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> Website www.u-paris10.fr/sri Université Paris X-Nanterre, 200 avenue de la République - 92001 Nanterre cedex
welcome to the university of paris x In the West of Paris
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You have chosen to come study at Nanterre and you have the feeling you have embarked on a real obstacle course: you need to chose a course of study and enrol in the University, obtain a visa and complete immigration formalities, find housing, take French classes...
The University of Paris X-Nanterre has specific offices designed to help you quickly find the information you need for the duration of your academic stay. Their staff is on hand to facilitate administrative and other procedures required of foreign students and help you to better understand the French educational system and life in France.
This handbook encourages students to seek information from the various University offices: they are available to you to help you draw the greatest possible benefit from your studies at the University of Paris X. 6 7
table of contents
9 Welcome to the University of Paris X 31 Getting the most out of your stay
11 1. Paris X: An international university 32 1.Before you come in the west of Paris Entrance formalities: student visa The University’s international mission Residence permit The International Relations Office The Foreign Student Services Office (SGAEE) 38 2. Funding your studies Planning your budget 16 2. Organisation of studies Opening a bank account Implementation of the Licence Grants and financial aid -Master’s-Doctorate system (“L, M, D” system) 44 3. Health care and health insurance coverage The academic year in France Health insurance coverage Grading system/The ECTS Health care access at the University University of Paris X French proficiency tests and diplomas of Paris X 200, avenue de la République 92001 Nanterre cedex standard + 33 1 40 97 72 00 • http://www.u-paris10.fr 22 3. Enrolment procedures 49 4. Housing A necessary prerequisite: Housing in a university residence or validation of your degree dormitory Intensive and extensive French courses Private or mutualist student residences Students on an exchange programme Private rentals Students not on an exchange programme Other types of housing hotels, (individual applicants) dormitories, youth hostels University fees
58 5. Work and study Student work permit Work hours Job offers 8 9
Paris X : An international University in the West of Paris 10 11
1. the international mission of the university Welcome to the university of paris x 12 13
the international mission of paris x
The University of Paris X was founded in 1964. It is located to the west admission of foreign students of Paris on a large, 65-acre campus near the Défense business district. Today it hosts nearly 32,000 students, 2,000 teaching staff and 700 The International Relations Office of the University of Paris X is in charge administrative support staff. The University is made up of 9 Colleges of supervising more than 450 bilateral agreements entered into either known as U.F.R. (Unités de Formation et de Recherche), 2 Training Ins- within the framework of the SOCRATES programme (over 170 European titutes, 6 Doctoral Schools and 2 Research Institutes. universities) or through the large number of exchange agreements with North America (United States, Canada), Latin America (Argentina, Bolivia, Within each of these components, specific offices manage and provide Brazil, Colombia, Mexico), Asia (China, India, Japan, Thailand), Russia, the information about university life: UFR secretariats, course registration Arab countries (Jordan, Tunisia) and Africa (South Africa, Senegal, Came- offices (secrétariats pédagogiques) and department offices. roon). CONTACT The International Relations Office Some of these programmes allow students to obtain a joint degree from International relations the University of Paris X and the partner university or even separate de- office The Department of International Relations and Foreign Students is grees from each university. The number of such programmes is constantly • Exchange Students responsible for the management, supervision and coordination of all on the rise. Building A Room 106 of the international activities of the University of Paris X. The promo- Phone: +33 (0) 1 40 97 40 98 Fax : +33 (0) 1 40 97 71 14 tion of exchanges of students and research assistants as well as the International students who wish to come and study at Paris X through an management of funding for international cooperation is very much exchange programme file their application with the relevant department relations-internationales@ one of the priorities of the University’s international policy. The Inter- at their home university. u-paris10.fr national Relations office is responsible for managing, supervising and • European Socrates-Erasmus coordinating all the international activities the University of Paris X is Programme involved in. Phone: +33 (0) 1 40 97 74 07 [email protected] Welcoming foreign students and organising study abroad for Univer- sity of Paris X students is part of the work done at the Department of • Prospective students International Relations. More than 5,000 students from all continents Building A Room 103 are hosted by the University of Paris X each year. They are enrolled in Phone: +33 (0) 1 40 97 76 27 Fax: +33 (0)1 40 97 47 29 an interuniversity exchange programme or else they have chosen, by individual application, to come and study at the University. [email protected] Welcome to the university of paris x 14 15
diversified curricula 9 colleges • Anglo –American Studies – EAA ([email protected]) • Literature, Languages and Philosophy – LLPHI ([email protected]) • Industrial Systems and Communication Techniques – SITEC ([email protected]) admission for prospective students • Foreign languages, Literatures and Civilisations – LANGUES Several steps are involved: distribution of information regarding ([email protected]) programmes of study offered by Paris X and conditions of enrol- • Legal, Administrative and Political Sciences – SJAP ment, review of administrative eligibility to apply, transmission of ([email protected]) the application file to the academic committee for the programme • Economics, Finance, Mathematics and Computer Science – SEGMI or department of the relevant teaching faculty, which is exclusively ([email protected]) authorised to decide on the academic acceptability of the applica- • Science and Technology for Physical Activities and Sports – STAPS tion. ([email protected]) • Psychology and Education Sciences – SPSE ([email protected]) • Social Sciences and Administration – SSA ([email protected])
2 training institutes • Institut de Préparation Générale – IPAG ([email protected]) • Institut Universitaire Technologique – IUT de Ville d’Avray ([email protected])
7 doctoral schools • “Knowledge and Culture” ([email protected]) • “Economics, Organisations and Society” ([email protected]) • “Economics and Mathematics - Paris-Ouest” ([email protected]) • “Literature, Language and the Performing Arts” ([email protected]) • “Present and Past Environments of Cultures and Societies” ([email protected]) • “Law and Political Science” ([email protected]) • “Sport, Motion and Human Movement“ ([email protected]) Welcome to the university of paris x 16 17
2. organisation of studies
Implementation of the Licence-Master’s-Doctorate system (“L, M, D” system)
Grading system/The ECTS
French proficiency tests and diplomas Welcome to the university of paris x 16 17
organisation of studies
Grading system – European Credits Transfer System (ECTS) Implementation of the Licence-Master’s-Doctorate system The European Credits Transfer System (ECTS) guarantees the mutual As part of the harmonisation of European higher education program- academic recognition of studies carried out. Such recognition is ensu- mes, the degree structure is now organised around the following le- red by: vels: Licence (baccalauréat degree + 6 semesters), Master’s (baccalau- • Outline, prior to going abroad, of a programme of studies bilaterally réat degree + 10 semesters) and Doctorate (baccalauréat degree +16 approved by the home institution and host institution, including the semesters). ECTS credits that will be given after requirements are met (examina- tion, assessment, etc.). This new organisation, referred to as “L, M, D”, has been in effect at • Establishment of a grade transcript clearly presenting the learning the University of Paris X since 2005. Each year is worth 60 credits in the outcomes achieved, transferable from one institution to another. It ECTS (European Credit Transfer System). 180 credits are required for a indicates for each course taken not only the ECTS credits, but also Licence, 300 for a Master’s and 480 for a Doctorate. the grades obtained according to the local grading system and in ac- cordance with the ECTS grading scale. The combination of these two The semester system offers greater flexibility and caters better to in- sets of grades and ECTS credits provides a qualitative and quantitative dividual needs than the former annual system. It also allows students summary of the work accomplished. to explore other disciplines as long as a coherent multidisciplinary course of study is maintained. The ECTS grading scale facilitates the interpretation of grades obtai- ned in another institution under a different grading system. It does It is hoped that due to this reform, international students will find not replace the local grading system. Its use remains within the discre- the French university system rather similar to their own and be less tion of the higher education institutions concerned. Subjects taught confused by the variety of curricula offered. at the University of Paris X are graded on a 0 to 20-point scale, with each subject assigned a coefficient of importance in a given curricu- lum.
