecture can withdraw the residencepermit of an overseas student who does notobserve the limit of 964 hours of work annually.

Algerian students

The right towork forAlgerian students is regu-lated by the Franco-Algerian agreement of 27December 1968, recently modified in 2001.These students need a work permit if they wishto undertake paid work as an additional activity.

A request for authorisation should be madeto the local office for employment and profes-sional training (DDTEFP) in the home country.


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Settling in

“Au pair” - home help

• Students whowork as temporary home help,otherwise known as an au pair,are usually stu-dents from overseas who come to France tolearn French and expand their knowledge ofFrench culture and civilisation.

• In order to become an au pair,which oftenmeans solving the problem of finding a placeto live and employment, you must:

- Be a foreign national;- Be aged between 18-30 years old andsingle;

- Take classes in an establishment thatteaches French language, culture and civi-lisation;

- For a period which, in principle, is greaterthan three months and less than one year.

• Students working as temporary home helpare expected to work 5 hours a day, lookingafter the children and doing household tasksnot including big jobs, with one day off perweek plus one Sunday a month.As home helpsare not paid, they are therefore not entitledto paid holidays.

• An agreement must be made between theyoung foreign visitor and the host family. Thisstates the services required by the family, thehours to beworked,details of accommodationand meals, days off per week and the amountof pocket money agreed.

The host family gives a copy to the head ofthe appropriate departmental office for work,employment and professional training(DDTEFP).

In principle,this agreementmust be completedbefore theoversea applicant has left their homecountry. However,the agreement is also for stu-dents already resident in France.

•To obtain a long-stay visa prior to coming toFrance, you must provide: proof of a contractwith a host family that has been verified by the‘Direction Départementale duTravail et del’Emploi’;proof of pre-enrolment in a Frenchcourse; a photocopy of all further educationqualifications obtained and its certified transla-tion.Please also enclose a photocopy of a valid pas-sport. Home helps can obtain long-stay visasfromConsulates or Embassies.Given that stu-dents must have a medical check-up shortlyafter arriving in France, they do not have tobring a medical certificate.

Residence permit

• Once the young visitor’s position as au pairhas been approved he/she will receive a tem-porary residencepermit issuedby thePrefectureand bearing themention“student”.This is validfor the duration of the placement and can pos-sibly be extended.

The following documents must be presented:- long stay visa (except for persons alreadyliving in France and holding a“student” resi-dence permit

- placement agreement authorised by theDDTEFP

- a confirmed place on a French study course

3


It must be accompanied by a guaranteed offer orcontract of employment.

Authorisation is limited to 50%of the annualworkperiod for the branch or profession concerned.

CROUS’ welfareservices

The CROUS has a team of 157 welfareadviserswhoarebased in regionalCROUScentres,halls of residence and universities.Their expertisecovers a range of services including general infor-mation, a help desk, counselling service, as wellas support concerning personal and financialmat-ters.They alsowelcome and help nearly 3000 stu-dentswith disabilities to settle in to university life.

National emergency funds (FSU) or hardshipfunds are regularly awarded by the State.Thefunds enable the CROUS to offer studentsexperiencing temporary financial hardship limi-ted financial funding on a special basis as partof a bursary or a loan.

Where can I apply for financial support?

You can apply for financial support via anadviser who will put your application before aCROUS panel, who after reviewing a candi-dates’ resources, will then decide who will beallocated funding.

‘Le dossier socialétudiant’

The ‘Œuvres Universitaires’ student ser-vices have dealt with French Ministry of HigherEducation and Research funds since 1991 viathe ‘Dossier Social Etudiant’ that brings toge-ther a wealth of data about direct and indirectbenefits for French and EU students(grantsand/or housing).

Grant management

TheCROUS deals with:-All grantsoffered toFrenchandEUstudentsby theFrenchMinistry ofHigher Education andResearch(means-assessedgrants,supplementarypaymentsformerit andmobility),with the exceptionof researchawards for studies after theMaster2 that areawar-ded to students of outstanding merit and scientificresearch potential;

-ThemostpartofFrenchgovernmentgrantsforover-seasstudents(see :sectionon:TheOverseasstudentFrenchGovernment grant-holders guide p.257);

-Legacydonationsorgrantsfromvariousfoundations;- Loansmadewithnoguaranteeof repayment,‘prêtsd’honneur’ for French studentswho are in the finalstages of their studies and cannot apply for a grant.

Changes in social assistance announced inSeptember2007havesimplifiedthecriteria forobtai-ningmeans-testedandvocationalgrantsandhaveresul-ted in a 10% increase (50,000 grant holders) in thenumber of students eligible for grants in 2008-2009.

A re-evaluation of 2.5% of rates and scales cameinto force fromSeptember2007,and the creationofa 6th level of grant for the lowest incomes started inJanuary 2008.

Two complementarymeasures formeans-testedgrantswere implemented for the 2008-2009 acade-mic year:

-meritbonus for thosewithbaccalaureateresultsmarked“VeryGood” and for 5% of graduates

-mobilitybonusforstudentsundertakinga foreignstay of three or six months




Settling in3


CROUS culturalpolicy

The cultural policy of the University andSchool Affairs network is managed in eachregion in partnership with the universities andthe local group of institutional partners (regio-nal and local organisations, DRAC, DRJS, etc)and of course with student associations.

Two areas:

- enabling the student to become involvedand able to promote his/her area of activity bybringing decisive, financial and material help:financial help for projects, logistical help (hireof specialist rooms, hire of equipment, etc). Inthis sense the University and School Affairsnetwork aims to encourage all forms of enga-gement by young people in group and com-munity life

- encouraging students to express theirartistic creativity by providing funding for asmany as possible to participate in culturaldiversity: museums, exhibitions, concerts, liveshows, etc

There are many cultural initiatives, by insti-tutions as well as by students, which demons-trate the wealth of activities of the CROUS.

Areas of activity of the CROUS

The cultural services of the CROUS areinvolved in 6 main areas:

- supporting cultural and civic projects- supporting amateur activities- events at halls of residence and on campus- organising inter-regional projects of natio-nal interest - competitions specifically forstudents

- managing entertainment venues- setting up a system of student rates- helping student cultural associations and/orassociations of general interest

The realisation of cultural and civicprojects

The operation“Culture-ActionS” is designedto bring financial support to student culturalinitiatives and projects which both fulfil personalaspirations, and raise awareness of the contri-bution these activities make to life at the Cité.More than 1000 projects are supported in thisway each year through the Culture-ActionSoperation.

Two specific funds are available to assist stu-dent projects:

-The Culture fund: this enables the financingof projects carried out in multiple forms (fes-tival, meetings, concerts,exhibitions,etc), in anartistic field: theatre, literature, cinema, pho-tography, graphic arts, dance, music, multime-dia works, painting, sculpture, etc

-ActionS fund: this is designed to finance stu-dent projects in areas of social involvement:citi-zenship, solidarity, environment, sport,international solidarity,economy,as well as pro-jects for activities in areas of student life(university residences, university canteens,campus, etc)

The amount of aid granted is fixed by a regio-nal commission, and is based on the interestof the project and above all on its spin-offs forthe students.

The project must be co-financed and accom-panied by a detailed and rigorous budget.Helpfor students in setting up is provided by the cul-tural service (guides, directories, institutionalcontacts,creation of dossier, financial research).

The best student projects financed by theCROUS are entered for a national Culture-ActionS prize organised by the CNOUS. Theaward ceremony takes place in Paris. It isaccompanied by a presentation of the projectby its organiser.

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Support for amateur activities

Cafeterias,university canteens,halls of resi-dence and student centres (maison de l’étu-diant) are available to“student artistes” and tostudent amateur groups.

The cultural services of the CROUS bringstudents wishing to organise a concert, a play,a meeting or a debate together with organi-sations who can help them.

For example: specialist venues, rehearsalrooms, concert halls, etc. Some CROUS pro-vide student musicians and amateur dramagroups with rehearsal premises. Equally, theCROUS provide students with exhibitionspaces which, in some cases,may be in universitycanteens or in art galleries.

Organising events in halls of residenceand on campus

Throughout the academic year the CROUSoffer students shows and concerts in halls ofresidence and in university canteens. A variedrange of events takes place during NationalTasting Week, Poets’ Springtime Festival, theChinese NewYear or even for particular meals(themed meals sometimes accompanied bydance, theatre or music, etc)

Cultural activities produced by students orprofessionals are organised throughout theacademic year in university halls of residence,workshops or theatre clubs, writing, dance,music, chess, photography, etc. Students mayput themselves forward to run a show or totake part in existing workshops.

University halls of residence, depending onthe location,can provide resident students withthe necessary equipment for a number of acti-vities: clubs, libraries, dedicated rooms (piano,table tennis, computers,TV, video clubs, etc)

Competitions

Five national or international competitionsare organised each year by the CROUS underthe aegis of the CNOUS, in fields as diverse as:

• novel writing• photography• comics• short films• music

In each CROUS a regional jury meets tochoose the best works which then go forwardto the national competition.

The most recent in the series of competi-tions is the musical springboard “RU Music”(“Musiques de RU”) organised by the BordeauxCROUS under the aegis of the CNOUS. It isopen to all student artistes, who should senddetails to the CROUS of their “académie”.

Information and regulations availablefrom the CROUS cultural service andon the website: www.cnous.fr


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Settling in

Cultural spaces and the discovery ofvaried artistic worlds

Certain CROUS (Besançon, Caen, Dijon,Nancy-Metz, Montpellier, La Réunion) runtheatres offering students unusual programmes,often oriented towards young, contemporaryworks.

These halls may also be made available tostudent drama groups,depending on conditionsapplying at each site.

Ticketing services

Ticketing services set up in certain CROUSallow students to take advantage of tickets atreduced prices for performances in their town(theatre,concerts,opera,dance,variety shows,etc).

Partnerships with student and/or cul-tural associations

The University and School Affairs networkis devoted to helping and working with studentsin many areas (catering,accommodation,grants,social and cultural matters), and works regu-larly and in close collaboration with studentassociations providing cultural projects or pro-jects of general interest.

The partnerships undertaken with theseassociations enable those students interested,the chance to be involved in cultural, civic orsolidarity activities.

The partnerships affirm the important roleof the network at the heart of the studentpopulation.

The Franco-GermanYouth Office

The Franco-GermanYouth Office (OFAJ) isan organisation devoted to Franco-Germancooperation, created in 1963 to develop therelations between young people in France andGermany.

In the field of higher education,the OFAJ aimsto facilitate the mobility of students and youngresearchers in the Franco-German area andinternationally, and facilitate the acquisition ofkey competences for an international career.

The OFAJ supports student meetings, bi-national seminars, etc, and also individual pro-grammes (grants for study visits, practicalcourses, professional placements for younggraduates, intensive language courses, etc).

The OFAJ works with the networks betweenpartner universities and organisations res-ponsible for student life in the two countries,notably the CNOUS and the CROUS, theDeutschesStudentenwerkandtheStudentenwerke.

Office Franco-Allemand pour la Jeunesse51, rue de l’Amiral-Mouchez75013 ParisTel: 01 40 78 18 18

For further information see website:www.ofaj.org

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‘Œuvres universi-taires’ overseasstudent informa-tion services

The university and school affairs networkaims to improve the reception for overseas stu-dents, who come to France for many reasons:grant holders, of course, and students onstructured exchange programmes betweeninstitutions, but also the great number of indi-vidual overseas students.

Apart from the question of accommodation,regional centres organise global strategy forreceiving students. Amongst other issues, weshould particularly be aware of:

-urban accommodation units which providestudent accommodation with private land-lords. In certain CROUS, there have beenextremely well-organised communication(postcard) campaigns to encourage landlordsto accept students or targeting older personswho have rooms to let in exchange for ser-vices.

- assistance with guarantees and depositsrequired by landlords

- international accommodation for overseasresearchers and students

- emergency social assistance,which is gene-rally used to help overseas students in diffi-culty

- special desks and reception areas whichbring together the services and departmentswhich students need when they arrive:Prefecture, accommodation,bank, social secu-rity, universities, etc.

Support, by students at the start of the aca-demic year, and by tutors throughout the yearwith:

- cultural activities organised for the studentsin general or specifically for overseas stu-dents

- parties on arrival, departure and to cele-brate festivals

- regional gastronomic events,Christmas din-ners

- visits to tourist, cultural and even indus-trial sites

- days out, weekends, excursions, longertrips, cruises

- the offer of books on the region- seats at local shows

More and more often these activitiesbecome the focus for meetings between theCROUS and the higher education establish-ments, to discuss particular policies which maybe of interest to local organisations. Usefulinformation is available in the websites of thevarious CROUS under the heading “overseasstudents” or “international”.

On the CNOUS website there is also arange of information, particularly on the tworeception points well known to studentsthroughout the world:

- the reception area at Roissy (Terminal 2F, Arrivals area, gate 4) open every day from7am to 10pm

- the reception area in rue Jean Calvin inParis (5e), next to the SDAI, an indispensablepart of this integrated welcome


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3


Practical InformationLocal and regional ‘Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires’ student welfare centres

Légende des adresses : ➥ Centre régional (CROUS)

➤ Centre local (CLOUS) ou antenne d’accueil

• Aix-Marseille➥ 6 avenue Benjamin Abram

13621 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 1

Tél. : 04 42 16 13 13

➤ 3 PlaceVictor Hugo,

13331 Marseille Cedex 3

Tél. : 04 91 62 83 83

www.crous-aix-marseille.com.fr

• Amiens➥ 25, rue Saint Leu

BP 541

80005 Amiens Cedex 1

Tél. : 03 22 71 24 00

www.crous-amiens.fr

• Antilles-Guyane➥ Campus universitaire de Fouillole

BP 444

97164 Pointe-à-Pitre Cedex

Tél. : 0 590 / 89 46 60

➤ Cité Universitaire de Cayenne

Route de Baduel

BP 522

97332 Cayenne Cedex

Tél. : 0 594 / 37 85 00

➤ Résidence Universitaire de Schoelcher

BP 7208

97275 Schoelcher

Tél. : 0 596 / 61 36 73

www.crous-antillesguyane.fr

• Besançon➥ 38, avenue de l’Observatoire

BP 31021

25001 Besançon Cedex 3

Tél. : 03 81 48 46 00

www.crous-besancon.fr

• Bordeaux➥ 18, rue du Hamel

BP 63,

33033 Bordeaux Cedex

Tél. : 05 56 33 92 00

➤ 7, rue Saint John Perse,

64011 Pau

Tél. : 05 59 30 89 00

www.crous-bordeaux.fr

• Caen➥ 23, avenue de Bruxelles

BP 5153

14070 Caen Cedex 5

Tél. : 02 31 56 63 00

www.unicaen.fr

• Clermont-Ferrand➥ 25, rue Étienne Dolet

63037 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1

Tél. : 04 73 34 44 00

www.crous-clermont.fr

• Corte➥ 7, avenue Jean Nicoli,

BP 55

20250 Corte

Tél. : 04 95 45 30 00

www.crous-corse.fr

• Créteil➥ 70, avenue du Général de Gaulle

94010 Créteil Cedex

Tél. : 01 45 17 06 60

www.crous-creteil.fr



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• Dijon➥ 3, rue du Docteur Maret,

BP 450

21012 Dijon Cedex

Tél. : 03 80 40 40 40

www.crous-dijon.fr

• Grenoble➥ 5, rue d’Arsonval

BP 187,

38019 Grenoble Cedex.

Tél. : 0825 001 049

➤ 17, rue du Chaney

73000 Jacob Bellecombette

Tél. : 04 79 69 57 45

www.crous-grenoble.fr

• La Réunion➥ 20, rue Hippolyte Foucque

97490 Sainte Clotilde

LA REUNION

Tél. : 0 262 / 48 32 32

http://crous-reunion.cnous.fr

• Lille➥ 74, rue de Cambrai,

59043 Lille Cedex

Tél. : 03 20 88 66 00

• Valenciennes➤ Rue du chemin vert,

59326Valenciennes Cedex

Tél. : 03 27 28 39 60

www.crous-lille.fr

• Limoges➥ 39 G, rue Camille Guérin

BP 93630

87036 Limoges Cedex 1

Tél. : 05 55 43 17 00

www.crous-limoges.fr

• Lyon - Saint-Etienne➥ 59, rue de la Madeleine

69365 Lyon Cedex 07

Tél. : 04 72 80 17 70

➤ 11, rue Tréfilerie

42023 Saint Étienne Cedex 2

Tél. : 04 77 81 85 50

www.crous-lyon.fr

• Montpellier➥ 2, rue Monteil,

BP 5053 Montpellier-Justice

34033 Montpellier Cedex

Tél. : 04 67 41 50 00

Accueil des Étudiants Internationaux :

Tél. : 04 67 41 50 38

➤ Perpignan

52, avenue deVilleneuve

BP 1025

66101 Perpignan

Tél. : 04 68 50 99 62

Guichet unique : 04 68 50 97 95

www.crous-montpellier.fr

• Nancy - Metz➥ 75, rue de Laxou

54042 Nancy Cedex

Tél. : 03 83 91 88 00

➤ 42 Île-du-Saulcy

BP 587,

57010 Metz Cedex 1

Tél. : 03 87 31 61 61

www.crous-nancy-metz.fr

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• Nantes➥ 2, boulevard Guy Mollet

BP 52213

44072 Nantes Cedex 03

Tél. : 02 40 37 13 13

➤ Jardin des Beaux Arts

35, boulevard du Roi René

BP 5128

49051 Angers Cedex 2

Tél. : 02 41 25 45 80

➤ 22 Boulevard Charles Nicolle

72000 Le Mans

Tél. : 02 43 28 60 70

www.crous-nantes.fr

• Nice - Toulon➥ 18, avenue des Fleurs,

06050 Nice Cedex 1

Tél. : 04 92 15 50 50

➤ Avenue de l’Université

BP 127

83957 La Garde Cedex

Tél. : 04 94 08 83 00

www.crous-nice.fr

• Orléans - Tours➥ 17, avenue Dauphine,

45072 Orléans Cedex 2

Tél. : 02 38 22 61 61

➤ Accueil des étudiants, étrangers

Terrasse du Forum

rue de Tours

45072 Orléans Cedex 2

Tél. : 02 38 24 27 01

➤ Boulevard de Lattre-de-Tassigny

37041 Tours Cedex

Tél. : 02 47 60 42 42

www.crous-orléans-tours.fr

• Paris➥ 39, avenue Georges-Bernanos

75231 Paris Cedex 05

Tél. : 01 40 51 36 00

www.crous-paris.fr

• Poitiers➥ 15, rue GuillaumeVII Le Troubadour

BP 629

86022 Poitiers Cedex

Tél. : 05 49 60 88 00

www.crous-poitiers.fr

• Reims➥ 34, boulevard HenryVasnier

BP 2751

51063 Reims Cedex

Tél. : 03 26 50 59 00

www.crous-reims.fr


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• Rennes➥ 7, place Hoche

CS 26428

35064 Rennes Cedex

Tél. :02 99 84 31 31

➤ Plateau du Bouguen,

BP 88710

2, avenue Le Gorgeu

29287 Brest Cedex

Tél. : 02 98 03 38 78

www.crous-rennes.fr

• Rouen➥ 3, rue d’Herbouville

76042 Rouen Cedex 1

Tél. : 02 32 08 50 00

➤ 45 bis, rue Casimir Delavigne

76600 Le Havre

Tél : 02 35 19 74 74

www.crous-rouen.fr

• Strasbourg➥ 1, quai du Maire-Dietrich

BP 50168

67004 Strasbourg Cedex

Tél. : 03 88 21 28 00

➤ Maison de l’étudiant

1, rueWerner

68093 Mulhouse Cedex

Tél. : 03 89 33 64 64

http://crous-strasbourg.cnous.fr

• Toulouse➥ 58, rue du Taur,

BP 7096

31070 Toulouse Cedex 7

Tél. : 05 61 12 54 00

www.crous-toulouse.fr

• Versailles➥ 145bis, boulevard de la Reine

BP 563

78005Versailles Cedex

Tél. : 01 39 24 52 00

www.crous-versailles.fr

➤ Résidence Jean-Zay

Route deVersailles

92763 Antony

Tél. : 01 46 74 63 71

➤ 8, allée de l’Université

92001 Nanterre Cedex

Tél. : 01 41 20 32 04


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Sport at university in France is organised by:1/ InFrenchuniversities:the‘ServiceUniversitaire’

(or Inter Universitaire) desActivités Physiques etSportives’ (S.U.A.P.S. or S.I.U.A.P.S.).They are incharge of organising and running all sports faci-lities and equipment and encourage students toget involved in a wide range of sporting activities.Many universities charge students a small fee forthe use of sports facilities.

2/ In the‘Grandes Ecoles’:Sports departmentsare responsible formaking sure that students getinvolved in sporting activities.The way sportsactivities are organised can greatly differ fromoneschool to another (there are public and state-runschools). Physical education in France is oftencompulsory.

3/ Student Sporting associations that provideFFSU‘FédérationNationale du SportUniversitaire’corporative sporting activities and events for allstudents in higher education (universities,‘GrandesEcoles’, IUT, BTS, Paramedical schools, etc).TheFNSU’s aim is to promote and organise amateurcompetitive playing.Studentsmust pay for a sportslicence.

4/ University sports clubs that comeunder the‘Union Nationale des Clubs Universitaires’(U.N.C.U.),whichhave special agreementswithuni-versities, constantly strive to bring students andnon-students together and act as a vital link bet-ween the university and ‘La Cité’.They have thedual role of providing access to ‘La Cité’ for uni-versity students,whilst in turn providing access tothe university for ‘La Cité’. Students have theopportunity to take part in sporting activities butareexpected tohelpoutwithorganising events andother activities. Students are entitled to reducedrateswhen registeringwith auniversity sports club.

Observation: The UFR STAPS ‘Unité deFormationetdeRecherchedesSciencesTechniquesdesActivités Physiques et Sportives’ or Facultiesof Sports studies and Physical Education are res-ponsible for developing and researching the sub-ject of “Physical education and sports-relatedcareers”. Student numbers on the STAPS pro-grammes are constantly on the increase.Playing fields and training grounds: The SIUAPS

and the Local Community Sports associations co-manage the sports centres and playing fields.Training: training sessions for all university stu-

dents are arranged by the SIUAPS,sports depart-ments in the ‘Grandes Ecoles’ and other highereducation colleges as well as any FFSU-affiliatedsports associations.

Using the sports facilities is not free; studentsmust pay a small membership fee.

‘La Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris’has 50 sports activities on offer for both studentswho live on campus and non-residents: from fen-cing to the Brazilian martial art of Capoeira andfrom tennis to taekwando:“sport” in every senseof the word:www.ciup.fr/sport.htm

The FFSU duties include:

• promoting and organising amateur competitiveplaying;

• enabling students to successfully combine sportand higher education study;

• awarding ‘Champion de France Universitaire’sports prizes;

• promoting good relations between French uni-versity sports departments and national andinternational SportingAssociations.

SPORT AT UNIVERSITYIN FRANCE

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The FFSU, is made up of:- Approximately 90 000 members;- 28‘Comités Régionaux du SportUniversitaire’

(CRSU) regional University Sports committees;- and, in some localities, Comités Dépar-

tementaux du Sport Universitaire’ (CDSU) orlocal University Sports committees.

Activities:The FFSU offers 55 individual sports and 9

group sports andorganises 38 championships and26 cups in France.

In addition to its national duties,the FFSU par-ticipates in international tournaments (theWorldUniversity Championships) and every two yearsin theUniversiades,which are similar toUniversityOlympicGames,in terms of the number and qua-lity of the competitors.

Training Schemes:Referee training,sports coa-ching and sporting event organiser courses.

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Practical InformationFFSU regional offices

• Aix-MarseilleCSU 16, rue Bernard du Bois13001 MarseilleTél. : 04 91 90 91 38E-mail : [email protected]

• AmiensIUT, avenue des Facultés,80000AmiensTel: 03 22 53 40 08E-mail : [email protected]

• Antilles-GuyaneCRSU-BP 250Campus de Fouillole97157 Pointe à Pitre CedexTel: 05 90 48 92 78E-mail : [email protected]

• SUAPS–Univ.Antilles-GuyanneBP 720997233 Schoelcher

Tel: 05 96 72 73 21

E-mail: [email protected]

• BesançonGymnase universitaire de la BouloieRue Laplace25000 BesançonTél. : 03 81 66 61 16E-mail : crsu.besancon@univ-fcomte.

• BordeauxStadium Rocquencourt Domaine universitaire18 avenue Jean Babin33600 PessacTel: 05 57 35 60 51 ou 05 57 35 60 50E-mail : [email protected]

• CaenEsplanade de la Paix14032 Caen CedexTel: 02 31 56 55 54E-mail : [email protected]

• Clermont-Ferrand30, rue Etienne Dolet63000 Clermont-FerrandTel: 04 73 29 39 40E-mail: [email protected]

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91 - I’m going to France91 - I’m going to France91 - I’m going to France

Sport at university in France


• CorseUniversité de Corte20250 CorteTél. : 04 95 45 02 02E-mail : [email protected]

• Créteil2, rueTirard94000 CréteilTél. : 01 48 99 64 00E-mail : [email protected]

• DijonMaison des sports, campus universitaireMontmuzard BP 2787721078 Dijon CedexTél. : 03 80 39 67 91E-mail : [email protected]

• GrenobleDomaine universitaire allée de la Passerelle38400 Saint-Martin-d’HèresTél. : 04 76 82 44 10E-mail : [email protected]

• LilleCSU,180, avenue Gaston Berger59000 LilleTél. : 03 20 52 59 91E-mail : [email protected]

• LimogesGymnase universitaire de la Borie185, rueA.Thomas87100 LimogesTél. : 05 55 77 43 20E-mail : [email protected]

• LyonUniversité Claude Bernard43,boulevard du 11 novembre 191869622Villeurbanne CedexTél. : 04 72 44 80 89E-mail : [email protected]

• MontpellierCentre sportif universitaire532, avenue du Pr. Emile Janbrau34090 MontpellierTél. : 04 67 14 39 18E-mail : [email protected]

• Nancy-MetzPôle universitaire européen34, cours Léopold54052 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 54 40 54 31E-mail : [email protected]

• Nantes1, rue Douarnenez44300 NantesTél. : 02 40 94 49 50E-mail : [email protected]

• NiceCSUValrose65, avenue deValrose06100 NiceTél. : 04 93 84 99 17E-mail : [email protected]


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• Orléans-ToursMaison des sports1240, rue de la Bergeresse45160 OlivetTél. : 02 38 49 88 88E-mail : [email protected]

• ParisCIUP - Espace Sud9 F boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 43 13 13 60 ou 01 43 13 13 61E-mail :[email protected]

• Poitiers2 bis, allée Jean Monnet86000 Poitiers CedexTél. : 05 49 36 62 90E-mail : [email protected]

• ReimsUFR SciencesMoulin de la HousseBP 103951687 Reims Cedex 2Tél. : 03 26 9131 31E-mail : [email protected]

• RennesUniversité II, la Harpe2, rue du Doyen Denis-Leroy35044 Rennes CedexTél. : 02 99 14 20 31E-mail : [email protected]://ffsportu.rennes.free.fr/

• La RéunionSUAPS15, avenue René CassinBP 715197715 Saint-Denis Cedex 09Tél. : 00 262 93 83 59E-mail : [email protected]

• RouenCSU,33 boulevard Siegfried76821 Mont SaintAignan CedexTél. : 02 32 10 07 03E-mail : [email protected]

• StrasbourgCSU, rue Gaspard Monge67000 StrasbourgTél. : 03 88 60 55 96E-mail : [email protected]

• ToulouseUniversité Paul Sabatier – Bâtiment 1AVilla FFSU,118, route de Narbonne31062Toulouse CedexTél. : 05 61 55 65 00E-mail : [email protected]

• VersaillesFF Sport U – CR Sport UVersaillesBP 14692185Antony CedexTél. : 01 46 74 63 93E-mail : [email protected]

Le siège de la FFSU FF SPORT U108 avenue de Fontainebleau94270 Le Kremlin-BicêtreTél. : 01 58 68 22 75 Fax : 01 46 58 12 73E-mail : [email protected]


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SOCIAL SECURITY &STUDENT INSURANCE COVER

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Social Security

Compulsory insurance cover

Taking out sufficient student insurance,whetherthe student is French or a foreign national,essen-tially goes hand in hand with applying for studentsocial security in France.This is a version of theFrench‘Sécurité Sociale’ which is adapted for stu-dents (see Chapter 4, p. 112).

EU economic zone citizens who come toFrance to study can be exempt from theprocedureof having to apply for student social secu-rity if they have one of the following forms:E106,E109,E111,E128,E121or a document that provesthat they have takenout health insurance for them-selves or any family members (if accompanyingthem) to cover possiblemedical expenses duringtheir stay in France. Health insurance mustcover the academic year (1st October-September of the following year).

Taking out health insurance should be done atthe same time as you enrol at university.French government grant-holding stu-

dents are exempt from paying the sub-scription fees.

Conditions for taking out studentinsurance cover

To apply for student social security, you must:- Be enrolled in a higher education college thatis registered with the French social securitysystem;

- Be under 28 years old on the 1st October ofthe current academic year.Exceptions can bemade in some cases (long periods of illness,long maternity leave, and long university stu-dies);

- Be able to produce a document that provesthat you are officially allowed to reside inFrance.

Refunding medical expenses

The French Social Security approves consulta-tion charges called“tarifs de convention” (TC).

Affiliation with the Social Security systementitles students to refunds of health expenses.The percentage of these refunds is calculated onthe basis of the approved charges (between 60%and 100% of the TC depending on the type ofexpense).

That is why the student mutual insurance pro-pose a complementary health service.This is indis-pensable to make up the difference between theTC and the social security reimbursement.It mayeven cover expenses that are in excess of theTC..

Universal health cover

The 27th July 1999 act introduced UniversalHealth cover on the 1st January 2000,which setout to cover basic benefits (C.M.U.) and mutualbenefits (‘CMU complémentaires’). If basic bene-fits do not concern themajority of overseas stu-dents because they have student social security,mutual benefits can be allocated to overseas stu-dents whose income or housing arrangementsmeet the criteria. Each person that receivesmutual (CMU) benefits must either find a healthinsurance broker or a complementary firm,such as a student mutual insurance company.Forfurther information on universal health cover,contact the Department of Health office (‘CaissePrimaire d’Assurance Maladie’ CPAM) nearestto your place of study

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Student insurancecompanies‘Les mutuellesétudiantes’

In France Student Health Insurance is pro-vided by:

- a national company:LaMutuelle des Etudiants(LMDE),set up across France and theoverseas ter-ritories

- 9 regional companies

Delegated by theNationalTreasury for HealthInsurance (CaisseNationale d’AssuranceMaladie,CNAM) theMutuelles control the Student SocialSecurity System.

They also offer,for a relatively low subscriptioncompared with the benefits provided, additionalhealth benefits adapted to the needs and requi-rements of students.These additional health bene-fits, which vary according to theMutuelle and thelevel of guarantees chosen,allow students to havebetter control over their health expenses.

TheMutuelles reimburse all orpartof themode-rator ticket, i.e. the difference between the SocialSecurity charges for care,medicines and hospita-lisation and the Social Security payment.

TheMutuelles also offer cover and civil liabilityrisks (accidents caused by a third party), accidentand invalidity.

Finally,theseMutuellesoffer a rangeof insurancesallowing students to complete their studies withcomplete peaceofmind: home insurance,car insu-rance andeven insurance covering courses abroad.

La Mutuelle des Etudiants

The LMDE is the only national student healthinsurance company, with 153 locations and aswitchboardwith telephoneoperatorswho speakEnglish and Spanish.

To contact this switchboard (Phone Campus),dial 3260 and say“LMDE”.

To help students, the LMDE has agreed manyarrangements for subsidised paymentswith phar-macies andmedical organisations includinghospitalsand clinics. These agreements allow the studentto be relieved of all or part of the health care pay-ments.

For overseas students the LMDE offers a spe-cially designed range of documentation (in Frenchand in English):

Guide to social protection in France,in Frenchand in English. Information leaflets on SocialSecurity in English,Spanish,German,Italian,Arabicand Chinese.

In order towelcome overseas students aswellas possible, telephone helplines have counsellorswho speak English and Spanish.

TheLMDEoffers a rangeof health benefits adap-ted to the needs of students;3 levels of cover areavailable.

In partnershipwith the Banques Populaires,theLMDEhas created a proposal allowing easy accessto accommodation.

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Useful informationGrant holders

These files are managed by the administra-tive body.

•Grant holdersmanaged by an organisationdesignated by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

and European (CNOUS and EGIDE) have thebenefit of maximum cover (social security andinsurance)

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The LMDE is a partner of the CNOUS in theorganisationofoverseas student grant holders:BGE,BGF.

For further information:

The USEM

The 6 Regional Student Mutual InsuranceCompanies thatmake up theUSEM (Union natio-nal des Sociétés Étudiantes Mutualistes régio-nales) and the 4 FEDME (Fédération desmutuellesétudiantes) insurance companies manage the healthof students:

- management of the student Social Securitysystem

- complementary health insurance- preventive health campaigns- specialised service for receiving foreign studentsThe regional student mutual insurance com-

panies pay refunds i the whole of France with anregional organisation that takes specific localaspects into account:

- TheMEP:Mutuelle des Etudiants de Provence,covers the PACA,Languedoc-Roussillon andCorsica regions.

- The MGEL:Mutuelle Générale des Etudiantsde l’Est,is inAlsace,Lorraine andChampagne-Ardennes.

- The SMEBA:SociétéMutualiste des Etudiantsde Bretagne Atlantique, in Brittany and Paysde la Loire regions.

- TheSMECO:(SociétéMutualiste des EtudiantsduCentreOuest) dans les régions Centre etPoitou Charente, in the Centre and PoitouCharente regions.

- The SMENO:SociétéMutualiste des Etudiantsdu Nord Ouest, covers the North Pas deCalais,Normandie and Picardy regions

-TheSMERAG:SociétéMutualiste desEtudiantsde la Région Antilles Guyanes, couvre lesAntilles Guyane.

- The SMEREB:Sociétémutualiste des EtudiantsdesRégions Bourgogne et Franche-Comté, ispresent in Burgundy and Franche-Comté.

- The SMEREP:SociétéMutualiste des Etudiantsde laRégionParisienne,is themutual insurancecompany of the Ile de France region.

- TheSMERRA:SociétéMutualiste des Etudiantsde la RégionRhône-Alpes etAuvergne,coversthe RhôneAlpes andAuvergne regions.

- VITTAVI is located inMidi-Pyrénées,Aquitaine,Limousin and on the Island of Réunion.

SEM (Société des Etudiants Mutualistes), also amemberof theUSEM,manages thedossiers of stu-dents without social security coverage as wellasthose of foreign scholarship holders for regionalmutual insurance companies

All student insurance company addressescan be found in the ‘Useful addresses’ chap-ter p.216 or on the website: www.usem.fr

For all enquiries:USEM116, rue du Bac75007 ParisTél. : 01 44 18 37 87Fax : 01 44 18 94 75www.usem.fr


Social Security &student insurance cover

La Mutuelle des Etudiants37, rue MarceauBP 21094203 Ivry sur SeineTel: 32 60, say “LMDE”www.lmde.frThe LMDE centres can be found in theAppendices,Useful addresses p. 212.


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Sound knowledgeof the French language is oneof the main ingredients for a successful stay inFrance.

To study in France, you must be able to takenotes, give oral presentations, write essays, readbrochures, do coursework and sit for exams inFrench.

Linguistically speaking…

Mastering the French language is all about beingable to understand the French lifestyle andway ofthinking,as well as being able to get into the swingof everyday life in France. In this way, a study visitbecomes an experience of cultural exchanges andpersonal growth.

Learning French priorto coming to France

Other than being able to understand the“barebones” of the French language to take a Frenchproficiency test,students are strongly advised tolearn French before coming to France.In this res-pect, students save their time and effort and tho-roughly prepare themselves for their stay inFrance.

The French embassies are a good source ofinformation for students with regard to Frenchcourses in your town or area,generally a FrenchInstitute or anAlliance Française.

To reach an adequate level of French,students must have at least a year of regularFrench classes,practice conversing in French,lis-ten to French radio programmes, and readFrench newspapers and books.

Learning French inFrance

Centres for French as a foreign lan-guage in France

A directory, published every year through theMinistry for Foreign and EuropeanAffairs in col-laborationwithCulturesFrance (ex.ADPF),presentsa list of centres which run courses for French as

a foreign language in France. Some of these esta-blishments are members of professional associa-tions such asADECUEF,Alliance Française,FLE.FR,National Office, UNOSEL, SOUFFLE (seeAppendices,p.193).This list,which spreads acrossthe cultural and assistance network, is also avai-lable in French,German,English and Spanish on thewebsite of theMinistry for Foreign and EuropeanAffairs:www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Theacccreditationofcentres fortheteachingof French as a foreign language in France

The State is undertaking a process of accredi-tation of centres for the teaching of French as aforeign language in France. This initiative willenableof training centres,whose teaching andotherservices are guaranteed to the reach required stan-dards, to be identified,recognised and promoted.The designation “Quality French as a ForeignLanguage” (“Qualité français langue étrangère”) isissued by an inter-ministerial commission tocentres which clearly reach this quality level.

This initiative is part of the international accre-ditation process for language centres in Europe.

The recognised centres, or those who haveapplied for recognition,feature in the“2008 list ofcentres for the teaching of French as a foreign lan-guage in France” 2008 French directory of trai-ning centres for overseas visitors in France(“Répertoire 2008 des centres de formationfrançais étrangère en France”).

The offer of certificationin French as a foreignlanguage

The French Ministries for National and HigherEducation andResearch offer awide range of qua-lifications in French (diplomas and tests) to reco-gnise competence in French, from the lowest tothe highest levels. The offer is available to all, andis integrated into 6-level scale of the EuropeanExecutive common reference for languages of theCouncil of Europe.

LEARNING FRENCH ASA FOREIGN LANGUAGE

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French NationalDiplomas: DILF,DELF and DALF

DILF – Initial French Proficiency TestTheDILF is for thosewith a very basic level of com-petence in French (level A1.1 in the CommonEuropean Framework of Reference). It is prima-rily for migrant workers.DELF–standardFrenchproficiencydiplomaDALF – advanced French proficiencydiploma

Details of the units.

TheDELF andDALF areofficial diplomas issuedby the FrenchMinistry ofNational Education,andindicate anoverseas candidate’s level of proficiencyin French.The DELF and DALF consist of 6 indi-vidual units,which correspond to the six levelsof the Common European Framework ofReference for Languages.

The tests can be taken in any of the 1000official examination centres found in 164 countriesincluding France.

TheDELFandDALFdiplomas take into account:- international standards for testing;- harmonisation in the Common EuropeanFramework of Reference for Languages.

TheDELF andDALF qualifications are under the autho-rity of the National Commission for DELF and DALFwhose headquarters are at the CIEP, andwhich bringstogether representatives from theMinistry of Education,the Ministry for Higher Education and Research, theMinistry for Foreign and European Affairs and theConference of University Directors.

The 6 diplomas that make up DELF and DALFare completely independent.This means that can-didates can register for the examination of theirchoice, according to their level.

At each level, 4 skills are evaluated: listening,speaking, reading and writing.


Learning French as a foreign language

CECR DELF/DALF User

A1 DELF A1

basic

A2 DELF A2

B1 DELF B1

independent

B2 DELF B2

C1 DALF C1

experienced

C2 DALF C2

Additional informationwww.ciep.fr/delf/dalf


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Useful information

Who can register?

Do you want to obtain proof of yourcommand of professional reasons?

You can take the DELF and/or the DALF,whe-ther you are fromoverseasor a French citizen livingin a non French-speaking country.

Which diploma?

DifferentDELF andDALF diplomas are awar-ded at each level: so you can take whichever testyou choose. You can equally sit severalunits in one session.

Where do I enrol?

Students can register directly with the exa-mination centre,either in France or abroad.Youcan enrol in the same country,or in different ones,with no time limits.

How much does it cost to enrol?

When enrolling abroad, the cost for eachdiploma is set by the French embassy service forcooperation and cultural action and theNationalCommission. In France, it is set by the “recto-rats”. Contact the examination centre you wishto use for current rates. For some diplomas, can-didatesmust provide proof of a French baccalauréatqualification or its equivalent.

The junior version of DELF

The junior version of DELF is designed on thesame basis as the standard DELF. Only the sub-jects differ:thematerial takes account of the areasof interest of young people.

It is aimed at students of secondary school ageand leads to the award of a diploma identical tothe standard version.

Test of knowledge ofFrench: TCF

TheTCF, and its adaptations for specific lear-ners, is standardised and graded. TheTCF placesthe candidate, for each language competence, atone of 6 levels of the European Executive com-mon reference for languages,thus providing a detai-led linguistic profile. Since 2003TCF has earnedISO9001:2000,which guarantees the quality of itsdesign and management. This qualification is validfor 2 years.

TheTCF for the general public: it is aimed atthose wishing to test their abilities in French forpersonal or professional reasons.

TheTCF for students and future students: theTCF is amandatory part of preliminary admission(DAP),in the first two years at university (Licence1 or Licence 2) and in schools of architecture. Itis automatically demandedby institutions of highereducation for studentswhowish to submit an appli-cation for 2nd and 3rd cycle (Licence 3,Master 1,

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Useful informationThe CIEP

• The CIEP ‘Centre National d’EtudesPédagogiques’, which is a State-run establish-ment that is under the supervision of theMinistry of Education, is in charge of runninga co-operative that promotes education on aninternational scale.

It operates in two areas: languages (Frenchas a foreign language and foreign-language tea-ching in France) and educational engineering

1, avenue Léon Journault92318 Sèvres cedexTél : 01 45 07 60 00www.ciep.fr

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Master,2 andDoctorat) in an institutionof highereducation or Grande Ecole.

TheTCF for those in international organisations:this version was designed to meet the needs ofinternational organisations or intergovernmentalorganisations (ONU, OCDE, etc), diplomaticschools and international relations

The AllianceFrançaise diplomas

TheAlliance Française teachesDALF andDALFcourses which replace its own former diplomas.It also offers a specific diploma, the Diploma ofHigher French Studies (Diplômedes hautes étudesfrançaises)DHEF,at level C2offering twooptions:literature and translation.

For further information, visit the website:www.alliancefr.org

The Chamber ofCommerce andIndustry of Parisexaminations (CCIP)

The CCIP’s ten examinations in business andprofessional Frenchevaluate,at different levels,com-petence in French applied to the principal areasof the professional world:business,medicine,tou-rism and the hotel industry, law, secretarial work,science and technical.The examinations are prac-tical and test the candidate’s level of written andspoken comprehension in “real professional life”contexts.

The TEF French proficiency test (Testd’Evaluation de Français), designed and distri-buted by the CCIP is an international instru-ment of reference for the measurement ofcompetence in French. It can be used in thecontext of a higher study project for some ofthe Grandes Ecoles business schools,or for anemigration project aimed at a francophonecountry.

It is recognized by the French Ministry ofNational Education (ministerial decree of 3 Mai2007), by the Canadian federal government(Citizenship and Immigration),by theMinistry forImmigration andCulturalCommunities ofQuebec,and by numerous,French-speaking businesses andeducational institutions.

TheCCIPFrench tests are available in hard copy,(TEF andTEFAQ) and in electronic versions:e-tefand e-tefaq.

For further information, visit www.ccip.fr.

University diplomas

The university centres for the study of Frenchby overseas students offer four diplomas coveringdifferent levels of French language competence andassociated knowledge:

Practical certificate inFrench language (CPLF)B1Diploma in French studies (DEF) B2Advanceddiploma in French studies (DAEF)C1Superior diploma in French studies (DSEF) C2

Further information:www.ciep.fr/tcf/


Learning French as a foreign language


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The diplomas are only open to non-Frenchnationals and are awarded by the Ministry ofEducation-authorised universities after consul-ting the ‘Conseil de l’Enseignment Supérieur’(Higher Education board).

Candidates must provide proof of qualificationsthat are equivalent to the French ‘baccaluréat’.

These four diplomas are taught and taken inmostuniversities,but somehave set up internal diplomas.

Teacher trainingcourses in teachingFrench

Students or teachers who are preparing them-selves for a career in teaching French can takecourses that prepare‘Diplômes de Français LangueEtrangère’ (FLE). Over half of universities offercourses and literature or linguistic‘licence’ (degreelevel) andMasters level courses leading to the tea-ching of French as a foreign language.These natio-nal diplomas are open to both overseas studentsand French nationals and are awarded by theFrench universities.

