Studying

Scholarship

Bourse d'études

By moving to France for your studies, you can ask for a scholarship as a UAG student (“boursier sur critères sociaux”). The amount of this student scholarship is based on the parent’s income, the number of brothers-sisters and the distance between the place of residence and the university attended. This student scholarship is for students under 28 or for foreign students under certain conditions.

In addition of the above requirements, if you are a foreign student from a European country (European Union, European or Swiss Economic Area), you will need to be at least 28 years old and :

  • Have worked in France or prove that your parents or legal representative earned wages France

In addition of the above requirement, if you are a foreign student from another nationality, you will need to be at least 28 years old and :

  • Have the refugee status or benefit from a subsidiary protection from the OFPRA or
  • Hold a French residence permit since more than 2 years and live in France or prove that you have a taxable household in France since more than 2 years or
  • Be a citizen of Andorra and have been enrolled in a French high school of Andorra previously

In addition to a monthly income, this student scholarship provides several benefits: no registration fees, no CVEC fees (“Contribution de Vie Etudiante et de Campus”), and a priority status to request a student housing in a CROUS residence.

Useful links

In addition to the student scholarship based on social criteria (“bourse sur critères sociaux”), other student scholarships are available: Scholarships of excellence (“Bourses d’excellence”), scholarship granted by your home country…

Find out more about the different scholarships available for foreign students in France below.

Useful links

 

Erasmus+ scholarship

 

The “Eramus+” program financially supports a large number of actions, offering students the opportunity to develop their skills abroad.

Focusing on several sectors ranging from education to professional training or even sports, the “Erasmus+” scholarship is available in all European Union member countries as well as some other countries.

What are the criteria, legal steps… to benefit from the Erasmus+ scholarship ? Discover all of the essential information about the Erasmus+ scholarship:

Useful links

 

Higher education in France

L’enseignement supérieur en France

With more than 3500 private or public establishments, the French higher education system provides a wide range of opportunities for French and foreign students.

 

Universities

75% of foreign students moving to France for their studies enroll in a university. Funded by the French state, universities deliver national diplomas: “Diplômes Universitaires de Technologie” (2-year degree), Licenses (3-year degree), Masters (5-year degree), and Doctorates (8-year degree).

Universities also deliver their own diplomas, such as the “Diplômes Universitaires et Interuniversitaires” (DU/DIU), and the Master of Science (MSc – 5-year degree).

 

Top business and engineering schools

20% of foreign students moving to France for their studies enroll in a top business or engineer school, which are either public or private. These schools deliver national diplomas of 5-year degree level. Admissions in top business or engineering schools are highly selective and require a previous two-year attendance at a preparatory school. Yet, for several years, it is possible to attend a top business or engineering school by attending a “DUT” (“Diplômes Universitaires de Technologie”) or a “BTS” (“Brevet de Technicien Supérieurs”).

 

Specialized schools and institutes

With more than 3000 public or private higher education establishments in various fields (Cinema, journalism, design, political sciences, health…), specialized schools and institutes are an interesting alternative. The studies usually last from 2 to 5 years.

 

Art & applied art schools

Attached to the Ministery of Culture or the Ministry of Higher Education, Art and Applied Art schools deliver education programs lasting from 3 to 5 years depending on the academic curriculum. These schools are public, highly coveted, and provide renowned artistic courses in various fields.

 

Universities and english courses the côte d’azur

Universités et formations en anglais sur la Côte d’Azur

There are more than 40,000 students attending a higher education school, either public or private, on the Côte d’Azur. English courses are largerly taught in the region. Many courses are partially or fully taught in English at the Université Côte d’Azur (UCA).

UCA also delivers MScs in English to foreign students in particular. Yet, some MScs may be partially held in French. It is therefore advised to ask UCA for further information depending on the MSc chosen.

 

Visas and entry requirements for foreign students

Visas et conditions d’entrée pour les étudiants étrangers

For foreign students

 

Are you moving to France for your studies? You will need to follow several administrative steps to prepare your stay. Whether you are a free-mover or following an exchange program, the legal steps are the same.