> THE ACADEMIC YEAR IN FRANCE FRENCH ECTS DEFINITION GRADING GRADING Higher education in France is broken down into two semesters as follows: 20-16 A EXCELLENT: exceptional results, only a few minor shortcomings • First semester: from the beginning of October until the end of January (with 2 weeks’ vacation 16-14 B TRÈS BIEN: above average results despite a number of at Christmas) shortcomings.
BIEN: fairly good work, with notable shortcomings • Second semester: from early February to the end of May (with 1 week’s vacation in February 14-12 C and 2 weeks in April). 12-11 D SATISFAISANT: decent work, but with several significant inadequacies Exam sessions take place at the end of each semester. In September, the session for retaking 10-09 E PASSABLE: results meet minimum standards exams usually takes place between the second and third weeks of the month. 08-06 FX INSUFFISANT: addition work is necessary for credit to be grante 06-0 F INSUFFISANT: significant additional work is necessary Welcome to the university of paris x 20 21
organisation of studies learning french before coming to france
Directions to explore:
• The Alliance Française is the network of French language and civilisa- tion schools that is the best known abroad. Information and addresses: French proficiency tests and diplomas www.alliancefr.org
CONTACT • The Diplôme d’Etudes en Langue Française (DELF) and the Diplôme • On the French Foreign Ministry website, you can find the cultural coo- Approfondi de Langue Française (DALF) are awarded by the Ministry peration network directory (Alliances Françaises, Cultural Centres and • Centre International French Institutes, Research Institutes, Cooperation and Cultural Services): d’Études Pédagogiques of Education. www.ciep.fr/langue/delfdalf www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/annuaire The DALF certifies a level of proficiency in French that exempts stu- • Égide Newsletter: • Again on the Internet, you can find the addresses of French schools www.egide.asso.fr/fr/services/ dents from the language proficiency test required for pre-enrolment actualites/lettre at the undergraduate level (1st cycle) at the University of Paris X. affiliated with the Agence pour l’Enseignement Français à l’Étranger: www.aefe.diplomatie.fr • The Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) CONTACT Designed and administered by the Chambre de Commerce d’Industrie www.fda.ccip.fr de Paris, the Test d’Evaluation de Français (French assessment test) is learning french in france recognized worldwide and enables you to test your general level of comprehension and expression in French. Below are some of the best-known and most reputable organisations: • The Test de Connaissance de Français (TCF) CONTACT The TCF is the French test of language ability administered by the Cen- www.ciep.fr/tcf La Chambre de Commerce et Centre International d’Etudes Pé- tre International d’Etudes pédagogiques (CIEP), which comes under d’Industrie de Paris (CCIP) dagogiques (CIEP) the Ministry of Education. It is a language placement test for non- Délégation des Hauts de Seine 1, avenue Léon Journault, native speakers of French who wish to obtain a simple, effective and 6-8, rue des Trois Fontanot, 92023 92310 Sèvres precise evaluation of their general language skills for professional or Nanterre Cedex Tel. 01 45 07 60 00 www.ciep.fr personal reasons. Tel. 01 46 14 26 26 Association Philotechnique Délégation de Paris 18, rue des Fossés Saint-Jacques, 2, Place de la Bourse, 75002 Paris 75005 Paris Tel. 01 53 40 46 00 Tel. 01 43 54 36 20 www.ccip.fr www.philotechnique.fr
Municipal courses for adults (Mairie de Paris) Informations: 08 20 00 75 75 www.paris.fr/fr/education/DASCO/cma Welcome to the university of paris x 22 23
3. enrolment procedures
A necessary prerequisite: validation of your degree
Intensive and extensive French courses at the University of Paris X
Students on an exchange programme
Prospective students (individual applicants)
Welcome to the university of paris x 24 25
enrolment procedures
A necessary prerequisite: validation of your degree French improvement course (UFR LLPHI –FETE Department)
If you hold a higher education degree and wish to pursue your studies at This course is mandatory for international students who: a French institute of higher education, your enrolment depends on your • have obtained an equivalence at Paris X for undergraduate admission;
academic level and the degrees you have already obtained. • are regularly enrolled in any degree programme, whether as individual
candidates or in connection with an international exchange programme.
On presentation of the foreign degrees you hold, together with an official CONTACT translation of them as well as a description of the programme content, you • UFR LLPHI The classes are tailored to suit the needs and wants of the students in may ask for the degree requirement to be waived (i.e. an “equivalence”) Secrétariat du terms of written and oral expression, grammar or language practice. The by the institution in which you would like to study for a French degree. FETE course, which is held for 2 hours weekly, can be taken either 1st or 2nd Such waiver is intended to enable you to obtain recognition of all or part Bât. L- Bureau semester. The score obtained on the French placement exam determines L 114 of your prior academic credentials. Tel: + 33 1 40 97 the level of the Constitutive Units the student will be enrolled in (Éléments 70 75 constitutifs - E.C.). This academic and administrative decision, which remains valid only for the year in which it was requested, enables students to enrol in university Enrolment in these courses is subject to the following conditions: while taking into account the applicant’s level and desired curriculum For- • For students enrolled in a curriculum for which a foreign language is a malities must be accomplished prior to application for enrolment. requirement: this course is taken in lieu of the foreign language credits required for the degree. NB : Do not forget to have your diplomas translated: the translation of diplomas, • For students enrolled in a curriculum for which a foreign language is not grade transcripts and programmes of study must be done by a translator approved required: at least one French language element must be taken in addition by the Paris Appellate Court (www.ceticap.com) or certified by a French consular to the degree requirements. authority. The original diploma must always be presented. FETE Diploma of French language and civilisation française (UFR LLPHI) Intensive and extensive French courses at the University The courses leading to the FETE diploma include 7 classes taken in the 1st The University of Paris X Nanterre organises various courses catering to all and/or 2nd semester. They are geared to students who already have a wor- foreign students who need to improve their knowledge and command of king knowledge of the French language. They focus on written and oral the French language to benefit more thoroughly from the courses they expression, French literature, study of difficult texts, art history, French will take. civilisation and the history of ideas in France. Attendance is required and enables students to acquire a French language university-level diploma. CONTACT The Intensive French Programme (stage intensif de français - SIF) • International Relations > SPECIAL CASES Office The International Relations Office organises an intensive language and (SIF) • Advanced degree students (3rd cycle) on an exchange programme Building A - Room 106 civilisation course for international students known by the acronym “SIF”. Tel: + 33 1 40 97 74 61 The “SIF” takes place in the weeks preceding the first semester of the International students enrolled in an advanced degree programme (3rd cycle) are, of course, encouraged to take academic year and during the first four weeks of the second semester ‘as FETE courses if they find it necessary and may in certain cases be required to do so by their thesis supervisor. an online scheme. Students are strongly encouraged to take part in this programme as it not only provides valuable university language skills but • Foreign students not enrolled in a degree programme also serves as a key period for adapting to life in France and familiarization Foreign students who do not hold a French baccalauréat degree and who wish to take courses at Paris X outside of with the Paris X campus before classes begin. Courses are taught by the French as a foreign language teaching staff. a degree programme (Erasmus, inter-university agreements, etc.) are strongly advised to take FETE courses. They may take the language placement exam in June or September in order to determine the level of enrolment. Welcome to the university of paris x 26 27