In some universities,students also have the pos-sibility of studying thedidactics of French as a foreignlanguage,or‘DidactiqueduFrançais LangueEtrangère(FLE)’ at the Doctorate,or third level.

Many universities in conjunction withlanguage institutes organise one-year short coursesfor prospective teachers of French as a foreignlanguage (FLE).These courses prepare studentsfor university diplomas such as the ‘DiplômeSupérieur à l’Enseignement du Français LangueEtrangère’ (DAEFLE). Information about thesecourses is available in theADPF brochure publi-shed by the Ministry of Foreign and EuropeanAffairs and CultureFrance.

ProfessionalAssociations andNetworks

ADECUEFE:Association of directors of univer-sities for French studies for overseas students. Itbrings together 32 centres for French as a foreignlanguage,based in French universities:http://cla.univ-comte.fr/adcuefe

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE: founded in 1883,Alliance Française is a network of 1072 associationsestablished in over 130 countries,and spreading theFrench language to all levels of society:www.alliance.fr.org

FLE.FR: the FLE.fr group of centres brings toge-ther 43 centres specialising in French as a foreignlanguage:www.fle.fr

L’OFFICE:The national office guaranteeing lan-guage courses and visits has 31 members, inclu-ding 8 schools for French as a foreign language:www.loffice.org

SOUFFLE: Created in 1990, this associationbrings together organisations teaching French asa foreign language, and has 18 members:www.souffle.asso.fr

UNOSEL:The national union of organisations forlinguistic visits and for language schools has 65mem-bers of which 3 schools teach French as a foreignlanguage:www.unosel.com

Short teachingcourses

Overseas teacherswishing todo a short teachingcourse can look in the directory of teacher trai-ning centres addresses, which is edited by theMinistry of Foreign and European Affairs in colla-boration with CulturesFrance (exADPF).www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

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Arriving in France


Arriving in France


Arriving in France

Practical informationPedagogical research body

•The INRP is a national State-run establishmentthat is under the supervision of the Ministryof Education and has the role of researchinginto all levels of education. As a resourcecentre, the INRP deals with and informs thepublic of their findings mainly via the libraryservice.

Institut national de la recherche pédago-gique (INRP)

29, rue d’Ulm,75230Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 46 34 90 00

For further information, www.inrp.fr

Practical informationPublished works on teaching

For all research on the education system andteaching in France,you can contact the‘CentreNational de Documentation Pédagogique’(CNDP) or the Regional &Area centres net-works (CRDP&CDDP).Their role is tomakeadministrative information and publicationson teaching available to the education system,including teachers and researchers.

This information is available from referencemultimedia libraries, video libraries, and soft-ware libraries.To compliment educational poli-cies, the CNDP network edits reviews andwritten series and produce audio-visual anddigital (especially for television) programmes,videos, software and multimedia.

They also arrange a lot of promotionalactivities with the help of new technology andcommunications.

They strive to build on information systems,media and communications and educationalengineering exchange projects with foreigncountries.

The CNDP is a State-run establishmentthat is under the supervision of the Ministryof Education.Their head office is located at:

29, rue d’Ulm75230 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 55 43 60 00.

Students can browse and purchase CNDPdocumentation at the ‘Librarie nationale’(bookshop):

13, rue du Four75006 ParisTel. 01 46 34 54 80or bookshops and sale outlets in theCNDP’s

28 regional centres (CRDP) and in their 86 areateaching centres (CDDP).

A list of centres is available on the internetat www.cndp.fr.

You can also consult the “Professionals inEducation”web site at http://educlic.education.fr,which proposes the possibility of researchinga particular theme.

4GETTING INTOTHE SWING OFFRENCH LIFE

4Everything you need to knowabout finding accommodation

Where can I find offers of accommodation? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 107All you need to know about:

A few pointers before you start renting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 108

French eating habits

You are what you eat… . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 109Restaurants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 109All you need to know about:

living expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 110

French social cover

Healthcare for everyone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 112Students healthcare . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 112What to do if you have to go to hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 113Pharmacies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 113

4A modern system of communication

On the road in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 114Internal flights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 115Public town transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 115Postal and telephone services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 116

‘La Poste’ in a nutshell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 117Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 117

Consumerism

Frenchbanks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 118Distribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 118

The Euro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 119A couple of ideas for the holidays . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 120The international student card. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 120

Media, Culture and Leisure

The French Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 121The French audiovisuals galaxy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 121Theatre, cinema and cultural activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 122A museum in each town . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 123Libraries and sources of information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 123Boarding houses, lodgings, youth hostels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 124Sport and keeping fit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 125


The property market

Finding a place to live in the large cities hasbecome difficult, even for French people.Rental properties (unfurnished or furnished)are most often found through rental agenciesthat serve as intermediaries between the pro-perty owners and renters.You can also dealdirectly with a property owner, provided youare sure to respect all legal formalities.Rentingan apartment with a lease requires proof ofincome.The rental agent or property ownerwill often ask for a guarantee by a third party,that is, the commitment of a third person topay your rent and fees in the event you do notpay them.A landlord cannot refuse to accepta deposit from somebody on the grounds thatthis person is not French (legislation of 17January 2002, article 161). Generally, monthlyincome must be four times the rental payment.If you choose to use a rental agent, you willbe required to pay rental fees when you signthe lease.These fees can range from 2.5% to10% of the annual rental amount, excludingextra charges.Extra charges cover maintenanceof common space, refuse removal, water, andin some cases, heat.

In addition to the rental payment, you arerequired to subscribe to an insurance policy witha student insurance company or with a com-pany of your choice.

On average, rent in Paris is 50% more expen-sive than rent in the rest of France.You shouldexpect to pay from 350 € to 450 € euros permonth for a room and from 450 € to 1000 € fora studio apartment in Paris and the surroundingregion.The average rent in Paris and its surroun-dings is twice as high per squaremetre as in otherregions of France.The average monthly rent forprivate rental properties is 17.70 € per squaremetre in Paris, between 11.6 € and 13.6 € persquaremetre in the surrounding area,and 7.9 € persquare metre in the other regions of France.

Finding a room or a furnished studio withoutyour parent’s guarantee is often difficult for ayoung person and even more so if the personis a foreign national.

In the Paris region and especially in Parisitself, the problem of finding accommodationhas reached such amazing proportions thatstudents are recommended to consider otherFrench university towns if they do not alreadyhave a leasing contract or havemade arrangementsfor accommodation before coming to France.

Student accommodation services

Awhole network of offers of private furnishedaccommodation is available to students.You willfind a detailed explanation in the previous chap-ter about the CROUS ‘Centres Regionaux desŒuvres Universitaires et Scolaires’ Studentaccommodation services.They help students findrooms or studios in student halls of residence andin HLM ‘Habitation à loyer modéré’ accommo-dation.

The CROUS centres have a private accom-modation notice board (see chapter 3 p. 76).Finding a place to live in Paris starts with theCROUS.

Home insurance

The tenant must take out multi-risk homeinsurance; the lease usually specifies that takingout home insurance is compulsory.

Student insurance companies offer studentsaffordable multi-risk insurance packages.You areadvised to read the small print on the insurancecontract because insurance cover varies fromone company to another.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TOKNOW ABOUT FINDING

Getting into the swing of French life4

Where can I find offersof accommodation?

Some student associations receive privateoffers of accommodation for their members.In Paris, for a fee of about 21 €, students haveaccess to an accommodation offer noticeboard at the following address: UNEL:

Union Nationale des Etudiants Locataires21, rue duVal de Grâce - 75005 ParisTél : 01 40 46 86 73www.upel.fr

In the provinces,some‘Centres d’informationet de documentation jeunesse’ (CIDJ) displayaccommodation advertisements on their noticeboards (See “Useful Addresses” p.190).

Look out for agencies that specialise instudent accommodation that give you a list ofoffers only after you have paid a fee.

At the end of the day there is nothing bet-ter than finding a room, flat or apartmentthrough friends or word of mouth.

Married Students

Married students who are planning onbringing their family to live with them in Franceare advised to work out a sufficient budget andthen start looking for accommodation andarranging insurance cover on their own.

Hotel room rental

Renting a room in a hotel (for at least amonth) is not the most convenient of arran-gements, but it is still a solution.A list of hotelsis available from the CROUS accommodationservices.

Living (& paying rent) in a French hostfamily

It is possible to stay with a family and payrent or to work as an au pair (See Aupair,Home Help, chapter 3, p.78).Offers fromFrench families are available to students at tem-porary employment services in CROUScentres, at CIDJ’s and from some associationsthat specialise in housing for students.

‘Les Centres régionaux des Œuvresuniversitaires et scolaires’ (CROUS) can giveyou addresses of organisations (student asso-ciations, student insurance companies, etc.)in each university town that help students finda place to live.

4


Everything you need to knowabout finding accommodation



Practical InformationA few pointers before you start renting

Before committing yourself to an apartment,it is necessary to be familiar with the exactconditions inwhich you are renting and tomakesure:

• That you knowwhat is included in the priceof the rent. For example, find out if extracharges (for the caretaker, cleaning andmaintenance of the building) are included inthe rent. Heating and electricity are notusually included. If you are staying withsomeone, you must find out if provisions,washing (bed linen),use of the shower,bathor kitchen are included;

• That you are allowed to have visitors;

• That you ask for a written lease after the

inventory;• The rent must be paid before moving in andon the first few days of the month;

• If the tenant wants to leave, they must sendtheir landlord a letter by registered post withproof of reception giving a month’s notice(threemonths if you are dealingwith an EstateAgent).If the landlordwould like to use theirroom or studio at the end of the contract,they equally haveonemonth inwhich todo so.

For more information contact the ADIL‘Agence departementale information loge-ment’ at the local police station. The ADILcentre addresses are available on the internetat www.anil.org

Hotel gradings

The Ministry of Tourism classifies FrenchHotels into five categories by stars

***** Deluxe**** Luxury*** First class** Good quality (tourist hotel)* Tourist budget hotel (*)HRT Basic budget hotelHT Basic hotel

Most hotels serve breakfast. Many hotelsprovide a catering service and a great deal havelower prices during the off season (midNovember toMarch).Most very simple hotelsare unclassified.Value formoney and price brac-kets greatly vary.

Some tourist guides grade hotels differentlyand from amore subjective point of view.Theytend to take the quality of service and the faci-lities into account where the tourist authori-ties only consider the facilities.

A valuable plus of private guides is that theyinform tourists about the price ranges of theirchosen hotels.

(*) NC next to the star rating refers to ‘New classification’

Minimum fee per night:Paris Province

***** 228.67 € to 381.12 € 182.94 €**** 137.20 € to 228.67 € 121.96 €*** 76.22 € to 121.96 € 60.98 €** 53.36 € to 76.22 € 45.73 €* 27.44 € to 53.36 € 22.87 €

French eating habits have changed dueto the stresses and strains of city life,industrialisation of the food industry andproduct internationalisation.And yet the Frenchstill seem to be attached to the tradition ofeating good quality food and cuisine. In com-parison with eating habits in other countries,theFrench take pride in their gastronomy and culi-nary tradition. France’s agricultural industryhas adapted to French consumer tastes andtrends.

A food market with a wide range ofproduce

The French shop mostly in ‘grandes surfaces’(supermarkets) where they can lay their handson a broad range of quality processed food-stuffs (ready-made meals, tinned foods, dairyproducts, ready prepared vegetables, etc.).However, they still shop for fresh produce atthe many covered or open-air markets (thatare often quite picturesque) in town or thosedotted around Paris.They still go to their localshops for quality produce (cheese,bread,selec-ted meats and ‘charcuterie’ specialities) or paya visit to small ‘épiceries’ that are open untillate.

You are whatyou eat…

What do the French eat?

The French traditionally prepare 3 meals:breakfast in the morning; lunch between 12 and2 o’clock in the afternoon;and the evening mealat around 8 o’clock. French families get toge-ther at meal times and sit around a table laidwith a traditional dinner service. Other than‘le pain’ and ‘le vin’,meals are essentially made

up of a starter, a main dish, cheese and dessert.

Processed foods, less time for cooking, anddifferent fads have altered a lot of French peo-ple’s diets.More health-conscious than before,unlike in the past, they now choose food thathas a lower energy content, which makes fora lower sugar and fat consumption.Nevertheless, the art of gastronomy and regio-nal cooking are still going strong even if worldcuisine has obliged them to evolve.When theFrench have guests for dinner or celebrate aspecial event, their true“culinary” colours stillmanage to shine through.

On ordinary days, most French eat simplyand spend less time on everyday meals thanfor special occasions.One-third of the Frencheat breakfast in a ‘brasserie’ close to theirworkplace, in the canteen at work, or in a fastfood restaurant and are partial to the odd sand-wich.

Restaurants

Cheap eats

In France, food-catering services offer awide range of meal deals, and places to eat tosuit all pockets (over 120,000 catering outlets(traditional restaurants,cafés-restaurants,cafe-terias, etc). For a quick bite to eat, your bestbet is ‘les cafés-brasseries’ where you can ordera main meal on its own.

Bakeries and ‘charcuteries’ sell sandwiches;small local restaurants have set menus (bet-ween 9 and 15 ); and quick bites can also befound in pizzerias, Chinese take-aways, crois-sant bars, wine bars, crêpe stalls or fast-foodjoints. University canteens (see Chapter 3,p. 72) offer a wide range of choices at veryaffordable prices.


FRENCH EATING HABITS



Going out to a restaurant

When going out for a meal to celebrate aspecial occasion, consumers are spoilt forchoice when it comes to different cookingstyles and prices.There is the choice betweenregional French cuisine, foreign cooking, themecuisine (meat, fish, vegetarian restaurants),quality processed food restaurant chains, and

for the real food lovers: ‘la grande cuisine’(Gourmet cooking). In January 2008, new anti-smoking legislation came into force in France,and forbids smoking in all enclosed publicplaces. If there is more choice in Paris, then thebest value for food can be found in the townsand villages of the provinces where traditionis still very much alive.


Essential Information:Examples of average living expenses

euro

Alimentation

Bread : baguette (250g) 0.80Potatoes (1kg) 1.20Rice (500g) 1.90Rump steak (1kg) 18.60Cheese (1 camembert) 1.90Butter (250g) 1.40Eggs (6) 1.20Fruit (1kg) 1.52 à 5.34Milk (1 litre) > 0.90Cooking oil (1 litre) 1.83Table wine (1 litre) > 1.52Beer (6x25cl) 2.48Sugar (1kg) > 1.29Ground Coffee (250g) > 2.30Tea (100g) > 2.29Jam (250g) > 1.22

Public Transports SNCF

Here are some prices for 2nd class travel, singleticket (this is just a rough estimate becausethere are often a lot of different reductions orextra charges depending on the train youtake, the dates and times you travel, etc.)

Paris - Nice 90.70Paris - Bordeaux 56.10Bordeaux -Toulouse 27.60Rennes - Lyon 91.60People under 26 years of age can have a‘12-25’ rail card that entitles them to goodreductions on train journeys in France.

euro

Running a car (average costs)

1 litre of ‘super’ petrol 1.3791 litre of ‘gasoil’ (diesel) 1.289Parking ticket machine(parking by the hour in Paris) 2

Public transportin Paris

1 book of 10 metro-bus 11.10tickets (1 ticket permetro ride or per bus ride,regardless of the length of the journey in Paris)

Students under26years can apply for an ImagineRtransport thatenables themtotake thebusandthe metro (except OrlyVal) and the suburbantrains that are within their selected zones.Price for a year’s subscriptionto the card: 286.402 zones (Paris and surrounding suburbs, includinguniversity campuses of Paris I, II, III, IV,V,VI,VII,and IX)

Everyone else can apply for a ‘carte orange’transport card, which entitles them to moreor less the same advantages.Monthly card fare2 zones 16.305 zones 32.10Average taxi fares (1) 15.24(1) You will be charged 1- extra for each piece of luggage.

4


French eating habits

Essential Information:Examples of average living expenses (continued)

euro

In the Provinces

1 book of 10 bus tickets approx. 7.62(1 ticket is valid for one journey or for anhour). In Paris and in other big Frenchtowns, you can call a taxi.

Motorway Toll station fees

Paris/Lyon (461 km) 25.80Paris/Bordeaux (580 km) 43.80

Pastimes

National Museum visits 3.05 à 6.86(permanent collections)Admission is free in National Museums onthe first Sunday of the month.Other museums 3.81 à 7.62Exhibitions approx. 6,10(on a particular collection, an artist, an eraor theme).

Cinéma

Student rate 5.60Films 9

Reading

Books (average prices) 13.72‘Livres de Poche’ 1.83 à 6.10

Music

CD’s 16Concerts 7.62 à 76.22Free concerts organised by the‘Maison de la radio’, churches, etc.

euro

The Press

French newspapers- daily approx. 1.06-Weeklies 2.29 à 4.57

Foreign newspapers 1.25 à 2.29

Sport

Sports competitions:Matches 30.49 à 91.47Sports activities:Ice-skating approx. 3.81Ice-skate hire approx. 2.29Swimming 2.15 à 3.96

Trips to the Theatre and Variety shows

Trips to National theatresStudent rate approx. 10.80Opéra Bastille (opéra)or Garnier (ballet) 9.15 à 102.14Various theatres,music-halls 7.62 à 38.11Cafés-théâtres(2) 7.62 à 22.87Night-clubs, at theW.E(entry + 1 free drink) 20

Telephone calls

Card of 50 credits 7.50(on sale in France Telecom agenciesor in ‘cafés-tabacs’)

Snacks

Beer (a half pint) 1.80Café (at a table) 1.52Sandwiches 2.70 à 3.35

(2) If you order something (all kinds of drinks) duringthe show or when dining.


The French social security system is renownfor its solid structure.Most French people bene-fit from health costs insurance cover, mater-nity benefits, family allowance, unemploymentbenefits, and state pensions. Student socialsecurity is yet another benefit that the Frenchsystem provides.

A large part of the French social securitysystem is funded by employee salaries that figureon the companies turnover, and also by allot-ted tax contributions: ‘contribution socialegénéralisée’ (CSG) and the ‘contribution socialede solidarité des sociétés’ (CSSS) as well asdirect public taxation.

This system encompasses several areas:- Insurance cover that offers different policiesto cover health expenses (illness andmaternity cover,disability allowance,coverfor accidents in the workplace);

- Job-seekers allowance and complimentarybenefits from associations of the samecalibre;

- ‘les Caisses d’allocations familiales’ whichdeals with family allowance;

- ‘les Caisses complémentaires de retraite’which deals with ‘l’allocation supplémen-taire’, which provides people over 65 witha minimum state pension.

Healthcare foreveryone

Medicine

In France, medicine is free of charge.Everyone is entitled to choose their owndoctor (there are on average 342 doctors forevery 100 000 inhabitants,which can vary fromone region to another).You must distinguishbetween National Health doctors, for example,those who are registered with the social secu-rity.Their doctor visit fees are fixed in relationto the National Health refunding scale (22 €

for a general practitioner and between 28 €and 33 € for a specialist doctor) and non-National Health doctors whose fees are muchmore expensive.

Call outs during the night, on Sundays and onpublic holidays cost between 30 € and 50 € .

General Practitioners have set days forvisits and appointment times.They will mainlysee patients by appointment. Doctors’ num-bers are listed in the Telephone Directory.

Doctors on call

A list of Doctors on call throughout thenight, on Sundays and public holidays is avai-lable from pharmacies, police stations, andthe regional daily press.

Emergency Services

In emergencies, three numbers should benoted: for an ambulance or the ‘service ambu-lancier d’aide médicale urgente’ (SAMU), call 15;for Police rescue, call 17; and to report a fire,call 18.These services will take you to hos-pital if and when necessary. If you are callingfrom a mobile telephone, the emergency ser-vices can be reached on 112.

Student healthcare

Your university or institution of higher learningwill provide preventive medicine and wellnessservices called ‘Les services inter universitairesde médecine préventive et de promotion de lasanté’ (SIUMPPS). A multi-disciplinary team(doctors,nurses,psychologists,etc.) are at yourdisposal throughout the year.

SIUMPPS provides personalisedmedical visits(required for all first-time registrants to institu-tions of higher learning),appointments on request(consultation, referral, etc.), informational cam-paigns (contraception, nutrition, AIDS, etc.),issuance of medical certificates,and health orien-tations and screenings for students arriving inFrance.

FRENCH SOCIAL COVER


The European HealthCard

Since 1 January 2006, the European HealthCard has been available throughout Europe. InFrance, it replaces the E111 form and provideseasy access to medical care while abroad. Forfull information on this, go to the Europeanwebsite:http://ec.europa.eu/employment_social/health-card/citoyens_fr.htm#4c

What to do if you haveto go to hospital

Hospital infrastructures

State-run hospitals (there are more than1000) generally offer a better infrastructurethan their private counterparts.

Most doctors who work in hospitals will seepatients in hospital wards if they do not havean appointment and will see patients who havemade an appointment in private.

Hospital fees

The fee for a day in hospital varies according tothe typeof treatment thepatient receivesandwhichcare unit they stay in (coronary, surgery).The feesarepartly reimbursedbysocial security (see“StudentSocial security and Student Insurance companies”,chapter3,p.93).If treatment expenses inprivate cli-nics aremoreexpensive,theyarereimbursed inrela-tion to the National Health refunding scale, as are

doctors’ fees.Nevertheless,for all hospital stays lon-ger than a day,patientsmust pay a fee of 16 € perday. Student insurance companies can reimburseforeign students if they have complimentary cover.

Pharmacies

To purchase most medicine, you must havea doctor’s prescription to show to thepharmacist. Pharmacies monopolise medicinesales. In the provinces, they are open from 9am-7pm and in Paris from 9am-8pm and some areopen until 11pm.They are closed on Sundays,Monday mornings and public holidays.

24-hour pharmacies

Like doctors who are on call during thenight, some dispensaries are open all night.Opening hours are usually displayed on thedoor.

Otherwise, you can go to any police station.The police officers have a list of duty chemistsin their area.But you should always try the clas-sic emergency numbers or the police sta-tions first to find your nearest duty chemist.So, you dial 15 for the SAMU (medical help);17 for the Police, and 18 for the Fire Service.These emergency numbers are free of chargeand accessible from any telephone, even if theline has been cancelled, and even if there is nodialling tone.This is also the case for any tele-phone kiosk, and no card or other form of pay-ment is necessary.

Or consult the following websites:www.servigardes.frorwww.pharmaciesdegarde.com.

4


French social cover


The French Railway system

Famous for halving journey time, the highspeed train network ‘trains à grande vitesse’(TGV) go to the South East,the SouthWest,theWest and the North from Paris all the way tointernational stations. If the rail system has sca-led down its network, it has certainly made upfor it by picking up speed,thus representing com-petition for internal air links.The SNCF‘la SociétéNationale des Chemins de Fer’ also provides bigtowns with suburban rail transport (see p. 65).

Booking tickets

There are two ways to travel in France.Thefares are based on a basic kilometric price towhich supplements in relation to first orsecond-class travel, the type of train, and thetravel dates must be added.You can book byMinitel, on the web or by telephone; ticketscan be purchased in SNCF travel centres orin train stations at the ticket office or from theticket machines.

Reduced fares

There are memberships, reduced rates anda number of other discounts ‘Carte 12-25’,‘découverte 12-25’,‘découverte à deux’. For allenquiries, you can contact OTU centres, trainstations, SNCF travel centres or look on the

website www.sncf.com;or you may call:08 92 3535 35 ( 0.34 a minute) or the computerised help-line: 08 92 67 68 69 ( 0.20 a minute).

On the road in France

Motorways in France

The‘autoroutes’ (over 9300 kmworth),‘routesnationales’, ‘départementales’, ‘communales’(971,723 km in total) represent a rather well runand efficient road network.

Coach travel

There are several fast coach travel compa-nies that provide a national and internationalcoach service for short to average distancejourneys.The SNCF has a coach service.Touroperators, travel agents and the SNCF arrangebus trips to most sights of interest to tourists.

Travelling by car

All the traffic in France amounts to 708 mil-lion passenger-kilometres.Although maintainingan automobile is still expensive (price of fuel,general maintenance, tolls), motorway trans-port by individually owned cars seems to beon the rise in France.

Information about itinerary,tariffs,andmotor-

A MODERN SYSTEM OFCOMMUNICATON


At the wheel:

•You drive on the right.• The speed limit is generally 130 kph onmotorways (110 kph in the rain) and 50 kphin built-up areas.• Drunk driving (over 0.50g/ l of alcohol in theblood) is dealt with very severely, resulting inthe loss of your driving licence.• Parking in towns (usually pay and display) ishighly regulated. If you park illegally in towncentres, the car may be towed away and you

will have to pay a fine to recover it.• Stiff fines are exacted for using bus and taxislanes.• Seat bells must be worn in the back as wellas in the front.•Driversmust always carry their driving licence,’carte grise’ (ownership document) and insu-rance document.

way services and traffic news is available onthe website: www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fror by telephone: 0 826 022 022 (info direct).

As in many other countries, ‘auto-stop’exists in France.For information on how to tra-vel safely and for less, travellers are encoura-ged to contact one of the Auto-stopassociations (small registering fee and jointcontribution with the driver to petrol costs):

‘Allo Stop’30 rue Pierre Sémard75009 ParisTel.: 01 53 20 42 42www.allostop.net

Internal flights

The many French airline companies haveflights to most big towns in France and offer anumber of reduced fares especially for students.

Where can I find out about flights?You can ask for information at the OTU,

travel agents, and airline companies or look ontheADP‘aéroport de Paris’ website:www.adp.fr

Public towntransport

Bus and metro

In most provincial towns, there are bus ortramway systems. Some big towns (Marseilles,Lyon,Lille andToulouse) have an undergroundtrain service. In the provinces, students usuallybenefit from reduced transport fares.

Parisian public transport

In Paris, the underground ‘metro’ system isthe most popular means of transport and islinked with the ‘réseau express régional (RER),which has lines running across the capital cityand extend to the suburbs.When you have timeon your hands, a bus ride is a good way to dis-cover Paris and its surrounding suburbs. Allpublic transport is run by the ‘RégieAutonomedes Transports Parisiens’ (RATP).

Other than single tickets or books of tensingle tickets,most passengers have weekly ormonthly ‘Carte orange’ transport passes thatare adapted to their travels around the city (seep.110).

For further information, visit the RATP website at www.ratp.fr or call on 32 46(0.34 € TTC/mn).

RATP telephone enquiries- 7am to 9pm Monday to Friday- 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday and public

holidays

4


A modern system of communication


Postal and telephoneservices

‘La Poste’ (the French postal system),whoseemblem is that of an abstract blue bird on ayellow background,delivers mail, telegrams,etc.(see ‘La Poste’ in a nutshell p.117).

France Telecom is responsible for tele-phone services, (landlines and mobiles,) telex,fax and an Internet service (Orange)

There are some 17 000 Post Offices all overFrance. In Paris, the ‘La Poste’ head office pro-vides “round the clock” service to the publicon rue du Louvres.

Telephone

Under the influence of the ever-expandingnew technology industry and with competitionat its peak, the telecommunications industryhas been noted for its strong economic boomand lowering of prices abroad.

FranceTelecom,which provides telephone,telex, fax,Minitel, and internet access services,monopolised the telecommunications sectoruntil early 1998 when other telephone com-panies such as ‘9 telecom’ (‘le 9’), ‘Télé 2’ (‘le4’), and ‘Cegetel’, the land line operator, cameonto the scene.

The price of telephone calls depends on thetime you make a call, who you are calling andthe length of the call (from 0.034 € perminute for a local call to 0.091 € per minutefor calls to another department).

The mobile telephone sector has been agreat success to date (with 55 million mobiletelephones in use in France 2007). In Francethe mobile telephone market is shared bet-ween 3 giant operators: ‘Orange, ‘SFR’ and‘BouyguesTelecom’.You must subscribe for ayear and you can renew your subscription auto-matically. There are also ‘pay as you go’ deals(without contracts) where call costs are a lothigher.

Before choosing a mobile phone, you arestrongly advised to shop around and look atthe different deals on offer from each operator.

If all else fails, there are telephone boxes inmost public places: Post offices, train stations,metros, shopping centres as well as on thestreet.To make calls, you need a telephone card(‘télécarte’: approx. 7.50 € for 50 credits) ora credit card with a magnetic chip.The call costsare then directly debited from the account.

French telephone numbers are made up of10 digits; the first two digits correspond to thearea code:

01 for Ile de France02 for the Northwest03 for the Northeast04 for the Southeast and Corsica05 for the Southwest.

To phone France from abroad,dial [00] then[33], then the number of your correspondent,knocking off the 0.

To phone abroad from France,dial [00], andthen the country code, then the number ofyour correspondent.

International directory enquiries: 3212(3 € from a land line,2.5 € with a phone cardfrom a phone box).

For complimentary information: dial 1014.To find out about all French Telecom

services as well as France Telecom agencyaddresses, visit www.francetelecom.fr


4


A modern system of communication

Useful Information:‘La Poste’ in a nutshell

At the Post Office, you can carry out the followingtransactions:• send letters and parcels by regular orrecorded delivery post;• purchase stamps at 0.55 € for a package thatweighs 20 g or less to be sent anywhere inEurope.There are self-service stampmachinesin many post offices. Stamps are also sold in‘tabacs’ or ‘cafés-tabacs’;• purchase ready-to-send stamped envelopesand packaging;• send an urgent document via ‘Chronopost’that guarantees to send all post in France inthe space of 24 hours, as well as sendingexpress post abroad;• to have your post sent ‘poste restante’;

• send faxes;• make photocopies (each Post Office isequipped with a photocopier);• buy phone cards;• change currency (in some Post offices);• send or receive postal orders;• withdraw money or put it into an account:you can open a Post Office current account(‘CCP compte courant postal’) in any Postoffice.• For further information about the differentservices that ‘La Poste’ has to offer:visit www.laposte.fr.• Many Post offices give you the chance tocreate your own e-mail address and to surf theinternet.

Internet

Internet is a public network that enables people:•To open an e-mail account to send as wellas receive electronic messages around theworld in a few seconds;• To take part in online ‘chat room’ virtualdiscussion groups on various topics;• Make general enquiries and have access toall kinds of information;•To download online files, software, images,music and other free data;

•To make bank account transactions online.Many banks have currently set up online ban-king services so that clients can check theiraccounts, pay bills, etc.There are now moreand more services that can be purchasedonline.•There are currently millions of people whohave access to the system: individuals, smalland medium-sized businesses, associations,schools, universities and governments.


January 2002 marked the birth of theEuropean single currency:the Euro.Consumersin euro zone countries (excluding Great Britain,Denmark and Sweden) now all, therefore, usethe same moneyin the fifteen countries whichconstituted the Eurozone on 1st January 2008(out of the twenty seven countries of theEuropean Union).

French banksTwo of France’s biggest banks,of which two

are among the top ten banks in Europe, havemany branches all over France.They are cur-rently issuing millions of bank credit cards totheir clients.

Not only can these cards be used to pay forgoods and services in the majority of shops,but you can use them to withdraw cash fromcash points in banks,Post offices, train stations,airports, shopping centres and in some depart-ment stores.Annual card fees range from 15

to 40 € depending on whom you bank with.In the beginning, cards had magnetic strips

and were called memory cards.Now they haveelectronic microchips and are used essentiallyfor payment in replacement of cash but can alsobe used for other functions.

Distribution

‘Grandes Surfaces’ andDepartment stores

The French buy most of their food andhousehold goods in ‘grandes surfaces’ (super-markets).

Department stores sell a very wide rangeof clothes,books,hi-fi electrical equipment, andluxury goods (perfume and cosmetics).

CONSUMERISM


Banking servicesAll foreign nationals who stay in France for

3months or longermust open a resident’s bankaccount.

For stays of 3 months or less, students cango to a bank or the Post office to open a bankaccount ‘compte chèque postal’ (CCP).

A modest amount of money is needed toopen an account.You can putmoney from yourfamily and study grants into your account,if thestudent is a grant-holder and their grant com-pany gives them permission to do so.

To open a resident bank account in euros,you need three essential documents:•A Passport•A resident’s card• Proof of a fixed home address (telephone orelectricity bill,rent receipt,housing lease,etc.).

Once you have opened an account,youwillbe given a chequebook and/or a credit card.

Chequebooks are usually free of charge.Youare annually charged anywhere between 15 and40 depending on the type of card and whoyou bank with, for a card that is valid for twoyears.

Opening an account is usually free.However,you do have to pay for some services (forexample, to stop your card if and when lostor stolen orwhen youwould like to close youraccount).

You can use bankcards to withdrawmoneyfrom all Post offices and bank cash points (evenif it is not the same bank). Cash points pro-vide around the clock services and they acceptseveral different cards (“Visa”, “Eurocard”,etc.).

You can use your card to pay for goodsworth around 15 € plus in shops.

Mail order shopping

Mail order shopping covers a large part of theconsumer market and sends out catalogues dis-playing their products at very competitive prices.You can order goods thatwill be delivered to yourdoor via minitel, the web, by telephone or mailorder.

Specialised boutiques and shoppingarcades

There are plenty of specialised boutiques andshopping arcades that sell high quality productsand well-known brands of perfume, clothing,leisurewear and goods, etc.

Student reductions

Some boutiques and shops have student reduc-tions from 5 to 10% off their goods.

4


Consumerism

Holiday time in France

Each summer in France, economic activityslows down.Many shops close inAugust,thereis less traffic in town, and the motorwaysbecome heavily congested. It is strongly advi-sed to book train and plane tickets well inadvance.

With 5 weeks paid holiday, 65 % of Frenchpeople go on holiday while millions of foreign

tourists come to France for their holidays,usually staying in hotels, campsites, or rentedhouses.

It is a season that gives a student the oppor-tunity to become a tourist and explore thetown they are staying in and to travel aroundFrance.

Useful InformationThe Euro

TheTreaty of Maastricht of 1992 proposedthe introduction of a single European currencyto underpin the economic and monetaryunion. In 1995 the 15 member states of theEuropeanUnion agreed on its name,the euro.They established the conditions,the timetableand the terms for the change to the single cur-rency. The coins and notes were introducedon 1st of January 2002 in 12 countries of theEurozone with a period of simultaneous cir-culation of the euro with national currencies.

In 2008,fifteenmember states made up theEurozone: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain,Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland,Luxemburg,Holland and Portugal (from 1st of

January 2002), Slovenia (from 1st of January2007),Cyprus and Malta (from 1st of January2008).

Denmark,Sweden and theUnited Kingdomhave, for the time being, decided to stay out-side the Eurozone. The other states whichentered the Union in 2004 (Estonia,Hungary,Latvia,Lithuania,Poland,theCzechRepublic andSlovakia), as well as Romania and Bulgaria,members of the EU since 1st of January 2007,have still to satisfy certain economic criteriain order to join the Eurozone. However, assoon as they are ready they will join.



Useful InformationA couple of ideas for holidays

• Youth Hostels:- The ‘Fédération Unie des Auberges de

Jeunesse’,which is amember of the‘FédérationInternationale desAuberges de Jeunesse’,whohave 170 hostels in France. A year’s mem-bership costs 10.70 € for under 26’s and15.25 € for 26+. It is the only card that isvalid in over 4200 hostels abroad.To sign upand to receive a catalogue or a list of Frenchhostels and their addresses, contact theFUAJ:

Antenne de Paris27, rue Pajol75018 ParisTel.: 01 44 89 87 27www.fuaj.org

- The FUAJ advises you to contactyour country of origin’s youth hostelassociation to purchase your card and makereservations.

• ‘Gîtes’ in France:Their brochures advertise short breaks,

and propose a large choice of houses orlodgings (weekly or weekend rentals in a‘Gîterural’, overnight stay with breakfast in gues-trooms and occasionally a buffet supper). Itis one of the most pleasant ways to exploreFrance when on holiday and to enjoy somefresh air.

If you would like to find out more about‘gites’ and would like to receive a national orregional catalogue of your choice, pleasecontact:

‘la Maison des gîtes de Franceet du tourisme vert’59, rue Saint-Lazare,75439 Paris Cedex 9Tel.: 01 49 70 75 75

You will find all the necessary informationand more, and you can reserve online at:www.gites-de-France.fr

Practical InformationThe international student card

The International student identity card(ISIC) offers more than 37,000 discounts andservices (8,000 in France) in 118 countriesworldwide,on flights,cultural activities,accom-modation, entertainment…

All discounts and services are listed in a bro-chure provided when the card is bought at acost of 12 €.

To find out more, go to the website:www.carteisic.com

The wealth and richness of the French media,cultural environment and attitude to leisure aresecond to none.Outside of a university contextthat is packed with cultural and leisure activi-ties, students are often spoilt for choice.

The French media

Freedom of the press

Freedom of expression was fostered inboth the ‘Déclaration des droits de l’Hommeet du Citoyen’ (Human Rights) in 1789 and the‘liberté de la presse’ in July 1881, that togetherrepresented a fundamental right that paved theway to pluralism.

French newspapers

The readership of the daily press has beendeclining for the last twenty-five years. In 1973,one-half of the French population read a news-paper every day or almost every day compa-red to one-third today.Nevertheless,the Frenchregional press has gained a much larger rea-dership of roughly two out of every threepeople.

The Paris region is a strong consumer ofnational daily newspapers.Almost 49 % of thepopulation of Ile de France read a national dailyfairly regularly, of which 28% read one almostevery day.Only 37% read regional newspapers.The specialised mainstream newspapers havegrown considerably and have become morediversified (press forwomen,radio and television,sports, etc.).

Press editing firms

Press editing companies that play a keyinternational role in developing links betweencountries and that have had to adapt to thechanges in new technology and computerisationare extremely abundant.There are 300 press-editing firms of which 10 are part of an inter-national set.

Press agencies

There are 200 or so press agencies inFrance (newspapers, photography agencies,audio-visuel companies).The most importantplayer in the international arena is the ‘AgenceFrance Presse’ (who boasts a team of over 200journalists).The‘Agence France Presse’ suppliesthe media with news and photographs and hasa following of thousands of worldwide sub-scribers.

The Frenchaudiovisual galaxy

Radio and Television are the main sourcesof information and entertainment.On average,the French spend 3 hours in front of the tele-vision each day.

State-run broadcasting sector

This is made up of one organisation,‘Télédiffusion de France’ (TDF),which mono-polises broadcasting in France.

A National broadcasting group named‘France Télévision’, which owns ‘France 2’, ageneral terrestrial television channel, ‘France3’ that broadcasts different programmes on 11regional channels, and ‘France 5’, known as thechannel of ‘savoir et connaissance’ for intel-lectuals. ‘Radio France’ brings together natio-nal and regional radio stations, offers its variedaudience interests as different as the news toculture, music and shows. Radio is also a good


MEDIA, CULTURE & LEISURE

Media, culture and leisure4


way of getting people together to swap ideas onthe airwaves and to hold live debates. ‘Radio-France Internationale’ (RFI) is the nation’s inter-national radio stationsalongwithoverseas televisionchannels and radio stations: ‘l’outre-mer français’,‘Radio-France outre-mer’ (RFO).

The Public sector also owns part of theFranco-German channel ‘Arte’ which is res-ponsible for French programmes broadcastoverseas by ‘TV5’. It is supplemented by theproduction company, ‘la Société française deproduction’ (SFP) and a preservation company,vocational training and production, ‘l’Institutnational de l’audiovisuel’ (INA), which is nowresponsible for all audio-visual works.

Private radio & televisionbroadcasting sector

The private sector offers TF1 generalterrestrial television, M6, predominantly amusic channel,Canal +, a channel that you haveto subscribe to, and some 250 specialisedchannels both French and foreign.These chan-nels are broadcast by satellite or cable televi-sion and show sport, cinema, documentaries,information, and music.There are ten regio-nal channels and two peripheral channels,‘TMC’ and ‘RTL’.There are ten or so produc-tion companies that supply both national andprivate TV programmes.

In terms of radio stations,the French territoryis covered by the big regional and peripheralradio stations that broadcast to the nation:‘Europe 1 & 2, RTL, Radio Monte-Carlo, SudRadio’ and several dozen local FM radio stations,some of which are united by a network.

The French digital television service (TNT)made its appearance on 31 March 2005 andbroadcasts digital TV channels throughoutFrance. Any home equipped with a standardaerial and a TNT adaptor can receive 18 freechannels and around 10 subscription channels.

Theatre, cinema andcultural activities

The Parisian privilege

In Paris, about 250 plays and over 300 filmsare shown every week.All provincial towns areequipped with theatres and organise festivals,exhibitions and all kinds of cultural activities.

Going to the Theatre

Sixty or so theatres are directly attached to theMinistry of Culture whilst being subsidised by thelocal authorities.So-called‘scènes nationales’ oftenhave several stages under one roof and exhibitionrooms.

There are also a great deal of small privatetheatres that belong to town councils and whosecultural activities are very active arranging varietyshows, film clubs, and exhibitions each year.

Student reductions

Students are entitled to reduced rates inmany theatres and concert halls.Cheap ticketsfor some activities can be purchased at theCROUS.

Going to the cinema

Going to the cinema remains a favouritepastime and is extremely popular with the12/25 years of age group,which makes up halfthe audience.

The Cinema industry in France accounts foralmost 4,700 projection rooms, of which 732are ‘d’art et d’essai’ cinemas (that show oldclassics or experimental films) and a thousandare multi-cinema complexes (3,400 projectionrooms). French films make up a large part ofthe cinema industry in France (between 120and 200 films per year), and yet the industrystill finds room to welcome international films.New films come out in the cinema everyWednesday in Paris as well as in the Provinces.


Film clubs

Film-clubs or‘Ciné-clubs’ can be found inevery town. Other than ‘la Cinémathèquefrançaise’, in the Cinema museum at the Palaisde Chaillot, there is the ‘cinémathèque duCentre Georges-Pompidou’ (Beaubourg) andthe video library in the forum des Halles.

Student reductions

In the majority of cinemas, students canbenefit from special rates by showing their studentcard. The giant Paris-based French cinemacompanies (UGC, Gaumont, and Pathé) offerspecial subscription deals and loyalty cards.

A museumin each town

Museums can be found in every town andsometimes even in villages. About 73% ofFrench people visit at least one museum or onemonument each year.The most visited sightsare the Louvre, the Château deVersailles andthe Georges-Pompidou Centre.

France officially counts 33 national museums,half of which are outside of Paris, and 1,078museums that are ‘classés ou contrôlés’ by theauthorities in France who guarantee theirscientific and cultural quality.These generallybelong to the territorial communities.However, alongside these ‘quality assured’museums, you will find several other esta-

blishments (over 8,000 and growing) that aremanaged by various ministries, associations,municipalities, institutions or private citizens.Of note are the ‘Musées de la Ville de Paris’(Museums of the City of Paris), the NaturalHistory museum,Army and Navy museums, the‘Centre national d’Art et de Culture Georges-Pompidou’ (Beaubourg) that accommodatesthe ‘musée national d’Art moderne’ (nationalmuseum of modern art), Science andTechnology museums,‘La Cité des Sciences etde l’Industrie de la Villette,’ and ‘Futuroscope’in Poitiers.

Monuments and sites ofarchaeological interest

A number of sites of archaeologicalinterest and historical monuments cling toFrance’s ‘patrimoine’. 25,200 monuments areprotected and 3,700 monuments are listed witha preservation order on them (4,260 of whichare churches and 1,470 are ‘châteaux’).Thousands of other monuments and sites arelisted but are often in ruins.

Libraries and sourcesof information

Public libraries

There are many libraries in all French towns,including about 4,170 public libraries,and a hun-

Complete lists of all French cultural eventsand activities are available on theministry ofCulture’s website atwww.culture.gouv.fr/culture/actualites/arts/index.htm

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Media, culture & leisure


dred or so rural community libraries with amobile library service, ‘bibliobus’, and severalthousands of private libraries. 6 million Frenchpeople are members of a library.

Specialised librariesStudents have access to the libraries in

their colleges and universities to help themwith their research modules.There are addi-tionally 84 university or inter-university libra-ries and a dozen or so other libraries andspecialist documentation centres, togetherwith data banks.The ‘Cité Internationale Universitaire de Paris’library is open everyday to overseas students:

- mid-October to mid-June,Monday to Fridayfrom10amto10pm,Saturday andSunday from1pmto 7pm.

- mid-June to mid-October,Monday to Friday10am to 7pm.

Five specialised libraries (Germany,Argentina, Spain, Japan, and Mexico) are alsoopen to students. For information, visitwww.ciup.fr/bibliotheque.htm.

