You are now sure you will be studying in France from the start of the next academic year. Here you will find everything you need to do and plan on, step by step, to properly prepare for your arrival in France.
AS SOON AS POSSIBLE BEFORE YOUR ARRIVAL IN FRANCE
Before you arrive in France, start looking for an 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.
ONE MONTH BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE
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.
If you are a European Union national, or a national from the European Economic Area or from Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in France
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.
ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE
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Inform your host institute and your landlord, if you have one, of your arrival.
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Pack your bags, making sure to take clothing adapted to all types of weather.
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Finally, prepare the documents you will need for your trip and for setting up, meaning:
Identity documents:
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identity card;
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passport;
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birth certificate (a translated and certified copy);
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driving licence (if you are planning on driving in France).
Documents relating to your studies in France:
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proof of enrollment in your institute;
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proof of language ability (French, English, etc.);
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previous degrees (a translated and certified copy).
Documents relating to your trip:
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your train or plane tickets;
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your itinerary from the airport.
Documents relating to setting up:
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the printed reservation of your accommodation;
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the documents required for taking up residence in the lodging;
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the list and contact information for your contacts in France.
Don't hesitate to scan or photograph your documents and email them to yourself or save them in the Cloud. You will then always have easy access to them. Don't forget to also take your mobile phone, a bank card you can use to withdraw money in France and the original or a copy of your Health Record Booklet.
THE DAY OF YOUR ARRIVAL IN FRANCE
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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.
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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.
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Get back to your lodging and complete the formalities required for you to move in.
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Unpack your bags, relax a bit and look around to settle into your new quarters.
THE FIRST WEEK AND THE FOLLOWING DAYS
As soon as you arrive, make sure to complete the following 6 important steps. Make sure to take care of it immediately.
Pay your contribution to campus and student life
This is the first step to complete, before any other. It is mandatory to register in your higher education institution. You can even complete this step before coming to France.
The contribution to campus and student life costs 90 euros per year. You can pay it online. You can also pay in cash at your local post office.
Our tip: make sure to keep the proof generated after your payment. You will have to provide it during your registration in your institution.
The contribution to campus and student life is paid to the CROUS to facilitate the reception of students and their social, health, cultural and sports follow-up. It also finances prevention activities in relation with health.
All students registered in an initial training in a French higher education institution, whether public or private, must pay this contribution, to the exception of students:
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Holders of a scholarship on social criteria managed by the CROUS or holders of a scholarship from a region
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With the status of refugee or subsidiary protection
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Registered as asylum seeker and entitled to stay on the French territory.
For all other cases, even students exempt of payment of the Contribution to Campus and Student Life (CVEC) must login to the website to validate their exemption and receive a certification allowing them to register to their higher education institution.
Good to know: students registered in a BTS course are not subject to the CVEC, because they are registered in a secondary school and not a higher education institution.They don't need to login to the website; no certification will be asked of them.
DURING THE FIRST MONTH
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Go to the Admissions Department of your institute or the UFR (Training and Research Unit) to which you are attached to obtain your timetable.
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Check out the library at your institute to make sure that your library card works properly (your student card often doubles as a library card).
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Also visit the CROUS department to pick up your Resto U (meal) tickets or activate your e-cash card and the Pass Culture that brings you lots of benefits.
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If your institute is having an integration week or week-end, don't hesitate to sign up: it's a good way to meet other students and to practise your French.
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Finally, get in touch with the student associations to learn about the activities they offer throughout the year.