erasmus students enrolment procedures your erasmus mobility in 3 steps
1) Before coming to Paris X, you must without fail • Return the online application files before the deadline (see at our web- students on an exchange programme site http://www.u-paris10.fr/sri) • Make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (see the “Health Care” section) European Socrates-Erasmus Programme • Request from the Erasmus office of your home university a proof of Erasmus scholarship (or Free Mover) specifying the amount of scholarship, Exchanges of students and teachers, joint development of study pro- translated into French. (This will facilitate and speed up visa applications grammes, distribution and implementation of the results of projects and thus the ability to obtain a housing allowance.) (see related sections) for development of study programmes, thematic networks between • For students who have obtained, or wish to obtain, a room in a student institutions and faculties throughout Europe, language courses and residence or dormitory, you should secure a medical certificate confirming intensive programmes, the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), that you do not have tuberculosis should be obtained. all of these are activities that benefit from the financial support of ERASMUS, and the «higher education» segment of the SOCRATES II 2) On your arrival at Paris X programme in education in Europe. You must register with the university. If you have filled in your registra- tion application properly, your student I.D. card will be ready and all that With respect to the period from 2000 to 2006, the goal of SOCRA- remains is course enrolment (inscription pédagogique), which involves TES/ERASMUS is to improve the quality of the «European dimension» choice of courses and schedule. You must enrol in each course individually. of higher education, both within universities as well as within non- The “secrétariats pédagogiques” will help you and the dates that enrol- university institutions of higher learning. The countries taking part ment is open will be given to your programme coordinator to facilitate in the programme are the 25 member states of the European Union, this formality. the three members of the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liech- tenstein and Norway) and certain associated countries in Central and Eastern Europe, as well as Cyprus and Malta. 3) After your arrival at Paris X If you wish to change your course enrolment either to drop a course, chan- Bilateral agreements (outside Europe) ge the assessment method or add a course you hadn’t planned on taking at the start, these formalities should be undertaken before the end of October. Beyond that date, only second semester changes will be taken The University of Paris X takes part in a number of university student into account. exchange programmes -- Conventions avec la Conférence des Recteurs et des Principaux des Universités du Québec - CREPUQ, the Inter-Uni- • If you need to have a certificate of attendance filled out while in France, versity Coordination Mission for Franco-American Exchanges (Mission see the International Relations Office (A 108) or the “secrétariats pédago- Interuniversitaire de Coordination des Échanges Franco-Américains giques”. - MICEFA) -- and has signed several bilateral student exchange agree- ments with American and Canadian universities, universities in Russia • Before returning to your home country, it is a good idea to ask the “secré- and the Ukraine, as well as institutions in the Asia-Pacific area, Africa tariats pédagogiques” for attendance certificates to have each of your ins- and the Middle East. tructors sign. This will enable you to keep a written record of your grades Enrolment procedures are the same as for students from the EU/EEA. in the event of a dispute and to inform your university of your grades. Welcome to the university of paris x 28 29
enrolment procedures
prospective students (individual applicants) French language proficiency test You are an international student and you wish to enrol in Paris X without All International students must take a French language comprehension taking part in an exchange programme. test except • holders of a DALF diploma (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), < enrolment in undergraduate studies (licence) • citizens of states where French is the only official language, • in specific cases, foreign students having studied in a French bilingual Pre-admission is mandatory for international students who are not mem- programs. bers of the European Community holding a secondary school diploma from a foreign institution and seeking first-time enrolment at the under- < enrolment in graduate studies (master) graduate level. 1) International students from the UE who wish to enrol at the master level How to apply for pre-admission must complete pre-enrolment formalities on the Paris X website in early If you reside abroad, you must obtain an application for pre-admis- April. sion from the cultural services of the French Embassy in your country. If you already live in France and hold a residence permit for a one-year 2) International students who wish to enrol in the 2nd cycle must have minimum stay (except students holding a six-month study visa), you must their academic credentials validated without pre-admission. obtain this application from the University you have chosen to enrol in • Site : http://sesame.u-paris10.fr between 1 December and 31 January.
To complete your application for pre-admission, you must provide: < enrolment in post-graduate studies (doctorate) • a letter stating your reasons for applying together with a birth certificate (trans- lated into French), International students who wish to enrol in a post-graduate programme • certified copies of the diplomas required in the country of origin for the planned should send a letter of application to the appropriate Doctoral School for course of studies together with translations, a PhD. • certified copies from the head of the school of grade transcripts for the two pre- ceding years (in the case of initial enrolment in higher education).
> THE FOLLOWING ARE EXEMPT FROM THE PRE-ADMISSION PROCEDURE
• applicants who are holders of the French baccalauréat degree or diploma exempting them from the baccalauréat, international baccalauréat, Franco-German baccalauréat,
• applicants who are nationals of the European Union or the European Economic Area,
• children of diplomats posted in France,
• student coming to study in France in the framework of an inter-government agreement,
• foreign students receiving scholarships from the French government, international organisations or foreign governments whose scholarships are handled by a French-approved organisation,
• stateless persons, political refugees and nationals who have not yet been granted such status. 30 31
enrolment procedures
university fees
Student who have been accepted for enrolment in the University must then proceed with: • administrative registration at the registrar’s office (service de la sco- larité) • course registration (inscription pédagogique) with the various UFRs (colleges) or Doctoral Schools
N.B.: Administrative registration is the only official registration. It alone en- titles you to student status and a student I.D. card, subject to payment of university fees. Course registration is not enough.
University fees range between 150 and 550 €. Affiliation with the “student” national health plan may be required, depending on certain conditions (see the “Health insurance coverage” section in this handbook).
> GOOD TO KNOW getting the most out of your stay
• The Paris student guide: “Etudiant à Paris”
Where can I find housing? How can I finance my studies? Where are there affordable places to go out? You’ll find answers to such questions in the “Etudiant à Paris” student guide published by the city of Paris.