The Grand Parisian libraries

Founded in 1386, the ‘Bibliothèque Nationale’(la BN) in Paris has over 13 million volumes plusall the‘presse-information-publications’ forover twocenturies (all publications there-fore are protectedfrom copyright). ‘La Bibliothèque Nationale deFrance’ (BNF) has been open to the public on theTolbiac campus sinceDecember 1996.Aftermuchexpansion,it now provides a reading area that canaccommodate 1,600 people and holds 180,000volumes, 2,500 of which are periodicals.The col-lections come with ‘microformes’; there is a digi-tal library and an audio-visual and multimedialibrary. Students have free access to the BNFwhere they can look at reference catalogues in thelibrary, such as the ‘BN-Opale’ (which lists 2 mil-lion books, periodicals and computer file refe-rences), ‘BN-Opaline’, etc.

The research library offers 2,000 work boothsfor accredited readers. Specialised department

collections including maps, prints, photographs,manuscripts,coins,medals,antiques,music,andper-forming arts will remain at ‘Richelieu’ where theywill be on show again.

The Georges-Pompidou Centre’s publicinformation library,a non-circulating library thatrequires no subscription, is very popular withstudents.

Since 1945 the library and the‘Documentationfrançaise’ centres provide the public and especiallystudents with several hundred thousand differentworks, studies, periodicals, official publications,documentation files,etc.onpolitical,social andeco-nomic current affairs in France and the rest of theworld.

Boarding houses,lodgings & youthhostels

MJC centres (Youth & culture centres)

To take part in cultural activities outside ofuniversity, the ‘Maisons des Jeunes et de laCulture’ (MJC),which are open to everyone,arefinanced by theMinistry of youth and sports andlocal authorities.They organise a wide range ofactivities for students.

MJC centres double up as good places tomeetpeople and indulge in leisure activities. Joining inwith the activities (workshops,photo developing,literature or artistic activities such as theatre,

To learn more, visitwww.ladocumentationfrancaise.fr.

To learn more, visit www.bpi.fr on theinternet.

For further information, see www.bnf.fr


conferences,film clubs,and exhibitions) at theMJCcentres enables students to see where theirstrengths lie.There are 600 MJC centres among

11 regional confederations and the MJCConfederation in France (CMJCF: 900).

For further information or to obtain a list ofthe MJC regional centres, contact the FFMJC:

15, rue la Condamine75017 ParisTél. : 01 44 69 82 25www.ffmjc.org

or the CMJCF :

168 bis, rue Cardinet75017 ParisTél. : 01 44 85 29 50www.mjc-cmjcf.asso.fr

‘Les Foyers d’éducation populaire’

There are 22 regional unions,102 departmentalfederations,and 33,000 affiliated associations or‘foyers d’éducation populaire’.Their aim is to helpstudents meet people and meet personal goalsthrough activities.

For all enquiries and to obtain a list of regio-nal‘foyers’,please contact the‘Ligue Française del’enseignement et de l’éducation. Permanente’:

3, rue Récamier,75341 Paris Cedex 07Tél. : 01 43 58 97 31www.laligue.org

Sport & keeping fit

Taking part in sporting activities

One out of two French people engage insport activities from time to time.One out often of them train regularly,and over 6 and a halfmillion French people are signed up with theOlympic Federation,of which there are almost2 million participants in football and 1.3 millionin tennis.

Outside of free sport at university (seeChapter3,p.89), there are towns with public and privateswimming pools, sports halls and fitness equip-ment that students can use for a reduced rate.Thousands of local sporting associations offer stu-dents the chance to train and to use their com-munal facilities.Further information and addressesare available from theTown hall.

Sports associations

In France there are approximately 700,000sports associations.60,000 are created each year.A lot of them are sports-orientated (over 20%are football associations), but there are othersthat are oriented toward culture, science, lei-sure, collectors, games, mutual aid, etc.

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Media, culture & leisure

5STUDYINGIN FRANCE

5French higher education system

A few guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 130

French higher educationEstablishments & disciplines

Short courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 133Long courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 133

Short vocational courses(BTS, DUT, DEUST)

All you need to know about:ONISEP and CampusFrance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 137

“Higher Education in France” organigram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 138

Studying at a French university

Broad area study subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 139The LMD system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 140• The Licence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 140• Choosing a licence course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 140• Choosing a masters course . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 143Postgraduate research (‘troisième cycle - Doctorat’) . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 145Vocational or specialised courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 145• ‘Licence professionnelle’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 146• MIAGE, MSG and MST courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 146• IUP vocational courses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 146• IUFM’s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 1483rd cycle vocational courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 148• ‘Le Magistère’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 148• ‘Le DRT’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 148• Engineering courses at university . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 148• ‘Le DESS’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 149The Master Pro (former DESS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 149Health Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 152

5Studying at one of France’s ‘Grandes Ecoles’

Preparation classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 156• Preparation courses in Literature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 156• Preparation courses in Economics and Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 157• Preparation courses BCPST . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 157• Preparation courses in Science-related subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 158The ‘Ecoles Normales Supérieures’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 158Engineering schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 160Business and management schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 162Other ‘Grandes Ecoles’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 163Other prestigious institutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 165

Courses in vocational subjects

Social work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 167Aeronautical studies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 167Agriculture, ‘agri-business’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 167Paramedical studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 167Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 168Creative arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 168Fine arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 168Professions in cultural heritage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 170Performing arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 171Music and opera studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 172Dance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 172Audio-visual arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 173Images and Sound. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 173Journalism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 174Interpreting and translation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 175Other disciplines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 175Agricultural Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 176

Making the most of Your studies

Your study plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 178Changing courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 178Finding the right path of study . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 179European programmes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 179

130 - I’m going to france

A history of Frencheducation

An institution of old tradition

After the Revolution in 1789, at a time whenmany public higher education and research-rela-ted establishments were built, such as ‘leConservatoire National des Arts et Métiers’(CNAM) in 1794 and ‘le Musée d’HistoireNaturelle’,many schoolswere opened aswell suchas‘Polytechniques’ and in 1794,‘Ecoles normalessupérieures’ .This was done in order to accom-modate the needs of a growing industrial society.

Over the course of the 19th century, highereducation branched out into three domains:

- ‘Les facultés’ (founded by Imperial demand,in conjunctionwith the‘université de France’in 1808).Napoléon I used the term ‘univer-sité’ to represent all French higher educationestablishments, including: ‘lycées’ (colleges),secondary schools, and schools specialisingin training teachers, lawyers and doctors.AHeadmaster and a Ministry in Paris gover-ned all of the above schools.

- Specialised schools or ‘grandes écoles’ thatwere both educational and research-relatedand where admission was based on entryexam (Ecole normale supérieure,Ecole poly-technique, Ecole des sciences politiques,created in 1871, etc.).

- Prestigious schools of scientific study (Collègede France,Ecole pratique desHautes études,Muséum d’histoire naturelle,etc.) that werenot reserved for a select few students, butthat prided themselves on their excellencein laboratory research.

The current education system

Theold systemwasmaintained until 1968.Afterthe student protests in France in May 1968, the12thNovember 1968 act called for restructuringof the French education system,with the excep-tion of the ‘grandes écoles’.

Faculties were closed down and replaced byuniversities to make a connection between tea-ching and research. From then on, these multi-disciplinary establishments therefore had thetask of coming up with an original way of com-bining the three components of study:knowledge,observation and reflection. Universities gainedindependence and opened their doors to eve-ryone, including outsiders.

The 26th January 1984 Higher Education actlaid the legal foundations on which the organi-sation of today’s legal system for state-run highereducation is currently based.

The State Higher Education Service encom-passes all of the post-baccalaureate courses inuniversities and schools. It is associated withvariousministriesHigher Education andResearch,Agriculture, Health, the Arts, and Defence).Like the 1968 education act, it was assigned themission of developing courses on a cultural andvocational level, to promote knowledge, cultureand good international relations. It based itself onthe basic principals that were defined in the 1968act:autonomy,involvement andmulti-faculty lear-ning whilst adding a new dimension:‘vocationali-sation’ or vocational training.

In order to cater to the increase in demand(student numbers) for higher education, a newcontracting policy was decided upon by highereducation establishments and the Ministry ofEducation’s administrative body.Through nego-tiations with the government, universities and‘grandes écoles’ created four-year contracts thatoutlined the missions set by the education sys-tem and the course orientation that was definedby the State.Each establishment had to define themain points of their contract,whilst considering:

- its national and international ranking;- the increase in the number of students andits consequences on the courses offered(diversity,teachingmethods,in-house training,vocational training, helping students to findwork experience, etc.);

-Objectives for improving students’ qualityof life;

THE FRENCHHIGHER EDUCATION SYSTEMA FEW GUIDELINES…

Studying in France5

- Objectives for a national and internationalscientific policy;

- Conditions for better organisation of coursesand research into winning combinations ofskills.

The ‘contracting’ policy was supported bymore self-governed establishments and is desti-ned to favour the creation of courses that pro-vide students with original skills and initiatives.

U3M plan

Evolution of the current situation made wayfor a new plan for the development of higher edu-cation and research, otherwise known as‘Université du troisième millénaire’ (U3M).Theplan defines the higher education systems’priorities and the main ideas of their futureprojects, including:

- Improving the running of all establishments,whilst encouraging different organisationsto work together;

- Promoting open-mindedness and inter-national mobility;

- Developing new InformationTechnology sys-tems‘nouvelles technologies d’information etde communication’ (NTIC);

- Developing research.Fundingof theU3Mplanwill beprovidedby the

‘Contrat de Plan Etat – Région’ for the 2000-2006period.

Even though student numbers have evened out,the French higher education system is going tohave to face up to new challenges.These new chal-lenges include the deployment of teaching staff

over the next fifteen years, international com-petition in terms of research and courses on offer,and the development of new InformationTechnology systems. These three factors willplay a decisive role in the evolution of academicorganisation and research in higher education.

Perspectives

Since the appeal addressed to the Sorbonnein 1998 by the four ministers of higher educationof Germany, Italy, Great Britain and France andthe conferences in Bologne (1999) and Prague(2001),32 European countries have since startedconstruction on a European centre for higher lear-ning, or ‘espace européen de l’enseignementsupérieur’.

Based on the mutual recognition of trainingquality and diplomas of different national systems,European harmonisation of diplomas implies:

- accreditation of education according to a sys-tem of credits or ECTS (European CreditTransfer System) that can be transferred fromone establishment to another;each course isweighted with credits that the student canobtain in one university or even several diffe-rent universities;

- Organisation of education in semesters andinstructional units (unités d’enseignementsor UE);

- A plan of advanced studies based on 3 levelsof diplomas according to the “L.M.D” fra-mework: Licence (Bac + 3),Masters (Bac +5),Doctorate (Bac + 8).The licence is accre-ditedwith 180 credits (6 semesters of 30 cre-dits), theMasters with 120 additional credits(4 semesters of 30 credits) or 300 credits forthe complete curriculum available in two ave-nues, the professional Masters and the

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The French higher education systemA few guidelines…


research Masters,which leads to the Doctorate,accredited with 120 credits.However, the natio-nal diplomas such as the DEUG,the DEUST andthe DUT will continue to be issued at the inter-mediate level of 120 credits.Likewise,theMaîtrisewill still be issued after 60 post-licence credits;

- Extended procedures for accreditingprofessional (VAE) background that hence-forth will take into consideration a candida-te’s past work experience. For example, thisprocedure allows for the issuance of a com-plete diploma on the basis of work experiencealone,presupposing the approval of a dulyman-dated committee.

Adopting a harmonised European frameworkfor advanced education in France implies amodu-lar educational structure aiming to:

- guaranteemore flexible,diversified,andmulti-disciplinary educational paths according to thegoals and profiles of the students;

- facilitate the process for directionalprogression or re-direction by supporting astructure that provides pathways betweendifferent types of curriculum;

- integrate all forms of mobility between edu-cational and professional activities by accre-diting experience acquired, and amongcountries and educational establishments byaccrediting various types of curriculum;

- to ensure that a diploma will be perfectlyrecognisable fromone institution to anotherand from one country to another, it will beaccompanied by a diploma supplement,or adescriptive appendix that details the ins-tructional content and aptitude acquired bythe student throughout his university career.

This reform of the so-called“L.M.D.” is imple-mented through a contract that each institutionof higher educationwill signwith theGovernment:the institutions are asked towork together to spellout their strategies and todefine the courseof edu-cationwithin each discipline aswell as the contentto be offered and diplomas to be conferred.

The law concerning the freedom andresponsibilities of the universities

Law nº2007-1199 of 10August 2007 concer-ning the freedom and responsibilities of the uni-versities (known as the LRU law or the Pécresselaw),initially entitled the law supporting the orga-nisation of the new university, and generally cal-led the Law on the autonomy of universities, isa French law brought in by the FillonGovernment.The bill was announced at the end of May 2007,and drawn up in June 2007,with the social part-ners and organisations representing students,bythe Minister of Higher Education and Research,Valérie Pécresse. For the French executive, thelaw sought three objectives:“to make universityattractive”,“to end the paralysis of the currentgoverning system” and“to give research in Frenchuniversities an international profile”.

The first of these objectives tackled the pro-blem of the number of students dropping out ofdiploma courses after the first year, and thelength of time it took to find employment aftercompleting a diploma; the second dealt with therole ofmediation previously devolved to universityprincipals; and the third, the position of Frenchestablishments in international rankings.This newlaw set up a new organisation for the universi-ties within one year, and ensure more auto-momy within a maximum of five years. Equally,it changed the system of governing the univer-sity (the roles of central councils and of univer-sity principals) and put into place a system forpre-enrolment for university. It also includedother measures related to universities.

Studying in France5

The FrenchHigher Education system is notedfor its large variety of universities, schools andcolleges, for which the organisation and entryrequirements vary according to the type of esta-blishment and the kind of course you want tostudy.

The higher education system is based on acomplementary three-tier system comprising:

- Universities,state and public multi-faculty col-leges that offer diverse, broad area and spe-cialised subject courses of all levels based ona programme of three successive years ofstudy or‘cycles’.Universities are open to stu-dents who have a‘baccalaureate’ or its consi-dered equivalent, and there is no selectionprocess.

- ‘Grandes écoles’ (of Science especially),Technology andBusiness studies offer studentsa high level of specialised study that is gea-red towards a specific profession.Applicantsare subjected to a strict selection process.‘Grandes écoles’ are either run by the stateor are public fee-paying establishments.Theyare financially dependent on the Ministry ofEducation and other ministries, including theministries of health, Defence and Trade andIndustryAgriculture and Fisheries..

- Specialised schools that cover a wide rangeof vocational courses and that offer coursesthat are related to a specific profession:Acting,Nursing, Journalism, etc.There are numerous course possibilities interms of level and length of study.There arespecialised state schools, ‘consular’ schools,

which are financially dependent on theChambers ofTrade& Industry,aswell as publicfee-paying schools.

All three establishments offer students bothshort and long higher education courses.

Short courses

Short courses range from 2-3 years and aremostly concerned with industrial, tertiary andparamedical fields.The following programmes arediploma courses:

- The ‘Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie’(DUT) is a two-year programme taught in oneof the‘Instituts Universitaires deTechnologie’(IUT) that are part of the universities.Admissions are subject to a selection process.

- ‘Brevet de Technicien Supérieur’ (BTS) is atwo-year programme that is taught at a‘Sections deTechniciens Supérieurs’ (STS) infurther education colleges; candidates areadmitted on the basis of their applicationform.

- ‘Diplôme d’EtudesUniversitaires ScientifiquesetTechniques’ (DEUST) is offered as a two-year training course in some universitiesand is designed to prepare students for theworld of work.Admissions are subject toa strict selection process.

Long courses

Long university courses

Universities offer two types of courses that arebased on either broad area subjects or core sub-jects, which include traditional university subjects


FRENCH HIGHER EDUCATIONESTABLISHMENTS& DISCIPLINES

Studying in France5


such asArt,Law,Literature,Languages,Medicine,Science, Socio-economic and Social Sciences.Specialised subject courses include a variety offields such as Business and Management studiesand InformationTechnology, etc.

National diploma-awarded studies aredivided into three successive levels of study or‘cycles’ (see Chapter 5, p. 141).

In addition to the qualifications that are awar-ded by the Education authorities,universities offerstudents the possibility to take qualifications thatare awarded by and are unique to universitiesotherwise known as a‘Diplômed’Université’ (DU)or certificates (like the MS).

Course subjects atthe ‘Grandes Ecoles’

There are different types of ‘grandes écoles’that each work within their own specific legalframework. For example, Ministry-governed(National Education,Agriculture and Fisheries etc.)institutes or higher education colleges,‘consular’schools that are financially dependent on aChamber of Commerce & Industry (‘CCI-Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie’) andhigher education colleges.

The course subjects on offer in theseestablishments are extremely diverse.Theymainlyinclude:

- Long Science and Technology-relatedcourses, general and more specialised sub-jects that are taught at the ‘grandesécoles’ of Science,which award studentswithengineering diplomas qualifications afterconsulting the‘Commission desTitres’ whoworkwith the‘EcolesNormales Supérieures’(ENS).

- Literature and science-related four-yearcourses that are offered in the ‘EcolesNormales Supérieures’ (ENS).

- Business and Management studies in the‘grandes écoles’ of business.A lot of the State-recognised schools run diploma courses

validated by the Ministry of Education.The‘CGE’ ‘Conférence des Grandes Ecoles’award schools with what is called a ‘label’.

- Instituts d’Etudes Politiques (IEP or‘SciencesPo’).There are nine of these schools in total,themostwell known school being the Paris-based IEP, that all offer high level study pro-grammes that last for four-five years, afterwhich students can specialise in one subject(Civil service, Economics and Finance,Economic and Social Policy,International rela-tions).

The‘Grandes Ecoles’ are particularly noted fortheir strict selection process,via an entrance exa-mination for baccalaureate,‘classe préparatoire’or university ‘DU’-‘Diplôme Universitaire’ stu-dents.They are not only renown for the five tosix year multi-faculty courses that they provide,but also for the close working relations that theymaintain with industry for training and researchpurposes.Their international relations are beco-ming more and more widely recognised.

The Grandes Ecoles also offer other coursessuch as doctorates,MBAs,MS (SpecialistMasters),Masters Pro, etc

Studying in France5

These courses last two to three years and cor-respond to‘premier cycle’ or first level (two years)or ‘second cycle’ (three years).They are reser-ved for post-baccalaureate students or equiva-lent qualification and essentially concern theproduction and service sectors.

The short courses on offer are preparationsfor the following diplomas:

‘Le BTS’

The BTS ‘Brevet deTechnicien Supérieur’ isa two-year full-time programme of study thatis taught at STS departments ‘Sections deTechniciens Supérieurs’ in State or Public ‘lycées’(further education/sixth form colleges).

Specialised courses are vocational and gearedtowards specific professions.

The BTS course includes an eight to twelve-week work placement that counts as an integralpart of the course.There are about a hundreddifferent‘Technicien Supérieur’ specialist coursesin agriculture (over a quarter), Business Studies,Economics, Management, Science and Industry,services and areas of Paramedical studies.Applications are assessed via a strict selection pro-cess from February during the students’ year in‘classe terminale’ (upper-sixth).

‘Le DUT’

A broad-based technology course, the DUT‘Diplôme Universitaire de Technologie’prepares students for a career in technology, insome areas of the industry and servicesectors and in technical research.This high-leveltechnician diploma programme is a two-yearpost-baccalaureate course and is taught in IUT’s‘Instituts universitaires de technologie’,which arepart of universities.

This course entails a lot of time in lessons,which are divided up into course units orUE studymodules (‘Unité d’Enseignement’) and covers anumber of subjects.Diplomas are awarded to stu-dents on the basis of their overall marks (and anywork placements undertaken for 10weeks or gra-dedwork projects).Applications are assessed viaa selection process from February during the stu-dent’s year in ‘classe terminale’.

There are 25 DUT courses, with over thirtyoptions,which are taught in about one hundredIUT’s in France.

‘Le DEUST’

The DEUST course ‘Diplôme d’EtudesUniversitaires Scientifiques etTechniques’ laststwo years and provides students with speciali-sed training that prepares them for the worldof work. Over 100 specialist DEUST coursesare on offer, and universities pride themselveson their close links with the local and regionalindustry.

To find out more about DUT courses andthe IUT’s that offer them, consult theONISEP website at www.onisep.fror the CampusFrance website:www. Campusfrance.orgor the Ministry of Education’s website atwww.sup.adc.education.fr/iutlst.For further information about specialist

courses and establishments,theONISEP hasa good web site:www.onisep.fr or the CampusFrance web-site: www.Campusfrance.org


HIGHER EDUCATION: SHORTVOCATIONAL COURSES

Studying in France5


Admission procedures vary from one univer-sity to another.In fact,students are admittedwhenthey obtain their baccalaureate and on assessmentof their application and after an entrance exa-mination.

Continuing study aftera BTS, DUT, or DEUST

On thewhole,after aDEUST course,studentsare ready to enter the world of work.

With a BTS or a DUT, students can continuestudy.They can either:

a) Enrol on a complementary BTS or DUTcourse. These courses cover a variety ofdifferent fields (mainly tertiary andindustry sectors) and allow students to spe-cialise in one particular profession or an addi-tional subject, for example after a DUT, astudent could take theDNTS diploma course‘DiplômeNational deTechnologie Spécialisée’).

b) Take a vocational course at university:MST‘Maîtrise de Sciences etTechniques’, MSG‘Maîtrise de Sciences de Gestion’ or a trai-ning course at an IUP‘Institut UniversitaireProfessionnalisé’.For these courses,studentsare admitted via a selection process and theyare open to DUT,DEUG / BTS students.

‘La Licence professionnelle’, this new courseenables students with “bac + 2” level studies tostudy one of the available subjects in order toobtain a different qualification or simply to putthem in better stead of finding employment.

It is also possible to take a broad range of studyoptions at university,but DUT and BTS studentsmay not necessarily be directly admitted into the‘licence’ programme. Each individual universitydecides into which level of study students maybe admitted.

c) Business schools and someEngineering schoolshave similar admissions systems, wherebyDUT and some BTS students must sit for anentrance examination.

For further information, visitwww.onisep.fr or the CampusFrancewebsite:www. Campusfrance.org

Studying in France5

Major areas of study available in IUTDUT by specialty

• Biological engineering• Chemistry• Chemical engineering, Process engineering• Civil Engineering• Electrical and industrial information sciencesengineering

• Mechanical and Production engineering• Thermal and Energy Engineering• Telecommunications and network engineering• Hygiene, safety, environment• Information systems• Industrial engineering and Maintenance• Physical Measures

• Communication services and networks• Materials Sciences and engineering• Business administration• Organisation and production engineering• Statistics and data information processing• Marketing techniques• Logistical and transport management• Information, communication• Law• Social Sciences• Administrative and Business Management• Metrology quality control

The agency, under the authority of theMinistries of National Education and ForeignAffairs, and soon also the Ministry ofImmigration,Integration,National Identity andDevelopment Partnership, guaranteed pro-gress in quality for overseas students prepa-ring to study in France,by helping them selectcourses best suited to their needs.

On its website, accessible in the languagesof over 20 countries, is an online catalogue of35,000 courses of all levels (from the licence,L1 to the Masters 2), to which 295 doctoralschools have just been added. It also puts for-ward a list of schools and departments tea-ching FLE (French as a foreign language),courses taught in English in France andMBAs,and awealth of practical information about theFrench education system.Through its efficientsearch engine, it takes only 3 clicks to identifya course by subject and by graduate level,withdirect access to the site of the educational

establishment and comprehensive informa-tion about the establishment:www.campusfrance.org

The special feature of the agency is to helpall the French institutions of higher educa-tion, public and private, promote theircourses overseas (open days for students,andalso university events). Apart from its cata-logue and its website for general information,the agency has 105 CampusFrance centresin 75 countries,able to receive students andgive them the necessary information fortheir projected courses of study as well asgive help in creating their visa file when thisbecomes necessary:www.campusfrance.org/fr/b-agence/annuaire.asp.

The system for online registration,manda-tory in around twenty countries, is alsomanaged by the agency:www.campusfrance.org/fr/b-agence/applicaiton01.htm.

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Higher education:Short vocational courses

Useful information‘Office National d’Information sur les Enseignements et les Professions’ (ONISEP)

TheONISEP is a French state-governed admi-nistrative organisation that is directed by theMinistry of Education.

It works alongside universities, administrativebodies, professions and co-operative organisa-tions.TheONISEP’smission is to setupandmakeinformation,guidanceandadviceavailabletoallusers.

Thirty regional representative offices can befound in all faculties to provide a variety of infor-mation services that are tailored to each region.

Forstudentinformationandguidance,theONI-SEPoffersaselectionofproducts forawiderangeof people,including:- Guides:a collection of vocational literature thatgives students the ‘low down’ on job market-relatedtechnicalandeconomicalevolutionandonthe different professions and their required quali-fications;- Fact files - practical guides that provide the ans-wers to themajor questions surrounding areasof study,work,etc.

- Post-study prospects:A review for college anduniversity students about employment,profes-sions, and training courses.The answers to themost frequentlyaskedquestionsaboutpost-bac-calaureate study, each profession (job profiles,reports,interviews);

-‘Infosup’(Informationdatabase):providesstudentswith informationonhighereducationstudywitha view to helping them plan their career path.

Theabovepublicationsareavailableinbookshopswithin Paris and the Provinces.To find out moreaboutregionalONISEPofficesandbookshopsyoucan call:01 64 80 38 00.

You can order copies of their publications on-line at theONISEPweb site:www.onisep.fr.

Thiswebsite alsoprovides further informationabout higher education courses in France by levelof study or establishment.

CampusFrance


Studying in France5H

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©ONISEP

As universities are constantly evolving to suitthe trends in higher education, they have to beable to offer students a wide variety of courses.Alongside more traditional study programmes,they have developed an array of vocational andspecialist courses.For example,a specialist coursesuch as Healthcare studies (Medicine,Pharmacy,Ondontology) is only offered at university.

University status

There are 85 universities in France including3 INP’s or ‘Instituts Nationaux Polytechniques’that are classed as scientific, cultural and voca-tional establishments and are usually largestructures that have their own campuses.

Universities are multidisciplinary institutionsthat can bring together very diverse components.They often join forces with institutes, affiliatedschools,laboratories and research centres aswellIUT’s (see beginning of chapter) and IUP’s‘InstitutsUniversitaires Professionnalisés’.Universities aremulti-faculty establishments,which are eachmadeup of UFR‘Unité de Formation et de Recherche’subject departments (Creative Arts, Literature,Law, Medicine, Science, etc). Each universitydepartment determines its status and structure.

IUFM’s (Instituts universitaires de Formationde Maîtres) are also associated with universities.IUFM’s began training future public primary andsecondary teachers in 1991.

University qualifications

Unlike national degrees, the DU or ‘Diplômed’Université’, is only recognised by theuniversities who award it.These courses covernumerous areas of study and course levels (forbaccalaureate level,bac + 2,bac + 3,bac + 4,etc).

Long universitycourses

When applying for university, students mustchoose a discipline (Art, Literature, Science,Languages,Law,etc.) that is administered by aUFR.In order to make the right choice, students areadvised to find out asmuch as possible about thecourse,options,specialist subjects,and proceduresfor switching disciplines.The SCUIOor‘ServicesCommuns d’Information et d’Orientation’ in alluniversities give out brochures and bookletswithinformation about courses and the general run-ning of each university. Students can go to theiroffices all year round for relevant information orto speak to an advisor.A list of different univer-sities’ SCUIO offices can be found in the Index(see‘useful addresses’ at the backof this brochure).You can also look on the ONISEP appendicesp.187.

Broad area studysubjects

Organisation of university educationUniversity study usually consists of three to

eight years of study after the baccalaureate.

Further information is available under‘ensei-gnement supérieur’ on the Ministry ofEducation web site at www.education.gouv.fror you may look on the individual univer-sities’ websites (seeAppendices p.190) orCampusFrance:www.campusfrance.org

STUDYINGAT A FRENCH UNIVERSITY

Studying in France5



Studying in France5

The LMD System

Licence-Master-Doctorat (LMD)

The new European systemorganises diplomasbased on 3, 5 and 8 years of Higher Education,in the formof European creditswhich can be accu-mulated.The“Grandes Ecoles” are also involvedin this initiative, particularly the engineering andbusiness and management schools.

The aims of LMD are:

- to enable European equivalence- to facilitate student mobility- to make diplomas more meaningful in theworkplace

The LMD enables:

- multidisciplinary paths of study- personalised educational paths- recognition of the diplomas at internationallevel

The diplomas consist of instructional units(unités d’enseignement or UE) each with a valuein the European CreditTransfer System (ECTS)related to the student’s work.

- The credits can be accumulated and trans-ferred from one pathway to another.

-Training is organised in semesters (one semes-ter corresponds to several UE = 30 credits.

The LMD reforms for Masters degrees havebeen in place since September 2004.

3 levels: LMD or 3, 5, 8:- Licence in 3 years (L1, L2, L3)Bac+ 3 = 180 ECTS- Master in 2 years (M1,M2)Bac+ 3 = 300 ECTS- Doctorat in 8 years, Bac+ 8

ECTSCredits :a Europeanmeasure of studentwork.The diplomas consist of Instructional Units(UE) each of which has a value in European cre-dits.

- The credits can be accumulated and trans-ferred from one pathway to another.

- Training is organised in semesters(one semester = several UE = 30 credits)

The LicenceThe licence is a 6 semester course and leads

to 180 ECTS credits (30 credits per semester).Thefirst semester should be regarded as a period ofwelcome,initiation and gradual acclimatisation touniversity methods to ease the transition fromschool to university,to help avoid early drop outsand encourage success. It introduces studentsto documentary research methods and thecreation of structured learning; the 2nd and 3rd

semesters concentrate on teaching the funda-ments of a the discipline and the remainingsemesters involve further study in the disciplinewith more specialised teaching.The licence canbe mono or multi-disciplinary, general, appliedor professional.

The LMD pathway offers a qualification atlicence level;this optionmeets student needs forprofessional integration.This aspect of the LMDpathways is reinforced by the development ofProfessional Licences.

How to choose theright ‘Licence’

There are 9 DEUG subjects,of which five havedifferent mentions.There are also several multi-disciplinary courses (English Literature,Literature,Art History, etc.).

5



LICENCE

AES (Administration Economiqueet Sociale)•AES/ General &TerritorialAdministration• AES/ BusinessAdministration &Management

•AES/ Social Development Studies•AES/ Human Resources• AES/ Business and International Affairs• AES/ EconomicTechniques & Management• AES/ Economics and Socio-economicScience

LAW & POLITICAL SCIENCE• Law• PublicAdministration• Political Science

ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT• Economics• Economics withAnalysis & Economic Policy• Economics with International Economics• Economics with Money & Finance• Economics with Labour Economics &Human Resources

• Economics with Industrial Economics• Economics with Economics and BusinessManagement

• Economics with EconomicTechniques &Management

• Economics with Socio-economic Science• Economics with Econometrics

CREATIVE ARTS & CULTURALSTUDIES•Archaeology•AppliedArt•Art & Design•Arts & Design with History ofArt• PerformingArts• PerformingArts with Dance• PerformingArts with Cinema studies andVisualArts

• PerformingArts withTheatre Studies• Cultural project and activities•Art History•Art History withArchaeology• Music

LITERATURE AND LANGUAGES• Literature• Modern Literature• Modern Literature with French as aForeign Language

• Modern Literature with General &Comparative Literature

• Modern Literature with Regional Language& Culture

• Linguistics• Linguistics with French as a ForeignLanguage

• Linguistics with Language Data Processing• LLCE ‘Langues, Littératures et CivilisationsEtrangères’

LITERATURE AND LANGUAGES(continuation)• LLCE / French as a Foreign LanguageEach licence ‘LLCE’ is based on one language

• LLCE / Regional Languages and Culture• LLCE / General & Comparative Literature• LLCE / Language Data Processing• LEA ‘Langues EtrangèresAppliquées’(two foreign languages)

• Media & Communication Studies• Regional Languages & Culture

SOCIAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMICSCIENCE•Town & Country Planning•Archaeology•Archaeology with History ofArt• Ethnic Studies• Geography• Geography withTown & Country Planning• Geography with Environmental Science• Geography with History• History• History withArchaeology• History with Geography• History ofArt• History withArchaeology• History with Regional Languages & Culture• Philosophy• Psychology• Cognitive Science• Educational/Curriculum Studies• Sociology


Studying in France5


Studying in France

LICENCE (continued)

THEOLOGY• Catholic Studies• Protestant Studies

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGYI – MATHEMATICS• Mathematics• Mathematics applied to Socio-economicScience

II – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY• InformationTechnologyIII – MECHANICS• MécanicsIV – NATURAL SCIENCES• Physics• Physical Science withApplied Physics• Physical science with Physics• Physical science with Chemistry• Chemistry with Physics• ChemistryV – ENVIRONMENTAL & PLANETARYSCIENCE• Environmental Science• Environmental Science with Geology &Biology

VI – LIFE SCIENCES&HEALTHCARE STUDIES• Biochemistry• Biology• Biology with Cell Biology & Physiology• Biology with Human Biology• Biology with General Biology &Environmental & Planetary Science

• Healthcare Sciences and Social Sciences• Healthcare Sciences and Social Scienceswith Public Health

SPORTS & PHYSICALEDUCATION STUDIES STAPS -(Sciences and techniques of physical andsporting activities)• STAPS• STAPS with Education & Motivity Studies• STAPS with SportsTraining Studies• STAPS with Sport Ergonomics andMotivity Studies

• STAPS with Sports Coaching Studies• STAPS with adapted Physical activities

TECHNOLOGYI – ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING•Electronics,ElectricalTechnology,&AutomatedEngineering• Electrical EngineeringII – MECHANICAL & MANUFACTURINGSYSTEMS ENGINEERING• Mechanical Engineering• Industrial ManufacturingIII – CIVIL ENGINEERING• Génie civilIV–MANUFACTURINGSYSTEMSENGINEERING• Génie des procédés

NB: The new licences consist of a progressiveand multidisciplinary pathway: first there aretwo “general” semesters often with two majors(eg at Lyon II, “Language and Communication”),followed by specialisation in one of the twomajors.

For more information, go to the ONISEPwebsite: www.onisep.fr or the CampusFrancewebsite: www.campusfrance.org.

5




Which Masterprogram?

To obtain the Master,Licence graduates have to

Masters

AES (Administration Economique etSociale)• AES/General &TerritorialAdministration• AES/ BusinessAdministration & Management• AES/Social Development Studies• AES/Human Resources• AES/Business & InternationalAffairs• AES/Economic techniques & ManagementStudies

• AES/Economic Science and Social Sciences

LAW&POLITICAL SCIENCE• Law• Law with Private sector Law• Law with Public sector Law• Law with Business Law• Law with Law regarding Legal Professions &Criminology

• Law with Social Policy• Law with Solicitor’s Law• Law with European Law• Law with International Law• Law with Comparative Law• Law with French & Foreign Policy• Law with Foreign Policy• Political Science

BUSINESS&MANAGMENTSTUDIES• Economics• EconomicswithAnalysis andEconomicsPolicy• Economics with International Economics• Economics with Money & Finance• Economics with Labour Economics &Human resources

• Economics with Industrial Economics• Economics with Economics and Business

Management• Economics with Economic techniques &Management

• Economics with Socio-economic Science• Econometrics

CREATIVEARTS&CULTURALSTUDIES• Archaeology• AppliedArt• FineArt• FineArt withArt History• PerformingArts• PerformingArts with Dance• PerformingArts with Cinema studies andVisualArts

• PerformingArts withTheatre Studies• Cultural projects and activities• Art History• Art History withArchaeology• Music

LANGUAGES& LITERATURE• Literature• Modern Literature• Modern Literature with French as a ForeignLanguage

• Modern Literature with General &Comparative Literature

• Modern Literature with Regional Language &Culture

• Linguistics• Linguistics with French as a Foreign Language• Linguistics with Language Data Processing• LLCE ‘Langues, Littératures et CivilisationsEtrangères’

Each ‘LLCE’ masters is based on one language

obtain 120 additional credits.This new diploma,which replaces the Maîtrise, and DEA and DESSpost-graduaute diplomas, is organised into foursemesters. The last two semesters comprisetwo academic paths: the Professional Masterand the Research Master.The Maîtrise diplomawill bemaintained during a transition period,andwill be issued at the request of the studentwhen the 60 first credits have been obtained.

Graduateswith a ResearchMasterwill be ableto prepare a doctoral thesis corresponding to 480credits.


Studying in France5


Studying in France

Masters (continued)

• LLCE / French as a Foreign Language• LLCE / Regional Languages and Culture• LLCE / General & Comparative Literature• LLCE / Language Data Processing• LEA (Langues EtrangèresAppliquées)(two foreign languages)• Media & Communication Studies• French, foreign language• Regional Languages & Culture

SOCIAL SCIENCES& SOCIO-ECO-NOMIC SCIENCE• Town & Country Planning• Archaeology• Ethnic Studies• Geography• History• Art History• Philosophy• Psychology• Cognitive Science• Education/Curriculum Studies• Sociology

THEOLOGY• CatholicTheology• ProtestantTheology

SCIENCEANDTECHNOLOGYI - MATHEMATICS• Mathematics• Mathematics engineering• Applied mathematics and social sciencesII - COMPUTER SCIENCE• Computer scienceIII - MECHANICS• MéchanicsIV - MATERIAL SCIENCES• Physics• Physics / physics and applications• Physical sciences / physics• Physical sciences / chemistry• Chemistry - physics• Chemistry• Materials sciencesV - EARTH SCIENCES• Earth sciences• Earth sciences / geophysics• Earth sciences / geochemistry

• Earth sciences / general geology and biology• Environmental sciencesVI - LIFE ANDHEALTH SCIENCES• Biochemistry• Biochemistry / molecular and cellular bio-chemistry

• Biochemistry / structural biochemistry• Biology• Biology / cellular biology and physiology•Cellular biology andphysiology /molecular andcellular genetics

• Cellular biology and physiology / physiology• Cellular biology and physiology / general bio-logy and Earth sciences

• Biology of populations and ecosystems• Biology of populations and ecosystems / envi-ronment

• Health and social sciences• Health and social sciences / public health

STAPS (Technical sciences andphysical and sports activities)• STAPS• STAPS / education and motor skills• STAPS / sports training• STAPS / ergonomics of sports and motorperformance

• STAPS / sports management• STAPS / adapted physical activities

TECHNOLOGYI – ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING• Electronics & Electrical andAutomatedTechnology,micro information processingand Optronics

• Electronics,Electrical andAutomatedTechnology,Electrical and PowerTechnology

• Electronics & Electrical andAutomatedTechnology,Automation & information pro-cessing

• Electronics & Electrical andAutomatedTechnology,Telecommunications

• Electronics & Electrical andAutomatedTechnology,with Data Processing

II – MECHANICAL & MANUFACTURINGSYSTEMS ENGINEERING• Mechanical Technology with MechanicalDesign

• MechanicalTechnology with IndustrialAutomation

• MechanicalTechnology withThermal &Hydraulic Machines

• Industrial Manufacturing

5


Postgraduateresearch (‘Troisièmecycle-Doctorat’)

The3rd cycle is aperiodofhighly specialised studyand training for research.The first year of the 3e

cycle is devoted topreparationof aDEA (Diplômed’ÉtudesApprofondies) and isopen tostudentswhohold a masters.

The doctorat (doctorate)

The doctorat is completed in 3 or 4 yearsunder the authority of a research director.Thedegree is conferred after the student defends athesis or a presentation of his entire body ofresearch work.

With a doctorat,students can apply for a‘seniorlecturer’ position in a university.

Doctorate schools

Doctorate Studies are research-led courses.They are conducted inDoctorate schools withina University and are undertaken by students whohave a masters 2 or its considered equivalent.

Doctorate schools are organised into tenscientific areas,which are further divided into dis-ciplines.Doctoral Schools tend to base themselves

around laboratories and research teams in the-matic and multi-disciplinary departments.

In addition to their scientific involvement,these schools can help students discover therange of job prospects on offer to them byholding seminars, roundtables to further linksbetween doctorate students,professionals andpeople with doctoral degrees. These schoolsfederate research teams that are assessed everyfour years.

CampusFrance offers a complete catalogue ofdoctoral schools on itswebsite:campusfrance.org.

Vocational orspecialised courses

Universities run other vocational courses.There are several different types of universitycourses including:

-The ‘Licence Professionnelle’ (bac + 3);-Two-year vocational diploma courses;- IUP ‘Instituts Universitaires Professionnalisés’courses offer studentswho have been in highereducation for a year a three-year vocational uni-versity course that leads to a ‘Maîtrise’.


Masters (continued)

III –CIVIL ENGINEERING• Civil Engineering with the Study of Materials,Structures andWorks ofArt

• Civil Engineering with Building Equipment

IV–MANUFACTURINGSYSTEMSENGINEERING• Manufacturing Systems Engineering withChemical Engineering

• Manufacturing Systems Engineering with

Biotechnology (Ergonomics) & Bio-industry• Manufacturing Systems Engineering withMaterials Development Studies

• Manufacturing Systems Engineering withEnergy Conversion

NB :All of the above Masters coursesinclude a documentation module.

Scientific branches of study and disciplines

• Mathematics & their interaction• Physics• Planetary and Space Sciences• Chemistry• Biology,Medicine & Health Studies• Behavioural Science & Humanities• Social Science

• Engineering Sciences• Science and Technology of information andcommunication

• Agronomy,animal and plant production,agrifood• Environment,Energy and natural resources


Studying in France5


- Bac +2 level three-year selective entrycourses that award students with a qualifiedEngineers’ diploma in university in-houseschools that are on a par with the ‘Ecolesd’Ingénieurs’. Courses last five years in total;- the Master Pro (ex-DESS, Diploma ofSpecialist Higher Studies)

‘Licence professionnelle’(Vocational ‘licence’)

This new course (established on 17th

November 1999) was launched at the beginningof the 2000 academic year.The ‘licence profes-sionnelle’ meets the demand for skills and know-ledge in the work world, and runs courses thatare linked to specific fields such Agricultural orIndustrial Production,the Service Sector,Servicesto individuals and Community Service.

It is open to bac + 2 (BTSA,BTS,DUT,DEUST)students whose educational background is com-patible with the ‘licence professionnelle’. Themain aim of the‘licence professionnelle’ is to pro-vide students with a vocational qualification thatcorresponds to their chosen career. Successfulcompletion of the course gives students

The educational year combines theoretical andpractical studies, training in tools and methods,a 12 to 16-week work placement, and comple-tion of a guided work project.The work place-ment and guided work project lead to adissertation accompanied by an oral presentation.The possibility of students being able to spendpart of their course abroad indicates that the‘licence professionnelle’ is branching out on aninternational level. The course also enablesstudents to enrol more easily at universitiesoverseas.

Shortcuts to ‘bac + 4’ courses

The vocational‘licence professionnelle’ courseenables students to undertake further study inan IUP (by enrolling in an ‘ingénieur-maître’course, an MST course or at an ‘Ecole deCommerce or Ingénieur’ depending on eachestablishment’s entry requirements).

MIAGE, MSG & MST courses(Vocational masters courses)

These vocational bac + 2 level‘maîtrise’ courseslast twoyears,whichmeans that the‘licence’ courseis skipped.Admissions are subject to a selectionprocess.TheMST course enables students to spe-cialise in a specific area of the Production andTertiary sectors and is also the follow-up to anIUT course.As a rule,to be admitted to the courseyou should have a ‘Certificat Préparatoire’.

The MSG course,which is the equivalent of an‘EcoledeCommerce’ diploma,offers aprogrammeof study that covers all aspects of Management:Marketing,Finance,HumanResources,etc.To regis-ter for an MSG course, you should have a CPEGcertificate ‘Certificat Préparatoire aux Etudes deGestion’.

As the leading vocational course, the MIAGEdiplomaoffers a trainingprogramme in InformationTechnology and Management.

Thesemasterscourses that areoriented towardsthe jobmarket can be complemented by aMasteror enable students to apply for a place in businessand engineering schools.

IUP vocational courses

IUP departments or ‘Instituts UniversitairesProfessionnalisés’ were set up in 1992 to meetthe specific needs of employers and were origi-nally designed to train executives in the Industryand Tertiary sectors. The university-based IUPdepartments are divided between the Secondarysector (about 175) and theTertiary sector (about160).

TheAdmission procedure is very selective andbac + 1 is the required entry level according toeach university’s special arrangements, or bac +2 level, depending on the diploma that the stu-dent has obtained.The same selection processapplies.