A visa is not required if you are from the European Union or the European or Swiss Economic Area. Yet, a visa is required if it is not the case.

There are several visas in France. The visa VLS-TS (Long Séjour Valant Titre de Séjour or long-stay visa) allows to study in a French university for at least 4 months and 12 months at most. This long-stay visa can be renewed if the visa holder applies for a resident permit two months before the visa expires.

Find out more about the steps to follow to get your visa and study in France.

Useful links

 

Student housing

Logement Etudiant

Public student residences by crous

 

The CROUS (« Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires et Scolaires ») is a public establishment which aggregate student administrative services, housing, restaurants, and cafeterias.

The CROUS student residences provide equipped and secure housing for students. In addition to being affordable, these accommodations are furnished and equipped with the Internet.

Students receiving a scholarship based on social criteria are given priority when requesting an accommodation in a CROUS residence.

There are 13 CROUS residences on the Côte d’Azur which are spread between Nice and Sophia Antipolis. Learn more about the location and availabilities of these residences.

Useful links

Useful documentations

Hosting Solutions for Université Côte d’Azur Students

Hosting Solutions for Université Côte d’Azur Students

docx (126.4 ko)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Private student residences

Besides the public student residences by CROUS, there are some private student residences on the Côte d’Azur, which are located near the universities and public transports.

These residences are run by private operators and adapted to meet the needs of students. Usually, the private student residences offer higher quality services than public student residence by CROUS but turn out to be more expensive. Application fees may also apply for some residences. Therefore, we advise you to be well informed in advance to avoid any surprises.

Locaziv is a service launched by the CROUS and is listing housing availabilities for students on the Côte d’Azur.

Useful links

Studapart is a service launched by the Université Côte d’Azur and is listing student housing availabilities on the Côte d’Azur throughout the whole year.

Useful links

Learn more about the other student housing solutions on the Côte d’Azur.

Useful links

Useful documentations

Housing solutions for students attending the Université Côte d’Azur

Housing solutions for students attending the Université Côte d’Azur

docx (126.4 ko)



Student housing financial assistance

Housing financial assistance is reserved for people living in France. The Family Allowances Fund (“Caisse d’Allocations Familiales” – CAF) provides an aassistance fitting your needs according to your financial situation, the profile of your accommodation and the composition of your household.

Students living in France can also request a housing financial assistance granted by the CAF.

A calculation simulator is available on the CAF website to help you evaluate the amount that you could be granted.

Student transport and travel options

Transports et avantages étudiants

Transports for students

 

There is a lot of public transport on the Côte d’Azur offering student discounts. The Lignes d’Azur bus and tram network provide student fares and special rates for those under 25 traveling in the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropole area. The Envibus network serves the Sophia Antipolis bus lines and offers student discounts as well.

Useful links

The SNCF offers some discount cards including regional student discounts. The “Zou! Etudes” discounts offer unlimited rides for students or great discounts between their home and their university.

Useful links

  • Self-service electric vehicles and bikes are also available and strongly developed on the Côte d’Azur.

Useful links

 

Student associations

Associations étudiantes

Universities are learning, meetings and exchanges environments, offering students the possibility to join an association. Many student organizations specializing in different areas such as culture, cooking, and sports are available on the Côte d’Azur.

Please find below some of the most active student’s associations based on the Côte d’Azur Territory.

Useful links

 
 

Finding an internship

Trouver un stage en entreprise

In France, students have the opportunity to complete an internship in a company. This internship is supported by a tripartite agreement between the intern, the company, and the university or school. It allows students to immerse themselves in a company and apply the skills they have developed during their university years.

Although there is no minimum duration in France, internships cannot last more than 6 months legally.

Wages are not mandatory for internships lasting less than 2 months. If the duration is superior than 2 months, the intern must earn an income. The amount of this income must appear in the internship agreement and cannot legally be less than 3.75€ per hour worked.

 

Assistance and useful contacts