• Eduparis (www.eduparis.net) the city of Paris information website for foreign students Getting the most out of your stay 32 33
getting the most out of your stay 1. before you come
Entrance formalities: student visa
Residence permit
A special case: political refugees and stateless persons Getting the most out of your stay 34 35
before you come
entrance formalities: student visa the residence permit
For foreign students coming to France, applying for a titre de séjour, or International students must apply for and obtain their titre de séjour residence permit, is one of the most complex administrative procedures as soon as possible, in other words in the month following their ar- Students who do not they must undertake. The residence permit carte de séjour usually takes CONTACT rival in France and before the end of three months. You sometimes require a long-stay visa the form of a sticker affixed to your passport. • Centre de récep- have to wait up to two months to get your carte de séjour. tion des étudiants • Students from the EU étrangers de la Getting a student visa Préfecture de Police NB: the carte de séjour cannot have an expiration date that is later than the •Nationals from EFTA Before leaving your country to study in France, you must apply for a de Paris date your passport expires. If your passport will expire during your time in (13, rue Miollis, (European Free Trade Asso- student long-stay visa (visa D), which is required to obtain your student France, get it extended in your home country before coming to France or have ciation) including Switzer- 75015 Paris 15e – it extended by your Consulate if you are already in France. land, Iceland, Liechtenstein residence permit once you have arrived in France. M° Cambronne or and Norway) Ségur). N.B.: Make sure you get the length of your stay right. This centre is open Where to go for a residence permit (titre de séjour) from Monday to International students who are not European Union nationals who Thursday from 8:35 Where to get your visa a.m. to 16:30 p.m. come to France for more than three months must go to the Préfecture Application for a student visa is made in French consulates or embassies and on Friday from de Police (or sous-préfecture) where they live 8:35 a.m. to 4:00 abroad • www.espatries.org/annuaires/annuaires.htm p.m. Préfecture des Hauts-de-Seine (92) Information by at 167, avenue Joliot Curie the Préfecture de A word to the wise: below are some of the documents that may be re- 92 013 Nanterre cedex quested to process a student visa application: Police de Paris: Tel. 01 53 71 51 68 Tel. 01 40 97 20 00 • acceptance in a French University, • www.hauts-de-seine.pref.gouv.fr • proof of personal income of at least 430 € per month and/or proof of More information accommodation for the duration of the stay in France Préfecture de Paris (75) • www.diplomatie.gouv. • www.prefecture-police-paris.interieur.gouv.fr fr,/venir/visas/tarif.html Some sample forms (certificate of accommodation or financial resources) (under the heading “prise de rendez-vous: étudiants étrangers”) or by calling 0 800 95 95 75. can be downloaded directly from the website of certain prefectures. Prefecture of the Hauts-de-Seine department: • www.hauts-de-seine.pref.gouv.fr Application must include
• Passport • Copy of birth certificate (initial request), • Proof of enrolment, • Proof of residence in Paris, • Proof of adequate financial resources (430 € per month) • Form for medical exam (initial request), • 3 o 4 recent B&W or colour I.D. photos • A self-addressed stamped envelope. Getting the most out of your stay 36 37
before you come stay in france documents to bring with you
Specific to initial requests: Before leaving your country • A long-stay student visa • Valid passport or, for EU nationals, national identity card • Copy of birth certificate • Visa for entry into France • Mandatory medical exam. • Legible copy of your birth certificate Fill out the form for the OMI (Office des Migrations Internationa- • Originals (N.B.: never send through the mail) of secondary or higher education les) and include it with your carte de séjour application. This exa- degrees and if applicable, certified translated copies CONTACT mination is free of charge. • Immeuble • Grade transcript for most recent years in secondary or higher education “Le Forez” • For graduates applications: detailed transcript showing subjects studied and Specific to renewals: 45, rue Maximilien grades received in higher education and, depending on the discipline, a detailed Robespierre, 94 126 • Photocopy of previous titre de séjour: if you have your passport research project Fontenay s/Bois renewed during academic year, don’t forget to keep a copy of your – RER • Pre-admission or acceptance certificate provided by the University residence permit. Val-de-Fontenay, • Student I.D. card from your original university • Proof of “actual study”: when renewing your titre de séjour, you Tel.: 01 48 76 00 00 • Proof of financial resources or grant/scholarship www.forumrefu- must include a copy of diplomas obtained and give details on the • Originals of documents provided to obtain your visa at the French consulate gies.org course of study undertaken since your arrival in France. or embassy. They may be requested at the border and when you apply for your carte de séjour. Is there a charge for the carte de séjour? • Health and vaccination record. A tax earmarked for the Office des migrations internationales (OMI) is payable on issuance of the first titre de séjour, except for Algerian students, political refugees and stateless persons: the And, if applicable: amount for a student residence permit is 55 €. • Legible copy of marriage certificate • Family record (livret de famille) On renewal, the residence permit is free of charge for all students • Proof of health insurance coverage (European Health Insurance Card for EU regardless of nationality. nationals). • French government grant recipients: letter of introduction from the French Embassy cultural service in your home country and a letter certifying that your special case: political refugees and stateless persons secondary school degree entitles you to enter an institution of higher education Office français de Protection des Réfugiés et des Apatrides in your home country (OFPRA) • Valid driver’s license which will allow you to drive in France for two years or an Political refugee status entitles the person to earn a salary, sign up international driver’s license and an international insurance card for unemployment and in general grants equal rights with French • Black and white I.D. photos 3.5 x 4/5 cm. citizens. The OFPRA refugee card must be presented upon adminis- trative registration with the University.
> [GOOD TO KNOW] ISIC, INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTITY CARD
For 10 €, you can get an international student identity card which entitles you to discounts on entran- ces to theatres, concerts, movies and museums; travel discounts; special rates in bars and restaurants in the capital. For more information: www.carteisic.com (official ISIC website: how to apply, advanta- ges, etc.) Getting the most out of your stay 38 39
funding your studies
planning your budget
Before leaving your country, you should set a precise budget for your needs in France so as to estimate the amount you will need to finance: family contributions or scholarships and grants for the lucky ones, a job for other (see the “Work and study” section) It’s helpful to know that the minimum gross monthly wage (SMIC) in France is 1,035 € for a 35-hour workweek, an income level that is supposed to cover essential needs but not superfluous expenses, es- pecially in the Ile-de-France region of Paris and its environs where the cost of living is relatively high. Paris was ranked the tenth most expensive capital in the world in 2004, and is the most expensive city in the Euro zone. It also stands apart from the French provinces with its particularly high rents.