Studying in France

5



‘Licence professionnelle’ course subjects

AGRICULTURE, FISHING,FORESTRY,LANDSCAPEGARDENING• Agronomy• Agricultural production• Livestock production• Natural spaces• Landscaping

PROCESS PRODUCTION• Industrial production• Management of Industrial production• Industrial information systems and automation• Industrial transformations• Agri-food, food industry• Biotechnology• Chemical and pharmaceutical sciences• Transformation of metals• Construction materials• Clothing, fashion and textiles• Plastics processes and composite materials• Energy and Climatic Engineering

CIVIL ENGINEERING,CONSTRUCTION, LUMBER• Civil Engineering and construction• Public works• Building and construction• Lumber and furnishings

MECHANICS, ELECTRICITY ANDELECTRONICS• Mechanics• Pluritechnical systems maintenance• Metallic structures• Electricity and Electronics

TRADE AND MANAGEMENT• Organisational management• Logistics• Marketing• Insurance, banking, finance• Human resource management

MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONSTUDIES• Activities and techniques of communication• Publishing and writing• Sound, Image,Multimedia• Documentation resources and databases• Networks and telecommunications• Information systems and software

SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS• Healthcare• Social action• Hotel and tourism• Sports• Cultural andArtistic activities

COMMUNITY SERVICE• Landscape and urban planning•Development and protection of cultural heri-tage

• Environmental protection• Security• Legal activities

For further information about course contentand the universities that run the courses, theMinistry of Education has a good web site:www.education.gouv.fr/sup/formation/licencepro.htmor try the ONISEP’s website:www.onisep.fr.


Studying in France5

The study programme lasts two to three yearsand includes scientific and technical study modules,awork placement of 19weeksminimum,aswell ascomplementary classes (Modern Languages,Communication Studies,etc.).

IUFM’s

In partnership with the universities,31 IUFM’s(Instituts Universitaire de Formation desMaîtres)prepare students for teacher recruitment com-petitions for primary and secondary public schoolpositions.The IUFM ensures that students whosucceed in the competitions receive their initialprofessional teacher training.

Admission to an IUFM requires a Masters oran equivalent diploma.Selection procedures varyby institution, subject matter and competition.

Upon entering the IUFM,students choose bet-ween the 1er degré,which leads at the end of thefirst year to theCRPE (Concours deRecrutementdesProfesseursdesÉcoles) competition for school-teacher recruitment and the 2nd degré, whichincludes the CAPES (Certificat d’Aptitude auProfessorat de l’Enseignement Secondaire) cer-tificate for secondary teaching aptitude, theCAPET (Certificat d’Aptitude au Professorat del’EnseignementTechnique) certificate for techni-cal teacher aptitutde, the CAPLP2 (Certificatd’Aptitude au Professorat de Lycée Professionnel2e grade) certificate for lycée teacher aptitude,ou the CAPEPS (Certificat d’Aptitude auProfessorat d’Education Physique et Sportive)certificate for physical education teaching.

The studies last two years.The first year ,whichis completed both at the IUFM and at university, isdevoted topreparation for the competition.At theendof the first year’s competition,students acquirethe status of “student-teacher” and begin to col-lect remuneration. The second year includes aworkplacement (4 to6hoursof teaching in a class-room).There is no age requirement to register atan IUFM.CandidatesmustbeEuropeanUnionnatio-nals or nationals of a state that participates in theEuropean EconomicArea.

3rd cycle vocationalcourses

‘Le Magistère’

The ‘Magistère’ is a three-year universitydiploma course (and not a National Diploma).To be able to apply for this course,students musthave a bac + 2 and take an entrance examina-tion, or have their application assessed.The pro-gramme combines theory and work placements.

Students also have the possibility to prepareNational Diplomas, including the Master.

‘Le DRT’

On completion of the DRT ‘Diplôme deRechercheTechnologique’ research diploma,stu-dents reach bac + 6 level.The course consistsof technological research projects that are verymuch geared towards industry. It is exclusivelydesigned for IUP and Engineering school students.The DRT programme entails twelve to eighteenmonths of vocational training.

Engineering courses at university

95university-based schools runbac+5‘Diplômed'ingénieur’ courses that are recognised by ‘laCommission desTitres d’Ingénieur’.

They take students at bac + 2 (mostly) and bac+ 4 level,on assessment of application,‘titres’ andvia interview.

As it stands, the rapidly expanding university-based engineering schools have trained a third ofall qualified engineers.


Studying in France

5


The Master Pro (ex-DESS)

The Master Pro (ex-DESS,Diplôme d'EtudesSupérieures Spécialisées’) amounts to bac + 5 levelstudy. It is a specialised, two-year vocationalcourse and is taught in UFR’s or in university-affiliated institutes (and in certain engineeringschools).

The compulsory work placement of a mini-mum of threemonths along with experts as visi-ting lecturers makes for a very popular course.

TheMaster is open to“second cycle” studentsbut it is very difficult to get a place.Depending onwhich course you apply for,results,student moti-vation and all kinds of entrance tests (written andoral exams and interviews, etc.) determine whe-ther you are offered a place.

Students are advised to apply for severalMaster courses and to find out about eachuniversity’s different enrolment procedures.Underthe new European structure, the DESS awardsstudents with a Master Pro.

The high-level vocational university courses,which provide students with promising jobprospects, cover all sectors of activity.



Studying in France5


Studying in France

Different Master Pro disciplines

ART – AUDIOVISUAL• Architecture• Applied arts• Plastic arts• Cinema• Music, Entertainment, theatre and dance

LAW• Public administration• Banking and finance law• Community and international law• Comparative law, foreign law• Economic law, business law• Environmental law• Urban planning law• Communications, information, and newtechnologies law

• Property law• Tax law• Real estate and construction law• Medical law, health law• Notarial law• Criminal law, criminal science• Private law• Judicial law• Public law• Social law, labour law• Human rights law

ECONOMICS• Economic policy and analysis• Banking• Local development• Econometrics• Agricultural economics, rural economics• Economics of energy• Business economics• Development economics• Economics and employment• European and international economics• Industrial economics• Monetary and financial economics• Economic engineering, economicintelligence

ELECTRONICS AND AUTOMATIC

CONTROL ENGINEERING

ÉLECTRICAL ENGINEERING

ENERGY - ELECTRICITY

CIVIL ENGINEERING

MANAGEMENT - BUSINESS• Business administration and management• Insurance, actuarial science• Electronic commerce• International trade• Merchandising and marketing• Accounting• Consumption• Management controls, audit• Distribution• Management of sanitary and social activities• Financial management• Hotel and tourism• Real estate• Marketing• Human resources• Management science• Technical sales

INFORMATION - COMMUNICA-TION - CULTURE - MULTIMEDIA• Archives• Documentation, scientific and technicalinformation

• Editing• Cultural project and equipmentmanagement• Information and communication• Journalism• Multimedia• Museum Science•Writing

COMPUTER SCIENCE• Databases• Software engineering• Digital Imaging, image processing• Applied computer science• Management information systems• Fundamental computer science

5



Different Master Pro disciplines (continued)

COMPUTER SCIENCE(continuation)• Industrial computer science• Artificial intelligence• Computer integrated manufacturing• Networks• Telecommunications

LITERATURE - LANGUAGES• French as a foreign language• Applied foreign languages• Modern literature• Language science, linguistics• Translation, interpretation

MATHEMATICS• Mathematical engineering• Applied mathematics• Statistics, probability

MÉCHANICS• Aeronautics• Mechanical engineering

HEALTH• Ergonomics• Medicine• Pharmacy

POLITICAL SCIENCE• Political science• Defence

PHYSICAL SCIENCE• Acoustics• Astronomy• Chemistry• Industrial chemistry• Organic chemistry• Physical chemistry• Optics• Physics• Materials science• Remote sensing, cartography

EARTH AND NATURALSCIENCES• Agriculture, agronomics• Agro-food• Climatology, hydrology• Ecology• Environmental science• Geology• Geophysics• Œnology• Oceanology

LIFE SCIENCES• Biochemistry• Biology• Cellular biology• Biology of organisms and populations• Molecular biology• Plant biology• Biotechnology• Genetics• Biological and Medical engineering• Microbiology• Neuroscience• Nutrition, dietetics

SOCIAL AND HUMAN SCIENCES• Social action• Development• Anthropology, ethnology• Education, didactics• History, art history• Psychology• Clinical and pathological psychology• Cognitive sciences• Education sciences• Social sciences• Sociology• Theology• Urban planning

SPORTS•Activities and sports equipment management

There are more than 2000 Master Pro programmes throughout the country.

To learn more, visit the ONISEP website under the heading ‘atlas des formations’ atwww.onisep.fr or visit each univeristy’s website.


Studying in France5


Health Studies, Pharmacy and Odontology(Dentistry) are taught at university.Admissionsfor these subjects are selective.A very good scien-tific background is required to pass the end offirst year Medicine and Odontology (specificallyrequired to study Pharmacy) examination.Theschools that teach Midwifery now also requirepassing this examination.

In fact the Ministry of Education determinesthe maximum student intake for ‘DeuxièmeCycle’ study in each university.This process isknown as the ‘Numerus Clausus’- restrictedintake.Only 10-15 % of PCEM (1st cycle of medi-cal studies, 1st year) students are offered a placeon a second year course. 20% of them are offe-red a place in a second year Pharmacy course.

The length of each course (which is alsoavailable in 3 cycles) depends on the discipline:

- 9 years preparation for aDE‘Diplôme d'Etat’-National Diploma) in General Medicine.

- 10 to 11 years (depending on speciality) trai-ning to become a Doctor in specialised areaof medicine (DE + DES: ‘Diplôme d'EtudesSpécialisées’).

- Six years training for a DE in Dental Surgery.

Medicine relatedstudies

First cycle in medicine related studies

‘Le premier cycle d'étudesmédicales’ (PCEM)consists of two years general science-based trai-ning. In the fist year, students are taught Physics,Biophysics,Chemistry,Biology and Social Sciences.They can also complement these subjects witheither modules such as Anatomy, Embryology,Histology andCytology.If the student passes theentrance examination‘concours’,they can go ona Nurses’ training work placement in a hospitalsetting. Students are only allowed to re-sit theirfirst year once.

In the2nd year (PCEM2),students are taught thesame subjects, but more in-depth, as well as‘SémiologieClinique,Biologique’ and‘LesTechniquesd’ImagerieMédicale’.Students goonclinically basedwork placements in hospital settings.

The second cycle (DCEM)

The ‘Deuxième cycle des études médicales’ isa four-year programme that consists of 1 year oftraining in general medicine with hospital intern-ships, followed by 3 years of classroomand hands-on education devoted to Pathology andTherapeutics,the organisation ofHealth care sys-tems, Health care &Treatment, Deontology andmedical responsibility.

To go on to the third cycle,studentsmust com-plete the courses,hospital internships,and an inter-nship with a general practitioner,complete 36 cycles, and obtain the Certificat deSynthèse Clinique etThérapeutique.

The third cycle: residence,resident medical student studies

‘Le troisième’ cycle ismadeupof twostudycom-ponents:

- Residency, which lasts 3 years and on com-pletion, enables students to find employmentin general medicine.

- Residency,which after entrance examinationlasts for 4-5 years,orients students towards aspecialised area of medicine.

After examination (forwhich candidates’ intakeis decided upon by theMinistry of Education), thework placement student will be put into oneof the following nine disciplines according to per-sonal preference and the student’s grades.Specialised areas of medicine, Public Health,Work medicine, specialised areas of surgery,Medical Biology,Anaesthesiology,Surgical resus-citation, Paediatrics, Gynaecology, Midwifery,Medical Gynaecology.The work placement stu-dentwill prepare theDES‘diplôme d'études spé-cialisées’ over a period of study of 4 to 5 years,depending on the discipline.

The national degree of doctor of medicine isawarded to students who have submitted a the-sis, but in order to work in the medical pro-fession, students must have obtained the DESdiploma that states their specific skills.These skillswill enable doctors to registerwith the‘Conseil del'ordre’ (The French MedicalAssociation).

HEALTH STUDIES

Studying in France

5


Health studies

Baccalauréat

PCEM 1 PCEP 1

Filière phar-maceutiqueFilière médicale Filière dentaire

Bac

DEde

sage-fe

mme

Diplôme de fin de 2e cycle

DEde

docteuren

méd

ecine+

DES

(méd

ecinespécialisée)

DEde

docteuren

médecine

+DES

(médecinegénérale)

Con

coursd’internat

DEde

docteuren

chirurgie

dentaire

+AEA

DEde

docteuren

chirurgiede

ntaire

DEde

docteuren

pharmacie

+DES

DEde

docteuren

pharmacie

Concours d’internat

Sélection sur classement

Concours d’admission

Diagram of health studies

PCEM 1 : Premier Cycle d’Etudes Médicales, 1re annéePCEP 1 : Premier Cycle d’Etudes Pharmaceutiques, 1re annéeAEA :Attestation d’EtudesApprofondiesDE : Diplôme d’EtatDES : Diplôme d’Etudes Spécialisées.

Source: ONISEP


Studying in France5


The third cycle of medical studies is currentlybeing redesigned.It will then last 3 years for gene-ral medicine. Starting in 2005, all students,whether planning to be a general practitioner ora specialist,must pass a competitive examinationto enter the 3rd cycle (general medicine or a spe-cialisation).

‘Le DESC’

Twoor three-yearDESC‘diplômed'études spé-cialisées complémentaires’ programmes of com-plementary study are also open to workplacement students who are reading medicine.

Medical related studies: conditions foroverseas students

Thereare twoconditions as regardingbeing ableto work in the medical profession in France: youmusthaveFrenchnationalityorbeaEuropeanUnioncitizen with relevant European qualifications towork in the Medical profession.

As a result overseas studentswho havemedicalqualifications,whichallowthemtowork in themedi-cal profession in their country of origin,must studymedicineataFrenchuniversity.Theydothisbyenrol-ling in a PCEM 1 course,with an entrance exam attheendof the1st year inorder toobtain the‘Diplômed'Etat demédecine français’.If the student succeedsand meets the requirements of their chosen uni-versity course,theycancontinuestudying foranum-ber of years as long as they sit for written tests onthe subjects that they have studied.

Therearealsoother specialised3rd cycle coursesthat do not allow students to practice medicine inFrance:

Residency entrance examinations(for an overseas candidate)

Overseas doctorswho are non-EUcitizens cantake a residency entrance examination as an over-seas candidate.The entrance examination is veryselective.

‘Les AFS & les AFSA’

Non-EU overseas doctors, who areundertaking a specialised area of study, and whowould like to complete their studies in France canstudy part of theDES coursewith a view to obtai-ning anAFS‘Attestation de Formation Spécialisée’for 2 to 4 terms during the academic year.Thisrequires their university’s permission. SpecialistDoctors from overseas can take 1 or 2 termswith a view to obtaining anAFSA (Attestationde Formation SpécialiséeApprofondie) course.

Studies in odontology & pharmacy

Courses on the study of Odontology (DentalSurgery) last between 6 to 9 years.The first year(PCEM1) is open to bothMedicine&Odontologystudents,who actually undergo the same exami-nation. At the end of the fifth year of study, stu-dents choose to either:

- Enrol in a short (one-year) 3rd cycle coursewhere after submitting a thesis students areawarded a DE diploma ‘Docteur d’Etat’ inDental Surgery.They can then envisage a spe-cialisation.

- Enrol in a (three-year) 3rd cycle residencycourse.

The AEA ‘Attestation d'EtudesApprofondies’is awarded to studentswho successfully completetheirworkplacement training.After they have sub-mitted a thesis, work placement students areawarded a national degree in Dental Surgery.

The national degree in Doctor of Pharmacyis awarded to students at the end of a 6, 9, 10year study programme depending on whetherthe student undertook a short 3rd cycle coursein General Pharmacy or a 3rd cycle course inSpecialised Pharmacy.

As with medicine-related courses, strictentrance examinations are organised at the endof the first year of study.

Studying in France


Studying in France

The ‘Grandes Ecoles’ are one of the Frenchhigher education system’s specialities.They wereset up to offer students an advanced level of spe-cialised study.Hence excellent exam results arepart of their entry requirements. In return, gra-duates are given the pick of job offers in the jobmarket.The name‘Grandes Ecoles’ is associatedwith some of the oldest and most prestigiousschools,some of which areworld famous:‘l'EcoleCentrale, l'Ecole Nationale d'Administration(ENA),l'Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales(HEC), l’Ecole Normale Supérieure, l’EcolePolytechnique’,because they have trained the lea-ding executive civil servants and big company keyplayers.

Over the years the ‘Grandes Ecoles’ haveexpanded to include a host of establishments thatcan be divided into four categories:

- les Ecoles Normales Supérieures- les Ecoles d'Ingénieurs(Engineering schools)

- les Ecoles de Commerce et de Gestion-Various specialised schools

The‘Grandes Ecoles’ are higher education andresearch institutions that are renown for theirstrict entrance selection process.They offer stu-dents long multi-disciplinary broad area subjectcourses, with professionals for teachers as wellas close links with the business world.A lot ofemphasis is put on international relations withcompulsory modern language study modules,numerous possibilities of work placement pro-grammes abroad,and even double diplomaagreements. .TheCGE‘Conférence desGrandesEcoles’ represents the majority of ‘GrandesEcoles’ and has set up an international commit-tee in order to promote international relations.

Status

Among the‘Grandes Ecoles’ there are state andprivate schools,which aredirectedby theMinistriesof Education,Agriculture and Fisheries,equipment,defence, etc.

Some schools are part of a university.Like 60% of engineering schools, ‘Les Ecoles

Normales Supérieures’ are State-run.Other schools are private or are under the

Chambers ofTrade & Industry,which is the casefor most Business & Management schools.

Tuition fees greatly vary according to theschools.

Entry requirements/Admissions

‘Grandes Ecoles’ are noted for their selectiveadmission procedures. Students have to pass anentrance examination ‘concours’ in order toobtain a place in one of the ‘Grandes Ecoles’.

Preparation for the exams takes two years.The‘classes prépas’ or preparation classes are offe-red to students with excellent baccalaureateresults.Students then study for three years afterthe entrance examination.

Nevertheless, there is also what is called an‘Admission Parallèle’ (similar admissionprocedure) for graduates (mostly with a bac +2)in other disciplines (who have studied at univer-sity or in other institutions).Admission proceduresare also very selective and range from assessmentof application plus test and entrance examinations,etc.

For further information you can look ontheCGE’s web site: www.cge.asso.frwhichhas links to all the all the ‘Grandes Ecoles’who are members of the CGE.

Studying in France5STUDYING AT ONE OFFRANCE’S ‘GRANDES ECOLES’


Studying in France5


Preparation classes‘Classes préparatoires’ remain the traditional

route to getting a place in one of the ‘GrandesEcoles’; they look for students who work wellunder pressure and whose work is aboveaverage.

As a rule, studies last for two years with norepetition of years allowed.

The preparatory classes are generally foundin senior schools (but not all senior schools havethem)

Preparation classes in Literature

These Literature preparation classes are aimedat successful Baccalaureate ‘L’,‘ES’ et ‘S’ students

who majored in French literature, History,Philosophy, Modern Language, Latin and Greek.(1st year:‘Lettres Supérieures’ or ‘Hypokhâgne’ –and the 2nd year:‘Première Supérieure’ or‘Khâgne’,prepares for the ENS ‘Ecoles NormalesSupérieures’,themajor business schools,Institutesfor Political Studies, the ‘l'Ecole des Chartes’

Preparatory classes in Science relatedsubjects

TheseclassesareaimedatsuccessfulBaccalaureateSandsomeSTI&STLstudentswithexcellentexamresults.Theypreparestudents for scientificentranceexaminations in ‘Grandes Ecoles’ such as the ENS,Engineering schools or Military schools (Saint-Cyr,Navale,Air).

Studying in France

Bac admis 1re année 2e année Concours et écoles accessibles

Preparation courses in Literature

Classespréparatoires

Lettres

- ENS Ulm “lettres”, ENS Lettreset sciences humaines1 Lyon

- Chartes, concours B (sans latin)- Ecoles de commerce,“Lettres et sciences humaines”2- Instituts d’études politiques

- ENS Lettres et sciences humaines Lyon,ENS Ulm “lettres”

- ENS Cachan, section E“langues étrangères”3 (anglais)- Ecoles de commerce,“Lettres et sciences humaines”2- Instituts d’études politiques

L, en prioritéES, S avec untrès bon niveaulittéraire

1re année“Lettres”

2e annéeENS Ulm

2e annéeENS Lettreset scienceshumaines

S, (ES, L) avec untrès bon niveauen lettres et enmaths

Classes préparatoiresLettres et sciences sociales

- ENS Ulm “sciences sociales”- ENS Lettres et sciences humaines Lyon “scienceséconomiques et sociales”

- ENS Cachan, section D3 “sciences sociales”- Ecole nationale de la statistique et de l’administrationéconomique (ENSAE)

- Ecoles de commerce,“Lettres et sciences humaines”2ou “économie”

- Instituts d’études politiques

- Chartes, concours A avec latinClasses préparatoires ChartesL, (ES, S) avec unexcellent niveauen latin

L, ES, S Classes préparatoires Saint-Cyrlettres

Classes préparatoiresartistiques Cachan

- Ecole spéciale militaire Saint-Cyr “lettres”

- ENS Cachan C, section “arts et création industrielle”

1. Ex. ENS Fontenay-Saint-Cloud implanté à Lyon. 2. L’anglais (LV1 ou LV2) est obligatoire au concours d’entrée des grandesécoles de commerce. 3.Le concours de l’ENS Cachan, section E langues étrangères est accessible aux élèves de prépas lettres 2e année de l’ENSLettres et sciences humaines, qui ont choisi l’option anglais au concours.

Source : ONISEP

Bac STI, série artsappliqués.Bacheliers L, ES,S passés par uneclasse de mise àniveau en arts

5


The two-yearpreparationprogramme isdividedinto subjects:

- Studentshaveachoiceof3 subject areas in their1st year:

‘MPSI’ (Mathematics,Physics&Engineering-rela-ted Science)

‘PCSI’ (Physics,Chemistry&Engineering-relatedScience)

‘PTSI’ (Physics,Technology&Engineering-relatedScience)

- 4 study modules in the 2nd year: ‘MP’(Mathematics-Physics),‘PC’ (Physics-Chemistry),‘PSI’(Physics&Engineering-relatedScience),‘PT’ (Physics&Technology).

BCPST preparatory classes

The BCPST preparatory classes (Biology,Chemistry,Physics and Environmental Science) aredesigned for baccalaureate ‘S’ students to preparethem for entrance exams to the Schools ofAgronomy andVeterinary Schools

The examination is common to all but the testsmay be affected by different coefficients dependingthecourseof study:agronomyorveterinary science.

Studying at one of France’s‘Grandes Ecoles’

Source : ONISEP


Preparation courses in Science-related subjects

- ENS Ulm

- ENS Lyon

- ENS Cachan

- Polytechnique

- Concours commun Mines-Ponts

- Concours commun Centrale-Supélec

- Concours communs Polytechnique

- Concours communTravaux publics

- Concours communArts et métiers...

- Ecoles de l’armée

- Concours propres

à de nombreuses écoles

S

STIspécialités industrielles

STLspécialités physique et

chimie

STLspécialités biochimie-

génie biologique

MPSI

PCSI

PTSI

BCPST

MP(1)

PC(1)

PT(1)

concours“Agro/Veto”

TSI

TPC

TB

TSI

TPC

TB

PSI(1)

- Ecoles d’ingénieurs Agronomiques- Ecoles vétérinaires- Ecoles de chimie- ENS Ulm Lyon Cachan

- Mêmes écoles que pour les classesMP, PC, PSI, PT, (voir ci-dessus)

- Principalement les écoles de chimie etcertaines écoles accessibles après lesclasses BCPST

- Mêmes écoles Agro/Veto que lesconcours BCPST (voir ci-dessus)

(1er trim.) (2e et 3e trim.)

module

demath

s

option PSI

optionPC

module

sciences

industrielles


Studying in France5


The examination is common to all but the testsmay be affected by different coefficients dependingthecourseof study:agronomyorveterinary science.

This commonexamination also allowsaccess tocertain schoolsof chemistry and to theENS (EcoleNormale Supérieur or Normale Sup’). To find outmore,visit website:www.concours-agro-veto.net

Preparation classes in Economicsand Business

These classes are aimed at students with bac-calaureate ‘S’,‘ES’,‘L’, or ‘STT’.They prepare stu-dents for schools of Economics and Business andthe ENS in Cachan (option Economics &Management) entrance exams.

The two-year study programme is split intofour study options:Science-relatedmodules,eco-nomics-related modules, and technology-rela-ted modules and specialist ENS (in Cachan)‘prépas’ modules.

If students are not offered a place in one ofthese schools, they can apply to study atuniversity by validating their level of studies tomatch the DEUG level via what is called an spe-cial year.

‘The Ecoles NormalesSupérieures’

Equippedwithuniversity-sharedresearchcentres,the four‘EcolesNormales Supérieures’ remain thetraditional route for teacher training and advancedresearch.Once students have passed the entranceexamination,pupils or‘normaliens’ study for a uni-versity diploma:‘licence’,‘master’ or ‘magistère’,orDEA in a subject that they have already studied atschool.Thecourse lasts fouryears.Thirdand fourth-year study consist of preparation for teaching exa-minations and the‘agrégation’,which is the highestcompetitive examination for teachers in France.

Conditions for admission and ‘normalien’(student at an ‘Ecole NormaleSupérieure’) status

Students who have come to the end of a two-year preparation class can apply for a place at an‘Ecole Normale Supérieure’. Students are selec-ted via entrance examinations that vary fromonediscipline to another.

All French and EU award winners areentitled to four years paid study (about 1,220

Studying in France

Preparation classes inEconomics and Business


- Concours des écoles de commerceoption scientifique

- ENS Cachan section D2, “économie, méthodesquantitatives de gestion”, option scientifique

- Concours des écoles de commerceoption économique

- Concours d’admission à Saint-Cyr- ENS Cachan, section D2 “économie, méthodesquantitatives de gestion”, option économique

S toutes spécialitéset éventuellementES spécialité math

ES toutes spécialitésL spécialité math

Prépa économiqueet commercialeoption scientifique

STT

ES, S, L

Prépa économiqueet commercialeoption économique

Prépa économiqueet commercialeoption technologique

Prépa économique et gestion-ENScachan D1 (économie, droit etgestion) et D2 (économie,méthodes quantitatives de gestion)

- Concours des écoles de commerceoption technologie

- ENS Cachan, section D2 option technologique

- Concours ENS Cachan sections D1 et D2- Certaines écoles de commerce- Instituts d’études politiques- Ecoles nationales de la statistique

Source : ONISEP

5



euros permonth) and commit themselves towor-king for the State for ten years.

Ex-ENS pupils can take advantage of tempo-rary employment as part-time heads of teachingat university, these students are known asAMN‘allocataires moniteurs normaliens’.

This title allows them to receive financial aidto finish a thesis for a doctor’s degree that areusually started in the ‘Ecoles NormalesSupérieures’, and will prepare them for a careeras an academic in higher education or research.

ENS entry requirements for overseasstudents

Non-EU citizens are also admitted via entranceexamination.They do not receive income, but insome circumstances are entitled to financial aid.

Overseas students are allowed to attendcertain lessons as unregistered students, forwhich admission is via assessment ofapplication. Some ENS’s have introducedinternational exchange programmes wherethey act as a host university to ‘pensionnairesscientifiques’ (science students who havepost-‘licence’ qualifications from variousoverseas universities) who come to work ona research project.

The study periods at the ENS range from 6to 9months forwhich enrolment fees can be sub-sidised by the government.

‘Les Ecoles Normales Supérieures’and their specialist subjects

ENS Paris(Literature,Social Sciences &Natural Sciences)45, rue d'Ulm75230 PARIS CEDEX 05Tel : 01.44.32.30.00www.ens.fr

ENS de Lettres et SciencesHumaines(Literature, Languages, Social sciences,Economics)15, Parvis René Descartes, BP 700069342 LYON CEDEXTel : 04.37.37.60.00www.ens-lsh.fr

ENS de Lyon(Sciences: Mathematics & InformationTechnology, Natural Sciences, Life Sciences)46, allée d'Italie69364 LYON CEDEX 07Tel : 04.72.72.80.00www.ens.lyon.fr

ENS de Cachan(Sciences & Technology: Mathematics,Physics,Biochemistry,Biological Engineering,Mechanics, Civil Engineering & ElectricalEngineering; Applied Art, Economics &Management; Social Sciences, English)61, avenue du PrésidentWilson94235 CACHAN CEDEXTel : 01.47.40.20.00www.ens-cachan.fr

The ENS in Cachan is spread over twocampuses; there is one in Cachan andanother in Ker-Lann, near Rennes.

Regional campus in BrittanyKer Lann CampusAvenue Roberet Schuman35170 BruzTel: 02.99.05.93.00www.campuskerlann.com


Studying in France5


ENS-Europe entrance examinations

TheENS-Europe Science entrance examination,which is organised at the ENS in Paris (rued’Ulm),is designed to select the best studentswhohave taken two to three years of advanced scien-tific study in their country of origin andwhowishto continue their studies in France.

Engineering schools

Over 240 schools offer engineering diplomacourses in France and the largemajority of themare recognised by‘l’Instance officielle d'habitationdes formations’: la CTI (Commission des titresd'ingénieurs).The qualified engineer’s diploma isa long training programme (five years minimum)that is taught in a CTI-authorised higher edu-cation institution.

Engineering schools fall into two categories:broad area subject schools and specialised sub-ject schools that offer a wide variety of courses:Agronomics, Physics, Biology, Mechanics,Electronics. Broad area subject schools tend tobe more selective (‘Centrale’ = School ofArts &Manufacturing, Mines = Schools of MiningEngineering, Polytechnics, etc).

Admissions

A post-bac engineering training course lasts 5years.The first two years of study may be taughtin different institutions depending on each school’sadmissions procedure.

Most schools take bac + 2 students after their‘classes préparatoires scientifiques et tech-niques’.Applicantsshouldexpect fiercecompetition.

The following schools use the same entranceexam procedures:The following schools use thesame entrance exam procedures: for exampleAgronomy/Veterinary Science Mines/Pont,Centrale/Supélec and the Ecole Polytechnic.

Other schools take students at bac + 2 levelthat have a Science-relatedDEUGor,perhaps, aDUT, through a strict admissions procedureeither by assessing a student’s application or viainterview.Engineering courses at university comeunder this category.

Some schools take students straight after thebaccalaureate, giving priority to the bestscience students.

The schools often come together to organisethe selection process (INSA, ENI, Ecoles de laFESIC),which consists of an assessment of studentapplications,entrance tests,and interviews with apanel.The 3TechnologyUniversities (UTBM,UTC,UTT) use the same selection process.

The ‘Grandes Ecoles’ have different admissionprocedures for bac + 4 ‘maîtrise’ students.

Engineering studies last between 3-5 yearsdepending on the student’s level of education.In addition to basic scientific studies,engineering courses combine broad-basedapplied technology studies,general training andan important practical training - usually in theform of work placement in a company and anend of year project.

The Engineer’s diploma awards studentswith amaster (bac + 5) that is recognised throu-ghout Europe.

Diplomas awarded

The engineering schools essentially awardengineering diplomas,but also doctorates,MBAs,SpecialistMasters,ProMasters,ResearchMastersand Pro licences.

Most of the diplomas can be obtained throughtheVAE –Validation ofWork Experience.

Descriptions of diplomas are available throughthe schools’ websites.

Types of establishments

The majority of engineering schools,including the most prestigious of them arestate-run.Different ministries (ofTrade,Defence,Agriculture, etc.) may direct them, but theMinistry of Education governs most of them.

There are also public schools and some consu-lar schools.

State-run schools tuition fees remain withinthe student budget (roughly 500 € to 1000 € peryear), but tuition fees are considerably higher inpublic schools.

Lists of accredited schools that run qualifiedengineer’s courses are published every year in anofficial newsletter.

Studying in France

5


Engineering school entryrequirements for overseas students

The French selection process is essentiallyaimed at students who have taken advanced stu-dies in mathematics and physics,whichmakes the

Engineering diploma course all the more difficultto get into. There are, however, specific studyroutes designed to help students:- Special entrance examinations for overseasstudents who have the consideredequivalent of the baccalaureate and who havealready taken a preparation class to preparethem for overseas engineering schools’entrance exams, for example ‘CentraleSupélec’, or for students who have studiedMathematics and Science at an advanced level‘Polytechnique’

- Schools that take students with baccalaureate-level studyoffer themcourses specifically forover-seas students such as the 1st cycle courseEURINSA,ASINSA,AMERINSA (in the INSA


BTS2 ans

DUT2 ans

Prépa2 ans

Écoled’ingénieurs

5 ans

avecprépa

intégrée

Écoled’ingénieurs

3 ans M1(Master 1)

M2(Master 2)

Thèse3 ans

MS

Recherche publiqueou

Recherche/développementdans l’industrie

Industrie etServices

Various engineering-related courses


Studying in France5


programmes),CHEMIST (in theChemistry Schoolsof theGayLussacFederation) students,for example,UTC‘UniversitéTechnologique de Compiègne’

- The European school that takes studentswiththe considered overseas equivalent of 1stcyclelevel study, for example, EEIGM at the INPin Lorraine

- Partnerships between French and overseasinstitutions,offering joint French and overseasEngineer’s diplomas.Overseas students cur-rently make up approximately 17 % of stu-dent intake in the Engineering schools,whichare members of the CGE (Conference desGrandes Ecoles). In order to gain moreinternational recognition,recent trends haveshown that Engineering schools are groupingtogether.

Paris TechParisTech,Institute of Science andTechnology,

is centre of excellence for higher education andresearch ; it bring together the ten most presti-gious engineering schools in France.The qualityof the teaching staff,the extensive range of scien-tific and technical disciplines covered give ParisTecha status comparable with the top universities intheworld.Moreover ParisTech is the only Frenchmember of the IDEA League, an alliance of theleading EuropeanTechnology universities (nota-bly Imperial College, London, TU Delft, ETHZurich, RWTHAachen).

ParisTech offers a very high level of trainingcourses for engineering students, at Master andDoctorate level.All programmes aim to give thestudents a scientific and managerial training toenable them to take up positions of responsibi-lity in a corporate or research environment, orin the higher levels of the civil service.

For further information see www.paristech.fr

• Founder member schools of ParisTech:- AgroParisTech- Arts et Métiers ParisTech- Chimie Paris- Ecole des Ponts- Ecole Polytechnique- ENSAE ParisTech- ENSTA- ESPCI- Mines Paris- TELECOM ParisTEch

Business andmanagement schools

In addition to the university courses inEconomics and Management (IAE, IUP,Masters’degree inmanagement,etc.),‘Grandes Ecoles’ offertheir own courses in Business and Management.About one hundredmainly public or consular ins-titutions (which are governed by the Chamberof Commerce & Industry) offer students bac +4 or + 5 courses.

About seventy of these schools offer coursesunder the direction of theMinistry of Education,and theirs are the only diplomas that are reco-gnised throughout Europe.

Of such schools,close to thirty are membersof the CGE‘Conférence des Grandes Ecoles’. Inthe CGE, these schools form the ‘Chapitre desGrands Ecoles de Management’.

To name a few:HEC‘Ecole des Hautes EtudesCommerciales’,the ESSEC‘Ecole Supérieure desSciences Economiques et Commerciales’, theESCP‘Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris’,the EDHEC ‘Ecole des Hautes EtudesCommerciales de Lille’, the EM in Lyon, and theESCP-EAP or the Sup de Co‘Ecoles Supérieuresde Commerce’.

The education is costly,often 5,000 to 10,000euros per year.

For further information, the CEFI(Committee on Engineering training) hasa good website:www.cefi.org

Studying in France

5


Admissions

Applicantsmust take an entrance examinationaccording to their level, after the baccalaureateand after a preparation class at bac + 2, bac + 3or bac + 4 level.

Certain schools join together to recruitstudents via the same entrance examination,such as is the case for the following different levelsof entry:Post-baccalaureate - examACCESS andSESAM; Post-Preparation class - collective stockof examinations belonging to and organised by theChamber of Commerce & Industry in Paris andECRICOME;bac + 3 or 4 -TREMPLINS,PROFILS,etc.

The most recognised schools generallysubject post-preparation class applicants toentrance examinations.

There are also similar admissions procedures(mostly entrance tests) for bac + 2 students.

Several management schools have integratedpreparation classes.

Training

Themajority of‘Grandes Ecoles’ offer studentsadvanced-level courses inmanagement that focuson maintaining close links with industry and pro-fessionals who contribute to class content andstructuring.

Even though they are renown for their broad-based study courses, Business & ManagementSchools also have awhole host of specialised sub-ject courses on offer, especially in the last year ofstudy: Auditing, Finance, Marketing, HumanResources,Accounting, etc.

These institutions pride themselves on main-taining good international relations, and someschools even have joint French andoverseas diplo-mas.For further information,the FNGE‘Fondationnationale pour l'enseignement de la gestiondes entreprises’ has a good website atwww.fnege.net or try the CGE’s website:www.cge.asso.fr.

Other‘Grandes Ecoles’

Ecole Nationale d'Administration

TheENA’s‘EcoleNationaled'Administration’ thatwas founded in1945wasoriginallydesigned to trainhigh-ranking civil servants and government admi-nistration executives.

With a selective admissions procedure invol-ving an entrance examination, the ENA offersplaces to students who have bac + 3 or bac + 4level study.Most students have studied a diplomacourse at the IEP ‘Institut d'Etudes Politiques’.

There are two international ‘cycles’ aimed atqualified foreign civil servants who have an excel-lent command of the French language:

-Theshort International‘cycle’ lasts for9monthsand a lot of course emphasis is put on theconstruction of the European Union.

- The long International ‘2e cycle’ course(where foreign students are taught the exactsame programme as the schools French stu-dents).

The admission procedure is very selective.

Les Instituts d’Etudes Politiques

There are nine IEP’s in France that go by thename of ‘Sciences-Po’, with the most prestigiousof all the schools being in Paris.The Paris-basedIEP is an independent establishment that offers afive-year study programme with a year abroad.

The eight IEP’s in Aix-en-Provence, Bordeaux,Grenoble, Lille, Lyon, Rennes, Strasbourg andToulouse are officially attached to the universities

For more information, visit their web site:www.ena.fr under ‘Actions internationales’.



Studying in France5

and have just set up a four-year programme witha year spent abroad, in industry or at university.

Applicants are subjected to an entrance examaccording to their level of study:post-baccalaureate;bac + 1,often with a year’s preparation class; bac+ 2; or even bac + 3.TheAdmissions procedureis very strict at all levels.

The broad-based but advanced level of studyin‘1er cycle’ emphasises a rigorous methodology,bothwritten andoral.Studies in "Poli Sci" (law,eco-nomics, history, political sciences, culture andsociety,modern languages) covermultipledisciplinesand emphasise interrelationships in the contem-porary world.

After a year’s broad-based study,studentsmustspecialise in a particular interest.

In the second year study,there are four depart-ments (Public Service, Economics and Finance,Economic & Social Policy, International Relations,which includes a module on Europe) on offer tostudents.

Certain IEPoffermorediversified specialisations.For the 3rd cycle of study, the Paris IEP offers

severalDEAandDESS courses that award studentswith a doctorate in a variety of disciplines.

Overseas students in the IEP

The IEP in Paris offers overseas studentsInternational study programmes in the 2nd yearof ‘1er cycle’ study, as well as an InternationalPolitical Science cycle one-year diploma course.

This cycle is open to overseas bac +3 studentsof the same discipline. Candidates are selectedon the basis of application assessment and a Frenchproficiency test.

Other IEP’s welcome an increasing number offoreign students each year by offering them adiplôme d'établissement.

Ecole Nationale des Chartes

‘l'Ecole Nationale des Chartes’ trainspalaeographer archivists.

Students who have completed a two-year‘prepa’ class,a ‘licence,or a Master are eligible totake the entrance test. In some circumstances,overseas students can get in to the course as anunregistered student.www.enc.sorbonne.fr

For further information,youcan lookon the‘IEP de Paris’ web site: www.sciences-po.frunder ‘Sciences Po International’.


Studying in France

‘Instituts d’études politiques’web addresses

IEP d’Aix en Provencewww.iep-aix.fr

IEP de Bordeauxwww.sciencespobordeaux.fr

IEP de Grenoblewww.sciences-po.upmf-grenoble.fr

IEP de Lillehttp://iep.univ-lille2.fr

IEP de Lyonhttp://.iep.univ-lyon2.fr

IEP de Pariswww.science-po.fr

IEP de Renneswww.rennes.iep.fr

IEP de Strasbourgwww.iep.u-strasbg.fr

IEP de Toulousewww.sciencespo-toulouse.fr

5



Ecole Nationale Supérieuredes Sciences de l'Informationet des Bibliothèques

The ENSSIB runs eighteen-month trainingcourses for public library librarians. Studentswith bac + 3minimummay apply.The school offersits own diploma courses alongwith‘3e cycle’ natio-nal courses in collaboration with the Universityof Lyon 1.

The school also welcomes overseas students.

Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire

A NationalVet’s diploma is required to prac-tice a profession allied to the veterinary profes-sion and the training courses on offer at the ENV‘EcolesNationalesVétérinaires’ inMaisons-Alfort(near Paris), Lyon,Toulouse & Nantes.

Students who have done a year’s ‘prepa véto’or a BTS or DUT in similar subjects must passa very selective entrance exam.This exam allowsstudents to enter directly into the 2nd year of the1er cycle.After 3 years in the 2e cycle, studentscan earn the DEFV (Diplôme d'EtudesFondamentalesVétérinaires’), which allows stu-dents to study in the ‘3e cycle’, a one to five yearstudy programme where students must submita thesis with or without a specialised subject anda doctorate research project.

Other prestigiousinstitutions

In addition to universities and‘Grandes Ecoles’,there are prestigious state-run institutions thataremainly very old and are dedicated to research.

These establishments run their own diplomacourses as well as national diploma courses at‘3e cycle’ level.

Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes(EPHE)

The EPHE is divided into three departmentsand specialises in or a BTSorDUT EnvironmentalScience, the Life sciences,History, Philology andReligious studies. They run two-year courseswhere students have to submit a dissertation ina specialised area of research.The EPHE also rundoctorate research courses.There are no speci-fic entry requirements to get into a course as anunregistered student.

Ecole des Hautes Etudes en SciencesSociales (EHESS)

The EHESS runs two-year diploma courseswhere students must submit a dissertation in aspecialised area of research.The EHESS also runsdoctorate courses.

The EHESS is an advanced level research-ledinstitution that specialises in Social Sciences.They offer the school’s own three-year diplomacourse along with national diploma courses at‘3e cycle’ level.

Admissions are subject to assessment of stu-dents’ applications and research projects.

For more information:www.ehess.fr.

For further information:www.enssib.frFor further information:www.ephe-sorbonne.fr.


Studying in France5


Le Collège de France

‘LeCollège de France’ neither prepares examsnor runs diploma courses. Classes are open tothe public without pre-registration and are freeof charge.It is an essentially independent and auto-nomous research-led institution, which bringstogether distinguished teachers who plan theircourses around the topics that they choose.

For further information:www.college-de-France.fr.

Studying in France


A wide range of course subjects

Whilst keeping aneyeoneconomic activity,thesevocational courses are noted for their diversity andcombination of different subjects.There are shortand long courses, state and public schools, natio-nal diplomas and diplomas that are unique to eachdifferent school. If you choose to study in a publicinstitution, you must carefully consider the costsinvolved and have a very in-depth knowledge ofthe course content and the extent to which it isrecognised by different professions.

Some professions can be prepared for in spe-cialised schools (i.e.: Architecture, Nursing, etc),others,however,(Journalism,Restorationof art,etc)can be studied at university or in one of the‘Grandes Ecoles’.

Social workSocial aid courses (Psychological & Medical

support,Social &Cultural activities,Social & FamilyPolicy, Social work, Special Needs Education) lasttwo to three years.There are (bac + 2 level) natio-nal diploma courses,and BTS or DUT courses insome of these subjects.

Go to the Ministry of Employment, SocialAffairs, and Solidarity website, click on SocialAffairs :www.travail-solidarite.gouv.fr/espaces/social/793.html

Aeronautical studiesTechnician and pilot training schemes

Several institutions provide technician-training courses in the aeronautical field or in civilaviation as well as pilot training schemes.

Two IUP’s offer training in industrial enginee-ring (Bordeaux 1,Aix-Marseille, 2 and 3).

There is one specialised ‘Grande Ecole’: ‘l’É-cole Nationale de l’Aviation Civile’ (ENAC) inToulouse, that runs traffic controller, Pilot,

Engineering and Civil aviation superior techni-cian training courses.

