Studying at Montpellier 1 University

You are interested in studying for a degree at Montpellier 1 University. Provided that you meet the access conditions (and in particular that your level of French is satisfactory), you may register:

•  as an individual student (not part of an exchange programme)
•  as a student within the framework of an exchange programme

Mentoring system for international students

• Would you like someone to meet you and accompany you when you arrive in Montpellier?

You will be able to take advantage of the mentoring scheme that will be available from September 2011. This scheme, which is entirely new and of which UM1 is a founding member, has been set up by the CROUS and the PRES-UMSF.

To benefit from the scheme, all you have to do is register.

Your mentor, a French or foreign student at Montpellier:

• will contact you by e-mail before you leave your home country
• will come and meet you at the station or the airport
• will accompany you to the place where you are staying
• will help you with administrative procedures if you wish

You are an individual student

PRACTICAL INFORMATION in 10 questions 

1. What is the language of teaching at UM1?

The language of teaching at Montpellier 1 University is French. Prospective students are required to have a sufficient level to allow them to study the courses (TCF language test – level B2 required).

2. Where can I find accommodation?

Some accommodation is available in university halls of residence (6 in total: Arceaux, Vert-Bois, Boutonnet, Triolet, Colombière, Voie Domitienne).
 However, the number of places is very limited. To apply for a room, you should contact Montpellier CROUS (Regional Centre for Student Services).

You can also enquire at the PRES-UMSF (Centre of Research and Higher Education – Montpellier University South of France).

Lastly, each year the city of Montpellier organises the "Student accommodation fair" at the Corum.

3. How much does it cost to live in Montpellier?

You should expect to spend around €900 per month:

• Rent: €450
• Food: €270
• Transport: €35
• University and everyday equipment: €90
• Leisure: €50

4. Where can I apply for a grant or other financial help?

Excellence Grant for the Languedoc Roussillon Region

 Students can apply for one of 10 excellence grants for the Languedoc Roussillon Region for students in the second year of a Masters degree. These grants provide the student with €400 per month (for a mobility period of 9 months).
 Applications must go through two selection processes – the first by the teaching staff of the UM1 department and the second by the UM1 International Relations committee.
 Application forms should be submitted before 30th May 2011 to the International Relations Office of your department. 

Financial help for accommodation

This is managed by the Family Allowance Office (Caisse d'Allocation Familiale – CAF) Applications are made on-line through the website.
 You can obtain help completing your application from the student services desk of the PRES-UMSF.

5. Is there a reception office for international students?

Within each department there is an International Relations Office (BRI) where you will find a specific contact person throughout your exchange visit.

You may contact the administrative supervisor about your intended exchange so that they can point you in the direction of the correct service so that you can find the information you need.

6. What is the “admission letter” and where can I apply for it?

Before taking any other step, prospective students must submit a Preliminary Admission Request (Demande d'Admission Préalable – DAP) in order to apply for a visa from the relevant embassy.

For students who are nationals of European Economic Area (EEA) countries

Level L1

• You should look on the French post-secondary education coordination site.

Level L2, L3, M1 and M2

You should contact the tuition service of your department at UM1 directly.

For students who are nationals of non-EEA countries

Level L1 and L2

• If you live abroad, the DAP can be carried out on-line on the website of the Centre for Studying in France (Centre pour les Etudes en France – CEF) –application form available from 1/12/10 to 31/01/11.
   If this procedure is unavailable in your country of residence, you should collect a white application form from the cultural service of the French embassy in your country of residence.

• If you live in France and you have a residency permit that is valid for at least one year, you should download a green application form from the website of the French Education Ministry – application form available from 01/12/10 to 31/01/11.

Level L3, M1 and M2

• If you live abroad, the DAP can be carried out on-line on the website of the Centre for Studying in France (Centre pour les Etudes en France – CEF) – closing date for applications: 30/04/2011.
   If this procedure is unavailable in your country, you should contact the tuition service of your department at UM1 directly.

7. Where should I go to obtain a visa?

Once your DAP has been validated by UM1 you can apply for a visa. This should be done through the French embassy in your country of residence (consular service) and the type of visa you require is "long séjour étudiant" (long-stay student visa) [CESEDA R311-3-6°].

On arrival in France:

• Complete the OFII (French Office of Immigration and Integration) document provided by the consulate.
   Send this by post, ideally registered delivery, to the Montpellier OFII accompanied by a copy of the relevant pages of your passport (identity + visa + stamp showing your arrival in France)
   Address: Office Français de l’Immigration et de l’Intégration, « Le Régent » 1er étage/ 4, Rue Jules Ferry 34000 Montpellier
• When it receives these documents, the OFII will register your application and send you confirmation of receipt.
• You will be sent an appointment time by the OFII for a medical check-up (the letter with your appointment time will also specify the documents you should bring to the appointment and the fee to be paid at the time).
• After the medical check-up, the OFII will stick a label into your passport that will allow you to remain legally in France for the full length of your visa. This visa therefore serves the purpose of a residency permit.

In the 2 months before your visa expires, you should submit an application for renewal of your residency permit to the international office of the PRES-UMSF. The international office of the PRES-UMSF is the only counter for the submission of applications for residency permits in the Hérault region.

8. What are the most important dates in the university calendar?

• 1st semester: Courses begin in mid-September and run until mid-December.
• 2nd semester: Courses begin at the start of January and run until the end of June.

For more information on the university calendar, contact the tuition service of your department in UM1.

9. Do I need to have my foreign degree officially recognised before enrolling in UM1?

You will be issued with recognition of your qualification by the CEF when you register with CAMPUS FRANCE. This enables you to enrol at the level corresponding to your qualification.

10. Does my student visa allow me to work while I am studying?

You are permitted to work in addition to your studies. However, you may not be employed on a full-time basis (the maximum is 20 hours/month) and your employment must not interfere with your studies.

For more information, contact the PRES-UMSF.

You are an exchange student

You are coming to study at Montpellier 1 University within the framework of:

• The ERASMUS programme
• An inter-university agreement
• The CREPUQ
• The AVERROES programme

All of the information you need concerning your exchange can be found on this page.

Note:
 UM1 offers students the option of an intensive course of FLE (Français Langue Etrangère – French as a Foreign Language). It is organised by the PRES-UMSF (Centre of Research and Higher Education – Montpellier University South of France) from Monday 29

 August to Saturday 3

 September 2011. Enrolment form
 The PRES-UMSF also offers FLE courses from October to December 2011 and March to May 2012.

How can I finance my studies?

There are a number of different sources of funding available to international students:

• Excellence grant for the Languedoc Roussillon Region
• Eiffel Grant
• AUF Grant
• AVERROES allowance

Find out more in French