Fortunately student status enables you to benefit from lower prices in many areas: university cafeterias, university housing or housing subsi- 2. funding your studies dies from the CAF (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales or Family Allowance Fund), reduced rates in public transportation, leisure pursuits, enter- Planning your budget tainment, etc. To live decently, you will thus need to have between 700 and 900 € Grants and Financial Aid per month at your disposal to cover expenses (keep in mind that a monthly minimum of 430 € is required for the resident permit). • Average costs A baguette 0.90 € French daily newspaper 1.20 €
A croissant 1.20 € Foreign daily newspaper Between 1.25 and 2.30 €
A cup of coffee 2.30 € Telephone (France Telecom 7.50 € 50-unit card)
A sandwich Approx. 4 € A book (average price) 14 €
A fixed-price menu in Between 12 and A paperback From 1.80 to 6 € a restaurant 20 €
A stamp 0.53 € A movie 7.60 € student: from 6 to 8 €
National theatre ticket Approx. 11 € Louvre museum admission 5 € (reduced rate)
Swimming pool ad- From 2.15 to 4 € Métro or bus ticket 1.40 € mission Getting the most out of your stay 40 41
funding your studies
grants and financial aid Financial aid (once in France) To be qualify for financial aid, students must meet citizenship, age Students who are eligible for a grant or other aid during the course and educational criteria: of their studies do not need to seek a providential sponsor in France • Citizenship: or find a part-time job to cover their needs. First check with the rele- Students who are French, Andorran, refugees or stateless persons vant authorities in your country: university, education ministry, etc., holding an OFPRA card (Office Français de Protection des Réfugiés to find out about grants, scholarships and financial aid awarded by et des Apatrides), foreign students holding citizenship from one of For all information, your government. The amount of these grants varies considerably ac- the European Union member states; in certain conditions, foreign check with the cording to the country. students whose mother or father is an EU national; foreign students organisations that whose tax home has been France for at least two years and who have handle foreign grant recipients in French government grants (before departure) a temporary or 10-year residence permit (carte de séjour). France: These are allocated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Your country • Age • CNOUS (Centre must have entered into a bilateral cooperation treaty with France. Students who are less than 26 years of age at level 1 when the first ap- National des Œu- vres Universitaires plication is made. From the age of 26 onwards, grant recipients may et Sociales) Whether you are a resident of France or of your own country, the not suspend their studies if they wish to continue receiving the grant. 6, rue Jean Calvin, grant application must be filed with the cultural or scientific advisors The age criterion does not apply to handicapped students. BP 49, 75 222 Paris • Education level cedex 05 of the Embassies or the French Consulate in your country. Tel. 01 44 18 53 00 The number of grants awarded to foreign students at the first (under- Students must be enrolled at level 1 or 2 in a course of study eligible www.cnous.fr graduate) level is very limited. Priority is given to students intending to receive higher education grant recipients and pursue their studies to carry out graduate degree studies (Master-Doctorate), preferably according to a normal pace of progress. • EGIDE 28, rue de la Grange in scientific and technological fields. aux Belles, 75 010 Financial need is not a factor for French Government Grants. Only This grant is allotted on the basis of financial criteria. It constitutes Paris the student’s academic merit is taken into account. Keep in mind that “financial assistance to families” enabling them to cover education Tel. 01 40 58 58 costs. The family’s or the student’s resources and expenses are taken www.egide.asso.fr exam results and professors’ comments play a decisive role in whether contact@egide. the grant is renewed or cancelled. into account. Calculation of the entitlement to financial aid is made asso.fr on the basis of overall gross income for the preceding year. Financial aid recipients are entitled to have university fees and health care fees waived. Such waiver is effective immediately upon enrol- > WORTH CONSULTING ment when you have received your conditional grant approval. Othe- • The “Study Abroad” guide published by Unesco, in three languages: French, English and Spanish, can be rwise, reimbursement should be requested from the registrar’s office downloaded from the Internet: www.unesco.org/education/studyingabroad/networking/study.pdf (la scolarité) upon receipt of your final approval of the award. The
grant is awarded for one year and renewal is never automatic. • A list of sources of possible funding for foreign students who wish to study in France, by county of origin, CONTACT • CROUS is available on the EGIDE website (organisation that handles foreign scholarship recipients in France): www. de Versailles Application for first-time awards or renewal of the grant is made egide.asso.fr - www.crous-ver- starting January 15 of the year preceding online enrolment sailles.fr/bourses (http://dse.ac-versailles.fr). You will receive a “dossier social étudiant” (DES) that you should complete or change as necessary, and return it as soon as possible to the Crous office in Versailles. Getting the most out of your stay 42 43
funding your studies
Grants for Master degree studies Research grants : Doctorate degree These grants are limited and are attributed based on academic crite- A research grant is a salary paid by the Ministry of Research as part ria (age, length of study programme, quality of application file, etc.). of a fixed duration employment contract (three years for contracts Grants for the agrégation programmes also take into account needs- starting in 2001) in order to enable PhD candidates to devote their based criteria. full and exclusive attention to their research work in preparation of their thesis. These grants may be awarded to refugees or those having stateless status and have a OFPRA card, foreign students whose tax domicile Applicants must be French (or in the process of naturalization), na- has been located in France for at least two years, and subject to cer- tionals of a member state of the European Union, students who have tain conditions European Union nationals. prepared and obtained their Master degree in France, or students ha- ving attained an equivalent degree in the country that is a signatory No tuition or health insurance (Social Security) fees are waived for of the agreement relating to the European Higher Education Area. advanced degree students at the time of their administrative regis- INFORMATION tration. However, once you have received a grant, you are entitled to • Ministère de la Students must be under 25 years of age. Exceptions can be made for reimbursement of registration and health coverage fees. The request Recherche de des students under 30 years of age as of January 1 in the year applying should be made at the financial aid office of the University. Nouvelles by filing a specific and motivated petition to the dean of the docto- Technologies Bureau des alloca- ral school. Applicants must be free from their military obligations or Pre-registration have obtained a two-year suspension. CONTACT: tions de recherches • Grants The request should be made at the beginning of the academic year et de la technologie http://dse.ac-ver- in September at the time of registration to the financial aid office of 1, rue Descartes Applications must be submitted by the dean of the advanced study 75231 Paris cedex 05 sailles.fr. the University. degree programme. Building A Room 110 Tel.: 01 55 55 85 44/ Tél. + 33 1 40 97 45/ 46/ 47- 47 78 alloc@recherche. Other scholarships > OPENING A BANK ACCOUNT gouv.fr http://fr.education. In addition to the financial aid mentioned above, foreign students If you plan to stay in France for more than three months, you can open a bank account. You can also open fr/Alloc_doc may request scholarships offered by certain international organiza- tions (UN, UNESCO, WHO, etc.) or by foundations, companies, etc. an account at the Caisse d’Epargne or La Banque Postale. These scholarships, which are available to French citizens as well is to To open a resident bank account in Euros, three documents are required: foreigners, are primarily for financing of advanced study programmes for research. • Passport, Residence permit, Proof of residence (telephone or utility bill, rent receipt)
About ten days after the account is opened, you will be given a chequebook and/or bankcard (debit or credit card). Chequebooks are generally free of charge, but a bankcard costs between 15 and 40 € per year, depending on the bank and type of card.
A word of advice: before leaving your home country, check with your usual bank. It may be affiliated with a French network, which will make opening an account easier. Getting the most out of your stay 44 45
health care and coverage
the french national student health plan
In France, personal health insurance coverage is mandatory for all stu- dents of 18 years of age. In 1948, a special student health plan was instituted for students under 28. All foreign students can take advantage of it, whatever their nationa- lity. Your health care will be handled by a student mutual insurance association, either the LMDE, or the SMEREP.