Agriculture,‘agri-business’

For a list of higher education institutions spe-cialisingAgronomics&Veterinary studies,see pages176 and 177 or go to the Ministry ofAgriculture& Fisheries’ website:www.portea.fr

Paramedical studiesSeveral institutionsruntrainingcourses inNursing,

Psychiatricnursing,Occupational therapy,Midwifery(after passing the competitive exam at the end ofthe 1st year of medical studies) and other speciali-sed Paramedical studies: Paediatric nursing,Physiotherapy, Electroradiology, functional exami-nation,Optics,Chiropody.The training courses forthese professions last from 2 to 4 years.Themajo-rity of them are taught in schools or institutes thatare governed by the Ministry for Health. Othercourses are taught at university or in Ministry ofEducation-run schools.

Further information about these professionsand their corresponding training coursescan be found on theMinistry of Health andSports’ web site:www.sante.gouv.fr/htm/pointsur/metiers

For further enquiries:ENAC

7, avenue Édouard Belin - BP BP 54005F 31055Toulouse Cedex 4

FRANCE.Tel.: 05 62 17 40 00

www.enac.fr

5COURSES IN VOCATIONALSUBJECTS

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ArchitectureIn France,Architect diploma training courses are

regulated. Only students with national diplomas(DPLG,DENSAIS,DESA which are protected bythe State) can work as architects. There arecourses in the 20 Ministry of Culture-governed‘Ecoles Nationales d’Architecture’ where stu-dents can study for a ‘Diplôme d’Architecte’DPLG,which is a government-awarded diploma.There are twoother architect-training courses:an“Engineering” module that is taught in theArchitecture department of ‘l’Ecole NationaledesArts et Industries de Strasbourg’ and offers a‘Diplôme d’Architecte’ DENSAIS course.

Apublicor fee-paying course,is offeredby‘l’EcoleSpéciale d’Architecture à Paris’ at the end ofwhich a‘Diplôme d’ArchitecteDESA’ is obtained.

Architectural Studies areorganised in three two-year cycles.

The first two cycles are authorised by thehigher education system.

1st cycle is open to baccalaureate students andstudents with the considered equivalent of studyto the baccalaureate, relevant professional expe-rienceor personal achievements that enable themto start at 1st cycle. The 1st cycle course inArchitecture is a national diploma of higher edu-cation.

‘Deuxième cycle’ or 2nd cycle is open to stu-dents who have completed a 1st cycle course inarchitecture or its considered equivalent and tostudentswhohave relevant professional experienceorpersonal achievements that enable themto startat 2nd cycle level.The course ismade upof coursemodules and requires students to submit a dis-sertation.The 2nd cycle course in architecture isa national diploma of higher education.

‘Troisième cycle’ or 3rd cycle consists of pre-paring the ‘Diplôme d’Architecte’ - DPLG that ismade up of three modules. 1) Project, seminars,vocational training,2)One-term’swork placementand a personal end of year project,3)Or in a spe-cialised professional area (DPEA,Master Pro), orin the form of a research project (ResearchMaster).

A list of architectural schools is available in theAppendices (p. 229).

Foreign yearabroad students should pick upa pre-registration form either from the ‘Ecoled’Architecture’ of their choice or from the FrenchEmbassy in their country of origin or residence.

A sound knowledge of the French language isrequired when handing in the application form.Schools and Embassies’ cultural services arrangeFrench language tests in February to correspondwith tests that are taken in universities.

Creative artsFine Art

In addition to the four Ministry of Education-governed schools,‘Ecole Boulle’,‘EcoleDuperré’,‘Ecole Estienne’,and‘Ecole Olivier de Serres’,56Ministry for the Arts-directed institutions offerstudents higher education courses in fine Art.There are also numerous national, regional andlocal art schools across France.

There are two types of Ministry forArts-directed schools:

- Schools that run specific diploma coursessuch as the ENSBA, ENSAD & ENSCI.

- Schools that runNational diploma coursessuch as the DNSEP,DNAP & DNAT.

SCHOOLS THAT PREPARE SPECIFICDIPLOMAS

École Nationale Supérieure desBeaux-arts (Fine Arts) - ENSBA

The ENSBA is designed to teach young art stu-dents painting techniques, sculpture and how tousemultimedia.A lot of emphasis is put on theory.

Students are recruited on the results of a com-petitive exam, and their prior work and recordsare assessed before admission (age limit: 24).Thestudies last 5 to 6 years.At the end of their finalyear, students are awarded ‘le Diplôme National

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Supérieur d’Arts Plastiques’ (DNSAP).This diplomacourse corresponds to ‘niveau II’ level study.

ENSBA14, rue Bonaparte - 75006 ParisTel: 01 47 03 50 00

École Nationale Supérieure d’ArtsDécoratifs - ENSAD

The ENSAD offers students the followingtraining (4 years of courses):

- ‘DiplômeNational Supérieur d’ArtDécoratif’(DNSAD),which covers 14 different subjects.

- ‘Certificat d’Etudes Spécialisées’ (computeraided design,multimedia,publication-press,fur-niture design).

Students have to sit for an entrance exami-nation when applying for 1st ,2nd and 4th year levelof study and for the advanced cycle of researchand innovation. Admissions for 3rd year levelstudy are based on the student’s qualifications.

ENSAD31, rue d’Ulm - 75240 Paris cedex 05Tel.: 01 42 34 97 00

École Nationale Supérieure deCréation Industrielle - ENSCI

After a 3 to 5 year course, the ENSCI awardsstudents the‘DiplômedeCréateur Industriel’ (bac+ 5) in the field of industrial design and textiledesign.

These schools run courses of varying lengththat depend on the students’ qualifications.Thenumber of years of study for each student is deter-mined via entrance examination.

ENSCI48, rue Saint Sabin - 75011 Paris.Tel: 01 49 23 12 12

DIPLOMAS AWARDED BY SCHOOLS OFHIGHER EDUCATION IN FRANCE ORTHE FRENCH TERRITORIES

There are three national diploma coursesthat are taught in 6 National schools:‘Ecoles desBeaux-arts de Bourges’, Cergy-Pontoise, Dijon,Limoges-Aubusson, Nancy, Nice and 42 ‘EcolesTerritoriales’ that are governed by the Ministryof Culture and Communication.

The Ministry of Culture and Communicationawards the following national diplomas:

National Diploma in Art andTechniques (DNAT with modules in Graphicdesign,Space design, Industrial design). It is a two-yearprogramme of study.

National Diploma in Fine Arts (DNAP)is also a three-year course.

It is made up of three modules: Art,Communication & Design.

Higher National Diploma in Fine Arts(DNSEP) is a five-year course. Students mustchoose one of the following modules: Art,Communication or Design. The DNSEPcorresponds to ‘niveau II’ level study.

Formore information about this school,youcan look at their website:www.ensci.com

Further information about courses andentry requirements, consult the schoolwebsite:www.ensad.fr

Further information is available on theschool’s website:www.ensba.fr



Studying in France5


The entry requirements for these schoolsweredecided upon in the 6th March and 10th July 1997acts.Each institution organises their own entranceexams,which consist of a practical test, a writ-ten exam to test student’s general culture, andan interviewwith an admissions panel in relationto the student’s application.

Students must have a baccalaureate orqualifications that are considered the equivalentby ‘la Commission Nationale d’Equivalence’.

Art studies are organised in the followingman-ner:

The short cycle prepares for the DNAT withthree options: Graphic design, Spatial design, orProduct design.

The long cycle is divided into two parts:-One programmeof 2nd and 3rd year study thatleads to the DNAP diploma;

- A 4th and 5th year study project that leads tothe DNSEP diploma.

There are three possible options: Art,Communication,orDesign,but not all the schoolsoffer the complete coursework for all threeoptions.

Information on the requirements and theoperation of these schools can be obtained fromthe following address:

Professionsin cultural heritage

The professions in cultural heritage cover awide number of disciplines. Some of these pro-fessions are closely related to knowledge ofFrench culture (art historians,mediators),othersto its preservation,conservation,and protection(protecting the cultural heritage, designing his-torical monuments), but also its restoration(painting restorers, artisans, etc).

Department of Curators

Institut National du PatrimoineThis consists of two departments:-Le Département des Conservateurs,

which offers eighteen-month training in theconservation of the cultural heritage of the State,the city of Paris, and the local governments.Recruitment occurs through an external com-petitive exam and by internal exam.

Institut Nationale du Patrimoine2, rueVivienne - 75002 ParisTel.: 01 44 41 16 41www.inp.fr.

Department of Restorers- Le Département des Retaurateurs,

which offers 7 5 year concentrations.Admissionis based on a competitive examination open toapplicants 20 to 30 years of age.

The National Institute for HeritageDepartment of Restorers150, avenue du PrésidentWilson93210 La Plaine Saint-DenisTel: 01 49 46 57 00www.inp.fr

- École du Louvre, focusing more directlyon art history.It takes 1st cycle baccalaureate stu-dents or students with a considered equivalentwhomust take a grading test (Application formsare available between December and Februarypreceding the academic year).The 1st cycle levelstudy programme lasts three years at the end ofwhich a diploma in extended research is awar-ded. In order to get into the 2nd cycle level of study(a one year course), students must have taken a1st cycle course with either a masters in Arthistory or Archaeology or its considered over-seas (bac + 4) equivalent.At the‘Ecole du Louvre’,students are awarded with the following diplo-mas: ‘Diplôme d’Etudes Supérieures del’École du Louvre’, according to the terms of thethree-year ‘3e cycle’ level of research, or the‘Diplôme Spécial de Muséologie’; ‘Diplôme deRecherche de l’Ecole du Louvre’ (3e cycle)

Ministère de la Cultureet de la Communication

Délégation aux arts plastiques,département des enseignements,de la recherche et de l’innovation

3, rue deValois75033 Paris Cedex 01Tél : 01 40 15 80 00

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Ecole du LouvrePalais du Louvre Porte JaujardPlace du Carrousel75038 Paris Cedex 01Tel.: 01 55 35 18 35/18 00www.ecoledulouvre.fr

University offerings are also very numerous andare updated frequently.

Performing artsDrama

We must draw students attention to the factthat a lot of French universities run theatre stu-dies courses (1st,2nd & 3rd cycle),for example:Caen,Lille-Villeneuve d’Ascq,Paris III,Paris X,Rennes II,etc.

Among the many Drama schools, three esta-blishments run intensive,freecourses that arewidelyrecognised in the PerformingArts industry:

-École Supérieure d’Art Dramatique duthéâtre national de Strasbourg (TNS). TheNationalTheatre in Strasbourg offers a three-yeartraining course for actors,set designers,stagemana-gers, anddirectors-playwrights.There is anentranceexam and students must be 18 years of age,havebac +2 or a baccalaureate with two years workexperience and a sound knowledge of the FrenchLanguage.Students can enrol betweenNovemberand February. Professional actors or Stage direc-tors can enrol for a year’s work placement.

ESAD-TNSThéâtre National de Strasbourg1, av. de la Marseillaise - BP 4018467005 Strasbourg CedexTel.: 03 88 24 88 08www.tns.fr/ecole-superieure-art-dramatique.html

-Le Conservatoire National Supérieurd’Art Dramatique de Paris (CNSAD) takesselect students via entrance examination.Studentsenrol in January and are offered places in MarchorApril and register in June.Studentsmust be agedbetween 18 and 24 years of age on the 1st

October in the year they apply for the entranceexam.Applicants must have completed at leastone year of theatrical training under a professionalwho recommends their application.The studieslast three years.

CNSAD2, bis rue du Conservatoire75009 ParisTel.: 01 42 46 12 91www.cnsad.fr

- École Nationale Supérieure des ArtsetTechniquesduThéâtre (ENSATT,formerly‘Ecole de la rue Blanche’) offers a three year trai-ning course for theatre administrators, actors,costume designers,set designers,stage managers,sound and lighting engineers. Students are selec-ted via an entrance examination which is open tocandidates aged between 18 and 25 years of age,who have a bac + 2 or a baccalaureate with twoyears work experience and a sound knowledgeof the French language. Students may enrol bet-ween February andMarch.All courses award stu-dents with an ENSATT diploma.

ENSATT42, rue Soeur Bouvier69322 Lyon CedexTel.: 04 78 15 05 05www.ensatt.fr

To find out more about Drama & Melodramacourses, information is available at the CentreNational duThéâtre:

136, rue Legendre, 75017 ParisTel.: 01 44 61 84 85cnt.asso.fr



Studying in France5


Circus studies

There are two Ministry of Culture andCommunication governed schools of CircusArts. ‘L’École Supérieure des Arts duCirque’ (ESAC), at Châlons in Champagne,organises national and regional entrance exams.Students must be 18-25 years of age. ‘l’EcoleNationale du Cirque’ at Rosny-sous-Bois,organises a pre-selection and a selection proce-dure in July,based on an exam.TheAcadémieAnnieFratellini in Saint-Denis is also a Ministry ofCulture and Communication-supported esta-blishment renowned for its vocational prepara-tion courses.

Music& opera studies

Courses in music are available in over threehundred local leisure centres.‘LesConservatoiresNationaux de Région’ (CNR), ‘Les ÉcolesNationales deMusique et deDanse’ (ENMD),‘LesÉcoles Municipales de Musique et de DanseAgréées’ (EMMDA),which are all directed by theMinistry of Culture and Communication.Thereare also two ‘Conservatoires Supérieurs deMusique’ in Paris & Lyon.

National and municipal conservatoriesof music & dance

Students who wish to apply for a place at aCNR, an ENMD or an EMMDA must take anentrance exam.These institutions offer technicalcourses that are designed to give students ama-teur skills;some of the courses prepare studentsfor working life in their chosen field.

To apply for a place inoneof the‘conservatoiresnationaux supérieurs’ students must take anentrance examination (the required age bracketdepends on which instrument the student wantsto play).

The average course lasts four years.The pro-grammeshelp students todecidebetweena careeras a solo artist,composerormemberof anorches-tra.

There are also schools (CEFEDEM) for studentswho want to become music & dance teachers,in which they can take a National diploma tea-ching course.

Universities

About twenty universities have amusic depart-ment and offerDEUG,‘licence’,aMaster inMusicor a ‘Diplôme Universitaire de MusicienIntervenant’ (DUMI) (seeHigher education esta-blishments & disciplines at the beginning of thischapter).

DanceThere are plenty of dance academies and

classes.The national conservatories of music anddance in Paris and Lyon provide training in classicalandmoderndance.Thestudies last for4years.Theseinstitutions respectively issue a Diplôme Supérieurde Danse and a Diplôme National d’EtudesSupérieures Choréographiques.

Three Ecoles Supérieurs for dance are run bythe State:

- L’École Nationale Supérieurede Danse de Marseille20, bd Gabès13417 Marseille cedex 08Tél. : 04 91 32 72 72www.ecole-danse-marseille.com

- Le Centre National de DanseContemporaine d’Angers17, rue de laTannerieBP 5010749101Angers Cedex 02Tel.: 02 44 01 22 66www.cndc.fr

- L’Ecole supérieure de danseRosella-Hightower21 Chemin de Faissole06250 Cannes-MounginsTél. : 04 93 94 79 80www.cannesdance.com

TheUniversities ofNice&ParisVIII offer licenseand ‘Master courses in Performing Arts with aconcentration in Dance.

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Audio-visual artsStudio National des ArtsContemporains du Fresnoy

The school of Fresnoy (StudioNational desArtsContemporains) is an institution that specialisesin advanced level study of creative and visual arts,which brings together all the arts under one roof:FineArt,Photography,Cinema&FilmStudies,Video,NewTechnology applied to Sound& Image,Music,Dance, etc.The diploma courses last two years.This school is aimed at bac + 4 level students orstudentswith relevantwork experience.Studentsare selected on the basis of their entrance exa-mination and interview.

School address:‘Le Fresnoy’Studio national des arts contemporains22, rue du FresnoyBP 17959202Tourcoing cedexTel: 03 20 28 38 00www.le-fresnoy.net

Images and soundPhotography

- Ecole Nationale Supérieure Louis-Lumière (ENSLL,-‘Vaugirard’),located in theParisregion in‘Noisy-le-Grand’,subjects applicantswhoareunder27andwhohave abac+2 toanentranceexamination.At theendof the three-year studypro-gramme, students are awarded the ‘DiplômeSupérieur d’Etat’ for each course concentration(photography, cinema, sound).

ENSLL7 allée du Promontoire - rue deVaugirard93161 Noisy le Grand CedexTel.: 01 48 15 40 10www.ens-louis-lumiere.fr.

- Ecole Nationale Supérieure desMétiers de l’Image et du Son (FEMIS)tends to accept studentsmore after entrance exa-mination than on account of their application form.Students must have a bac + 2 or a baccalaureateand 4 years work experience in cinema and beable to present a personal project to the admis-sions panel.Students can apply between Februaryand April.The selection procedure takes placeduring July, September & October.The Instituteoffers students courses in the following specia-lised areas:Script-writing,Filming,Special Effects,Sound Engineering, Image, Scenery, Production,Management, and Promotion. Studies last 38months and result in a level 1 diploma (bac + 5).

FEMIS6, rue Francoeur75018 ParisTel.: 01 53 41 21 0075018 Pariswww.femis.fr

Ecole Nationale Supérieure de laPhotographie d'Arles (ENSP) selects studentswith a DEUG in an art-related subject, a CEAPor their considered equivalents via an entranceexam. ‘L’école d’Arles’ runs a national diplomacourse: ‘Diplôme de l’Ecole Nationale de laPhotographie’ (DNEP).‘Ecole nationale Supérieurede la photographie’

16, rue desArènes - BP 1014913631Arles CedexTel.: 04 90 99 33 33www.enp-arles.com



Studying in France5


International City for Comics and theImage

Themost famous private establishment is theNationalCentre forComics and the ImageinAngoulême,which offers a one year Masterin game design and interactive digital media (Bac+ 5) to students with Bac + 3.

Cité Internationale121, rue de Bordeaux16023Angoulême cedexTel.: 33 - 05 45 38 65 65www.cnbdi.fr

Some universities offer complete courseworkin Cinema & Film studies: the universities ofAix-Marseille I,Bordeaux III,Caen,Lille III,Lyon II,Metz,Montpellier III,Nancy II, Paris I, Paris III, ParisVII,ParisVIII, Paris X and Rennes II.

JournalismThere are nine types of training accredited by

‘La Convention Collective des Journalistes’.Acceptance is highly competitive.The two oldestschools are the most highly rated:‘Le CFJ’ in Parisand ‘l’ESJ de Lille’:

-‘LeCentredeFormationdesJournalistes’(CFJ) selects candidates via entrance examination.Studentsmust have at least bac + 2 level study,butmost applicants have a bac + 4.The age limit forapplying is 25 years.The course lasts two years,(which consists of a‘section journaliste’ and a‘sec-tion journaliste-reporter d’images’).

CFJ35, rue du Louvre75002 ParisTel.: 01 44 82 20 00www.cfpj.com

- ‘l’École Supérieure de Journalisme deLille’ (ESJ) selects students via an entrance test.Students must have at least bac + 2 level study.Another admission procedure is organised foroverseas students.The course lasts two years.

ESJ50, rue Gauthier-de-Châtillon59046 Lille cedexTel.: 03 20 30 44 00www.esj-lille.fr

-The IUT of theUniversity of Bordeaux III andof the University of Tours are equipped with amedia & communication department,which spe-cialises in journalism.

-‘l’Institut des hautes Etudes en Sciences del’Information et de laCommunication’ (Universitéde Paris IV - CELSA) admits students on the basisof a competitive exam and offer Licences,Mastersand Doctorates.

-‘Le Centre Universitaire d’Enseignement duJournalisme’ (Université de Strasbourg III) offersa Professional Masters in journalism.

-‘l’Ecole de Journalisme et deCommunication’(Aix-Marseille II - CTMC) run a ProfessionalMasters in journalism, and three DU courses.

-‘l’Ecole de journalisme deToulouse’.

For more information, contact: Le ministèrede la Culture and Communication,Directionde la musique et de la danse, du théâtre etdes spectacles 53, rue Saint-Dominique

75007 ParisTel.: 01 40 15 88 84 or visit theweb site (very complete on all artistic areas

of study):www.culture.gouv.fr/culture/infos-pratiques/

formations/index-formations.htm

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Interpreting andtranslation

The existing Interpreting & Translationstudies are either offered by universities or areprivate.Theseprogrammesusually last two to threeyears and are of a particularly high level.Studentsare taken at DEUG or‘licence’ level.Two schoolsspecializing in this area, ESIT and ISIT, are mem-bers of the CIUTI (International PermanentConference of University Institutes ofTranslatorsand Interpreters), a sign of their quality.

- ‘Ecole Supérieure d’Interprètes et deTraducteurs’ (ESIT) at‘Paris III-Sorbonne-nouvelle’runs the followingdiplomacourses:Masters’ degree‘Master LEA’ that is allied to specialisedTranslation,,editorial translation,economic and technical trans-lation,Master in conference interpreting,Europeanmasters’ degree in interpretation, Master &Doctorate in the technology of translation andMaster in French sign language.

There are several different admission levels atthe ESIT (bac + 2, bac + 3).Applicants are requi-red to take a competitive examination for whichregistration takes place in February.

ESITCentre Universitaire DauphinePlace du Maréchal de Lattre deTassigny75775 Paris cedex 16Tel.: 01 44 05 42 05Further information is available onUniversity Paris III’s website:www.univ-paris3.fr/esit/index.html

- A Private institution, ‘l’Institut Supérieurd’Interprétation et deTraduction’ (ISIT) that istaught at ‘l’Institut Catholique de Paris’,runs spe-cialised courses in technical translation(Terminology, InternationalAffairs) as well as aConference Interpreter training course, at theend of which students are awarded with an ISITdiploma.Students are admittedon the basis of pas-sing an entrance exam, for which registrationcommences in July and selection takes place inSeptember.

ISIT12 rue Cassette75006 Paris Cedex 06Tel.: 01 42 44 33 16www.isit-Paris.fr

Other disciplines

There are also specialised courses in Insurance,Banking,Commercial Property&Civil Engineering,Business, Management & Sales, Electronics,Electricity Security,Media &Communication,RealEstate, Mechanics, Paramedical Studies, Textiledesign,Tourism,Transport,etc,which are on offerin a whole host of private and consular insti-tutions. These private or consular institutionsinclude chambers of commerce & industry,chambers of trade or professional institutionsfederations or workers unions. There are somany of them that it is impossible to mentionthem all.

(See“UsefulAddresses” or“Specialised infor-mation centres” at the back of the brochurep. 227).

Almost all of these courses at different levelsare taught in ‘téchnicien supérieur’ departmentswithin IUT’s and University departments (seebeginning of this chapter) or at one of the‘Grandes Ecoles’ (see section on‘Grandes Ecoles’).



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The Grandes EcolesA Unique study in anatural environment

•Agronomy

• Biotechnologies

• Environment

• Rural and urban development

and improvement

• Food Sciences

•Veterinary medicine

• Research and development

• Professional degrees

• Post Bac engineer

• Initial engineering training after

preparatory classes

• Engineer through apprentices

hip

• Ongoing engineering training

• DPLG landscape gardening

• Certificates in higher studies

•Veterinary

• Masters

• Doctorates

After the BacEntrance examinations in certain schools open

to students holding Bac S (Public: INH,Angers;

Agrocampus, Rennes) (Private:WSA,Angers; EI,

Purpan; ESB, Nantes; ESITPA, Rouen; ISA, Lille;

ISARA, Lyon; Institut Polytechnique, La Salle

Beauvais).

Level Bac+2- ExaminationA – general option open to stu-

dents enrolled in preparatory classes BCPST“bio-

logy, chemistry, physics, and environmental

sciences” or biochemistry/biology option open

to students enrolled in preparatory classes TB

“technology and biology”.

Tel: 01 44 08 16 29

www.concours-agro-veto.net

- Examination B open to students having suc-

cessfully completed the first 4 semesters of a

licence in life sciences,environmental sciences or

materials sciences, and holding a professional

degree.

Tel: 01 44 08 16 29


- Examination C open to holders of certain

BTS, BTSA or DUT

Tel 05 57 35 07 22

- Examination C2 open to holders of certain

DUT obtained in the same year as the exam.

Tel: 01 44 08 16 29


- Parallel admission requirements in private

schools

Level Bac+3Parallel admission requirements in private

schools

Level Bac+4- Examination D open to holders of a Master

or first year of amastermajoring in Biology (entry

into 2nd year of engineering school).

- Parallel admission requirements in private

schools

AGRICULTURAL STUDIESLIFE-SIZE TRAINING

Studying in France

© ministère de l’Agriculture et de la Pêche

5


Professional placementFrom 3 to 6 months after completion of

studies

International activities- enrolment in the European area of higher edu-

cation following Licence, Master or Doctoratecourses.

- Offer of Masters for international students

- Offer of Double Diploma courses with uni-

versities

- International partnerships

- Student study visits and student-researcher

exchanges

- Study courses abroad

Room for scientific researchParticipation in the national policy for scien-

tific research by undertaking basic research,mis-sion-oriented, applied or clinical, in theestablishment’s own units or in association withleading organisations INRA,CEMAGREF,AFSSA,IFREMER.

Couses in vocational subjects




All students ask themselves the same questionsabout choosing a course that will lead to theirchosen profession and will give them good jobprospects.This is why it is so important that stu-dents should find out as much as they can aboutthe different courses available to thembeforemak-ing their final choice.

A few “preliminary” pointers…

The French higher education system is madeup of a variety of many different disciplines andinstitutions.This is why before making your finalchoice,you should contact a student information& guidance centre such as the CampusFranceabroad,ONISEP .

Youmay also consider contacting‘Les ServicesUniversitaires d’Information et d’Orientation’(SCUIO) that have an office in every university,specialised information centres concerning voca-tional courses or French Embassy CulturalServices in your country of origin.

Your study plan

First things: self-assessment

Drawing up a study plan is all about workingout in advance which course you would like totake,whilst taking your previous school and uni-versity exam results into account. If you want toenrol on a 1st cycle course ‘premier cycle’, youmust find out which French baccalaureate yoursecondary studies correspond to. If you want toenrol on a 2nd or 3rd

cycle course ‘deuxième’ or‘troisième cycle’, you must also work out whatyour studies represent in terms of the numberof years studied after the French baccalaureate(for example bac + 1, 2, 3, etc).You should alsobe well aware of your level of French and yourability to express yourself in French in a ‘univer-sity study’ context.

Students are strongly advised to start organ-ising their studies inOctober orNovember pre-ceding the year in which you plan to start your

course and to contact the schools that you areinterested in applying to as soon as possible.

Whether you are planning to enrol on a 1st ‘pre-mier’ or 2nd ‘second cycle’ course, you will needto produce:

-Proof of your qualifications (diplomas) andtheir certified translation in French.

-A detailed description of your educationalbackground,including schools attended,subjectsstudied, grades and exam results.

-A Cover letter.-Proof (a certificate) of your French language

ability.

The next step: period of study in France

In this guide students are bound to find infor-mation that will help them to choose betweena short or long course of study and to pick a sub-ject that is well suited to their study plan.

Changing courses

Vocational and technical higher educationstudy programmes (see‘vocational courses’ at thebeginning of this chapter) have thoroughly takenroot alongside the more traditional single-sub-ject study programmes.Some institutions also runmulti-disciplinary courses.The ‘Grandes Ecoles’have a system whereby students have the possi-bility of registering after the course has started.

In some circumstances it is also possible tochange level or discipline after your course hasstarted in order to refine your studies.

Therefore, you must think carefully aboutwhat you want to do with your qualifications inthe future, so as to avoid getting bogged downwith a subject that holds no suitable prospectsfor you.You should never hesitate to talk to a

Studying in France5MAKING THE MOSTOF YOUR STUDIES

In the index of this guide you will finduniversity addresses andweb sites.www.onisep.fror the CampusFrance website:www.campusfrance.org

teacher or a career advisor.The first choices youmake set the foundations

for your studies and, therefore, determine howmuch flexibility you have and to what extent youcan deviate from your course if and when nec-essary.

Making your time and studies in Franceworth-while depends on maturity, your ability to makethemost of your studies and the career plans youhave in mind for yourself.

Finding the right-path of study

You can move from university to one of the‘Grandes Ecoles’,and vice versa,obtain prepara-tory class equivalents in a university, put the fin-ishing touches on a ‘Diplôme Universitaire deTechnologie’ (DUT), or simply change discipline.All of the above is possible, under certain con-ditions for example for grantholderswith the gov-erning institution’s permission.

There are special procedures that have to berespectedwhen changing courses.Further infor-mation about the different possibilities and for-malities to be dealt with (cover letter,evaluationof application,test) will be available from the hostestablishment.

European programmesStudy courses andstudy visits inEurope

The mobility of students, as well as teachersand administrators, has played a fundamentalrole in the creation and provision of higher edu-cation in Europe

The Erasmus programmewas twenty years oldin 2007.It encouragesmobility in Europe by allow-ing students to undertake a period of study orwork experience in another European country.

In 2008, there were 31 countries participat-ing in the Erasmus programme:

- the 27 member states: Germany, Austria,Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Denmark, Spain,Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary,Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg,Malta, Holland, Poland, Portugal, CzechRepublic,Romania,Slovakia,Slovenia,UnitedKingdom, Sweden,

- the three member states of the EuropeanFree Trade Association (AELE): Iceland,Norway, Lichtenstein,

-Turkey (candidate country)

Mobility of study ormobility of business place-ments can be combined into the universitycourse.

Erasmus studyvisits

The length of course varies from 3 to 12months in a European partner establishment.Thestudent will take his/her exams in the host estab-lishment, and will obtain marks which will counttowards his/her French diploma,basedon the prin-ciple of recognising the period of study through

5


Making the most of your studies


the European system of credits transfer andaccumulation (ECTS).

All areas of study are included.

The Erasmus work placementA student may undertake a European work

placement, lasting from 3 to 12 months. Beforedeparture, the student signs a placement agree-ment.

For training courses such as BTS andDUT theplacementmay be shorter,aminimumof 2weeksand up to 12 months.

FinanceAn Erasmus student receives an average study

mobility allowance of 120 euros per month,andan average of 500 euros per month for workplacementmobility. Payments over and above thisallowancemay be added by regional organisationsor by the Ministry in charge, and sometimes bythe original establishment.

Erasmus students on study visits do not payenrolment fees at the host establishment.

To take part in the Erasmus programme con-tact your international relations service.

The Erasmus Mundus MastersThe Erasmus Mundus Masters programme

helps to set up cooperation between Europeanand third world universities. Erasmus MundusMasters are study programmes offered by a con-sortium of at least three European higher edu-cation establishments. They lead to the award ofa recognised double, multiple or commondiploma.

Students who have obtained a two yeardiploma awarded by a higher education estab-lishment may apply for these Masters. Theymust apply through the consortium offering thechosen Erasmus Mundus Masters course.

The list of Masters is available on the Europawebsite of the European Commission:http://ec.europa.eeu/education/pro-

grammes/mundus/student/index_fr.html

Studying in France5

6KEEPINGIN CONTACT

WITH FRANCE

6Keeping in contact with France . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 184

A network of contacts Building a network duringyour stay in France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 184Maintaining and expanding yourNetwork after your return home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 184Keeping in touch with France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 185


Building a networkduring your stay inFrance

Your stay in France is of course focused oneducation, but it should also be filled with thediscovery of our country, its language, and itsculture. It is also an excellent time to esta-blish friendly and professional contacts that willbe useful to you and to what you want toachieve when you return to your own coun-try. The goal is to return home not only withdiplomas, but with a full address book, not tomention those indispensable email addresses.Membership in an alumni association of aGrande Ecole or registration in the alumni listsmaintained by the universities or universityassociations is also useful.

Maintaining andexpanding yournetwork afteryou return home

The moment you return,contact the FrenchEmbassy – the Cooperation and CulturalAction department. Each embassy has a per-son in charge of maintaining relations with grantholders, even after their return.They can putyou in touch with associations of former grantholders, clubs for French speakers,where youcan meet with others who have studied inFrance, and work with them to promotestronger relations with France.

Maintain and expand your linguistic skills byattending Alliances Françaises meetings, andaccess information both general and specific byvisiting the resource centers of French culturalinstitutions.You may also attend or participatein conferences, or be asked to run seminars ifyou have the right skills.

Alliances Françaises centers

The Alliances françaises centers are locallybased associations whose mission is to promotethe teaching of the French language and Frenchculture.

Throughout more than 100 countries theAlliances Françaises and cultural centres offerFrench classes and a variety of cultural and artis-tic activities and events.

To find the list of addresses, visit the website: www.alliancefr.org

To find addresses in the cultural actionand cooperation network (cultural actionand cooperation divisions of embassies,institutions and cultural centers, researchinstitutes, andAlliances Françaises), visitthe web site of the French Ministry ofForeign and European Affairs:www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/annuaire

A NETWORK OF CONTACTS

Keeping in contact with France6

Keeping in touchwith FranceRadio-France Internationale - RFI

One easy way of maintaining your links withFrance is to listen to French radio programmes.Stations such as Radio-France Internationale(RFI) broadcast on short-wave radio, FM, andsatellite.

To obtain RFI’s radio programme guide withthe different frequencies and broadcast timesfor each continent, visit the RFI web site:www.rfi.fr,particularly theheading“Nousécrire”The service that handles relations with liste-ners and website visitors will answer you byemail.

TélévisionTwo television channels also offer a range

of television programmes in French:CFI (CanalFrance International), and TV5, which broad-casts across Europe,Asia,Africa andAmerica.

There is also now access to French chan-nels via a satellite dish (Euronews in French,Arte and France 5 - which are free, and TPSnetwork and Canalsat - where you pay).

Subscriptions

Newspapers & magazines (weeklies, spe-cial monthlies) allow you to keep abreast withFrench current affairs. Read, for example, theweekly selection from the French newspaper‘Le Monde’ for foreign students and Frenchexpatriates.

InternetThe web site of the Ministry of Foreign and

EuropeanAffairs has several sections that areupdated continually,with themes such as“cur-rent events in the government” (L’actualité gou-vernementale). This provides links to publicsites featuring the main topics in French cur-rent events, facilitating searches for those visi-ting the web site who live in other countries.www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

And whether before, during, or afteryour stay in France, the Internet portalfrancecontact.net should assist you withfinding useful information on France andkeeping in contact with France.

To find out more, visit their web sites:www.cfi.fr, www.tv5.org

6


A network of contacts

For more information go to:www.lemonde.fr www.lefigaro.frwww.nouvelobs.com

APPENDICES

Useful addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 190

Education office telephonenumbers and addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 196

University welcome, orientation& professional student insertionservices (SCUIO) & internationaluniversity relations offices(by institution) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 198

European university associationsin France . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 211

ME (mutuelles de l’étudiant)branch addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 212

Mutuelles de l’USEMbranch listing and addresses . . . . . . . . p. 216

‘Cité internationale universitaire de Paris’affiliated establishments . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 222

Tourist offices (in university towns) . . . p. 224

Specialised schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 227

Specialised information centres . . . . . . . p. 234

Map of the ‘académies’ and towns . . . . p. 239

Abbreviations explained . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 240

Useful web sites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 246

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 250

The Overseas French GovernmentGrant-holder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p. 257


Useful addresses

• Accueil familial des jeunes étrangers23, rue du Cherche-Midi75006 ParisTél. : 01 42 22 50 34www.afje-paris.orgStagiaires familiaux à Paris et en province.

• Agence Universitaire de laFrancophonie (AUF)4, place de la Sorbonne75005 ParisTél. : 01 44 41 18 18www.auf.orgIts goal is to achieve University internationalcooporation and intercultural dialogue throu-ghout the world.

• Agence pour l’enseignement françaisà l’étranger (AEFE)19-21, rue du Colonel Pierre Avia75015 ParisTél. : 01 53 69 30 90www.aefe.diplomatie.fr

• Alliance française101, boulevard Raspail75006 Paris Cedex 06Tél. : 01 42 84 90 00www.alliancefr.org

• Agence Nationale de l’Accueil desEtrangers et des Migrations (ANAEM)44, rue Bargue

75732 Paris Cedex 15

Tél. : 01 53 69 53 70www.anaem.social.fr

• Association des foyersinternationaux (AFI)14, rue Rollin75005 ParisTél. : 01 55 42 64 64www.afi.asso.fr

• CulturesFrance (ex-AFAA/ADPF)1 bis, avenue deVillars75007 ParisTél. : 01 53 69 83 00www.culturesfrance.com

• Association nationale desdocteurs ès sciences (ANDES)62 Bis, rue Gay Lussac75005 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 43 37 51 12www.andes.asso.frPublishes a helpful guide for doctorate andpostdoctorate education (approximately 40 €).

• Bibliothèque nationale de FranceFrançois MitterrandQuai François-Mauriac75706 Paris Cedex 13Tél. : 01 53 79 59 59www.bnf.fr

• Centre d’entraînement auxméthodes d’éducation active(CEMEA)National Association24, rue Marc Seguin75883 Paris Cedex 18Tél. : 01 53 26 24 24www.cemea.asso.fr

• Centre d’études et de recherchessur les qualifications (CEREQ)10, place de la JolietteBP 21 32113567 Marseille Cedex 2Tél. : 04 91 13 28 28- antenne parisienne11, rueVauquelin75005 ParisTél. : 01 44 08 69 10 (by appointment)www.cereq.fr


APPENDICES

Appendices


• Centre d’informationet de documentation jeunesse (CIDJ)101, quai Branly75740 Paris Cedex 15Tél. : 01 44 49 12 00 00 – 0825 090 630automated service Monday to Friday,10am to midday and 1pm to 6pmopen Monday to Friday from 10am to 6pmand on Saturday from 9:30am to 1pmwww.cidj.asso.frNetwork of 31 information centres‘jeunesse régionaux et départementaux’.

• Centre international de séjour deParis (CISP)Reservations21, rue Saint FargeauBP 31375989 Paris Cedex 20Tél. : 01 43 58 96 00E-mail : [email protected]

• Centre international de séjourLéo Lagrange (youth hostel)107, rue Martre92110 ClichyTél. : 01 41 27 26 90www.fuaj.orgSpecialising in transient groups

• CIEP - Centre international d’étudespédagogiques1, avenue Léon-Journault92318 Sèvres CedexTél. : 01 45 07 60 00www.ciep.fr

• Centre national de documentationpédagogique (CNDP)29, rue d’Ulm,75230 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 55 43 60 00www.cndp.fr

• Centre national d’enseignementà distance (CNED)Télé-Accueil-Téléport 4bd Léonard deVinciBP 6020086980 Futuroscope Chasseneuil CedexTél. : 05 49 49 94 94 (Monday to Friday from8:30am to 6pm)www.cned.fr

• Centre National des ŒuvresUniversitaires et Scolaires (CNOUS)

- Siège :69, quai d’Orsay75340 Paris Cedex 07Tél. : 01 44 18 53 00Fax : 01 44 18 53 72www.cnous.fr

- Sous Direction des AffairesInternationales (SDAI) :6, rue Jean-Calvin,BP 4975222 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 44 18 53 00Fax : 01 55 43 58 00E-mail : [email protected]

• Centre national de la recherchescientifique (CNRS)3, rue Michel-Ange75794 Paris Cedex 16Tél. : 01 44 96 40 00Fax : 01 44 96 53 90www.cnrs.fr

• Centre nautique des GlénansQuai Louis Blériot75381 Paris Cedex 16Tél. : 01 53 92 86 00Fax : 01 45 27 61 54www.glenans.asso.fr

• Cité de la musiqueParc de laVillette221, avenue Jean Jaurès75019 ParisTél. : 01 44 84 45 00www.cite-musique.fr

• Cité des sciences et de l’industrieParc de laVillette30, avenue Corentin Cariou75019 ParisTél. : 01 40 05 70 00Automated service: 01 40 05 80 00www.cite-sciences.fr

• Club alpin français24, avenue Laumière75019 ParisTél. : 01 53 72 87 00www.clubalpin.com

• Club des lecteurs d’expressionfrançaise (CLEF)The Club promotes and distributes Afro-Carribean Literature (they have their ownreview ‘Notre librairie’ and organise travellingexhibitions with teaching themes).See CulturesFrance.

• Collège de France11, place Marcelin Berthelot75231 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 44 27 12 11www.college-de-france.fr

• Comité d’études sur les formationsd’ingénieurs (CEFI)7, rue Lamennais75008 ParisTél. : 01 42 89 15 73www.cefi.org

•Commission française pour l’UNESCO57, bd des Invalides75007 Paris CedexTél. : 01 53 69 39 07 ou 32 39www.unesco.orgPatronage of Post-‘maîtrise’ courses inconnection with UNESCO programmes

• Conservatoire national des arts etmétiers (CNAM)292, rue Saint MartinF-75141 Paris Cedex 03Tél. : 01 40 27 20 00www.cnam.fr

• Documentation française (La)29, quai Voltaire75344 Paris Cedex 07Tél. : 01 40 15 71 10www.ladocumentationfrancaise.frBookshop,Library & Documentary Collection,from Monday to Friday, from 9am until 6pm.

• Fondation Entraide Hostater40, rue Rouelle75015 ParisTél. : 01 45 77 24 90Grants & Academic service for StatuaryRefugee Students (who have an OFPRA card)

• Fédération française des maisons desjeunes et de la culture (FFMJC)15, rue La Condamine75017 ParisTél. : 01 44 69 82 25www.FFMJC.org

• Fédération française de ski50, rue des MarquisatsBP 245174011 Annecy CedexTél. : 04 50 51 40 34www.ffs.fr

• Fédération nationale des offices detourisme et syndicats d’initiative11 rue du Faubourg Poissonniere75009 ParisTél. : 01 44 11 10 30www.tourisme.fr



• Fédération unie des aubergesde jeunesse (FUAJ)27, rue Pajol75018 ParisTél. : 01 44 89 87 27www.fuaj.org

• Fondation nationale pourl’enseignement de la gestion desentreprises (FNEGE)2, avenue Hoche75008 ParisTél. : 01 44 29 93 60www.fnege.net

• Fondation santé des étudiants deFrance8, rue Émile-Deutsch-de-la-MeurtheBP 14775014 ParisTél. : 01 45 89 43 39The Health Foundation has 14 centreswhere students can be given treatmentduring their study period in Francewww.fsef.net

• Foyer international d’accueil de Paris(FIAP)30, rue Cabanis750l4 ParisTél. : 01 43 13 17 00www.fiap.asso.frThis Hostel accommodates transientyoung people and students.

