Study in France

Having Europe on your doorstep!

Studying in France means having Europe on your doorstep! By train or plane, the major European capitals are all less than two hours from Paris. Visit them or make them part of your curriculum with the Erasmus+ programme.

In France, the academic year begins in September or October, depending on the institution and programme. It is punctuated by holidays, including two weeks at year-end. At the end of the first semester, classes are briefly interrupted for exams. The summer holidays start in May or June at the end of the second semester exams. In general, these holidays last at least two months.

Depending on your nationality, your situation and the length of your stay, you may be able to obtain a visa to study or conduct research in France or to return here after you graduate.

Campus France, the French Agency for the promotion of higher education,international student services, and international mobility can help you to apply for the most suitable visa : find out more

If you already know what type of visa you need to apply, please visit the official government website.

You are now sure you will be studying in France from the start of the next academic year. Before you arrive in France, start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. You can complete some procedures from abroad. If you are planning on looking for lodging when you arrive in France, remember to reserve temporary lodging until you can find somewhere permanent.

If you are not a European Union national, complete the procedures to obtain your visa at least one month before your arrival in France. You can submit your request to the French Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence as soon as you receive proof of acceptance from your institute. Think about your budget and check that you will be able to withdraw money using your bank card when you arrive in France. If this is not the case, plan on taking cash. Later you will be able to open a bank account in France.

Visit Campus France’s website to find everything you need to know before travelling to France : find out more

You have been admitted to ECAM Rennes, but there is still one last step: finding accommodation.

For your stay in France, you have many housing options. You can choose between a publicly owned building or a private one, and between a student residence or an apartment that you may occupy alone, with other students, or with a family or local resident. Whatever type of housing you end up choosing, start your search early. Don’t hesitate to reserve a place, even if it’s temporary, so that you’ll have somewhere to sleep and store your things when you arrive. That will give you time to do a thorough search for a permanent place.

To facilitate your search, begin by distinguishing between two basic forms of housing for students in France:

Student residences and hostels. There are several advantages to housing designed specifically for students or young people: lower rents, furnished rooms, and a built-in social life—all valuable commodities.

Rooms and apartments rented on the real-estate market, either through an agency or directly from an individual property owner. Many who take this route share space with other students or rent a room in a local household.

Near to ECAM Rennes, there are many possibilities for accommodation on the campus and in the surrounding area. Find out more

Class format in higher education

In France, instructors and researchers give students two types of classes:

cours magistraux (lectures): a professor presents a subject to students in an amphitheatre for 100 to over 1,000 people. These non-mandatory classes are often written up and handed out by the instructors to students in the form of pamphlets, which can prove very handy when it comes time to revise for exams at the end of the semester;
travaux dirigés (TD – tutorials) and travaux pratiques (TP- practical or lab work): these mandatory classes are for smaller groups and are a complement to the lectures, with the intention of applying and deepening theoretical understanding. Company internships may also be required in addition to the tutorials and practical work.

Prepare your arrival in France

As soon as possible

Start looking for accommodation

You can complete some procedures from abroad. If you are planning on looking for lodging when you arrive in France, remember to reserve temporary lodging until you can find somewhere permanent.

One month before

Complete the procedures to obtain your visa

You can submit your request to the French Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence as soon as you receive proof of acceptance from your institute.

One week before

Check list

Inform your host institute and your landlord, if you have one, of your arrival. Pack your bags, making sure to take clothing adapted to all types of weather. Finally, prepare the documents you will need for your trip and for setting up, meaning:

Identity documents (identity card, passport, birth certificate (translated and certified), driving licence…)
Documents relating to your studies in France (proof of enrolment, copy of previous degrees…)
Document relating to your trip (train or plane ticket, itinerary from the airport…)
Document relating to setting up (reservation of your accomodation, list and contact informationfor your contacts in France…)

The day of your arrival

Enjoy your travel

If you arrive in France by train or plane, you will find automatic teller machines in most train stations and airports. If necessary, use them to withdraw cash. If you must take public transit to get to your lodging, purchase your travel passes from an automatic machine or from a teller. Payment may be made by bank card. Get back to your lodging and complete the formalities required for you to move in. Unpack your bags, relax a bit and look around to settle into your new quarters.

The following days

Steps

Pay your contribution to campus and student life.

Open a dedicated Bank account : it can be very handy to open a bank account in France, in particular for paying bills (electricity, telephone, rent) and subscriptions (transportation, Internet). You will also be able to cash any wages you receive and it’s easier to be reimbursed for healthcare expenses. A French payment card also lets you pay for most things so you don’t have to carry large amounts of cash with you. A foreign student can open a bank account in any bank in France. The different banks have branches in most cities; just open the door and make an appointment with a counsellor.

Validate your residence permit : If you came to France with a long stay visa used as residence permit (VLS-TS in French), you must validate your visa as soon as you arrive in France. The process is entirely digital: you can do everything remotely, at home, on your computer. You must validate your visa within 3 months of arriving in France at the very latest.

Register to health care : if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you don’t need to register to the French social security. You can use your card and receive care in France. This card is issued in your country. If not, you must register to the French general social security system. Registration is done online by logging in to the website of the health insurance dedicated to foreign students. Registration is free. You must complete your registration immediately after the registration to your institution and after the validation of your visa.

As soon as possible