Basic coverage You should sign up with the student health insurance plan (Sécurité sociale étudiante) when you complete you administrative registration at the University. For a modest sum (189 € in 2006/2007), you will be covered for the risk of illness and hospitalisation during your acade- ON-CAMPUS mic stay. Health insurance fees are waived for French government AGENCIES • La Mutuelle des grant and scholarship recipients as well as French higher education étudiants (LMDE) grant recipients. Bureau E03 R.d.C. du Bâtiment E., branch offices Additional coverage 3. health care and coverage in Ville d’Avray and Students who are covered by the national student insurance plan Saint Cloud should keep in mind that the plan does not cover 100% of expen- 33, Boulevard des ses. For instance, only 70 % of the cost of a doctor’s visit, otherwise The French national student health plan (“regime étudiant”) Provinces Françaises 92 000 Nanterre known as the “tarif de responsabilité de la sécurité sociale,” is reim- The general national health plan for student over 28 years of age www.lmde.com bursed by the plan, the remainder being a co-payment required of the patient. • SMEREP Health care access at the University of Paris X ureau E03 R.d.C. du Bâtiment E Students are strongly advised to subscribe to a supplemental, or mutual coverage plan to meet the costs of co-payments. This is also available through the student “mutuelle” organizations.
for further information and to obtain reimbursement of your medical expenses, write or call: • For students residing in Paris, the Caisse primaire d’assurance maladie (CPAM) Relations Internationales (173-175, rue de Bercy 75012 Paris – Tel.: 01 40 19 55 30) • In the suburbs, the CPAM of your place of residence.
documents to provide • European Health Insurance Card (EHID); passport ; student I.D. card, bank details (IBAN) and signed statement of the care received (feuille de soins). Getting the most out of your stay 46 47
health care and coverage health insurance coverage
the general plan for students over 28 1) Members of the European Economic Area If you are over 28 years old, you can no longer be covered by the stu- If they have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), students from the Euro- dent health plan. But other possibilities exist: pean Economic Area (European Union, Liechtenstein and Norway) can have their medical expenses reimbursed without paying into the student health plan. This Universal Health Coverage (Couverture Maladie Universelle - CMU) card should be requested from your country of origin. The CMU guarantees affiliation with the national health insurance plan for any person with a stable and regular residence in France who 2) Quebec and Switzerland has no social coverage. Students from Quebec and Switzerland, who belong to their national health in- surance plans should obtain form SE 401 Q 102 or SE 401 Q 106 from the public FOR MORE Students over 28 can apply for it if they meet certain conditions: health care office before leaving their country. INFORMATION • reside in France for more than 3 months www.ameli.fr/211/ RUB/211/omb.html • not exceed a monthly income of 549 € (823 € for a couple) to benefit 3) Others cases from this plan at no cost (over this ceiling, the plan is available for a You are a salaried employee at the same time as a registered student: if you fee.) work at least 60 hours per month or 120 hours per quarter for the entire acade- mic year, you can be declared by your employer and be entitled to the national The request should be filed with the Caisse Primaire d’Assurance Ma- health insurance plan. You do not have to pay the fees to enrol in the student ladie of your place of residence. An answer is usually given in about health insurance plan. one month. Needy persons, depending on their income, may also be eligible for • For more information: www.ameli.fr/84/DOC/38/fiche.html supplemental coverage. You can also be entitled to coverage by plan by virtue of your relationship (spou- Health insurance coverage from mutual coverage or ordinary insu- se, relative) to another person’s enrolment in the plan as an “ayant droit” (bene- rance companies ficiary). If you choose primary coverage, the basic annual premium is not excessive (starting at 100 €). Several organizations offer a range of • For more information: www.ameli.fr/84/DOC/834/fiche.html health insurance plans that goes from 100 to 800 € .
CONTACT • SMEREP - 01 56 54 36 34 • Cosmopolit’Services - 01 45 51 00 22 - www.cosmopolitservices.com • Assistance étudiants 01 42 17 00 20 – www.assistance-etudiants.com • Prévoyance étudiants (01 45 41 66 64 – www.peefrance.com
NB : Students over 28 can have their coverage extended to the day of their 29th birthday if they paid into the student plan for at least two years before their next university registration. Students enrolled in the PhD programme are eligible for student health insu- rance until the age of 32. Getting the most out of your stay 48 49
health care and coverage
health care access on the paris x-nanterre campus
The Nanterre campus health care service is open to all students.
A multidisciplinary medical team is on hand to personal care, attention and advice in the strictest privacy. Consultations are free of charge.
Consultations by appointment: • General medicine • Birth control • Nutrition • Tobacco dependence • AIDS and STD testing • Clinical psychology • Sports Medicine • Family planning and sexuality
Bât/ E/R.d.C, salle 05 Ouvert de 8h 30 à 17 h 30 Tel.: 01 40 97 75 33
4. housing
Housing in a university residence or dormitory
Private or mutualist university residences
Private rentals
Other types of housing: hotels, dormitories, youth hostels
Getting the most out of your stay 50 51
housing
FINDING HOUSING IN THE PARIS AREA IS ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING The Nanterre university residence STEPS IN PLANNING YOUR STAY. THE CURRENT IMBALANCE BETWEEN SUP- PLY AND DEMAND ON THE PARIS REAL ESTATE MARKET IS SUCH THAT YOU The Nanterre university residence is located on the university cam- SIMPLY CANNOT WING IT. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO START LOOKING WELL IN AD- pus within easy walking distance to classrooms, the library, gym, VANCE: FROM THE MONTH OF DECEMBER OF THE YEAR PRECEDING YOUR university cafeteria, and the suburban train station (SNCF-RATP), ARRIVAL IN PARIS, PARTICULARLY TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE ADMISSION which makes it less than 20 minutes away from the center of Paris. REQUIREMENTS AND FORMALITIES TO ENTER A UNIVERSITY RESIDENCE. Monthly rent is around 180 €. Application is made only by Internet (http://des.ac-versailles.fr) before 30 April for the following aca- housing in a university residence or dormitory demic year. There is now a combined grant-housing application.
State-run student dormitories are managed by the Centres Régionaux des Œuvres universitaires et Scolaires (CROUS). They can be one of CONTACT the most economical solutions for living in Paris and the greater Paris • Résidence area, and are thus in high demand. universitaire de Nanterre Service Vie de FOR MORE Requirements INFORMATION To be admitted to a CROUS student dormitory, you must be less than l’Étudiant www.cnous.fr 30 of age. Rooms are attributed on the basis of need, and scholarship 8, allée de • CROUS de Paris recipients are given priority, particularly those on a French govern- l’Université 39, av Georges 92 000 Nanterre Bernanos, 75005 ment grant. The chances of getting a room if you are not a grant Paris – recipient are virtually null. Tel. 01 41 20 32 M° Port-Royal During the summer, the CROUS can accommodate all types of stu- 04 Tel. 01 40 51 36 00 dents temporarily visiting Paris if there is space available. You should Resid.nanterre@ contact the residence directly, shortly before your date of arrival: worldonline.fr > GOOD TO KNOW] • CROUS de Versailles http://aglae.ac-paris.fr.logement APPLICATION • To call France from abroad, dial “00 33”. 145 bis, boulevard http://des.ac-ver- de la Reine, BP 563, The various types of accommodation available sailles.fr • To call abroad from France, dial “00” followed by the country code, then the number you want to 78005 Versailles • Standard dormitory room: furnished 9m2 room, common kitchens, Cedex reach. Tel. 01 39 24 52 00 study rooms, meeting rooms and lounges. Rental varies from 130 to 180 €/month, from which you can deduct the amount of the housing • Long-distance calls for less • CROUS de Créteil allowance you are granted by the CAF (see end of this section). 70, avenue du • Newer dormitories offer more spacious accommodations, such as You can of course call abroad from the Post Office or a telephone booth. But the cost is high. Some Général de Gaulle, studio apartments. Some offer services on-site: Laundromat, cafete- companies offer a callback system, for which the charge of a call is considerably less expensive (someti- 94010 Créteil Cedex mes 50 % less than the normal rate). Instead of using the national phone company France Telecom, you Tel. 01 45 17 06 60 ria, photocopy machine, library, Internet access. Average rent for a studio apartment: from 270 to 380 € / month not including housing might try for instance Transworld Communications (www.chez.com/trans), Eurotelsat (www.eurotelsat. allowance granted by the CAF. com) or Budget Telecom (www.lesminutes.com). You can also purchase country-specific prepaid phone • Some low-rent apartments (HLM) are available for young married cards. couples. Getting the most out of your stay 52 53