• Groupement professionnel desorganismes d’enseignement dufrançais langue étrangère (SOUFFLE)Espace Charlotte83260 La CrauTél. : 08 70 40 74 34www.souffle.asso.fr

• Agence de promotion du FLEEspace universitaire Albert Camus17bis, avenue du professeur Grasset34093 Montpellier Cedex 5Tél. : 04 67 91 70 00www.fle.fr

• Institut catholique de Paris21, rue d’Assas75270 Paris Cedex 06Tél. : 01 44 39 52 00www.icp.fr

• Institut de recherche pourle développement (anciennementORSTOM)213, rue Lafayette75480 Paris Cedex 10Tél. : 01 48 03 77 77www.ird.fr

• Institut national de la santé etde la recherche médicale (INSERM)101, rue de Tolbiac75654 Paris Cedex 13Tél. : 01 44 23 60 00www.inserm.fr

• Inter service migrants (ISM)251 rue du Faubourg Saint Martin75010 ParisTél. : 01 53 26 52 50Info-migrants:anonymous and free informationservice for foreign students and professionals,at 01 53 26 52 82 everyday,except weekends,from 9 am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 4 pmApprovedtranslators, information and interpretationservices for foreigners in Francewww.ism-interpretariat.com

• Jeunesses musicales de France20, rue Geoffroy L’Asnier75004 ParisTél. : 01 44 61 86 86Fax : 01 44 61 86 88www.lesjmf.org

• L’Étudiant27, rue du CheminVert75543 Paris Cedex 11Tél. : 01 48 07 41 41Fax : 01 47 00 79 80Directory of all the universities, HigherEducation Directory & other useful guidespublished by L’Etudiant magazinewww.letudiant.fr

Appendices


• Ligue française de l’enseignement etde l’éducation permanente3 rue Récamier75341 Paris Cedex 07Tél. : 01 43 53 97 33www.ligueparis.org

• Ligue française pour les aubergesde la jeunesse (LFAJ)Bâtiment K67, rueVergniaud75013 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 78 78Opening times: Monday to Friday,9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pmwww.auberges-de-jeunesse.com

• Ministère des affaires étrangères etEuropèennes- Direction générale de la coopération internationaleet du développement- Service de la stratégie, des moyens etde l’évaluation- Service de la coordination géographique- Direction de la coopération culturelle et du français- Direction du développement et de lacoopération technique- Direction de la coopération scientifique,universitaire et de recherche- Direction de l’audiovisuel extérieur et des techniquesde la communicationShared address:244, boulevard Saint-Germain75303 Paris 07 SPStandard téléphonique : 01 43 17 90 00www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

•Ministère de l’Agriculture, de la Pêche- Direction générale de l’enseignement et de larecherche, Bureau des relations européennes etde la coopération internationale1ter, avenue de Lowendal75700 Paris 07 SP- Service d’informationTél. : 01 49 55 52 52www.portea.frwww.agriculture.gouv.fr

• Ministère de la Culture et de laCommunicationFormation aux métiers de la culture :www.culture.fr/culture/infos-pratiques/formations- Internet culturel : www.culture.fr3, rue deValois75033 Paris Cedex 01Tél. : 01 40 15 80 00-Board of Management for Architecture & CulturalHeritage (Subboard of Management for courses,professions & research related to Architecture &Urban Studies)8, rueVivienne75002 ParisTél. : 01 40 15 80 00-Board of Managment for Architecture(dept. for teaching of Architecture & Architecturalresearch)- Bureau des enseignements8, rueVivienne75002 ParisTél. : 01 40 15 32 59-Commission for Fine Art (DAP)3, rue deValois75033 Paris Cedex 01Tél. : 01 40 15 80 00www.cnap.fr- Board of Management for Music,Dance,Theatre & Performing arts (DMDTS)53, rue Saint Dominique75007 ParisTél. : 01 40 15 80 00- Service de documentation et d’information3, rue deValois75042 Paris Cedex 01Tél. : 01 40 15 87 78 (de 14h30 à 18h)www.culture.gouv.fr

• Ministère délégué à la Coopérationet à la Francophonie20, rue Monsieur75700 Paris 07 SPTél. : 01 53 69 30 00www.diplomatie.gouv.fr



• Ministère de la Jeunesse, de l’Éduca-tion Nationale et de la Recherche110, rue de Grenelle75357 Paris 07 SP- Direction des relations internationales et dela coopération (DRIC)4, rue Danton75006 ParisTél. : 01 55 55 75 30- Direction enseignement supérieur (DES)110, rue de Grenelle75357 Paris 7 SPTél. : 01 55 55 63 00www.education.gouv.fr

• Office Français de Protection desRéfugiés et Apatrides (OFPRA)201, rue Carnot94136 Fontenay-sous-Bois CedexTél. : 01 58 68 10 10www.ofpra.gouv.frOpening times: 9am to 3pm

• ONISEPAddresses &Telephone numbers of bookshopsthat sell their publications are available on theONISEP’s information line: 01 64 80 38 03or on their web site: 01 64 80 38 03www.onisep.fr

• Société d’Encouragement auxMétiers d’Aart (SEMA)Viaduc des arts23, avenue Daumesnil75012 ParisTél. : 01 55 78 85 85http://metiersdart-artisanat.com

• Société française d’exportation desressources educatives (SFERE)8, avenue des MinimesF-94306Vincennes CedexTél. : 01 41 74 70 00www.sfere.fr

• UNESCO7, place de Fontenoy750352 Paris 07 SPTél.:01 45 68 10 00www.unesco.org

• Union centrale des arts décoratifs(UCAD)Palais du Louvre107 - 111, rue de Rivoli75001 ParisTél. : 01 44 55 57 50www.ucad.fr

Appendices


Education officestelephone numbers& addresses

• Aix-MarseillePlace Lucien-Paye13621 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 1Tél. : 04 42 91 70 00www.ac-aix-marseille.fr

• Amiens20, boulevard d’Alsace-LorraineBP 260980026 Amiens Cedex 1Tél. : 03 22 82 38 23www.ac-amiens.fr

• Besançon10, rue de la Convention25030 Besançon CedexTél. : 03 81 65 47 00www.ac-besancon.fr

• Bordeaux5, rue Joseph de Carayon-LatourBP 93533060 Bordeaux Cedex 01Tél. : 05 57 57 38 00www.ac-bordeaux.fr

• Caen168, rue Caponière, BP 618414061 Caen CedexTél. : 02 31 30 15 00www.ac-caen.fr

• Clermont-Ferrand3, avenueVercingétorix63033 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 01Tél. : 04 73 99 30 00www.ac-clermont.fr

• CorseBoulevard Pascal RossiniBP 80820192 Ajaccio Cedex 4Tél. : 04 95 50 33 33www.ac-corse.fr

• Créteil4, rue Georges-Enesco94010 Créteil CedexTél. : 01 57 02 60 00www.ac-creteil.fr

• Dijon51, rue MongeBP 151621033 Dijon CedexTél. : 03 80 44 84 00www.ac-dijon.fr

• Grenoble7, place Bir-HakeimBP 106538021 Grenoble CedexTél. : 04 76 74 70 00www.ac-grenoble.fr

• GuadeloupeAssainissementBP 48097110 Pointe-à-Pitre CedexTél. : 0590 93 83 83www.ac-guadeloupe.fr

• GuyaneRoute de BaduelBP 601197306 Cayenne CedexTél. : 0594 25 58 58www.ac-guyane.fr

• Lille20, rue Saint JacquesBP 70959033 Lille CedexTél. : 03 20 15 60 00www.ac-lille.fr

• Limoges13, rue François Chénieux87031 Limoges CedexTél. : 05 55 11 40 40www.ac-limoges.fr

• Lyon92, rue de MarseilleBP 722769354 Lyon Cedex 07Tél. : 04 72 80 60 60www.ac-lyon.fr



• MayotteBP 7697600 MayotteTél. : 0269 61 10 24www.ac-mayotte.fr

• MartiniqueHaut de Terreville97279 Schœlcher CedexTél. : 0596 52 25 00www.ac-martinique.fr

• Montpellier31, rue de l’Université34064 Montpellier Cedex 07Tél. : 04 67 91 47 00www.ac-montpellier.fr

• Nancy-Metz2, rue Philippe de GueldresBP 1354035 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 86 20 20www.ac-nancy-metz.fr

• NantesLa HoussinièreBP 7261644326 Nantes Cedex 03Tél. : 02 40 37 37 37www.ac-nantes.fr

• Nice50, avenue Cap-de-Croix06181 Nice Cedex 02Tél. : 04 93 53 70 70www.ac-nice.fr

• Orléans-Tours21, rue Saint-Étienne45043 Orléans Cedex 1Tél. : 02 38 79 38 79www.ac-orleans-tours.fr

• Paris47, rue des Écoles75230 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 40 46 22 11www.ac-paris.fr

• Poitiers5, cité de la TraverseBP 62586022 Poitiers CedexTél. : 05 49 54 70 00www.ac-poitiers.fr

• Reims1, rue Navier51082 Reims CedexTél. : 03 26 05 69 69www.ac-reims.fr

• Rennes96, rue d’AntainCS 1050335705 Rennes Cedex 7Tél. : 02 23 21 77 77www.ac-rennes.fr

• La Réunion24, avenue Georges BrassensLe Moufia97702 Saint-Denis Messag Cedex 9Tél. : 02 62 48 10 10www.ac-reunion.fr

• Rouen25, rue de Fontenelle76037 Rouen CedexTél. : 02 32 08 90 00www.ac-rouen.fr

• Strasbourg6, rue de la Toussaint67975 Strasbourg Cedex 9Tél. : 03 88 23 37 23www.ac-strasbourg.fr

• ToulousePIace Saint Jacques31073 Toulouse Cedex 9Tél. : 05 61 17 70 00www.ac-toulouse.fr

•Versailles3, boulevard de Lesseps78017Versailles CedexTél. : 01 30 83 44 44www.ac-versailles.fr

Education offices telephone numbers & addresses


University welcome,orientation andprofessionalstudent insertionservices by insti-tute, (SCUIO) andoffices of interna-tional universityrelations (SRI)

The BUIIO,CAIO,CELAIO,CIO,MRIP,OCO,SCUIO, SCAOIP, SCUIO, SCUIOIP, SIO, SIOE,SIOU centres provide information about uni-versity courses and study programmes.

Académie d’Aix-MarseilleMarseille

• Université Aix-Marseille IService des Relations Internationales29, avenue Robert Schuman13621 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 1Tél. : 04 42 95 32 00 (Aix)SCUIO(sciences et technologie, sciences humaines,langues, lettres)address as aboveTél. : 04 42 95 32 23Service des Relations Internationales3, placeVictor Hugo13331 Marseille Cedex 03Tél. : 04 42 10 62 69 (Marseille)SCUIO(Literature, Languages,Art, Communication,Social Science, Science and Technology):address as aboveTél. : 04 9110 60 58 / 60 59www.up.univ-mrs.fr

• Université Aix-Marseille IIService des Relations Internationales58, boulevard Charles-Livon13284 Marseille Cedex 07Tél. : 04 91 39 65 15SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 04 91 39 65 17SCUIO Luminy163, avenue de Luminy13288 Marseille Cedex 09Tél. : 04 91 82 93 89SCUIO Sciences Economiques14, avenue Jules Ferry13621 Aix-en Provence CedexTél. : 04 42 91 48 84SCUIO27 Boulevard Jean Moulin13385 Marseille Cedex 05Tél. : 04 91 32 43 57www.mediterranee.univ-mrs.fr

• Université Aix-Marseille IIIService des Relations internationales1, allée Bastide-des-Cyprès13100 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 1Tél. : 04 42 17 14 20SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 04 42 21 59 87Antenne de Marseille-Saint-JérômeAvenue Escadrille Normandie Niemen13397 Marseille Cedex 20Tél. : 04 91 28 81 18SCUIO110 la Canebière - Bureau A 1.313001 MarseilleTél. : 04 96 12 61 73www.univ.u-3mrs.fr

• AvignonUniversité d’Avignon et des Pays duVaucluseService des Relations Internationales74, rue Louis-Pasteur84029 Avignon Cedex 1Tél. : 04 90 16 25 58 / 74SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 04 90 16 25 85www.univ-avignon.fr




Appendices

Académie d’AmiensAmiens

• Université de Picardie JulesVerneService des Relations InternationalesChemin du Thil80025 Amiens Cedex 1Tél. : 03 22 82 72 72BUIIO11, rue des Francs-Mûriers80027 Amiens Cedex 01Tél. : 03 22 82 64 00www.u-picardie.fr

Compiègne

• Université de TechnologieService des Relations Internationalesrue Personne de Roberval - BP 2052960205 Compiègne CedexTél. : 03 44 23 46 93www.utc.fr

Académie de BesançonBesançon

• Université de Franche-ComtéService des Relations Internationales1, rue Claire Goudimel25030 Besançon CedexTél. : 03 81 66 50 63 / 58 40SCUIO36 A avenue de l’Observatoire25030 Beasançon CedexTél. : 03 81 66 66 99www.univ-fcomte.fr

Belfort

• Université de technologie de Belfortet de MontbéliardService des Relations InternationalesSite de Sévenans90010 Belfort CedexTél. : 03 84 58 35 75CIO3, rueVivaldi25200 MontbéliardTél. : 03 81 98 18 95www.utbm.fr

Académie de BordeauxBordeaux

• Université Bordeaux IService des Relations Internationales351, cours de la Libération33405 Talence CedexTél. : 05 40 00 60 40SCUIO (sciences et technologies)Address as aboveTél. : 05 40 00 63 71SCUIO (sciences et technologies)Avenue Michel Serres47000 AgenTél. : 05 53 48 06 40www.u-bordeaux1.fr

• Université Bordeaux IIService des Relations Internationales146, rue Léo Saignat33076 Bordeaux CedexTél. : 05 57 57 13 02SCUIO (Science,Health,Sport)address as aboveTél. : 05 57 57 13 81SCUIO (sciences humaines)3 Ter place de laVictoire33076 Bordeaux CedexTél. : 05 57 57 18 04www.u-bordeaux2.fr

• Université Bordeaux IIIUniversité Michel de MontaigneService des Relations InternationalesDomaine universitaire33607 Pessac CedexTél. : 05 57 12 47 60 / 46 74SCUIO (Literature,Languages,Art,Social Science,Communication)address as aboveTél. : 05 57 12 45 00www.montaigne.u-bordeaux.fr

• Université Bordeaux IVService des Relations InternationalesAvenue Léon-Duguit33608 Pessac CedexTél. : 05 56 84 29 39SCUIO (droit sciences économiqueset politiques,AES)Tél. : 05 56 84 85 49


Pau

• Université de Pau et des Pays de l’AdourService des Relations InternationalesAvenue de l’UniversitéBP 54064012 Pau CedexTél. : 05 59 40 70 60SCUIO (Science & Technology,Literature, Languages, Economics, Law)Address as aboveTél.:05 59 40 70 90SCUIO (Law, Economics, Literature)77, rue Bourgneuf64100 BayonneTél. : 05 59 57 41 61www.univ-pau.fr

Académie de CaenCaen

• Université de Caen-Basse NormandieService des Relations InternationalesEsplanade de la PaixBP 518614032 Caen CedexTél. : 02 31 56 60 78SUIO (Science & Technology, Law,Political Science, Economics, Management,Literature, Languages,Social Science,Health,Sport) address as aboveTél. : 02 31 56 55 12www.unicaen.fr

Académie de Clermont-FerrandClermont-Ferrand

• Clermont-Ferrand IService des Relations Internationales49, boulevard François MittérandBP 3263001 Clermont-FerrandTél. : 04 73 17 72 71 / 72 77SCUIO (Law,Science,Economics & PoliticalScience,Management,Health)address as aboveTél. : 04 73 17 72 20www.u-clermont1.fr

• Clermont-Ferrand IIService des Relations Internationales34, avenue CarnotBP 18563006 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1Tél. : 04 73 40 64 39 ou 63 18SCUIO (Sciences & Technology, Literature,Languages, Social Science, Sport)address as aboveTél. : 04 73 40 62 70www.univ-bpclermont.fr

Académie de CorseCorte

• Université Pascal-PaoliService des Relations Internationales7, avenue Jean NicoliBP 5220250 CortéTél. : 04 95 45 02 23SCUIO (Science & Techniques, Languages,Literature, Social Science, Economics,Managment & Law)Campus GrossettiBâtiment PPDBBP 5220250 CortéTél. : 04 95 45 00 21www.univ-corse.fr




Appendices

Académie de CréteilCréteil

• Université Paris XII-Val de MarneService des Relations Internationales61, avenue du Général-de-GaulleStreet level94010 Créteil CedexTél.:01 45 17 12 61SCUIO (Science & Technology, Literature,Languages, Social Science, Health, Sport)address as aboveTél.:01 45 17 12 14 / 12 17SCUIO (Law, Economics, Management,Political Sciences)Avenue Pierre Point77127 LieusaintTel: 01 64 13 41 89www.univ-paris12.fr

Marne-la-Vallée

• Université de Marne-La-ValléeService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment Bois de l'EtangBureau A 208 - A 2105, bd Descartes - Champs-sur-Marne77454 Marne-La-Vallée Cedex 2Tél. : 01 60 95 70 19 / 70 24SCUIO (Science & Technology, Literature,Languages, Economics, Management,Social Science,Art, Sport)Address as aboveTél. : 01 60 95 74 74www.univ-mlv.fr

Saint-Denis

• Université Paris VIII Saint-DenisService des Relations Internationales2, rue de la Liberté - Bâtiment. G - salle 22093526 Saint-Denis CedexTél. : 01 49 40 65 26 / 65 36SCUIO(Literature & Languages,Art,SocialScience, Economics)address as aboveTél. : 01 49 40 67 15 / 67 16 / 67 17www.univ-paris8.fr

Villetaneuse

• Université Paris XIIIService des Relations Internationales99 avenue Jean-Baptiste Clémentgrand hall - Bureau L 10193430VilletaneuseTél. : 01 49 40 30 02CIDO (Literature, Languages, Social Science,Law, Economics, Managment, Science &Technology, Health) address as aboveTél.:01 49 40 30 30www.univ-paris13.fr

Académie de DijonDijon

• Université de BourgogneService des Relations internationalesMaison de l’universitéEsplanade ErasmeBP 27 87721078 Dijon CedexTél. : 03 80 39 50 17SCUIO (Sciences & Technology, Literature,Languages,Art, Social Science,Law,Economics,Managment, Health, Sport) address as aboveTél.:03 80 39 52 40SCUIO (sciences,langues,AES)750, avenue de l’Europe71200 Le CreusotTél. : 03 85 77 00 79www.u-bourgogne.fr

Académie de GrenobleChambéry

• Université de Haute-SavoieService des Relations Internationales27, rue Marcoz - BP 1104F-73011 Chambéry CedexTél. : 04 79 75 85 70SCUIO : 9, rue de l’Arc-en-Ciel74940 Annecy leVieux CedexTél. : 04 50 09 24 33SCUIO378, rue de la République73011 Chambéry CedexTél. : 04 79 75 38 38www.univ-savoie.fr


Grenoble

• Université Grenoble IService des Relations InternationalesDomaine universitaire621 avenue Centrale - BP 5338041 Grenoble Cedex 09Tél. : 04 76 51 45 13SCUIO domaine universitaireBP 5338041 Saint-Martin-d’Hères Cedex 09Tél. : 04 76 51 46 21SCUIO3 place Alain Fournier26000ValenceTél. : 04 75 82 37 60www.ujf-grenoble.fr

• Université Grenoble IIService des Relations InternationalesUniversité de Pierre Mendès FranceBP 4738040 Grenoble Cedex 09Tél. : 04 76 82 55 89SCUIO domaine universitaire38040 Saint-Martin-d’Hères Cedex 09Tél. : 04 76 82 55 45CIOsup Sciences Sociales151, rue des UniversitésDomaine universitaireBP 4738040 Grenoble Cedex 9Tél. : 04 76 82 55 45www.upmf-grenoble.fr

• Université Grenoble IIIService des Relations internationalesUniversité de Grenoble 3, Stendhal - BP 2538040 Grenoble Cedex 09Tél. : 04 76 82 43 10SCUIO domaine universitaire38040 Saint-Martin-d’Hères Cedex 09Tél. : 04 76 82 43 11www.u-grenoble3.fr

• INP GrenobleService des Relations Internationales46, avenue Félix-Viallet - BP 4738031 Grenoble Cedex 01Tél. : 04 76 57 47 52www.inpg.fr

Académies de la Guadeloupe,de la Guyane, de la Martinique

• Université des Antilles-GuyaneService des Relations InternationalesCampus universitaire de Pointe-FouilloleBP 25097157 Pointe-à-Pitre CedexTél. : 05 90 48 90 11 / 90 18SCUIO (Technology, Law,AES)Campus de Saint-DenisBP 79297337 Cayenne CedexTél. : 05 94 29 62 37SCUIO (Literature, Social Science, Law,Legal Studies & Economics)Campus de Schoelcher - BP 700497275 Schoelcher CedexTél. : 05 96 72 73 18SCUIO (Science, Literature, Legal Studies& Ecoomics,Sport,‘3e cycle’ Medicinerelated sciences)Campus de FouilloleBP 25097157 Pointe-à-PitreTél. : 05 90 48 30 31www.univ-ag.fr

Académie de LilleArras

• Université d’ArtoisService des Relations Internationales9, rue du Temple - BP 66562030 Arras CedexTél. : 03 21 60 38 96SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 03 21 60 37 15 / 38 59www.univ-artois.fr

Dunkerque

• Université du LittoralService des Relations Internationales1, place de l’Yser - BP 102259375 Dunkerque Cedex 1Tél. : 03 28 23 72 27 / 57 74SUAIO address as aboveTél. : 03 28 23 73 03www.univ-littoral.fr




Appendices

Lille

• Université Lille IService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment A3 - Cité Scientifique59655Villeneuve d’Ascq CedexTél. : 03 20 43 67 13SUAIObibliothèque universitaireAvenue Carl Gauss59655Villeneuve d’Ascq CedexTél. : 03 20 05 87 39www.univ-lille1.fr

• Université Lille IIService des Relations Internationales42, rue Paul Duez59800 LilleTél. : 03 20 96 46 80SUAIO42, rue Paul Duez59800 LilleTél. : 03 20 96 52 88www.univ-lille2.fr

• Université Lille IIIService des Relations InternationalesDomaine universitaire du “Pont de bois”Bâtiment A, 2e étage - bureaux A 300 à A 311BP 6014959653Villeneuve d’Ascq CedexTél. : 03 20 41 64 90SUAIO address as aboveTél. : 03 20 41 62 46www.univ-lille3.fr

Valenciennes

• Université deValenciennes et du Hainaut-CambrésisService des Relations InternationalesLe Mont-Houy,59313Valenciennes Cedex 9Tél. : 03 27 51 77 31SIO address as aboveTél. : 03 27 51 10 32 / 10 33www.univ-valenciennes.fr

Académie de LimogesLimoges

• Université de LimogesService des Relations Internationales88, rue du Pont Saint Martial87000 LimogesTél. : 05 55 14 90 16SCUIO88, rue du Pont St Martial87000 LimogesTél. : 05 55 14 90 70www.unilim.fr

Académie de LyonLyon

• Université Lyon IService des Relations InternationalesMaison de l’université - 1er étage43, boulevard du 11 Novembre 191869622Villeurbanne CedexTél. : 04 72 44 80 07SOIE (Filières sciences) address as aboveTél. : 04 72 44 80 59SOIE (Filières santé)Domaine Rockefeller8, avenue Rockefeller69373 Lyon Cedex 8Tél. : 04 78 77 70 92www.univ-lyon1.fr

• Université Lyon IIService des Relations Internationales86, rue Pasteur69365 Lyon Cedex 07Tél. : 04 78 69 74 53SCUIO Campus Porte des Alpes5 avenue Pierre Mendès France69676 Bron CedexTél. : 04 78 77 23 42www.univ-lyon2.fr


• Université Lyon IIIService des Relations Internationales6, cours Albert ThomasBP 824269365 Lyon Cedex 08Tél. : 04 78 78 70 08SCUIO4, cours Albert Thomas69008 Lyon Cedex 08Tél. : 04 78 78 78 40www.univ-lyon3.fr

Saint-Etienne

• Université Jean-MonnetService des Relations Internationales21, rue Denis Papin42023 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2Tél. : 04 77 43 79 65SCUIO34, rue Francis Baulier42023 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2Tél. : 04 77 42 17 16www.univ-st-etienne.fr

Académie de MontpellierMontpellier

• Université Montpellier IService des Relations InternationalesRueVendémiaire - Bâtiment ECS 2955534961 Montpellier Cedex 2Tél. : 04 67 82 12 56SCUIO5 boulevard Henri IVCS 1904434967 Montpellier Cedex 2Tél. : 04 67 41 76 00www. univ-montp1.fr

• Université Montpellier IIService des Relations InternationalesPlace Eugène-Bataillon34095 Montpellier Cedex 5Tél. : 04 67 14 30 43SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 04 67 14 30 61www.univ-montp2.fr

• Université Montpellier IIIService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment Administratif “Les Guilhem” 212Route de Mende,34199 Montpellier Cedex 5Tél. : 04 67 14 20 62SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 04 67 14 23 42 / 23 44www.univ-montp3.fr

Perpignan

• Université de PerpignanService des Relations Internationales52, avenue Paul Alduy66860 Perpignan CedexTél. : 04 68 66 17 38SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 04 68 66 20 40 / 20 43www.univ-perp.fr

Académie de Nancy-MetzMetz

• Université de MetzService des Relations InternationalesIle du SaulcyBP 8079457012 Metz Cedex 1Tél. : 03 87 65 56 74SIOU address as aboveTél. : 03 87 31 50 40www.univ-metz.fr

Nancy

• Université Nancy IService des Relations Internationales24-30, rue LionnoisBP 6012054003 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 68 21 40SCUIO / DEMAINESA - Espace de Services AiguillettesRue du Jardin Botanique54600Villers-Les-NancyTél. : 03 83 68 40 84www.uhp-nancy.fr




Appendices

• Université Nancy IIService des Relations InternationalesBureau 01325, rue Baron LouisBP 25454001 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 34 46 49 / 46 58SCUIO / A.I.D.E.4, rue de la Ravinelle - CO 2654035 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 54 50 37 80www.univ-nancy2.fr

• INP LorraineService des Relations Internationales2, avenue de la Forêt-de-HayeBP 354501Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 59 59 59www.inpl-nancy.fr

Académie de NantesAngers

• Université d’AngersService des Relations Internationales40, rue de RennesBP 7353249035 Angers Cedex 01Tél. : 02 41 96 23 40SUIOMaison des étudiants2, boulevard Beaussier,49045 Angers Cedex 01Tél. : 02 41 22 69 20www.univ-angers.fr

Le Mans

• Université du MaineService des Relations InternationalesMaison de l’UniversitéAvenue Olivier Messiaen,72085 Le Mans Cedex 9Tél. : 02 43 83 30 05 / 30 28SUIO address as aboveTél. : 02 43 83 30 66 / 30 67www.univ-lemans.fr

Nantes

• Université de NantesService des Relations Internationales1, quai de TourvilleBP 1352244035 Nantes Cedex 1Tél. : 02 40 99 84 32SUIO110 boulevard MicheletBP 4221244322 Nantes Cedex 3Tél. : 02 40 37 10 00www.univ-nantes.fr

• Université Catholique de l'OuestService des Relations Internationales3, place André-LeroyBP 80849008 Angers Cedex 01Tél. : 02 41 81 66 42 / 67 55www.uco.fr

Académie de NiceNice

• Université de Nice Sofia-AntipolisService des Relations Internationales28 rue deValroseBP 213506103 Nice Cedex 2Tél. : 04 92 07 69 38SCUIOAvenue JosephVallot - Bâtiment PetitValrose06108 Nice Cedex 2Tél. : 04 92 07 69 20www.unice.fr

Toulon

• Université du SUDToulon et duVarService des Relations InternationalesAvenue de l’Université - BP 2013283957 La Garde CedexTél. : 04 94 14 21 37 ou 26 37SCUIO1er étage de la bibliothèque universitaire83957 La Garde CedexTél. : 04 94 14 22 14www.univ-tln.fr


Académie d’Orléans-ToursOrléans

• Université d’OrléansService des Relations InternationalesChâteau de la SourceBP 674945067 Orléans Cedex 2Tél. : 02 38 49 47 95SUIOMaison de l’étudiant – 1er étagerue de ToursBP 674945067 Orléans Cedex 2Tél. : 02 38 41 71 72www.univ-orleans.fr

Tours

• Université François-RabelaisService des Relations Internationales8, rue des Tanneurs1er étage37000 Tours CedexTél. : 02 47 36 67 04SUIO116, bd Béranger – 1er étage37042 Tours CedexTél. : 02 47 36 81 70www.univ-tours.fr

Académie de Paris

• Université Paris IService des Relations InternationalesMaison internationale58 boulevard Arago75013 ParisTél. : 01 44 07 76 80SCUIOCentre PMF90, rue de TolbiacBureau C 901 - 9e étage75013 ParisTél. : 01 44 07 88 56www.univ-paris1.fr

• Université Paris IIService des Relations InternationalesSalle 512 place du Panthéon75231 Paris Cedex 5Tél. : 01 44 41 55 31 / 55 33CIOImmeuble Notre Dame des Champs4e étage - Centre Assas92, rue d’Assas75006 ParisTél. : 01 44 41 58 75www.u-paris2.fr

• Université Paris IIIService des Relations Internationales13, rue de Santeuil75231 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 45 87 48 48SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 01 45 87 40 01www.univ-paris3.fr

• Université Paris IVService des Relations Internationales1, rueVictor Cousin75230 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 40 46 33 76SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 01 40 46 26 14 / 32 48www.paris-sorbonne.fr

• Université Paris VService des Relations Internationales12, rue de l’École de Médecine75270 Paris Cedex 06Tél. : 01 40 46 16 13 / 16 18SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 01 40 46 16 50www.univ-paris5.fr

• Université Paris VIService des Relations InternationalesTour 34 - 4e étage4, place Jussieu,75252 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 44 27 26 74CAIO address as aboveTél. : 01 44 27 33 66 / 39 70www.upmc.fr




Appendices

• Université Paris VIIService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment des Grands Moulins - Case 714075025 Paris Cedex 13Tél. : 01 57 27 55 35SCUIOP10, esplanade des Grands Moulins75013 ParisTél. : 01 57 27 71 31www.univ-paris-diderot.fr

• Université Paris-Dauphine : Paris IXService des Relations InternationalesPlace du Maréchal de Lattre-de-TassignyBureau P03975775 Paris Cedex 16Tél. : 01 44 05 41 50SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 01 44 05 44 75 / 42 54www.dauphine.fr

• Institut national des langueset civilisations orientalesService des Relations internationales1, rue de Lille - 2e étage75343 Paris Cedex 07Tél. : 01 49 26 42 78Service information - communication2, rue de Lille75343 Paris Cedex 07Tél. : 01 49 26 42 17www.inalco.fr

Académie de Poitiers

Poitiers

• Université de PoitiersService des Relations Internationales40, avenue du Recteur Pineau86022 Poitiers CedexTél. : 05 49 45 30 49SCUIOMaison des étudiants101, avenue du Recteur Pineau86000 Poitiers CedexTél. : 05 49 45 33 81www.univ-poitiers.fr

La Rochelle

• Université de la RochelleService des Relations Internationales23, avenue Albert Einstein17071 La Rochelle Cedex 9Tél. : 05 46 45 87 19MRIP address as aboveTél. : 05 46 45 26 77www.univ-larochelle.fr

Académie de Reims

Reims

• Université de ReimsService des Relations InternationalesVilla douce9, boulevard de la Paix51097 Reims CedexTél. : 03 26 91 83 59SIOU - Tertiaire :Rue Rilly-la-Montagne51100 Reims CedexTél. : 03 26 46 87 55SIOU - SciencesCampus Moulin de la HousseBâtiment 5rue des Crayères51687 Reims CedexTél. : 03 26 91 85 30www.univ-reims.fr

Troyes

• Université de TechnologieService des Relations Internationales12, rue Marie CurieBP 206010010 Troyes CedexTél. : 03 25 71 76 00SIOU9, rue de QuébecBP 39610026 Troyes CedexTél. : 03 25 42 46 39www.utt.fr


Académie de RennesBrest

• Université de Bretagne OccidentaleService des Relations Internationales3, rue des ArchivesCS 9383729238 Brest Cedex 3Tél. : 02 98 01 81 56SUAOIP20, avenueVictor-le-GorgeuCS 9383729238 Brest Cedex 3Tél. : 02 98 01 63 17www.univ-brest.fr

Rennes

• Université Rennes IService des Relations Internationales2, rue du ThaborCS 4651035065 Rennes CedexTél. : 02 23 23 36 71 / 39 52SUIO8, rue Kléber35000 RennesTél. : 02 23 23 39 79www.univ-rennes1.fr

• Université Rennes 2-Haute BretagneService des Relations InternationalesPlace Recteur Henri le MoalCS 2430735043 Rennes CedexTél. : 02 99 14 10 95SUIO address as aboveTél. : 02 99 14 13 87 / 13 91www.uhb.fr

• Université de Bretagne SudService des Relations InternationalesCentre KerneurBP 9211656321 Lorient CedexTél. : 02 97 87 65 27SUIOCentre Kerneurrue Comtesse de Ségur56321 Lorient CedexTel. : 02 97 87 11 25www.univ-ubs.fr

Académie de la RéunionLa Réunion

• Université de La RéunionService des Relations InternationalesCampus universitaire du Moufia15, avenue René CassinBP 715197715 Saint-Denis Messag Cedex 9Tél. : 02 62 93 83 21SCAOIP address as aboveTél. : 02 62 93 81 20www.univ-reunion.fr

Académie de RouenLe Havre

• Université du HavreService des Relations InternationalesMaison de l’étudiant - 2e étage25, rue Philippe LebonBP 112376063 Le Havre CedexTél. : 02 32 74 42 24 / 42 27SUIO50, rue Jean-Jaques RousseauBP 112376063 Le Havre CedexTél. : 02 32 74 42 29www.univ-lehavre.fr




Appendices

Rouen

• Université de RouenHaute NormandieService des Relations Internationales17, rue Lavoisier76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan CedexTél. : 02 35 14 61 36SUIORue Lavoisier76821 Mont-Saint-Aignan CedexTél. : 02 32 76 93 73www.univ-rouen.fr

Académie de StrasbourgMulhouse

• Université de Haute AlsaceService des Relations InternationalesMaison de l'Université2, rue des Frères Lumière68093 MULHOUSE CedexTél. : 03 89 33 63 01 / 63 02SIOMaison de l'étudiant1, rue Alfred-Werner68093 Mulhouse CedexTél. : 03 89 33 64 40www.uha.fr

Strasbourg

• Université Strasbourg IService des Relations Internationales4, rue Blaise-Pascal67070 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 90 24 11 60SIOE address as aboveTél. : 03 90 24 11 50www-ulp.u-strasbg.fr

• Université Strasbourg IIService des Relations Internationales22, rue René DescartesBâtiment 5, 3e étage67084 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 41 74 13SCUIOIP address as aboveTél. : 03 88 41 73 50www-umb.u-strasbg.fr

• Université Strasbourg IIIService des Relations Internationales47 avenue de la Forêt noire - bureau 31267082 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 41 77 31SCUIO1 place d'Athènes - BP 6667045 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 41 42 40 / 03 88 61 09 50www-urs.u-strasbg.fr

Académie de ToulouseToulouse

• Université Toulouse IService des Relations Internationales2 rue du Doyen-Gabriel-Marty31042 Toulouse CedexTél. : 05 61 63 35 43SCUIO2, rue Albert Lautmann31042 Toulouse CedexTél. : 05 61 63 37 28www.univ-tlse1.fr

• Université Toulouse IIService des Relations InternationalesMaison de la Recherche5, allées Antonio Machado31058 Toulouse Cedex 9Tél. : 05 61 50 42 50SIOU address as aboveTél. : 05 61 50 45 15www.univ-tlse2.fr

• Université Toulouse IIIService des Relations Internationales118, route de Narbonne31062 Toulouse Cedex 9Tél. : 05 61 55 66 24SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 05 61 55 61 32www.ups-tlse.fr

• INP Toulouse6, allée Émile MonsoZAC du Palays - BP 403831029 Toulouse Cedex 4Tél. : 05 34 32 30 00www.inp-toulouse.fr


Académie de VersaillesCergy-Pontoise

• Université de Cergy-PontoiseService des Relations InternationalesTour des Chênes - Bureau 31333, boulevard du Port95011 Cergy-Pontoise CedexTél. : 01 34 25 67 43SCUIO address as aboveTél. : 01 34 25 63 22www.u-cergy.fr

Evry

• Université d’Évry-Val d’EssonneService des Relations Internationales4, boulevard François Mitterand91025 Évry CedexTél. : 01 69 47 71 76SCUIOrue du Père André Jarlain91025 Évry CedexTél. : 01 69 47 76 16 / 77 61CIO110 Agora Grandre Place91000 ÉvryTél. : 01 69 36 09 00www.univ-evry.fr

Nanterre

• Université Paris X-NanterreService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment A200, avenue de la République92001 Nanterre CedexTél. : 01 40 97 74 61SCUIOBâtiment E - RdCSalles E14 et E19200, avenue de la République92001 Nanterre CedexTél. : 01 40 97 75 34www.u-paris10.fr

Orsay

• Université Paris-Sud : Paris XIService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment 407 - 1er étage91405 Orsay CedexTél. : 01 69 15 30 84 / 30 85SCUIO (sciences et technologie, sport)Bâtiment 333 - 1er étage15 rue Georges Clémenceau91405 Orsay CedexTél. : 01 69 15 72 77SCUIO - OCO (droit, économie, gestion)Bâtiment B - rez de chaussée bas54, boulevard Desgranges92331 Sceaux CedexTél. : 01 40 91 18 38 / 17 98SCUIO - OCO (pharmacie)Bâtiment A - Hall d'Honneur5, rue Jean-Baptiste Clément94296 Chatenay-MalabryTél. : 01 46 83 53 29www.u-psud.fr

Versailles

• Université deVersailles -Saint-Quentin-en-YvelinesService des Relations InternationalesBâtiment d’Alembert47, boulevardVauban78047 Guyancourt CedexTél. : 01 39 25 58 21SCUIO (Centre for Social Sciences andHumanities, Centre for Legal andPolitical Sciences)Mezzanine Bureau 10147, boulevardVauban78047 GuyancourtTél.:01 39 25 56 10SCUIO (Centre for Sciences and Medicine)Fermat Building – Bureau 120245 avenue des Etats-Unis78000VersaillesTél. : 01 39 25 46 10www.uvsq.fr




Appendices

Territoires d'outre-merTahiti

• Université de la Polynésie françaiseService des Relations InternationalesBP 657098702 Faa’aTahitiPolynésie françaiseTél. : 689 803 931CIDOCampus d'Outumaoro - PUNAAUIATél. : 689 803 894 / 803 803www.upf.pf

Nouméa

• Centre universitairede Nouvelle CalédonieService des Relations InternationalesBPR498851 Nouméa CedexNouvelle CalédonieTél. : 00 687 26 58 77SCUIOPrésidence - Campus de NouvelleBP 447798847 Nouméa CedexTél. : 00 687 26 58 00www.univ-nc.nc

Les PôlesUniversitairesEuropéensThe European University Associations (pôlesuniversitaires) can be found in big Frenchuniversity towns and group together highereducation institutions,communities & part-ners in the business world.Their main missionis to promote university study & researchprogrammes in France’s ‘grandes écoles’abroad.

• Pôle universitaire européende Bordeaux166 cours de l'Argonne33000 BordeauxTél. : 05 56 33 80 80www.poleuniv.u-bordeaux.fr

• Pôle universitaire européenet scientifique de Grenoble470 avenue de la BibliothèqueBP 52Domaine universitaire38402 St. Martin d’Hères CedexTél. : 04 76 82 83 84www.grenoble-universites.fr

• Ile de France Sud - Les AlgorithmesBâtiment Euripide91194 Saint-AubinTél. : 01 69 35 60 34www.parispolesud.com

• Pôle universitaire européen de Lille Nord-Pas de Calais1 bis rue Georges Lefèvre59044 Lille CedexTél. : 03 20 29 85 60www.poleuniv-lille-npdc.fr

• Pôle universitaire européen de LyonQuartier Sergent Blandan37, rue du Repos69361 Lyon Cedex 07Tél. : 04 37 37 26 70www.universite-lyon.fr


• Pôle universitaire européende Montpellieret du Languedoc-Roussillon163, rue Auguste Broussonnet34090 MontpellierTél. : 04 67 41 93 33www.poluniv-mpl.fr

• Pôle universitaire européende Nancy-Metz34 cours LéopoldCS 2523354052 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 17 67 67

Maison du Pôle Universitaire de LorraineIle du SaulcyBP 8079457012 Metz Cedex 1Tél. : 03 87 65 81 40www.europole.u-nancy.fr

• Pôle universitaire européende Rennes12 avenue Janvier35000 RennesTél. : 02 23 44 84 50www.europole-rennes.fr

• Pôle universitaire européende Strasbourg11, rue Silbermann67000 StrasbourgTél. : 03 88 60 01 01www.univ-strasbourg.fr

• Réseau UniversitaireToulouse Midi-Pyrénées15 rue des Lois31000 ToulouseTél. : 05 61 14 80 10www.pole-tlse.fr

MUTUELLESÉTUDIANTES

Addresses of agencies and offices of theMutuelle des Etudiants (LMDE).

For opening times, go to www.lmde.comClickon“YourAgency” (“VotreAgence”).

