Prepare your stay in France

Prepare
Your stay in France

 

Tuition fees and payment methods at the UCLy

Unless otherwise agreed with your faculty, tuition fees must be paid before the semester start.

 

Scholarships

Except for certain students in Master at the Human Rights Institute, the UCLy doesn’t provide scholarship for international students during their 1st year at the UCLy.

Scholarship on social criteria from the French government (CROUS) are open to international students living in France for 2 years, upon presentation of their French tax notices.

More information :
French government website: click here.
UCLy website: click here.

 

Budget to live in France

French consulates ask you to have at least 615€/months of financial resources. As Lyon is a big city and Annecy a very touristic one, a realistic budget is around 950€/month without the tuition fees.

Caution: Costs once arriving in France are high: deposit for the rent, security deposit for your accommodation (x1 or x2 the amount of the rent), rental agency fees, mandatory insurances, tuition fees at the UCLy, CVEC etc.

More information: see table of monthly costs to anticipate.

 

Having a student job in France

Student jobs often involve a contact with a public. It is therefore necessary to be able to understand/speak a little bit French to find a student job (same for internship or alternance).

European student: there is not working time limit.

Non-European student*: the “Student” visa allows you to work 964h/year starting the 1st day of your stay in France.
To work more, your employer must obtain a Working Permit from the French authorities.

*Algerian students: You must obtain the Working Permit before starting your contract. Time limit is set up to 50% of the working time in your field of work.

Caution: If you don’t respect the working time limit, your visa/residence card can be withdraw/cancel.

More information: Working in France

 

 

 

Looking for an accommodation

Lyon is the 2nd largest student city and Annecy is very touristic throughout the year. As a consequence, there are more demands than offers and prices are high.

When to look for an accommodation?
April for a semester start in September/October
End of November for a semester start in January

Caution:
Public student residences (CROUS): maximum age: 35
UCLy residences (Maison Saint-Laurent et Saint-Bernard) and low rent accommodation in exchange for help: maximum age: 30.

Housing allowances to help you pay your rent are available, but under conditions.

More information : Accommodation Office at UCLy

 

Financial guarantor

It is the third person/company that will pay your debts in case you don’t pay your rent.

If you are between 18 and 30 years old, you can apply for the garantie VISALE from the French State (free).

Caution: Financial guarantor abroad are often time not accepted by lessor.

More information: Garantie Visale (video with English subtitles)

 

 

Home insurance – Mandatory

In France, having a home insurance is mandatory. It covers risks in your accommodation such as: fire, water damage, robbery etc. Certificate of home insurance will be asked by your landlord/lessor before moving in. No home insurance, no key!

As there are many insurance companies, we advise you to compare their offers. Note that UCLy does not have partnership with them.

Non-exhaustive list of companies:
MAE : click here.
ADH : click here.
SMERRA : click here.
YVON : click here.

 

Liabilities – Mandatory

Rented/Home liability: Mandatory to have when you are a tenant. It covers damages you unintentionally caused in someone else’s home. For example, you flood the flat under yours.
This liability is often included in your home insurance (check your home insurance contract).

Private liability: It covers damages you unintentionally caused to others. For example, you injured someone in a bike accident or you broke someone else’s phone.
This liability is often included in your home insurance (check your home insurance contract).

At UCLy, you pay a liability to cover damages you unintentionally caused at the university. For example: you broke/damaged an equipment. So, this liability does not cover you outside the university.

 
European student: ask for your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to the company providing you social and health protection at least 1 month before departure.

Non-European student: once in France, you will have to enrol for the French Health Insurance. It is mandatory and free and allows you to benefit from the partial refund of your health costs (medical appointment, medicine, test etc.).
As this procedure can take up to 2 or 3 months, we advise you to get a health insurance covering health costs during the first 2 or 3 months of your stay in France.

More information : Health insurance in France

European student: No formalities are necessary regarding your entry and stay in France.

Non-European student: Procedure to apply for the “Student” long stay visa depends on your country of residence and your nationality.
Caution: Campus France process and visa application can take up 2 to 3 months. Anticipate your procedures.

 

More information : Visa and residence permit

These documents can be requested for your enrolment at the university and for some administrative procedures once in France (French health insurance, housing allowance etc.).

  • ID card / Passport
  • Birth certificate with name of your parents + certified translation to French if your certificate was not established in Europe.
  • European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) / Private health insurance for the first months in France
  • Important medical information and documents
  • Enrolment certificate / School certificate at UCLy
  • Driving licence

Budget, accommodation, insurances, get ready to come!

Click here.