housing
the cité internationale universitaire de paris (ciup) private or mutualist student residences This ensemble of student dormitories is located in a magnificent 80- This type of residence has modern accommodations, furnished and acre park. Each national pavilion (35 in all) is built in its own style unfurnished, ranging from studio apartment to 1 bedroom apart- reflecting its country of origin. The Cité is in high demand – over 120 ment. nationalities can be found there. The rent charged is considerably higher than in student dormitories, but living conditions are generally more comfortable (equipped kit- There are three categories of residents: chenette, shower, telephone connection) and most offer additional facilities such as Laundromat, cafeteria, etc. Student residents: Eligible students are less than 30 years of age enrolled in at least the CONTACT Master’s level. The board of admissions makes its decision mainly on CONTACT Mutuelle des Étudiants (LMDE) • 19, boulevard the basis of academic merit and not need. Applications are taken from Résidence Pablo Picasso Jourdan, 75690 1 April to 31 July of the current year for the academic year beginning 67, avenue Pablo Picasso Paris Cedex 14 in October, and starting on 3 November for admission in mid-year. 92 000 Nanterre - Tel.: 02 40 04 04 53 Tel. 01 44 16 64 Admission is on a yearly basis renewable twice. 00 - Fax 01 44 16 ADELE (Association pour le Développement économique du logement étu- 64 03 Trainees and teacher/researcher residents: diant) ADELE brings together various agencies specialised in student housing. Pre-registration Trainee applicants must have already been employed for at least two For a copy of their guide to Résidences Ile-de-France: 13, rue Washington, 75008 Paris – Tel. 01 42 89 36 04 – www.adele.org is possible over years. They must be enrolled in an institution of higher education or the Internet: university to complete an internship required for career advancement Accueil Familial des Jeunes Etrangers www.ciup.fr/heber- or enrolled in an advanced degree programme (3rd cycle) as long as gement/index.php This organisation offers accommodation in private homes for young students the degree is related or close to their professional occupation, provi- as au-pairs, or in exchange for odd jobs, or as paying guests. The have a list of ding that the planned stay is for at least three months. low-cost accommodations (foyers) in Paris. Researchers will be officially invited by a university or institution of 23, rue du Cherche Midi, higher education in the greater Paris area. Application can be made 75 006 Paris - Tel. 01 42 22 50 34 -Fax 01 4 544 60 48 any time during the year. Admission is made on a yearly basis, re- newable once. Association pour le Logement des Jeunes (ALJT) Tel. 01 45 80 70 70
OSE Point logement (Office des Services Etudiants) - SMEREP Price of a room: In addition to a few student residences, the OSE has a file of accommodations Prices vary from one residence hall to another. in private homes: 11-13 rue Serpente, 75006 Paris – Tel. 01 55 42 80 80 • For student residents: from 199 to 275 € for a single room and from 282 to 396 € for a double; The Point Logement has a large file of housing offers. A membership card, • For trainees and post-docs: from 350 to 488 € for a single room and which will cost you 21 €, allows you to consult the offers available and make from 366 to 534 € for a room for a couple (no kitchen) and 580 € for a direct contact with the landlord. This service is reserved exclusively for stu- studio apartment shared with spouse or partner. dents registered with the University. Point Logement: 21, rue du Val de Grâce, • For summer stays, prices vary according to the size and quality of the 75005 Paris – RER Port Royal. Tel.: 01 40 46 86 73 room, between 20 and 30 € per night. Reservations should be made The American Church has a regularly updated bulletin board of two weeks in advance. housing offers: 65, quai d’Orsay, 75007 Paris - Tel.01 40 62 05 00 Getting the most out of your stay 54 55
housing
private rentals other types of housing: hotels, dormitories, youth hostels Rent can vary from 300 € for a small room to 700 € for a 2-room 40 m2 flat, depending on the neighbourhood. Living in a Hotel There are several ways to look for a place to rent: real estate agency, A hotel can be a good short-term solution while you are hunting for newspaper ads and Internet… Don’t neglect the ad boards in local the ideal housing situation. shops: bakeries, small grocery stores, etc. Some very inexpensive hotels (known as “meublés”) rent rooms by the month. This can be worthwhile for a long-term stay. For a list of Real estate agencies hotels, contact the Caisses Centrales d’Activités Sociales (CCAS) in the Paris district city halls or in the suburbs. These agencies are specialised in property sale and rental. They act as intermediary between the owner and the tenant. If you go through USEFUL LINK a real estate agency, be prepared to pay agency fees upon signing The Office du Tourisme Foyers de Paris See the CIDJ (Centre Information, Documentation, Jeunesse) leaflets INDIVIDUAL the lease, which generally amount to one month’s rent, sometimes website: www.paris- AND REAL ESTATE more. tourisoffice.com (127, (fiches) on foyers: AGENCY ADS: av. des Champs Elysées, • Fiche 5.231 “Foyers et résidences pour étudiants” (student foyers and resi- www.pap.fr, 75008 Paris dences) www.explorimmo.fr Beware of “list merchants”. Some companies sell lists of accommodations for – Tel. 0892 68 31 12 www.123immo.com, • Fiche 5 320 “Foyers et résidences pour jeunes travailleurs” (young worker anywhere from 150 to over 200 €. The trap is that you pay in advance to access – Fax: 01 49 52 53 00 - www.fnail.com info@paris-tourisoffice. foyers and residences for age 26 and under) www.seloger.com, files of offers that no longer exist! com) . www.quickimmo.com www.mapiaule.com, CIDJ www.nexdom.com Newspaper and Internet ads 101 quai Branly 75740 Paris cedex 15 Tel. 01 44 49 29 30 – www.cidj.com etc. Daily papers, freebies and the student press all publish housing ads. Société nationale de construction pour les travailleurs (SONACOTRA): ADS FOR SHARES: 42, rue de Cambronne, 75240 Paris cedex 15 – Tel. 01 40 61 42 00 – www.sona- www.colocation.fr, Two specialised weeklies: www.appartager.com cotra.fr www.kel-koloc.fr, - “De Particuliers à Particuliers” and “La Centrale des Particuliers”. L’Union nationale des foyers des jeunes travailleurs www.e-cologie.com Available from newsstands on Thursdays (buy it early in the morning). 12, avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94307 Vincennes – Tel. 01 41 74 81 00 – www. www.pap.fr, www. appartement.org Their ads can be viewed on the Internet: www.pap.fr and www.lacentra- ufjt.org www.easycoloc.com, le.fr etc. L’Association de Logement des Jeunes travailleurs - FUSAC (“France USA Contact”, free ad magazine distributed in pla- 15, rue Ferrus, 75014 Paris – Tel. 01 45 80 70 70 – www.aljt.asso.fr ces frequented by the English-speaking public). Comes out every two L’Union nationale des maisons d’étudiants weeks on Wednesday. Ads can be viewed on the Internet: www.fusac. 2, rue de la Roquette, 75011 Paris – Tel.: 01 48 05 73 62 – www.unme-asso.com org FOR MORE Foyer international INFORMATION 25, rue du 8 Mai 1945 - 78260 Asnières Tel. 01 39 11 14 97 www.afje-paris.org Living with a French family 23, rue du Cherche L’accueil Familial des Jeunes Étrangers Midi, 75006 Paris – Tel. Youth hostels This organisation offers accommodation in private homes for young 01 42 22 50 34 – Housing in a youth hostel or International Acccomodation Centres [email protected] people as au-pairs, or in exchange for odd jobs, or as paying guests. can be an inexpensive temporary solution. Long-term accommodation is limited depending on the various cen- tres’ availability.