There is a central helpline for theMutuelledes Etudiants. All calls are handled bybilingual advisors (French, English andSpanish)

To contact LMDE advisors,call 3260 and say “LMDE” (0.15 € /mn)

• Aix-en-Provencerue des AllumettesRésidence de l’Arche13090 Aix-en-Provence

• Amiens5, rue Porion80000 Amiens

• Angers55, boulevard du roi René49000 Angers

• AnnecyGalerie l'Emeraude du Lac4, rue Jean Jaurès,74000 Annecy

• AvignonCentre universitaire74, rue Louis Pasteur84029 Avignon Cedex 1

• Besançon38, rue des Granges25000 BesançonChange of address June/July 2008

• Bordeaux24, cours de l’Argonne33086 Bordeaux Cedex



• Brest6, place de la Liberté29000 Brest

• CaenCU les Tilleuls,Bâtiment D68 rue de Bernières140000 Caen

Permanence CaenRU D Campus 2 - Cité de la côte de nacre14070 CAEN Cedex 5

• Chambéry68, rue des Fréziers73000 Chambéry

• Clermont-Ferrand57, boulevard François Mitterand63000 Clermont-Ferrand

• CompiègneUTC – Salle A611Centre B. Franklinrue Roger Couttolenc60200 Compiègne

• Corte7, avenue Jean Nicoli20250 Corte

• CréteilUniversité Paris XII CréteilParvis du Campus61, avenue du Général-de-Gaulle94000 Créteil

• Dijon33, rue Nicolas Bornier21000 Dijon

• DunkerqueCentre universitaire de la Citadelle220, avenue de l’Université - Bureau 434BP 552659379 Dunkerque Cedex 1

• Grenoble28, cours Jean-Jaurès38000 Grenoble

• La Rochelle27, avenue des Amériques17000 La Rochelle

• La Roche-sur-YonGalerie de l’Empire3, Place Napoléon85000 La Roche-sur-Yon

• Le Havre37, rue Demidoff76600 Le Havre

• Le MansEspace de Services Universitaires20, avenue René Läennec72000 Le Mans

• Lille96/98, rue de l'Hôpital Militaire59800 Lille

• Limoges8bis, rue Adrien Dubouché,87038 Limoges Cedex

• Lorient56, Boulevard Léon Blum56100 Lorient

• LyonAgence Les Quais19, rue de Marseille69007 Lyon

• Marseillerue de la Halle Puget13001 Marseille

• Metz8, boulevard Sérot57000 Metz

• Montpellier4, rue Jules Ferry34959 Montpellier Cedex 9

• MulhouseBâtiment MCA5, boulevard de l’Europe - 1er étage68100 Mulhouse

Student insurance compagnies


• Nancy13 rue de la Ravinelle54000 Nancy

• NanterreHall Bâtiment E200, avenue de la République92000 Nanterre

• Nantes1, rue Pierre Chéreau44000 Nantes

• Nice18, avenue Thiers06000 Nice

• Nîmes8, rue Deyron,30000 Nîmes

• Orléans12, Place Louis XI45057 Orléans Cedex

• OrsayUniversité Paris XIBâtiment 33291400 Orsay

• Paris 5e

6 rue des Fossés Saint Jacques75005 Paris

Accueil Jussieu10, rue Linné75005 Paris

Université Paris III Sorbonne NouvelleCentre Censier13 rue de Santeuil75005 Paris

• Paris 6e

ENSBA14 rue Bonaparte75006 Paris

• Paris 13e

Université Paris I Panthéon SorbonneCentre PMFTolbiac90 rue deTolbiac75013 Paris

Centre René Cassin17 rue Saint Hippolyte75013 Paris

Université paris 7Hall de la Bibliothèque5 rueThomas Mann75013 Paris

• Paris 16e

Université ParisV René DescartesIUT143 avenue deVersailles75016 Paris

Université Paris IX DauphinePlace du Maréchal de Lattre deTassigny75016 Paris

• Paris 18e

Dans les locaux de la Matmut161 rue Marcadet75018 Paris

• Pau53, rue Carnot64000 Pau

• Perpignan42, avenue Paul Alduy66103 Perpignan Cedex

• PoitiersMaison des Etudiants16, rue desVieilles Boucheries86000 Poitiers Cedex

• Quimper2, rue de l’Université29000 Quimper

• Reims8, rue Jeanne d’Arc51100 Reims



• RennesAccueil CentreVille29, quai Chateaubriand35000 Rennes

Accueil CampusVillejeanUniversité Rennes 2 Haute BretagneBâtiment EREVE35000 Rennes

• Rouen15, rue du Grand Pont76000 Rouen

• Saint-Brieuc1, place Haute du Chai22000 Saint-Brieuc

• Saint-DenisUniversité Paris VIIIRez-de-chaussée de la BibliothèqueAvenue de Stalingrad93200 Saint-Denis

PermanenceIUT de Saint DenisPlace du 8 mai 194593206 Saint-Denis

• Saint-Étienne64, rue du 11 Novembre42000 Saint-Étienne

• Strasbourg10, rue de l’Abreuvoir67084 Strasbourg Cedex

• ToulonUniversité de Toulon et duVarAvenue de l'UniversitéBâtiment A83957 La Garde Cedex

• Toulouse97, rue Riquet31007 Toulouse

• Tours4 bis, rue Paul-Louis Courrier37059 Tours

•Valence23, rue Bouffier26000Valence

•Valenciennes19, rue Tholozé59300Valenciennes

•Vannes13, avenueVictor-Hugo56000Vannes

•VersaillesUVSQVersaillesBâtiment Fermat45 avenue des Etats-Unis78000Versailles

•Vichy18bis, rue du Maréchal-Foch03200Vichy

•Vienne30 avenue Général LeclercEspace Saint GermainImmeuble Antarès38200Vienne

•VilleurbanneCampus de la Doua Double Mixte43 boulevard du 11 novembre 191869100Villeurbanne



Mutuellesde l’USEMbranch listing &addresses

USEM (Union nationale des SociétésEtudiantes Mutualistes régionales)116, rue du Bac75007 ParisTél. : 01 44 18 37 87www.usem.fr

MEP (Mutuelle des étudiantsde Provence)Numéro unique de renseignements sur lasécurité sociale étudiante :Tél. : 0825 081 881E-mail : [email protected]

• Aix-en-Provence2, rue Reine Jeanne13100 Aix-en-Provence

• Avignon74, rue Louis Pasteur84000 Avignon

• Marseille176, boulevard Baille13005 Marseille

• Montpellier Centre3, place de la Canourgue34000 Montpellier

• Montpellier Faculté20, avenue du Docteur-Pezet34090 Montpellier

• Nice36, rue de la Buffa06000 Nice

• Nîmes21 A, rue Clérisseau30000 Nîmes

• Perpignan11, rue Pountet de Bages66000 Perpignan

• Toulon/La GardeUTV192, avenue de l’Université83951 La Garde Cedex

MGEL (Mutuelle Généraledes Etudiants de l’Est)www.mgel.fr

• Charleville - Mézières19, rue Irénée Carré08000 Charleville - MézièresTél. : 03 24 59 90 00

• ColmarMaison de l’étudiant34, rue du Grillenbreit68000 ColmarTél. : 03 89 24 26 43

• Épinal18, quai du Musée88000 ÉpinalTél. : 03 29 82 55 82

• MetzEspace Etudiant MGEL11, boulevard Sérot57000 MetzTél. : 03 87 30 34 14

• MulhouseMaison de l’étudiant45, avenue du Président Kennedy68100 MulhouseTél. : 03 89 32 04 67

• Nancy44, Cours LéopoldBP 420854042 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 30 03 00



• Reims 1Centre commercial La RafaleCampus Croix Rouge34, rue Rilly la Montagne51100 ReimsTél. : 03 26 87 79 79

• Reims 2Campus Sciences / IUT49, rue Houzeau Muiron51097 Reims CedexTél. : 03 26 88 62 46

• Strasbourg4, rue de Londres67000 StrasbourgTél. : 03 88 60 26 26

• Troyes76, rue du Général de Gaulle10000 TroyesTél. : 03 25 73 09 10

•Vandoeuvre3, boulevard des Aiguillettes54500VandoeuvreTél. : 03 83 54 86 86

SEM (Société des Etudiants Mutualistes)et SMEREP (Société Mutualiste desEtudiants de la Région Parisienne)Adresse courrier SEMBP 519 Paris Denfert Rochereau75666 Paris Cedex 14Tél. : 01 56 54 36 36E-mail : [email protected]

Adresse courrier SMEREPBP 61775662 Paris Cedex 14Tél. : 01 56 54 36 34E-mail : [email protected]

• CergySite Universitaire “Les Chênes”La Tour, 2e étage, bureau 21433 boulevard du Port95011 Cergy PontoiseTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• CréteilUniversité Paris-Val de Marne - Hall durestaurant de la Pointe Jaune - Bâtiment duCROUS61, avenue du Général de Gaulle94000 CréteilTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

•VilletaneuseUniversité de Paris Nord, couloir BAvenue J. B. Clément93430VilletaneuseTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• Marne-la-ValléeUniversité de Marne-la-ValléeBâtiment Lavoisier, Cité DescartesChamps sur Marne5, boulevard Descartes77454 Marnes-la-Vallée Cedex 2Tél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• NanterreBâtiment E – Salle E2 RDC200, avenue de la République, Hall C92000 NanterreTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• OrsayUniversité de Paris Sud, Centre OrsayBâtiment 332, 2e étage91405 Orsay CedexTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• Paris 5e

3, rue Lacépède, 75005 ParisTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• Paris 6e

54, boulevard Saint-Michel,75006 ParisTél. : 01 56 54 36 34

• Saint-DenisUniversité deVincennes - Saint-DenisRue Georges Guynemer,93200 Saint-DenisTél. : 01 56 54 36 34



SMEBA (Société Mutualistedes Etudiants de Bretagne-Atlantique)Tél. : 0 825 834 170E-Mail : [email protected]

• Angers50 bis, boulevard du Roi-René, BP 5070549007 Angers Cedex 01Tél. : 0 825 834 170

• Angers Saint Serge6 et 8, allée François Mitterrand49000 AngersTél. : 0 825 834 170

• Brest32, rue du Professeur-LangevinBP 9315129231 Brest Cedex 3Tél. : 0 825 834 170

• CholetLa novathèque5, boulevard Pierre LecoqBP 51349305 Cholet CedexTél. : 0 825 834 170

• Laval2, rue du LieutenantBP 62253006 Laval CedexTél. : 0 825 834 170

• Le Mans34, avenue F. MitterrandBP 2406672004 Le Mans Cedex 2Tél. : 0 825 834 170

• Le MansAntenne Campus3, avenue Laennec72004 Le Mans CedexTél. : 0 825 834 170

• Lorient57, rue Armand GuillemotBP 255,56102 Lorient Cedex

Tél. : 0 825 834 170

• Nantes7 allée Duguay TrouinBP 7330544033 Nantes Cedex 01Tél. : 0 825 834 170

• Quimper4, place de LocronanBP 135629103 Quimper CedexTél. : 0 825 834 170

• Rennes4, rueVictor-HugoBP 3081435108 Rennes Cedex 03Tél. : 0 825 834 170

• La Roche-sur-Yon2, place du MarchéBP 37785009 La Roche-sur-Yon CedexTél. : 0 825 834 170

• Saint-Brieuc2 placeWaldeck RousseauBP 22322002 Saint-Brieuc Cedex 01Tél. : 0 825 834 170

•Vannes11 bis, rue HocheBP 37356009Vannes CedexTél. : 0 825 834 170

SMECO (Société Mutualistedes Etudiants du Centre Ouest)Tél. : 0 810 052 000E-mail : [email protected]

• AngoulêmeEspace Saint Martial5, boulevard Berthelot16000 AngoulèmeTél. : 0 810 052 000



• Blois16, rue Saint Lubin41000 BloisTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Bourges14, rue Calvin18000 BourgesTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Chartres16, rue aux Ormes28000 ChartresTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Châteauroux31, rue de la Poste36000 ChâteaurouxTél. : 0 810 052 000

• La RochelleLe Gabut3, quai de la Georgette17000 La RochelleTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Niort13, rue Alsace Lorraine79000 NiortTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Orléans2, rue Saint-Paul45056 Orléans Cedex 01Tél. : 0 810 052 000

• Poitiers73, rue de la Cathédrale86036 Poitiers Cedex 01Tél. : 0 810 052 000

• Tours4, rue Chanoineau37000 ToursTél. :0 810 052 000

SMENO (Société Mutualistedes Etudiants du Nord-Ouest)E-mail : [email protected]él. : 0 820 42 34 23www.smeno.com

• Amiens18, rue Jean Catelas80000 Amiens

• Caen40, avenue de la LibérationBP 2014005 Caen Cedex 1

• Le Havre2 à 4, rueVoltaire76087 Le Havre

• Lille - Le Furet du Nord15, place du Général-de-GaulleBP 31559026 Lille Cedex

• Lille - Vauban43, boulevardVauban59040 Lille Cedex

• Rouen7, place ColbertBP 8676132 Mont-Saint-Aignan Cedex

•Valenciennes20 avenue ClémenceauBP 59959308Valenciennes Cedex

•Villeneuve d’AscqGalerie duVentoux/Furet18, Boulevard deValmy59650Villeveuve d’Ascq

SMERAG (Société Mutualiste desEtudiants de laRégionAntilles-Guyane)

• Guadeloupe27, rue Achille René Boisneuf97110 Pointe à Pitre Cedex



• GuyaneCampus “Service Campus” de Saint-Denis97335 CayenneTél. : 05 94 25 21 84E-mail : [email protected]

• Martinique35, rue Schoelcher97200 Fort de France CedexTél. : 05 96 72 82 00E-mail :[email protected]

SMEREB (Société Mutualistedes Etudiants des RégionsBourgogne - Franche-Comté)E-mail : [email protected]él. : 0 810 052 000www.smereb.fr

• Auxerre6, rue Marie Noël89000 AuxerreTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Belfort3, rue Metz-Juteau90000 BelfortTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Besançon22, rue Ronchaux25000 BesançonTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Châlon sur Saône13, Porte de Lyon71100 Châlon sur SaôneTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Dijon11 ter, boulevardVoltaire21000 DijonTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Le Creusot34, rue Maréchal Leclerc71200 Le CreusotTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Lons le SaunierMaison des Associations160, rue Marcel Paul39000 Lons le SaunierTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Mâcon18, rue Franche71000 MâconTél. : 0 810 052 000

• NeversRésidence des Chauvelles20, rue Charles-Roy58000 NeversTél. : 0 810 052 000

SMERRA (Société Mutualistedes Etudiants des Régions Rhône-Alpeset Auvergne)Tél. : 0 810 052 000E-mail : [email protected]

• Annecy4, rue Saint François de Sales74000 AnnecyTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Bourg en Bresse1, rue Gabriel Vicaire01000 Bourg en BresseTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Chambéry123, rue Michaud73000 ChambéryTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Clermont-FerrandCentreViaduc63, boulevard Côte-Blatin63038 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1Tél. : 0 810 052 000

• Grenoble Centre15, rue Saint-Joseph38028 Grenoble Cedex 1Tél. : 0 810 052 000



• Grenoble CampusLe Grand Sablon2, avenue de l’Obiou,38700 La TroncheTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Lyon - La Manufacture des Tabacs5, cours Albert Thomas69003 LyonTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Lyon - Les Quais38, rue Chevreul69007 LyonTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Lyon - La Doua128 A Boulevard du 11 Novembre69100VilleurbanneTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Montluçon2, rue de la République03100 MontluçonTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Roanne14, place de l’Hôtel deVille42300 RoanneTél. : 0 810 052 000

• Saint-Étienne37, rue du 11-Novembre42031 Saint-Étienne Cedex 2Tél. : 0 810 052 000

•Valence34, avenue du Président-Herriot26000ValenceTél. : 0 810 052 000

•Vienne2, cours Brillier38200VienneTél. : 0 810 052 000

VITTAVITél. : 0 825 825 715 (0,15 €TTC/mn)

E-mail : [email protected]

• AgenCentre universitaire d’Agen2, quai Dunkerque47000 AgenTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Albi105, boulevard de Soult81000 AlbiTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Bayonne27, rue Poissonnerie64100 BayonneTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Bordeaux21, place de laVictoire33000 Bordeaux CedexTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Brive30, avenue de Paris19100 BriveTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Limoges41, rue des Tanneries87000 Limoges CedexTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Pau4, rue Pasteur64000 PauTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Tarbes8, avenue de la Marne65000 TarbesTél. : 0 825 825 715

• Toulouse5, rue des Lois31000 ToulouseTél. : 0 825 825 715

Les mutuelles étudiantes régionalesdisposent de 170 points d’accueil en France.See website: www.vittavi.fr



La CitéInternationaleUniversitaire deParis

• CIUPCité internationale universitaire de ParisDélégation générale17, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 64 00E-mail : [email protected]

• Collège d’Espagne7 E, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 32 00

• Collège Franco-britannique9 B, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 58 10 40 00

• Collège Néerlandais61, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 50 00

• Maison de l’Institut National Agronomique7 B, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 05 79

• Fondation Argentine27 A, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 29 00

• Fondation Avicenne27 D, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 29 00

• Fondation Biermans-Lapôtre9 A, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 72 00

• Fondation Danoise

7 H, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 12 50

• Fondation Deutsch de la Meurthe37, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 82 02

• Fondation des États-Unis15, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 53 80 68 80

• Fondation Hellénique47 B, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 58 10 21 00

• Fondation de Monaco47 A, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 48 00

• Fondation Rosa Abreu de Grancher59 A, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 43 13 58 00

• Fondation Suisse7 K, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 10 10

• Centre Internationalde Courts SéjoursAndré Honnorat, Robert Garricet Victor LyonTél. : 01 43 13 65 00

• Maison de l’Arménie57, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 10 60

• Maison des Arts et Métiers1, avenue Pierre-Massé75014 ParisTél. : 01 42 53 15 61

• Maison de l’Asie du Sud-Est59 B, boulevard Jourdan



75014 ParisTél. : 01 43 13 58 00

• Maisson du Brésil7 L, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 58 10 23 00

• Maison du Cambodge27, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 58 40 83 00

• Maison du Canada31, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 68 70

• Maison Heinrich Heine27 C, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 13 00

• Maison de l’Inde7 R, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 53 80 78 00

• Maison des Industries Agricoleset Alimentaires5, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 67 00

• Maison de l’Italie7 A, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 63 00

• Maison du Japon7 C, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 12 12

• Maison du Liban9 E, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 27 50

• Maison du Maroc1, boulevard Jourdan75014 Paris

Tél. : 01 53 80 20 89

• Maison du Mexique9 C, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 44 16 18 00

• Maison de Norvège7 N, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 55 55

• Maison des Provinces de France55, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 53 80 61 00

• Maison des Étudiants Suédois7 F, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 53 80 81 50

• Maison de Tunisie45 A, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 53 62 77 00

• Résidence André de Gouveia7 P, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 78 65 00

• Résidence Lucien Paye45 B, boulevard Jourdan75014 ParisTél. : 01 53 80 75 75

Résidences outside 14e arrondissement

• Résidence Lila2 à 20 avenue René Fonck - Porte des Lilas75019 ParisTél. : 01 72 33 98 70

• Résidence Quai de Loire41 bis, quai de la Loire75019 ParisTél. : 01 78 09 06 30

Cité internationnale universitaire de Paris


Tourist offices(in university towns)

• Aix-en-Provence2, place du Général-de-GaulleBP 16013605 Aix-en ProvenceTél. : 04 42 16 11 61www.aixenprovencetourism.com

• Amiens6 bis, rue DusevelBP 101880010 Amiens Cedex 1Tél. : 03 22 71 60 50www.amiens.fr/tourisme

• Angers7, place KennedyBP 1515749051 Angers Cedex 02Tél. : 02 41 23 50 00www.angers-tourisme.com

• Besançon2 Place de la Ière Armée Française25000 BesançonTél. : 03 81 80 92 55www.besancon-tourisme.com

• Bordeaux12, cours du 30 Juillet33000 BordeauxTél. : 05 56 00 66 00www.bordeaux-tourisme.com

• BrestPlace de la LibertéBP 9101229210 Brest Cedex 1Tél. : 02 98 44 24 96www.brest-metropole-tourisme.fr

• CaenHôtel d’EscovillePlace Saint-Pierre14000 CaenTél. : 02 31 27 14 14www.ville-caen.fr

• Clermont-FerrandPlace de laVictoire63000 Clermont-FerrandTél. : 04 73 98 65 00www.clermont-fd.com

• Dijon34, rue des ForgesBP 8229621000 DijonTél. : 0 892 700 558 (0,45€TTC/mn)

www.dijon-tourism.com

• Fort de France76, rue Lazarre Carnot

97206 Fort De France

Tél. : 05 96 60 27 73

www.ot-fortdefrance.fr

• GrenobleMaison du Tourisme14, rue de la RépubliqueBP 22738000 GrenobleTél. : 04 76 42 41 41www.grenoble-isere.info

• Le MansHôtel des Ursulines,rue de l’Étoile72000 Le MansTél. : 02 43 28 17 22www.lemanstourisme.com

• LillePalais RihourPlace RihourBP 20559002 LilleTél. : 0 891 562 004 (0,30€TTC/mn)

www.lilletourisme.com

• Limoges12 Boulevard de Fleurus87000 LimogesTél. : 05 55 34 46 87www.tourismelimoges.com



• LyonPavillon du TourismePlace BellecourBP 225469214 Lyon Cedex 02Tél. : 04 72 77 69 69www.lyon-france.com

• Marseille4, La Canebière13000 MarseilleTél. : 04 91 13 89 00www.marseille-tourisme.com

• Metz2 Place d'ArmesBP 8036757007 Metz Cedex 1Tél. : 03 87 55 53 76http://tourisme.mairie-metz.fr

• Montpellier30, allée Jean de Lattre de TassignyEsplanade Comédie34000 MontpellierTél. : 04 67 60 60 60www.ot-montpellier.fr

• NancyPlace StanislasBP 81054041 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 35 22 41www.ot-nancy.fr

• Nantes7, rue deValmyBP 6410644041 Nantes Cedex 01Tél. : 0 892 464 044 (0,45€TTC/mn)

www.nantes-tourisme.com

• NiceOffice du Tourisme et des Congrès5, Promenade des AnglaisBP 407906302 Nice Cedex 04Tél. : 0 892 707 407 (0,45€TTC/mn)

www.nicetourisme.com

• Nîmes6, rue Auguste30000 NîmesTél. : 04 66 58 38 00www.ot-nimes.fr

• Orléans2, place de l’Étape45000 OrléansTél. : 02 38 24 01 61www.tourisme-orleans.com

• Paris25, avenue des Pyramides75001 ParisTél. : 0 892 683 112 (0,45€TTC/mn)

www.parisinfo.com

• PauPlace RoyaleBP 150864036 Pau CedexTél. : 05 59 27 85 80www.pau.fr

• PerpignanPalais des CongrèsPlace Armand LanouxBP 4021566002 Perpignan CedexTél. : 04 68 66 30 30www.perpignantourisme.com

• Point à Pitre1, Centre Commercial La Marina

97110 Point à Pitre

Tél. : 05 90 90 70 02www.lesilesdeguadeloupe.com

• Poitiers45, Place Charles de Gaulle86009 PoitiersTél. : 05 49 41 21 24www.ot-poitiers.fr

• Reims2, rue Guillaume de Machault51100 ReimsTél. : 0 892 701 305 (0.45€TTC/mn)

www.reims-tourisme.com

Tourist offices (in university towns)


• Poitiers45, Place Charles de Gaulle86009 PoitiersTél. : 05 49 41 21 24www.ot-poitiers.fr

• Reims2, rue Guillaume de Machault51100 ReimsTél. : 0 892 701 305 (0.45€TTC/mn)

www.reims-tourisme.com

• Rennes11, rue Saint-YvesCS 2641035064 RennesTél. : 02 99 67 11 11www.tourisme-rennes.com

• Rouen25, place de la Cathédrale76000 RouenTél. : 02 32 08 32 40www.rouentourisme.com

• Saint-Étienne16, avenue de la Libération42029 Saint-Étienne Cedex 1Tél. : 0 892 700 542 (0,45€TTC/mn)

www.tourisme-st-etienne.com

• Strasbourg17, place de la CathédraleBP 7002067082 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 52 28 25www.ot-strasbourg.fr

• Toulon334, avenue de la RépubliqueLe Port83000 ToulonTél. : 04 94 18 53 00www.toulontourisme.com

• ToulouseDonjon du CapitoleBP 3800131080 Toulouse Cedex 6Tél. : 05 61 11 02 22www.ot-toulouse.fr

• Tours78/82, rue Bernard PalissyBP 420137042 Tours CedexTél. : 02 47 70 37 37www.ligeris.com



Specialisedschools

Schools of Agriculture and Schoolsfor Life and Environmental ScienceTechnologies

Angers

• École Supérieure d’Agriculture d’Angers(ESA)55, rue RabelaisBP 3074849007 Angers Cedex 01Tél. : 02 41 23 55 55www.groupe-esa.com

• Institut national d'horticulture d'Angers(INH)2, rue le Nôtre49045 Angers Cedex 01Tél. : 02 41 22 54 54www.inh.fr

Beauvais

• Institut Polytechnique LaSalle Beauvais(IGA-ISAB)rue PierreWaguet - BP 3031360026 Beauvais CedexTél. : 03 44 06 25 25www.lasalle-beauvais.fr

Bordeaux

• École Nationale d’Ingénieurs des TravauxAgricoles de Bordeaux(ENITAB)1, cours du Général de Gaulle - CS 4020133175 Gradignan CedexTél. : 05 57 35 07 07www.enitab.fr

Clermont-Ferrand

• École nationale d'ingénieurs des travauxagricoles de Clermont-Ferrand (ENITAC)48, boulevardVaubanSite de Marmilhat63370 LempdesTéléphone : 04 73 98 13 13www.enitac.fr

Dijon

• Établissement national d'enseignementsupérieur agronomique de Dijon (ENESAD)26,boulevard du Docteur Petitjean - BP 8799921079 Dijon CedexTéléphone : 03 80 77 25 25www.enesad.fr

Lille

• Institut Supérieur d'Agriculture (ISA)48, boulevardVauban59046 Lille CedexTéléphone : 03.28.38.48.48www.isa-lille.fr

Lyon

• Institut Supérieur d’Agriculturede Rhône-Alpes (ISARA)23 rue Jean Baldassini69364 Lyon Cedex 07Tel. : 04 27 85 85 85www.isara.fr

• École nationale vétérinaire de Lyon(ENVL) et Ecole nationale desservices veterinaries (ENSV)1, avenue Bourgelat69280 Marcy l'ÉtoileTel. : 04 78 87 25 25www.vet-lyon.fr

Maisons-Alfort

• École nationale vétérinaire d'Alfort (ENVA)7, avenue du Général de Gaulle94704 Maisons-Alfort CedexTél. : 01 43 96 71 00www.vet-alfort.fr

Specialised schools


Montpellier

• Montpellier SupAgro - Centre internatio-nal d’études supérieures en sciences agro-nomiques2, place PierreViala34060 Montpellier Cedex 02Tél. : 04 99 61 22 00www.supagro.fr

• Montpellier SupAgro - Institut des régionschaudes1101, avenue Agropolis

BP 509834033 Montpellier Cedex 01Tél. : 04 67 61 70 00www.supagro.fr

• SupAgro Florac9, rue Célestin FreinetBP 35F-48400 FloracTél. : 04 66 65 65 65www.supagro.fr

Nantes

• École Supérieure du Bois (ESB)rue Christian PaucAtlanpole - BP 1060544306 Nantes Cedex 3Tél. : 02 40 18 12 12www.ecolesupbois.asso.fr

• École nationale d'ingénieurs des techniquesdes industries agricoles et alimentaires deNantes (ENITIAA)Domaine de la GéraudièreBP 8222544072 Nantes Cedex 03Tél. : 02 51 78 54 54www.enitiaa-nantes.fr

• École nationale vétérinaire de NantesAtlanpôle (ENVN)La ChantrerieBP 4070644307 Nantes Cedex 03Tél. : 02 40 68 77 77www.vet-nantes.fr

Paris

• Institut des sciences et industries du vivantet de l'environnement - issu du rapprochementde l'Engref, l'Ensia et l'Ina P-G (AgroParisTech)19, avenue du Maine75732 Paris Cedex 15Tél. : 01 44 08 16 61www.agroparistech.fr

• AgroParisTech - ENGREF19, avenue du Maine75732 Paris Cedex 15Tél. : 01 45 49 88 00www.agroparistech.fr

Rennes

• Institut national d'enseignement supérieuret de recherche agronomique et agro-alimen-taire (Agrocampus Rennes)65, rue de Saint-BrieucCS 8421535042 Rennes CedexTél. : 02 23 48 50 00www.agrocampus-rennes.fr

Rouen

• École Supérieure d’Ingénieurset deTechniciens pour l’Agriculture (ESITPA)13 rue du Nord76000 RouenTél. : 02 35 07 48 80www.esitpa.org

Strasbourg

• École nationale du génie de l'eau et del'environnement de Strasbourg (ENGEES)1, quai KochBP 6103967070 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 24 82 82www-engees.u-strasbg.fr



Toulouse

• École d’ingénieurs de Purpan72,Voie du TOEC - BP 5761131076 Toulouse Cedex 3Tél. : 05 61 15 30 30www.esa-purpan.fr

• École nationale vétérinaire de Toulouse(ENVT)23, chemin des Capelles31076 Toulouse Cedex 3Tél. : 05 61 19 38 02www.envt.fr

• École nationale de formation agronomiquede Toulouse (ENFA)BP 8731326 Castanet Tolosan CedexTél. : 05 61 75 32 32www.enfa.fr

Val-de-Reuil

• École Supérieure d’Ingénieurset deTechniciens pour l’Agriculture (ESITPA)Rue GrandeBP 60727106Val de Reuil CedexTél. : 02 32 59 14 59www.esitpa.org

Versailles

• École nationale supérieure dupaysage deVersailles (ENSP)10, rue du Maréchal JoffreRP 91478009Versailles CedexTél : 01 39 24 62 00www.versailles.ecole-paysage.fr

Écoles d’architecture

Bordeaux

• École nationale supérieured’architecture de BordeauxDomaine de Raba33405 Talence CedexTél. : 05 57 35 11 00www.bordeaux.archi.fr

Clermont-Ferrand

• École nationale supérieured’architecture de Clermont-Ferrand71, boulevard Côte Blatin63000 Clermond-FerrandTél. : 04 73 34 71 50www.clermont-fd.archi.fr

Grenoble

• École d’architecture de Grenoble60 avenue de Constantine - BP 233638036 Grenoble Cedex 02Tél. : 04 76 69 83 00www.grenoble.archi.fr

Lille

• École d’architecture de Lille2, rueVerte - Quartier de l’Hôtel deVille59650Villeneuve d’AscqTél. : 03 20 61 95 50www.lille.archi.fr

Lyon

• École d’architecture de Lyon3, rue Maurice Audin - BP 17069512Vaulx-en-Velin CedexTél. : 04 78 79 50 50www.lyon.archi.fr

Marne LaVallée

• École d’architecture deMarne LaVallée10-12, avenue Blaise Pascal74447 Marne LaVallée Cedex 2Tél. : 01 60 95 84 00www.marnelavallee.archi.fr

Specialised schools


Marseille

• École d’architecturede Marseille-Luminy184, avenue de Luminy - case postale 92413288 Marseille Cedex 9Tél. : 04 91 82 71 00www.marseille.archi.fr

Montpellier

• École d’architecture de Montpellier179, rue de l’Espérou34093 Montpellier Cedex 5Tél. : 04 67 91 89 89www.montpellier.archi.fr

Nancy

• École d’architecture de Nancy2, rue Bastien-LepageBP 4043554001 Nancy CedexTél. : 03 83 30 81 00www.nancy.archi.fr

Nantes

• École d’architecture de NantesRue Massenet -BP 8193144319 Nantes Cedex 3Tél. : 02 40 16 01 21www.nantes.archi.fr

Paris

• École nationale supérieure d’architectureParis-Val de Seine3-15 quai Panhard et Levassor75013 Paris CedexTél. : 01 44 50 56 00www.paris-valdeseine.archi.fr

• École nationale supérieured’architecture Paris-Malaquais14, rue Bonaparte75272 Paris Cedex 06Tél. : 01 55 04 56 50www.paris-malaquais.archi.fr

• École d’architecture Paris-Belleville78, rue Rébeval75019 ParisTél. : 01 53 38 50 00www.paris-belleville.archi.fr

• École d’architecture Paris-la-Villette144, avenue de Flandre75019 ParisTél. : 01 44 65 23 00www.paris-lavillette.archi.fr

• École spéciale d’architecture254, boulevard Raspail75014 ParisTél. : 01 40 47 40 47www.esa-paris.fr

Rennes

• École d’architecture de Rennes44, boulevard de Chézy - CS 1642735064 Rennes CedexTél. : 02 99 29 68 00www.rennes.archi.fr

Rouen

• École d’architecture de Rouen27, rue Lucien Fromage - BP 0476161 Darnétal CedexTél. : 02 32 83 42 00www.rouen.archi.fr

Saint-Etienne

• École nationale supérieured’architecture de Saint-Etienne7, rue Dolet - BP 9442003 Saint-Etienne Cedex 1Tél. : 04 77 42 35 42 (public)www.st-etienne.archi.fr

Strasbourg

• École nationale supérieured’architecture de Strasbourg8, boulevard du PrésidentWilson - BP 1003767068 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 32 25 35www.strasbourg.archi.fr



Versailles

• École nationale supérieured’architecture deVersaillesPetite Écurie du Roy5, avenue de Sceaux - BP 67478006Versailles CedexTél. : 01 39 07 40 00www.versailles.archi.fr

Écoles d’arts plastiques

Aix-en Provence

• École supérieure d’artd’Aix-en-ProvenceRue Émile Tavan13100 Aix-en-ProvenceTél. : 04 42 91 88 70www.ecole-art-aix.fr

Angoulême

• École européenne supérieurede l’image (EESI)134, rue de Bordeaux16024 Angoulême CedexTél. : 05 45 92 66 02www.eesi.eu

Arles

• École nationale supérieurede la photographie16, rue des Arènes - BP 1014913631 Arles CedexTél. : 04 90 99 33 33www.enp-arles.com

Clermont-Ferrand

• École supérieure d’art de Clermontcommunauté25, rue Kessler63000 Clermont-FerrandTél. : 04 73 17 36 10www.esacc.fr

Le Mans

• École supérieure des beaux artsdu Mans28, avenue Rostov sur le Don72000 Le MansTél. : 02 43 47 38 53www.esbam.net

Limoges

• École nationale d’art décoratifde Limoges-Aubusson (ENAD)19, avenue Martin Luther King - BP 7382487038 Limoges Cedex 01Tél. : 05 55 43 14 00PlaceVilleneuve23200 AubussonTél. : 05 55 83 05 40www.ensa-limoges-aubusson.fr

Lyon

• École nationale des beaux artsde Lyon (ENBA)Les Subsistances8 bis quai Saint Vincent69001 LyonTél. : 04 72 00 11 71www.enba-lyon.fr

Marseille

• École supérieure des beaux artsde Marseille (ESBAM)184, avenue de Luminy MarseilleLuminy Cedex 913009 MarseilleTél. : 04 91 82 83 10www.esbam.fr

Montpellier

• École supérieure des beaux arts deMontpellier agglomération (ESBAMA)130, rueYehudi Menuhin34000 Montpellier AgglomérationTél. : 04 99 58 32 85http://esbama.free.fr

Specialised schools


Paris

• École nationale supérieuredes beaux arts (ENSBA)14, rue Bonaparte75006 ParisTél. : 01 47 03 50 00www.ensba.fr

• École nationale supérieure des arts déco-ratifs (ENSAD)31, rue d’Ulm75240 Paris Cedex 05Tél. : 01 42 34 97 00www.ensad.fr

• École nationale supérieurede création industrielle (ENSCI)48, rue Saint Sabin75011 ParisTél. : 01 49 23 12 12www.ensci.com

Poitiers

• École européenne supérieurede l’image (EESI)26 rue Jean Alexandre86000 PoitiersTél. : 05 49 88 24 46www.eesi.eu

Rennes

• École des beaux arts de Rennes (ERBA)34, rue Hoche35000 RennesTél. : 02 23 62 22 60www.erba-rennes.fr

Écoles pour les métiers du patrimoine

Paris

• École nationale du patrimoine2, rueVivienne75002 ParisTél. : 01 44 41 16 41www.inp.fr

• Institut de Formationdes Restaurateurs d'œuvres d'Art150, avenue du PrésidentWilson93210 La plaine Saint-DenisTél. : 01 49 46 57 00www.inp.fr

• Paris I - Panthéon-SorbonneMaîtrise des sciences et des techniques etDESS de conservation - Section Conservation-RestaurationUniversité de Paris I17, rue de Tolbiac75013 PARISTél. : 01 45 83 33 57www.univ-paris1.fr

Écoles des métiers de l’image et du son

Paris

• École nationale supérieuredes métiers de l’image et du son(ENSMIS - ex FEMIS)6, rue Francoeur75018 ParisTél. : 01 53 41 21 00www.lafemis.fr

• École nationale supérieureLouis Lumière (ENSLL)7, allée du Promontoirerue deVaugirard93161 Noisy-le-Grand CédexTél. : 01 48 15 40 10www.ens-louis-lumiere.fr

• École d’Art Maryse EloyMétiers de la communication visuelle, designgraphique, publicité et multimédia1, rue Bouvier75011 ParisTél. : 01 58 39 36 60www.ecole-maryse-eloy.com



Tourcoing

• Le Fresnoy - Studio national des artscontemporains22, rue du FresnoyBP 17959202 Tourcoing CedexTél. : 03 20 28 38 00http://lefresnoy.net

Écoles de la mode

Paris

• Mod’Art InternationalMétiers de la création etdu management de la mode1, rue Bouvier75011 ParisTél. : 01 58 39 36 60www.mod-art.org

Écoles pour le théâtre, la musique, la danseet le spectacle vivant

Avignon

• Institut supérieur des techniquesdu spectacle d’Avignon (ISTS)Espace Saint Louis,20, rue Portail Bocquier84000 AvignonTél. : 04 90 14 14 17www.ists-avignon.com

Châlons en champagne

• École supérieure nationale des arts ducirque (CNAC)1, rue du Cirque51000 Châlons en ChampagneTél. : 03 26 21 12 43http://crdp.ac-reims.fr/cddp51/artsculture/cnac/

Charleville-Mézières

• École nationale supérieure des arts de lamarionnette (ESNAM)7, placeWinston Churchill08000 Charleville-MézièresTél. : 03 24 33 72 69www.marionnette.com

Lyon

• Conservatoire national supérieurmusique et danse de Lyon (CNSMD)3, quai ChauveauC.P. 12069266 Lyon Cedex 09Tél. : 04 72 19 26 26www.cnsmd-lyon.fr

• École nationale supérieure des arts ettechniques du théâtre (ENSATT)4, rue Soeur Bouvier69322 Lyon Cedex 05Tél. : 04 78 15 05 05www.ensatt.fr

Le Mans

• Institut technologique européendes métiers de la musique (ITEMM)71, avenue Olivier Messiaen72000 Le MansTél. : 02 43 39 39 00www.itemm.fr

Paris

• Conservatoire national supérieur d’artdramatique (CNSAD)2 bis, rue du Conservatoire75009 ParisTél. : 01 42 46 12 91www.cnsad.fr

• Conservatoire national supérieur demusique et de danse de Paris (CNSMDP)209, avenue Jean-Jaurès75019 ParisTél. : 01 40 40 45 45www.cnsmdp.fr

Specialised information centres




Strasbourg

• École nationale d'art dramatique duThéâtre national de Strasbourg (TNS)1, avenue de la Marseillaise - BP 4018467005 Strasbourg CedexTél. : 03 88 24 88 00www.tns.fr

Specialisedinformationcentres

Most centres are happy to provide informa-tion about course subjects and professions onthe spot, by phone or by post.

Aeronautical Studies

• Groupement des industries françaisesaéronautiques et spatiales (GIFAS)8, rue Galilée75116 Paris CedexTél. : 01 44 43 17 00www.gifas.asso.fr

Agriculture

• Ministère de l’Agriculture,de la PêcheOffice for European relations andinternational cooperation in agriculturaleducation (BECI)1ter, avenue de Lowendal75700 Paris 07 SPTél. : 01 49 55 52 52http://info.portea.fr

The Arts

• Société d’encouragement aux métiersd’art (SEMA)Viaduc des arts23, avenue Daumesnil75012 ParisTél. : 01 55 78 85 85www.eurosema.com

• Centre national du théâtre (CNT)134, rue Legendre75017 ParisTél. : 01 44 61 85 85www.cnt.asso.fr

• Union centrale des arts décoratifs(UCAD)Musée des arts décoratifs107, rue de Rivoli75001 ParisTél. : 01 44 55 57 50www.ucad.fr

• Fédération française des écolesde cirque7 rue Taylor75010 ParisTél : 01 44 52 13 13www.ffec.asso.fr

Insurance

• Association paritaire pour l’emploi dansles sociétés d’assurance (APESA)51, rue Saint-Georges75009 ParisTél. : 01 53 20 43 53www.emploi-assurance.com

• Centre de documentation etd’information de l’assurance (CDIA)26, bd Haussman75311 Paris Cedex 09Tél. : 01 42 47 90 00www.cdia.fr

Commercial property

• Fédération nationale des travaux publics(FNTP)3, rue de Berri75008 ParisTél. : 01 44 13 31 44www.fntp.fr



Chemistry

• Union des industries chimiques (UIC)14, rue de la RépubliqueParis la Défense 10Immeuble : Le Diamant A92800 PuteauxTél. : 01 46 53 11 00www.uic.fr

Commercial property

• Chambre de commerce et d’industrie deParisBureau pour l’information et l’orientationprofessionnelle (BIOP)2, rue de Viarmes75040 Paris Cedex 1The BIOP is only available under appointment.If you need more information or want to make anappointment with consultants :Tél. : 01 55 65 60 00www.ccip.fr/biop

• Fondation nationale pourl’enseignement de la gestiondes entreprises (FNEGE)2, avenue Hoche75008 ParisTél. : 01 44 29 93 60www.fnege.net

• Chambre des métiers et del’artisanat de Paris (CMAP)Bureau de la formation72, rue de Reuilly,75592 Paris Cedex 12Tél. : 01 53 33 53 33www.cm-paris.fr

Publishing & The Book Trade

• Centre for training and expertise for publi-shing, journalism and communications.(ASFRED)Centre de formation et d’expertise pour lesmétiers de l’édition, de la presse et de lacommunication.21, rue Charles-Fourier75013 ParisTél. :01 45 88 39 81www.asfored.org

The study of Energy

• Agence de l’environnement etde la maîtrise de l’énergie (ADEME)27, rue Louis-Vicat75737 Paris Cedex 15Tél. : 01 47 65 20 00www.ademe.fr

Environmental Studies

• Association française des ingénieurs ettechniciens de l’environnement (AFITE)22, rue de Dunkerque75010 ParisTél. : 01 40 23 04 50www.afite.org

• Centre de formation etde documentation sur l’environnementindustriel (ACFCI-CFDE)45, avenue d' IenaBP 300375773 Paris Cedex 16Tél. : 01 40 69 37 00www.acfci.cci.fr

Engineering

• Comité d’études sur les formationsd’ingénieurs (CEFI)7, rue Lamennais75008 ParisTél. : 01 42 89 15 73www.cefi.org

Media & Communication

• Centre de formation et deperfectionnement des journalistes (CFPJ)35, rue du Louvre75002 ParisTél. : 01 44 82 20 00www.cfpj.com



Information Technology & Electronics

• Fédération des industries électriques, élec-troniques et de communication (FIEEC)11 rue Hamelin75783 Paris Cedex 16Tél. : 01 45 05 70 70www.fieec.fr

• Conseil national des ingénieurset des scientifiques de France (CNISF)7, rue Lamennais, 75008 ParisTél. : 01 44 13 66 88www.cnisf.org

Printing & The Paper Trade

• Fédération de l’imprimerie etde la communication graphique (FICG)68, boulevard Saint-Marcel75005 ParisTél. : 01 44 08 64 46www.ficg.fr

• Institut pour la recherche etla formation professionnelle desindustries papetières (IRFIP)154, boulevard Haussmann75008 ParisTél. : 01 53 89 24 70www.irfip.org

Advertising

• Association des agences conseils en com-munication (AACC)40, boulevard Malesherbes75008 Paris Cedex 08Tél. : 01 47 42 13 42www.aacc.fr

SocialWork

• Confédération françaisedes professions sociales (CFPS)13, Place de Rungis75013 ParisTél. : 01 45 81 08 96www.lacfps.org

• Ministère du Travail des Relations Socialeset de la solidarité127 rue de Grenelle75700 ParisTél. : 01 44 38 38 38Info Emploi 0 821 347 347 (0,12 €/mn)

www.travail.gouv.fr

Textiles-The Clothing Industry

• Union des industries textiles37-39, rue de NeuillyBP 12192110 Clichy CedexTél. : 01 47 56 31 00www.textile.fr

Theatre

• Centre national du théâtre130, rue Legendre75017 Paristél. : 01 44 61 84 85www.cnt.asso.frCe département informe sur les possibilitésde formation dans les métiers du théâtre.

Transport

• Association française des transports (AFT)Service information46, avenue deVilliers75847 Paris Cedex 17Tél. : 01 42 12 51 91www.aft-iftim.com

Miscellaneous

• Alliance française des designersc/o La Maison des photographes121, rueVieille du Temple75003 Pariswww.alliance-francaise-des-designers.org



• Centre d’études supérieuresdes matières premières (CESMAT)60, boulevard Saint-Michel75272 Paris Cedex 06Tél. : 01 46 34 76 18www.cesmat.asso.fr

• Fédération des industriesde la parfumerie33, avenue des Champs-Elysées75008 ParisTél. : 01 56 69 67 89www.fipar.com

• Groupe ISIPCA34-36 rue du Parc de Clagny78000VersaillesTél. : 01 39 23 70 00www.isipca.fr


For the ‘académies’ in Aix-Marseille, Nancy-Metz, Corsica,Antilles-Guyana,The Universities are respectively:Aix-en-Provence, Nancy,Ajaccio, Fort-de-France.An ‘academie’ is an institution, which deals with the administrative sideof education.


France has 30 regional education authorities (académies),including 4 in the overseas departments



MAP OF THE ‘ACADÉMIES’(REGIONAL EDUCATIONALAUTHORITIES) AND TOWNS

01 Ain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lyon02 Aisne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amiens03 Allier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clermont-Ferrand04 Alpes-de-Haute-Provence . . . . . . .Aix-Marseille05 Alpes (Hautes-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Aix-Marseille06 Alpes-Maritimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nice07 Ardèche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grenoble08 Ardennes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reims09 Ariège . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toulouse10 Aube . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reims11 Aude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Montpellier12 Aveyron . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toulouse13 Bouches-du-Rhône . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aix-Marseille14 Calvados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caen15 Cantal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clermont-Ferrand16 Charente . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poitiers17 Charente-Maritime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poitiers18 Cher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orléans19 Corrèze . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Limoges2A Corse-du-Sud . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corse2B Haute-Corse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Corse21 Côte-d’Or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dijon22 Côtes-d’Armor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rennes23 Creuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Limoges24 Dordogne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bordeaux25 Doubs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Besançon26 Drôme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grenoble27 Eure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rouen28 Eure-et-Loir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orléans29 Finistère . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rennes30 Gard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Montpellier31 Garonne (Haute-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toulouse32 Gers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toulouse33 Gironde . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bordeaux34 Hérault . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Montpellier35 Ille-et-Vilaine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rennes36 Indre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orléans37 Indre-et-Loire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orléans38 Isère . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grenoble39 Jura . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Besançon40 Landes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bordeaux41 Loir-et-Cher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orléans42 Loire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lyon43 Loire (Haute-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clermont-Ferrand44 Loire-Atlantique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nantes45 Loiret . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Orléans46 Lot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toulouse47 Lot-et-Garonne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bordeaux48 Lozère . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Montpellier49 Maine-et-Loire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nantes

50 Manche . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caen51 Marne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Reims52 Marne (Haute-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reims53 Mayenne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nantes54 Meurthe-et-Moselle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy-Metz55 Meuse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy-Metz56 Morbihan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rennes57 Moselle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy-Metz58 Nièvre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dijon59 Nord . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lille60 Oise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amiens61 Orne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Caen62 Pas-de-Calais . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lille63 Puy-de-Dôme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Clermont-Ferrand64 Pyrénées-Atlantiques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bordeaux65 Pyrénées (Hautes-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Toulouse66 Pyrénées-Orientales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Montpellier67 Rhin (Bas-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Strasbourg68 Rhin (Haut-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Strasbourg69 Rhône . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Lyon70 Saône (Haute-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Besançon71 Saône-et-Loire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dijon72 Sarthe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nantes73 Savoie . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Grenoble74 Savoie (Haute-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grenoble75 Paris (Ville de) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Paris76 Seine-Maritime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rouen77 Seine-et-Marne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Créteil78 Yvelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Versailles79 Sèvres (Deux-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Poitiers80 Somme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Amiens81 Tarn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toulouse82 Tarn-et-Garonne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Toulouse83 Var . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nice84 Vaucluse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Aix-Marseille85 Vendée . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nantes86 Vienne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Poitiers87 Vienne (Haute-) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Limoges88 Vosges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Nancy-Metz89 Yonne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Dijon90 Territoire de Belfort . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Besançon91 Essonne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Versailles92 Hauts-de-Seine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Versailles93 Seine-Saint-Denis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Créteil94 Val-de-Marne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Créteil95 Val-d’Oise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Versailles971 Guadeloupe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Antilles-Guyane972 Martinique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Antilles-Guyane973 Guyane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Antilles-Guyane974 Réunion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Réunion


Map of the ‘académies’ (regional educational authorities) and towns

The table above allows one to see which ‘académie’ belongs to which department.The map opposite showsthe department in which each ‘académie’ is located.All the Paris universities come under the ‘académie deParis’, with the exception of: l’Université de Vincennes/Paris VIII-Saint-Denis, l’Université de Paris-Val-de-Marne/Paris XII, l’Université de Paris-Nord/Paris XIII & l’Université de Marne-la-Vallée dépendent de l’acadé-mie de Créteil ; l’Université de Nanterre/Paris X, l’Université de Paris-Sud/Paris XI, l’Université deCergy-Pontoise, l’Université d’Evry-Val-d’Essonne & l’Université deVersailles-Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, del’académie deVersailles.

N°dudép.

Nomdudép.

Académie

derattachement

N°dudép.

Nomdudép.

Académie

derattachement



ACP :Afrique-Caraïbes-Pacifique

ADEME : Agence de l’environnement et dela maîtrise de l’énergie

ADIL :Agence départementale information loge-ment

ADPF : Association pour la diffusion dela pensée française

AEFE : Agence pour l’enseignement françaisà l’étranger

AES :Administration économique et sociale

AFAA :Association française d’action artistique

AFI :Association des foyers internationaux

AFITE : Association française des ingénieurset techniciens de l’environnement

AFS :Attestation de formation spécialisée

AFSA : Attestation de formation spécialiséeapprofondie

AFT :Association française des transports

AMN :Allocataire moniteur normalien

ANDES :Association nationale des docteurs èssciences

APESA :Association paritaire pour l’emploi dansles sociétés d’assurance

APL :Aide personnalisée au logement

ASFORED : Association nationale pourla formation et le perfect ionnementprofessionnel dans les métiers de l’édition

AUDECAM :Association universitaire pour ledéveloppement,l’éducation et la communicationenAfrique et dans le monde

AUPELF : Association des universités partiel-lement ou entièrement de langue française

BAPUE :Bureau d’accueil des professeurs d’uni-versités étrangères

BELC : Bureau pour l’enseignement de lalangue et la civilisation française à l’étranger

BGE : Boursier de gouvernement étranger

BGF : Boursier du gouvernement français

BIOP :Bureau pour l’information et l’orientationprofessionnelle

BNF : Bibliothèque nationale de France

BP : Boîte postale

BT : Brevet de technicien

BTS : Brevet de technicien supérieur

BTSA : Brevet de technicien supérieur agricole

CAAE :Certificat d’aptitude à l’administration desentreprises

CCP : Compte courant postal ou Centre dechèques postaux

CDDP :Centre départemental de documen-tationpédagogique

CDIA : Centre de documentation et d’infor-mation de l’assurance

CE :Communauté européenne

CEAP :Certificat d’études d’arts plastiques

CECSMO :Certificat d’études spécialisées - for-mation spécifique en orthodontie

CEE : Communauté économique européenne(maintenant UE)

CEDEX : Courrier d’entreprise à distributionexceptionnelle

CEFI : Comité d’études sur les formationsd’ingénieurs

CELAIO : Cellule d’accueil, d’information etd’orientation

CELSA :Centre d’études littéraires et scientifiquesappliquées

CEMEA :Centre d’entraînement aux méthodesd’éducation active

CEREQ :Centre d’études et de recherches surles qualifications

ABREVIATIONS EXPLAINED



CESAP : Certificat d’études supérieures d’artsplastiques

CESEM : Centre d’études supérieureseuropéennes de management

CESMAT : Centre d’études supérieures desmatières premières

CFDE : Centre de format ion et dedocumentation sur l’environnement industriel

CGE :Conférence des Grande Écoles

CFJ :Centre de formation des journalistes

CFPJ :Centre de formation et de perfectionne-ment des journalistes

CIDJ : Centre information documentation jeu-nesse

CIEP :Centre international d’études pédagogiques

CIO :Centre d’information et d’orientation

CIUP :Cité internationale universitaire de Paris

CLOUS :Centre local desŒuvres universitaireset scolaires

CMOPC :Conception et mise enœuvre de pro-jets culturels

CNAM : Conservatoire national des arts etmétiers

CNBDI : Centre national de la bande dessinéeet de l’image

CNDC :Centre national de danse contemporaine

CNDP :Centre national de documentation péda-gogique

CNED : Centre national d’enseignement àdistance

CNES :Centre national d’études spatiales

CNISF :Conseil national des ingénieurs et scien-tifiques de France

CNOUS : Centre national des Œuvresuniversitaires et scolaires

CNR :Conservatoire national de région

CNRS : Centre national de la recherchescientifique

CNSAD :Conservatoire national supérieur d’artdramatique

CNSM : Conservatoire national supérieur demusique

CNT :Centre national du théâtre

CPAM :Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie

CPGE :Classes préparatoires aux grandes écoles

CRDP : Centre régional de documentationpédagogique

CROUS : Centre régional des Œuvresuniversitaires et scolaires

CUEJ : Centre universitaire d’enseignement dujournalisme

DAE/FLE :Diplôme d’aptitude à l’enseignementdu français langue étrangère

DAEU :Diplôme d’accès aux études universitaires

DALF :Diplôme approfondi de langue française

DCCF :Direction de la coopération culturelle etdu français

DCEM :Deuxième cycle d’études médicales

DCST :Direction de la coopération scientifiqueet technique

DEA :Diplôme d’études approfondies

DEFV : Diplôme d’études fondamentalesvétérinaires

DELF :Diplôme d’études en langue française

DERBH :Diplôme d’études et de recherches enbiologie humaine

DES :Diplôme d’études supérieures

DES :Direction de l’enseignement supérieur

DESC : Diplôme d’études spécialiséescomplémentaires

DESS :Diplôme d’études supérieures spécialisées

DEUG :Diplôme d’études universitaires générales

DEUST : Diplôme d’études universitairesscientifiques et techniques


Abbreviations explained



DGCID : Direction générale de la coopérationinternationale et du développement

DIS :Diplôme interuniversitaire de spécialisation

DMA :Diplôme des métiers d’art

DNAP :Diplôme national d’arts plastiques

DNAT :Diplôme national d’art et technique

DNESC :Diplôme national d’études supérieureschorégraphiques

DNSEP : Diplôme national supérieurd’expression plastique

DNTS : Diplôme national de technologiespécialisée

DOM-TOM :Départements et territoires d’outre-mer

DPLG :Diplômé par le gouvernement

DRAC : Direction régionale des affairesculturelles

DSAA :Diplôme supérieur d’arts appliqués

DU :Diplôme d’université

DUMI :Diplôme universitaire de musicien

intervenant

DUT :Diplôme universitaire de technologie

EA : École de l’air de Salon-de Provence

EAP : École européenne des affaires

ECA : École du commissariat de l’air

ECAM :École centrale des arts et manufactures

ECAT : École du commissariat de l’armée

de terre

EDHEC :École des hautes études commerciales

EEA :Électronique,électrotechnique,automatique

EEE : Espace économique européen

EGC : École de gestion commerciale

EHESS : École des hautes études en sciencessociales

EN : École navale de Brest

ENA : École nationale d’administration

ENAC : École nationale de l’aviation civile

ENI : École nationale des Impôts

ENI : École nationale d’Ingénieurs

ENITA :École nationale d’ingénieurs des travauxagricoles

ENM : École normale de musique

ENP : École nationale de photographie d’Arles

ENP : École nationale de police

ENS : École normale supérieure

ENSAAMA :École nationale supérieure des artsappliqués et des métiers d’art

ENSAD :École nationale supérieure des arts déco-ratifs

ENSAE : École nationale de la statistique et del’administration économique

ENSAE : École nationale supérieure del’aéronautique et de l’espace

ENSAM :École nationale supérieure des arts etmétiers

ENSATT :École nationale supérieure des arts ettechniques du théâtre

ENSBA : École nationale supérieure desbeaux-arts

ENSCI : École nationale supérieure decréation industrielle

ENSI : École nationale supérieure d’ingénieurs

ENSLL :École nationale supérieure Louis Lumière

ENSP :École nationale supérieure de la police etÉcole nationale de la santé publique

ENSSIB : École nationale supérieure dessciences de l’information et des bibliothèques

ENTM : École nationale des travaux maritimes

ENTPE : École nationale des travaux publics del’État

EP : École polytechnique (voir X)

EPHE : École pratique des hautes études

EPIC :Établissement public à caractère industrielet commercial

EPSCI : École de management international

EPST : Établissement public à caractèrescientifique et technique



ESA :École spéciale d’architecture et École supé-rieure d’agriculture

ESAAD : École supérieure des arts appliquésDuperré

ESAC : École supérieure des arts et de lacommunication

ESAD :École supérieure d’art dramatique (TNS)

ESC : École supérieure de commerce

ESCE :École supérieure du commerce extérieur

ESCP : École supérieure de commerce de Paris

ESEAIG : École supérieure Estienne des arts

et industries graphiques

ESIT : École supérieure d’interprétation et de

traduction

ESJ : École supérieure de journalisme

ESM : École spéciale militaire de Saint-Cyr

ESNAM : École supérieure nationale des arts

de la marionnette

ESSEC : École supérieure des scienceséconomiques et commerciales

ESUCA : École supérieure de cadresinterprètes-traducteurs

ETE : Emplois temporaires étudiants (CROUS)

ETPA : École de photographie deToulouse

EUDI : École universitaire d’ingénieurs

EUDIL : École universitaire d’ingénieurs de Lille

FAO : Food and agricultural Organization

FAVE : Fonds d’aide à la vie étudiante

FEMIS : Institut de formation et d’enseignementpour les métiers de l’image et du son

FFIEE : Fédération française des industries élec-triques et électroniques

FFMJC : Fédération française des maisons desjeunes et de la culture

FIAP : Foyer international d’accueil de Paris

FICG : Fédération de l’imprimerie et de lacommunication graphique

FLE : Français langue étrangère

FMI : Fonds monétaire international

FNEGE :Fondation nationale pour l’enseignementde la gestion des entre-prises

FNSU : Fédération nationale du sport universi-taire

FSU : Fonds de solidarité universitaire

FUAJ :Fédération unie des auberges de jeunesse

GECM :Groupe des écoles du commissariat dela marine

GIFAS : Groupement des industries françaisesaéronautiques et spatiales

HEC :Hautes études commerciales

HIV :Human Immuno-deficiencyVirus

HLM :Habitations à loyer modéré

IAE : Institut d’administration des entreprises

ICN : Institut commercial de Nancy

IECS :Institut d’études commerciales supérieures

IEJ : Institut d’études judiciaires

IEP : Institut d’études politiques

IFI : Institut de formation internationale

IFROA : Institut français de restauration desœuvres d’art

IIAP : Institut international d’administrationpublique

INA : Institut national de l’audiovisuel

INALCO : Institut national des langues etcivilisations orientales

INAPG : Institut national agronomiqueParis-Grignon

INP : Institut national polytechnique

INRA : Institut national de la rechercheagronomique

INRP : Institut national de la recherchepédagogique

INSA : Institut national des sciences appliquées

INSEE : Institut national de la statistique et desétudes économiques

INSERM : Institut national de la santé et de larecherche médicale





INTD : Institut national des techniquesdocumentaires

IRFIP : Institut pour la recherche et la formationdes industries papetières

ISCA :Institut supérieur commercial en alternance

ISIC : International Student Identity Card

ISIM : Institut des sciences de l’ingénieur deMontpellier

ISIT :Institut supérieur d’interprétation et de tra-duction

ISTC :International StudentTravel Card (voir lesagences OTU)

IUFM : Institut universitaire de formation desmaîtres

IUP : Institut universitaire professionnalisé

IUT : Institut universitaire de technologie

LEA : Langues étrangères appliquées

LFAJ : Ligue française pour les auberges dejeunesse

LLCE : Langues, littératures et civilisationsétrangères

MAC :Maison d’activités culturelles

MAF :Mathématiques appliquées aux sciences fon-damentales

MASS : Mathématiques appliquées et sciencessociales

MBA :Master of business administration

MDE :Maison de l’étudiant

MEP :Mutuelle des étudiants de Provence

MER :Mutuelles étudiantes régionales

MGEL :Mutuelle générale des étudiants de l’Est

MIAGE : Maîtrise de méthodes informatiquesappliquées à la gestion

MIAS : Mathématiques, informatique etapplication aux sciences

MJC :Maison des jeunes et de la culture

MP :Maths-physique

MPU :Médecine préventive universitaire

MSG :Maîtrise de sciences de gestion

MST : Maîtrise de sciences et techniques etMissions scientifique et technique

NFI :Nouvelle formation d’ingénieurs

OMI : organisation maritime internationale(Nations Unies)

OMM :Organisation météorologique mondiale

ONISEP : Office national d’information sur lesenseignements et les professions

ONU :Organisation des Nations Unies

ONUDI :Organisation des Nations Unies pourle développement industriel

PC : Physique-chimie

PCEM : Premier cycle d’études médicales

PIB : Produit intérieur brut

PNB : Produit national brut

PSI : Physique et sciences de l’ingénieur

PT : Physique et technologie

RATP :Régie autonome des transports parisiens

RER :Réseau express régional

RFI : Radio-France international

RFO :Radio-France outre-mer

RMI : Revenu minimum d’insertion

RU :Résidence/Restaurant universitaire

SAMU : Service d’aide médicale d’urgence

SCUIO : Service commun universitaired’information et d’orientation

SEM : Société des étudiants mutualistes

SESAME : Session d’épreuves spécifiques à l’ad-mission aumanagement international et européen

SFERE : Société française d’exportation des res-sources éducatives

SFP : Société française de production

SIDA : Syndrome d’immunodéficience acquise

SIO : Service d’information et d’orientation



SMC : Salaire minimum de croissance

SMEBA : Société mutualiste des étudiants deBretagne-Atlantique

SMECO : Société mutualiste des étudiants duCentre-Ouest

SMENO : Société mutualiste des étudiants duNord-Ouest

SMERAG :Société mutualiste des étudiants de larégionAntilles-Guyane

SMEREB :Société mutualiste des étudiants de larégion de Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

SMEREP : Société mutualiste des étudiants de larégion Parisienne

SMERRA :Société mutualiste des étudiants de larégion Rhône-Alpes

SMESO : Société mutualiste des étudiants duSud-Ouest (maintenantVITTAVI)

SNCF : Société nationale des chemins de ferfrançais

SNV : Sciences de la nature et de la vie

SOUFFLE : Groupement professionnel desorganismes d’enseignement du français langueétrangère

SSM : Sciences des structures et de la matière

STAPS : Science et technique des activitésphysiques et sportives

STI : Sciences et technologie industrielle

STL : Spécialité physique de laboratoire et deprocédés industriels

STS : Section de techniciens supérieurs

SUPÉLEC : École supérieure d’électricité

SVT : Sciences de la vie et de laTerre

TCF : French knowledge test

TDF :Télédiffusion de France

TGV :Train à grande vitesse

TPC :Technologie, physique et chimie

TSI :Technologie et sciences industrielles

TVA :Taxe sur la valeur ajoutée

UCAD :Union centrale des arts décoratifs

UE :Unité d’enseignement et Union Européenne

UFDI :Union française des designers industriels

UFR :Unité de formation et de recherche

UIC :Union des industries chimiques

UIT :Unité internationale de télécom-munications(nations unies)

UNEF :Union nationale des étudiants de France

UNESCO :UnitedNations Educational,Scientificand Cultural Organization

URSSAF : Union pour le recouvrement descotisations de sécurité sociale et d’allocationsfamiliales

USEM : Union des sociétés étudiantesmutualistes régionales

UTBM : Université technologique de Belfort-Montbéliard

UTC :Université de technologie de Compiègne

UTT :Université technologique deTroyes

X : École polytechnique (voir EP)





www.cge.asso.fr

The site for the Conférence des Grandes

Écoles (CGE) provides direct access to the indi-

vidual sites of each member school.

www.cnous.fr

On the‘Centre national desœuvres universitaires

et scolaires’ web site you will find some of the

information contained in this brochure, as well

as additional useful information about how to

make the most of your study period in France

in terms of culture, places to eat, employment,

etc. From here you can access the sites of each

CROUS directly.

www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Under ‘Venir en France’ on the Ministry of

Foreign and European Affairs web site there

is plenty of practical information about living

in France and organizing you study period.

There is also a list of addresses of Foreign

Embassies & Consulates in France.

www.education.gouv.fr

The French Ministry of Education’s web site

has specific information for overseas students

about entry requirements for higher

education courses:

www.education.gouv.fr/sup/formation/default.htm

as well as a detailed description of the French

higher education system:

www.education.gouv.fr/sup/default.htm

and a list of all the State-run higher education

universities, schools & colleges:

www.sup.adc.education.fr/sup/univ.html

www.enic-naric.net

The NARIC,‘Centre national d’information sur

la reconnaissance académique des diplômes’

web site is designed to provide students with

useful information about which qualifications

are formally recognised & meet higher edu-

cation entry requirements in France.

You will also find a NARIC centre in every EU

country.

http://dr.education.fr/ed_ur.htm

A doctorate study & Research module direc-

tory is available on the Ministry of Research

web site.

http://sante.w3sites.net

‘l’École Nationale de la Santé Publique’ crea-

ted this web site in order to offer foreign stu-

dents a directory of all the different French

health related studies.

www.onisep.fr

The ONISEP have the richest databank of infor-

mation about higher education in France.You

can have access to the information by looking

under ‘domaine’ (subject area),‘niveau d’études’

(level of study) and by institution under ‘Atlas

des formations’.



USEFUL WEB SITES

www.campusfrance.fr

In charge of promoting France’s “supply” of

higher education courses, ‘l’agence

CampusFrance’ gives you all the information

you need to know about how to go about stu-

dying in France. Some of the web pages are

reserved for the student web site.

www.egide.asso.fr

The Egide (formerly known as ‘le centre inter-

national des étudiants et stagiaires’) organi-

sation welcomes overseas students and interns,

and helps students to choose a study pro-

gramme and prepare for their study period via

their web site.

www.phosphore.com

The on-line University & college students’

information magazine features information

on ‘Grandes Écoles’ and university course

subjects. It also has on-line temporary job

vacancies.

www.lemonde.fr

The ‘Le Monde’ on-line web site features a sec-

tion on education, providing students with

information “fact-files” on courses at the

‘Grandes Écoles’ & the 3rd cycle level of

study.

www.sudoc.abes.fr

L’agence bibliographique de l’enseigne-ment

supérieur (Higher educations publications

agency) has a web site that enables you to look

for and track down all kinds of collections

(books, pamphlets) that are published by

French universities.

www.cidj.asso.fr

For further information about CIDJ centres

‘Information jeunesse’ in France, log on to this

web site and click on the map of France that

is in the top right-hand corner of the screen.

Europe

http://europa.eu.int/ploteus/portal/home.jsp

PLOTEUS is a service of the European

Commission. This portal lists and explains

educational and training possibilities throu-

ghout Europe.

www.socrates-leonardo.fr

The site of the Socrates-Leonardo France

agency provides information on the possibili-

ties for student transfers within Europe.

www.info-europe.fr

The Sources d’Europe French site presents

information on the European Union, how it

works, and its actions.

It also gives useful information on travelling,

moving to another country, or finding out the

rights of European citizens.

www.euroguidance.net

The aim of Euroguidance is to promote mobi-

lity and develop a European dimension in

orientation. If you are intending to study or

undertake a training course in another

European Union country, then Euroguidance

can help you by providing support with the

orientation system in your own country.


Useful web sites



Pratique

www.aeroportsdeparis.fr

The ‘Aéroports de Paris’ web site features

information about flight scheduling as well as

maps of Orly Airport and Roissy Airport.

www.carteisic.com

The ISIC (International Student Identity Card),

which is issued by OTU agencies has a web site

that features information about how to obtain

an ISIC card and the reductions (on cinema,

museum, theatre tickets, and travel) for card-

holders.

www.franceguide.com

The‘Maison de la France’ /French Government

‘virtual’ Tourist Office features an ‘espace

jeunes’ “young peoples’ section” along with a

number of interesting links to provide visitors

with detailed tourist information.

www.doucefrance.com

This web site is a practical guide that is made

up of ‘theme’ web sites, including gastronomy,

Leisure & Culture,Tourism, & the Economy.

www.emailerie.com

This web site features an on-line directory of

Internet cafés in France.

www.cybercafes.com

This site offers a directory of almost 4000

cybercafés located in over 140 countries

www.ratp.fr

The web site of the Paris railway network

(RATP) gives all the information you need

about public transport in Paris, the suburbs and

outside Paris.

www.sncf.fr

The web site of the French railway network

(SNCF) gives all the information you need about

bookings, travel conditions and also sells tickets

for all trains that leave from France.

www.taxi-paris.net

All you need to know about taxis in Paris:

information, rules, prices, bookings, airport

transfers.

www.directetudiant.com

The generalist web site dedicated to placement

searches in France.

www.bienvenueenfrance.net

A web site managed by the association CERISE,

that provides information and interactive assis-

tance for international students

www.justlanded.com/français/france

Information for foreign students just arrived

in France, offering advice on a variety of sub-

jects (accommodation, jobs, transport, renting,

health, telephone companies, social activities,

meetings, discussion groups, etc.)

www.club-international.org

Le Club International des Jeunes in Paris is an

association which welcomes international stu-

dents staying in Paris, and encourages cultu-

ral exchanges and social links between young

people and students from France and from



overseas. Every week it organises a number of

cultural and social activities: walking tours

and visits to monuments in the city, conver-

sation and language workshops,excursions and

trips, themed evenings, friendship café, visits to

restaurants, etc.

www.mapiaule.com

Offers of rented accommodation, flat shares,

ads for accommodation wanted, standard let-

ters, directory of student lodgings, FAQs,

information on legislation, financial assistance,

the formalities, “tricks” and tips for finding

accommodation

www.eurolines.fr

Eurolines offers over 1500 European destina-

tions by coach, leaving from over 90 French

towns.

www.jobetudiant.net

Jobetudiant.net lists student jobs offers, free

of charge, and puts you in contact with people

recruiting students for temporary work, sea-

sonal jobs, etc.


Useful web sites



YOUR HOST COUNTRY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.59

ARRIVING IN PARIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.63

DRIVING IN FRANCE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pp.62 et 114

LUGGAGE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pp 61 et 66

BANKING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.118

GRANTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Grant allowances . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.55Applying for a grant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.55

RESIDENTS CARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pp 68 et 69

STUDENT CARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . International students’ card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.120Reductions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pp 122 et 123

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.59

CROUS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.71Cutural Policy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.80Addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.85

QUALIFICATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . French qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.138Equivalent qualifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.179French as a foreign language. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.100

DOCUMENTATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Published works on teaching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.101SCUIO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.198

STUDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.130

TRAINING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing subjects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.179Short courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.133Long courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.133French language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.96



INDEX

GRANDES ÉCOLES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.155ENROLMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Provisional admission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.46

Cost – university fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.54Administrative enrolment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.66Pedagogical enrolment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.67

ACCOMODATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . University halls of residence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.85Other solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.106

‘LA POSTE’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.117

AVERAGE LIVING EXPENSES . . . . . . Average price guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.110

UNIVERSITY CANTEENS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.72

SOCIAL SECURITY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.93

SPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.89

LANGUAGE TESTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.49

PUBLIC TRANSPORT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Airports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.63Train station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.65Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.64

EMPLOYMENT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Temporary employment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.77‘Au pair’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.78Work permit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.77

UNIVERSITIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pp.139 et 198

VISA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . p.50


Index



• CNOUS69 quai d’orsay75007 ParisTél: 01 44 18 53 00www.cnous.fr

• CROUS d’AIX-MARSEILLE6 avenue Benjamin Abram13621 Aix-en-Provence Cedex 01Tél: 04 42 16 13 13www.crous-aix-marseille.com.fr

• CROUS d’AMIENS25 rue Saint LeuBP 54180005 Amiens Cedex 1Tél: 03 22 71 24 00www.crous-amiens.fr

• CROUS des ANTILLES GUYANECampus universitaire de FouilloleBP 44497164 Pointe-à-Pitre CedexTél: 0 590 89 46 60www.crous-antilles-guyane.cnous.fr

• CROUS de BESANÇON38 avenue de l’ObservatoireBP 3102125001 Besançon Cedex 3Tel: 03 81 48 46 00www.crous-besancon.cnous.fr

• CROUS de BORDEAUX18 rue du HamelBP 63 Bordeaux Midi33033 Bordeaux Cedex 3Tél: 05 56 33 92 00www.crous-bordeaux.fr

• CROUS de CAEN23 avenue de BruxellesBP 515314070 Caen Cedex 5Tél: 02 31 56 63 00www.unicaen.fr/unicaen/crous/

• CROUS de CLERMONT-FERRAND25 rue Etienne Dolet63037 Clermont-Ferrand Cedex 1Tel: 04 73 34 44 00www.crous-clermont.fr

• CROUS de CORTE7 avenue Jean NicoliBP 5520250 CorteTél: 04 95 45 30 00www.crous-corte.fr

• CROUS de CRÉTEIL70 avenue du Général de Gaulle94010 Créteil CedexTél: 01 45 17 06 60www.crous-creteil.fr

• CROUS de DIJON3 rue du Docteur MaretBP 45021012 Dijon CedexTél: 03 80 40 40 40http://crous-dijon.fr

• CROUS de GRENOBLE5 rue d’ArsonvalBP 18738019 Grenoble CedexTel: 0 810 06 40 69www.crous-grenoble.fr

• CROUS de LA REUNION20 rue Hippolyte Foucque97490 Sainte-ClotildeTel: 02 62 48 32 32http://crous-reunion.cnous.fr

• CROUS de LILLE74 rue de Cambrai59043 Lille CedexTél: 03 20 88 66 00www.crous-lille.fr



The CROUSthe CNOUS

Are located in 183 towns in the whole country.

The CROUS have a regional authority and the CNOUS is responsible at a national level.

• CROUS de LIMOGES39 G rue Camille GuérinBP 9363087036 Limoges Cedex 1Tel: 05 55 43 17 00www.crous-limoges.fr

• CROUS de LYON -SAINT ETIENNE59 rue de la Madeleine69365 Lyon Cedex 07Tél: 04 72 80 17 70www.crous-lyon.fr

• CROUS de MONTPELLIER23 rue MonteilBP 505334033 Montpellier Cedex 1Tel: 04 67 41 50 00www.crous-montpellier.fr

• CROUS de NANCY-METZ75 rue de Laxou54042 Nancy CedexTél: 03 83 91 88 00www.crous-nancy-metz.fr

• CROUS de NANTES2 boulevard Guy MolletBP 5221344322 Nantes Cedex 3Tél: 02 40 37 13 13www.crous-nantes.fr

• CROUS de NICE -TOULON18 avenue des Fleurs06050 Nice Cedex 1Tél: 04 92 15 50 50www.crous-nice.fr

• CROUS d’ORLÉANS-TOURS17 avenue Dauphine45072 Orléans Cedex 2Tél: 02 38 22 61 61www.crous-orleans-tours.fr

• CROUS de PARIS39 avenue Georges Bernanos75231 Paris Cedex 05Tel: 01 40 51 36 00www.crous-paris.fr

• CROUS de POITIERS15 rue GuillaumeVII Le TroubadourBP 629 86022 Poitiers CedexTél: 05 49 60 88 00www.crous-poitiers.fr

• CROUS de REIMS34 boulevard HenryVasnierBP 275151063 Reims CedexTél: 03 26 50 59 00www.crous-reims.fr

• CROUS de RENNES7 place HocheCS 2642835064 Rennes CedexTél: 02 99 84 31 31www.crous-rennes.fr

• CROUS de LA RÉUNION20 rue Hippolyte Foucque97490 Sainte-ClotildeTél: 02 62 48 32 32http://crous-reunion.cnous.fr

• CROUS de ROUEN3 rue d’Herbouville76042 Rouen Cedex 1Tél: 02 32 08 50 00www.crous-rouen.fr

• CROUS de STRASBOURG1 quai du Maire DietrichBP 5016867004 Strasbourg CedexTel: 03 88 21 28 00http://crous-strasbourg.cnous.fr

• CROUS de TOULOUSE58 rue du TaurBP 709631070 Toulouse Cedex 7Tel: 05 61 12 54 00www.crous-toulouse.fr

• CROUS de VERSAILLES145 bis boulevard de la ReineBP 56378005Versailles CedexTel.: 01 39 24 52 00www.crous-versailles.fr


Annexes


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CEDEX05

The overseas studentFrench governmentgrant-holders guide

2009

259

A warm welcome onarrival: The CNOUS

Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport

- Roissy 2FThe CNOUS Overseas French government

grant-holder reception centre is open from 7amto 10pm all year round (including weekends &public holidays). You will find the CNOUS wel-come desk at Gate 4, on the ‘Arrivals’ floor.

On arrival students can report to the receptioncentre (time and day of arrival permitting) forassistance.

The person who is responsible for takingcare of students at the CNOUS is there to makeit easier for them to get to the designatedCROUS centre.

- Roissy 1The grant-holder will be driven free of charge,

in a shuttle bus to Roissy Terminal 2F where theywill be greeted at the CNOUS welcomedesk(Terminal 2F, ‘Arrivals’ level, at Gate 4). Ifthey wish, they can go directly to Paris by get-ting on

the Air France coach n°4, which leaves fromTerminal 1, ‘Arrivals’ level at Gate 34, Terminal2A & 2C, Exit 2 in 2C. Coaches to Paris leaveevery 15 minutes from 6am-11pm. The fare is14 € . Once in Paris, you can take a taxi from‘Gare de Lyon’ train station, to the CNOUS officeat 6 rue Jean Calvin 75005 Paris Metro PlaceMonge. Office hours are Mon-Fri. 9am-5pm.

THE OVERSEAS FRENCHGOVERNMENT GRANT-HOLDERIf you have been awarded a grant from the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, thenthis booklet is intended for you. Its aim is to inform students about the formalities regardingthe grant scheme for overseas students. The scheme explains the grant-holders status and informsthem of their rights and the rules and regulations, which go hand in hand with the grant scheme.In accordance with the ministerial legislation act of 27th December 1983), that introducesand modifies the French government grant scheme each year. The scheme also providesinformation about the ‘Centre National des Œuvres universitaires et scolaires’ regional centres,which provide grant-holders with a reception centre, academic and administrative follow-upduring their stay.

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Orly airport (South of Paris)

OrlyBus to Place Denfert-Rochereau. Busesleave every 15 minutes from 6am to 11pm, fare:9.00 € From Place Denfert-Rochereau, thegrant holder can take a taxi to the CNOUS(reception office).

Taxis

If you cannot use the metro (underground)because you have a lot of luggage you can alwayscall a taxi. Do not forget to ask the taxi driverfor a receipt.

Make sure you take a taxi that has a ‘lit up taxi’sign on its’ roof and not a ‘voiture de place’(people carrier), otherwise you will not berefunded. You will be refunded on the basis ofa set price.

Contacting the CNOUS directly

As soon as you arrive (or the next first workingday), grant-holders can report, if necessary, from9amonwards, to theCNOUSoffice in the entrancehall on the ground floor 6, rue Jean-Calvin, 75005Paris, tel.: 01 55 43 58 48,metro:Censier-Daubentonor Place Monge on line nº 7) at 9 am. The CNOUSoffice greets grant-holders at:

Reception centre at Roissy Airport CDGTerminal 2F on the ‘Arrivals’ level at Gate n° 4 allyear round (with the exception of 24th, 25th, 31stDecember & 1st January) from 7am - 10pm;Reception desk: Centre Albert-Châtelet (lobby onthe ground floor) 8, rue Jean-Calvin,Weekdays from9 am - 5 pm.

What to do if you have a problem

You must call the ‘Accueil des boursiersétrangers’ department in Paris straight away:01.55.43.58.58

Grants:a general outline

Conditions for eligibility

Each year the French government awards acertain number of study or research grantsto overseas students in France. The FrenchEmbassy’s cultural service is in charge ofnominating those eligible for a grant.

To whom these grants are awarded dependson the applicants specific projects envisaged inconjunction with a ‘coopérative’ scheme, thegovernments’ priorities and the decision of seve-ral mixed panels of judges.

Grant-holders rights and the rules &regulations to be abided by

The legislation acts that have established theformalities regarding the grant scheme of theMinistry for Foreign and European Affairs foroverseas citizens apply to students, interns andresearch students. Grant-holders benefit froma number of services that come with the grantscheme, but must in turn respect the obligationsthat it holds. If students do not abide by the regu-lations, funding may be withdrawn.

One grant per student…

Students are not allowed to combine twoFrench grants, a French grant and a grant froman international institution or a grant andregular paid employment.

Conditions for Study

Grant-holders are committed to follow thecourse for which he has been awarded thegrant. Students are expected to keep in regularcontact with the CROUS’s administrative offices,informing them of their whereabouts and anychanges of address during their stay.

The overseas Frenchgovernment grant-holder

The different benefitsavailable

French government grant-holders are entitled toone or several of the following four benefits:‘l’allocation d’entretien’ (maintenance grant),‘l’allocation de voyage’ (Travel grant), ‘la couverturesociale’ Social Security cover and ‘les frais de for-mation’ (Tuition fees).

Maintenance grants

The maintenance grant is designed to help fundthe students’ stay.

The basic monthly maintenance grant allowanceis fixed each year by a governmental legislation act.

The allocated monthly grant depends on thebeneficiary’s qualifications and level of study. Thecurrent minimum monthly maintenance grantallowance is roughly 607 euros. Rent and chargesare paid for by the student, intern or researchstudent. ‘La caisse d’allocation familiale’ cancontribute to a students’ rent by allocating themhousing benefit/ ‘allocation logement à caractèresocial’ (ALS).

Further information about conditions foreligibility for the benefit and the amount ofallowance allocated is available at the CROUS.

If the student has to go to hospital, he/she willcontinue to receive the maintenance grant duringthe first and second month of their stay in hospital.During the following two months, the allowancereceived will be reduced. The student will normallyreceive half the original grant allowance. If thehospital stay exceeds four months the Ministryof Foreign and European Affairs will either conti-nue awarding half the original allowance orconsider sending the patient back to their coun-try of origin.

Travel expense grants

The Ministry of Foreign and European Affairswill decide as to whether your travel & luggageexpenses will be partially or fully reimbursed.You are expected to purchase the most inex-

Academic follow up

To change courses students must ask forpermission to do so well in advance. Howeverstudents are very rarely permitted to changecourses once enrolled. The application formthat grant-holders fill out commits them to thecourse for which they have been awardedfinancial aid. The same applies to any changes ofeducational institution or region.

The deadlines for handing in all questionnairesor reports required for applying to study in Francemust be respected.

Enrolment certificates, teacher’s references andexamination results must also reach the registryoffice on time. If the grant-holder is absent overa long period of time without explanation orwithout informing their senior lecturer/coursemanager, they could risk temporary withdrawalof financial aid from the Ministry of Foreign andEuropean Affairs.

What if you decide to leave France?

Grant-holders are not supposed to leaveFrance for personal reasons or for their studieswithout informing the CROUS, who will transmityour application to the CNOUS and will thenassess your situation.

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pensive tickets. Either the CNOUS will issue youwith a ticket or the CNOUS will refund the yourtravel expenses at a special rate. Grant-holders’travel expenses in France (for the journey to thetown that they are going to stay in) are covered.

First contact

First-time grant-holders stopping off in Parisbefore going on to their final destinationgrant-holders are entitled to the following:

An all expenses paid hotel room for the nightif they arrive late at night or 3 nights if they arriveon a Friday night (must be avoided if and whenpossible), as well as all travel expenses paid forthe journey to your final destination.

The journey to France

When the Ministry of Foreign and EuropeanAffairs agrees to cover the costs of the journeyfrom the grant-holders’ homeland to France itcovers:

- By plane: the journey from your nearestairport to the airport nearest your place of studyin France,

- By train: 2nd Class travel from your nearesttrain station to the train station, which is nearestto where you are going to study in France.

- By boat: the journey from the nearest portin your home country to the port that is nearestyour place of study in France, plus the journeyfrom the port to your actual place of study.

Holiday Travel

To go back to your home country for a holiday,a Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs grant-holder can have their travel expenses reimbur-sed, providing that the four conditions are met:

- The grant was awarded for a period of atleast 18 months (language classes included).

- The grant-holder obtained good exam results.- The grant-holder has not travelled over the

past nine months.- They have nine months of grant left to be

awarded.

Once the above conditions for eligibility havebeen met, the length of the stay cannot exceedthe set holidays of the educational institution inwhich the grant-holder is enrolled.

Holiday time can only be taken during officialholiday periods in the academic year and may notbe prolonged without justified study-related rea-sons.

Going back to your home country

Whenthe Ministry of Foreign and EuropeanAffairs agrees to pay for the students’ journeyback to their home country, the conditions forcovering the expenses of the single ticket are thesame as those for the return ticket. For exampleyou must purchase the most inexpensive ticket.This may include (with the exception of languagestudent grant-holders & teacher training studentgrant-holders who are in France for a short stay)an extra 10 kg of luggage. In this case the air farecharges are covered with a coupon issued by anadministrative body or an exchange value for thecorresponding amount.

20kg of special equipment may be transportedfree of charge and special handling can be arrangedfor works of art. If your luggage exceeds the pas-sengers allowance, land or sea transport can bearranged for the equivalent of the charges by airbased on 10kg. If the grant-holder greatly exceedstheir luggage allowance they will have to foot thecourier service bill (for surplus goods) themselves.

To take advantage of this benefit, grant-holdersmust have three more months of grant allowanceleft and should be considered as being in goodstanding, regarding their status as an overseas citi-zen in a foreign country. They must also be ableto provide the necessary proof of eligibility forstudent social security. Students whose grantscover less than a years study have fifteen daysin which to meet the requirements. You mustapply for your travel benefits at least a monthbefore your grant expires.


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expenses. Only the grant-holder is accounted for,with the exclusion of their partner or any chil-dren.

‘Les mutuelles’Student Insurance Companies

Whether the grant-holder is affiliated tostudent social security or not, they must take outa student insurance policy with one of the‘mutuelles’. A year’s health care contributions aretaken care of by the French government which,enables grant-holders to benefit fromcomplimentarycover that in some cases may cover 100 % ofhealth care expenses. This is partly covered bysocial security, including welfare abroad whilston a work placement or undertaking compulsorystudy, social security and accident cover, etc.

(See chapter 3: Social Security & StudentInsurance Companies, p.93).

Repatriation on medical grounds

If the grant-holder is judged unwell enough (orif their health is at risk due to pregnancy) to notbe able to see through their study period, theMinistry of Foreign and European Affairs may makearrangements to send the grant-holder back totheir home country. If this is the case, the grant-holder will continue to receive social securitycontributions until the grant expires if they arenot well enough to travel. The grant-holdermust see a doctor (chosen by the Ministry ofForeign and European Affairs’ administrativeoffice) who will then issue them with a doctorcertificate as proof of their inability to travel.

Repatriation in the event of death

Burial or repatriation of the remains is alsocovered.

Covering your travel expenses

The grants service will directly pay for travelexpenses, but the grant-holder may receive theticket fare in cash if they purchased the ticketthemselves, if they purchased a car in France, orif they came to France in their own car. In thelatter case, the grant-holder must produce a log-book that proves that the car is registered in theirname, (in France this is called the ‘carte grise’),their driving licence and sufficient car insurancecover that applies to driving in France. Refundingof travel expenses (by road) is calculatedon the basisof the most economical and direct route that canbe taken.

Social Security coverRegistering for Student Social Security

If you have student social security cover itmeans that you are entitled to the sameadvantages and benefits as the French in regardsto health care. This includes being refunded alarge part of health care expenses: visits to thedoctor, medical or surgical treatment, medicineand stays in hospital.

Grant-holders are automatically registeredfor student social security if they study in a socialsecurity accredited institution and if the studentis under 28 on the 1st October of the year theyapply, unless special allowances are made forthem.

If the grant-holder does not have studentsocial security, the Ministry of Foreign andEuropean Affairs covers their health care

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Enrolment fees

Usually your grant company will pay youruniversity or school, or your teacher (forexample, in the case of art students) directly foryour enrolment fees. The student can bereimbursed the enrolment fees if they are ableproduce proof of payment. As a rule, in universities,grant-holders are exempt from paying the basicenrolment fees.

Course fees

The grant covers basic tuition fees. For all otherexpenses that are directly associated with thegrant-holders study programme you will need toask for authorization of payment from your grantoffice or fromthe Ministry of Foreign andEuropean Affairs.

Books and other study materials

An annual allowance is awarded to grant-holdersthat plan to stay in France for three months orlonger, to cover the costs of buying books andother study materials.

Grant-holders, who plan to stay for less thanthree months, may receive the allowance aftertheir course manager has been consulted and theGrant Company has assessed their situation.

• Printing & Word processing students’work (dissertations, thesis, projects, etc)

Printing & word processing expenses for thesis,dissertation for the ‘maîtrise’, DEA, or DESS, or awork placement report are usually paid for by thegrant company, depending on their budget. Thesecosts can only be covered if the grant-holder canproduce authorization from their grant company,two estimates and certified proof from the courseor work placement manager stating the nature ofthe course, the required number of copies of thework to be handed in and the date. The costs willeither be paid directly to the printing/photocopyingfirm or the grant-holderwill be reimbursed the sum,providing that they can produce the receipt for the

services used. Typing, word processing and pho-tocopying of the grant-holders work cannot be car-riedoutbyprivatepersonsunless thegrant-holderhasspecial permission to do so due to the nature oftheir work. Students may also be refunded a setamount if they purchase computer hardware inorder to type up their work instead of being reim-bursed the printing costs. Doctorate students mayapply for reimbursement of computer hardwareexpenses as from the second year of their thesis(3rd year of their research course). Grant-holdersmust agree to refund the costs if they do not finishtheir thesis or dissertation (for more information,contact the CROUS). The grant-holder is alsoexpected to take out theft insurance for the hard-ware.

Specific fees

Additional compulsory equipment fees thatapply to certain courses (Architecture, Fine Art,Geology, Hotel management, Music, etc.) are paidfor, according to the grant company’s budget andproviding that grant-holders produce proof of thecosts that their course involves in relation to thelength of the grant.

(Study-related) Travelling grants

Grant-holders can also apply for funding oftravel expenses, work placements, tests, entranceexaminations, or study trips. In order to be reim-bursed you will need authorization from yourgrant company. They will then discuss the mat-ter (i.e. the importance of the trip, the length anddestination, the costs involved, transport, dailyallowance, whether or not you should continueto receive maintenance grant, the question of thevisa & vaccinations, etc) with your course mana-ger. The allowance awarded will depend on thecountry you are going to.


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Subscription fees

Just before coming to France students on a‘troisième cycle’ level course or French teachersin their home country, can sign up for a yearssubscription to a specialised topic magazine (inFrench), which corresponds to the course orwork placement to be followed in France.Subscription fees must not exceed the researchgrant allowance. (This does not include short-termlanguage students or teacher training students,who have taken out grants)

Special cases

Social Security cover grants

French cultural services award social securitygrants to French government grant-holders, asthey are eligible for this service. They may alsobenefit from the CNOUS reception centres’ ser-vices on their arrival in France, but are not entit-led to free transport from Paris to the Provinces.The CROUS cultural activities are also open tothem. They are equally exempt from paying uni-versity enrolment fees, but are not entitled toany other benefits.

Co-financed Grants

In the majority of cases these grants areeither a social security benefit that is awardedby the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairsor ‘allocation d’entretien’/ a maintenance grant(often associated with other benefits), which isawarded by another French or overseas insti-tution.

Going back to yourhome country

Just before grant-holders leave France theCROUS asks them to fill in a questionnaire thataims to find out what they thought of their stayand records their criticisms and suggestions inorder to improve the CNOUS reception service.

It is also designed to collect ex-grant-holdersnew addresses and telephone numbers, so if theywish to keep in touch with France.

The CNOUS (National Centre for University and School Affairs) would like to

thank everyone who has contributed to updating this document:

ADIL, Aéroport de Paris, 2E2F Agency, ANAEM (Immigration Control Directorate),

AgroParistech, Air France, CampusFrance, CCIP, CDEFI, CGE, CIDJ, CIEP, CISP, CIUP,

CNDP, CPU, EGIDE, FFSU, INRP, INSEE, LMDE, Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs,

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ministry for the Budget, Public Accounts and Civil

Service (The Information and Communication Office of the Directorate General of Customs

and Indirect Taxes), Ministry of Culture and Communication, Ministry for the Economy,

Finance and Employment, Ministry of Education (Directorate for European and International

Relations and Cooperation/Directorate General for Higher Education/Delegation for

Development and International Affairs), Ministry for Higher Education and Research,

Ministry of Work, Social Relations and Solidarity, ONISEP, ParisTech, RATP, SNCF, USEM.

Thanks

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