Fédération Unie des Auberges de Jeunesse (FUAJ): www.fuaj.org UCRIF Étapes Jeunes: www.ucrif.asso.fr Getting the most out of your stay 56 57
housing to rent : memotum
Before renting a room, studio apartment or flat, there are a number of steps to take that housing subsidies legally bind both tenant and landlord. What the landlord is most interested in is that the tenant is able to pay the rent each All foreign students can apply for housing subsidies. Such subsidy is month. Students consequently must produce proof of incomre and/or find someone to act granted by the Family Allowance Fund (Caisse d’Allocations Familiales as guarantor (“caution”). - CAF) provided certain requirements are satisfied. These include: A lease is mandatory: it specifies the term of the rental, the name of the tenant and the Where to apply for the subsidy? landlord, a description of the premises, the rental amount, and the amount of the security The CAF handles requests for housing allowances. deposit. Theoretically, the length of the lease is for three years, renewable. In general, two You can download the subsidy application form, fill it out, sign it and months’ rent (excluding maintenance fees – les charges) is requested as a security deposit. return it with the supporting documents requested. When the tenant leaves, the security deposit serves to cover the cost of repairs if there has been any damage to the premises. It is thus very important to be attentive when the You can also apply in person at the CAF office of your place of resi- schedule of condition is drawn up both on arrival and departure from the apartment. If Information dence. and application the premises are returned in the same condition as when you arrived, the amount of the form security deposit is of course refunded to you in its entirety. But the security deposit is ne- www.caf.fr for students in paris ver returned on the day of the departure when the second schedule of condition is drawn A central telephone up. The security deposit is generally refunded one or two months after departure. number for Paris: 0 820 25 75 10 There are 4 CAF offices in Paris depending on which arrondissement The tenant is required to take out a comprehensive rental insurance policy (assurance you live in: multi-risques-habitation) against risk of fire and water damage etc. When given the keys, • Centre de Gestion “Pot de Fer” (if you live in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th ou the tenant must produce an insurance certificate. Most rental insurance policies protect 6th): 19, rue du Pot de Fer, 75005 Paris – M° Place Monge - Monday to Friday not only the property but the tenant as well (this is known as “civil liability” insurance). from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Centre de Gestion “Viala” (if you live in the 7th, 8th, 14th,15th or the Every tenant of rented premises must pay a yearly residence tax (taxe d’habitation) the 16th): 18, rue Viala, 75015 Paris - M° Dupleix - Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. amount of which can vary between the equivalent of one or two months’ rent depending to 4 p.m. on the municipality. Some students are eligible for a reduced tax rate, under certain condi- • Centre de gestion “Laumière” (if you live in the 9th, 10th, 17th, 18th or tions: check with your local tax office. the 19th): 67/69, av. Jean Jaurès, 75019 Paris – M° Laumière - Monday to Friday People who live in a university residence or foyer, or who have a room in a private home from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. are not subject to this tax. • Centre de gestion “Nationale” (if you live in the 11th, 12th, 13th or the 20th): 6101, rue Nationale, 75013 Paris – M° Nationale - Monday to Friday from Lease in hand, the new tenant will then need to ask for electricity and gas to be hooked 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. up and the telephone if he or the wishes:
• Electricity and/or natural gas: if the apartment has been vacant for under three months, for students living in the suburbs: the hook-up can be made by phone. Just call the “EDF-GDF” agency (http://monagence. edf.fr) responsible for your area. If it has been vacant for more than three months, an ap- • Hauts-de-Seine (92) pointment with a technician must be made in order for him to make the hook-up. You will 70-88, rue Paul Lescop, 92023 Nanterre cedex – Tel. 08 25 05 27 32 be billed every two months and a meter reading is taken every six months.
• Seine-Saint-Denis (93) • Telephone: to get a new line installed, contact the “France Telecom” agency nearest the 15-17, rue Jean-Pierre Timbaud, 93112 Rosny-sous-Bois - Tel. 01 49 35 49 99 apartment (www.agence.francetelecom.com). The installation can take place in a matter of days. • Val-de-Marne (94) Quartier de l’Echat, 2, voie Félix Eboué, 94033 Créteil cedex – Tel. 01 49 83 50 94 Getting the most out of your stay 58 59
work and study
student work permit
Since July 1998, foreign students in possession of a student residence permit are entitled to work part time starting their first year of stu- dies in France. “All foreigners who wish to work full- or part-time, must have a valid work permit.”
For all paid work, you must apply for a student work permit at the Direction Départementale du Travail et de l’Emploi et de la Formation professionnelle (DDTEFP) of your place of residence.
for students living in paris • Bureau de la Main d’œuvre étrangère 127, bd de la Villette, 75010 Paris – M° Jaurès – Tel.: 01 44 84 41 15
for students living in the suburbs Contact the DDTEFP for your place of residence: • Seine-et-Marne (77): Cité administrative – Pré Chamblain – Bât. C – 77011 Melun cedex – Tel. 01 64 41 28 59 5. work and study • Yvelines (78): La Diagonale – 34, avenue du Centre – 78182 St-Quentin-en- Yvelines – Tel.: 01 39 44 10 00 Student work permit • Essonne (91): Tour Agora – Gd. Place d’Evry 2 – 523 Place des Terrasses de l’Agora – 91034 Evry cedex – Tel.: 01 60 79 70 00 Work hours • Hauts-de-Seine (92): 13, rue de Lens – 92022 Nanterre cedex – Tel.: 01 47 86 40 00 • Seine-Saint-Denis (93): Bât. 6- 1, avenue Youri Gagarine – 93016 Bobigny Job offers cedex – Tel. 01 41 60 53 00 • Val-de-Marne (94): Immeuble Le Pascal – Avenue du Général de Gaulle – 94007 Créteil cedex – Tel.: 01 49 56 28 00 • Val-d’Oise (95): Immeuble Atrium – 3, boulevard de l’Oise – 95014 Cergy Pontoise cedex – Tel.: 01 34 35 49 49
The main supporting documents required: • Valid student residence permit, • Student I.D. card for the current year, • Documents relating to the job (promise of hire or job contract) specifying the position, remuneration, duration of contract, place of employment, work hours (days and schedule). Getting the most out of your stay 60 61
work and study
job offers On receipt of the application, the DDTEFP should theoretically issue a certificate enabling the student to begin work immediately while Foreign students often need part-time jobs in order to fund their stu- his or her application is considered. On renewal of the student work dies. permit, the DDTEFP are requested to take action rapidly so that the student need not suspend his or her activity. Several specialized newspapers and temporary employment agencies exist, but it is advisable to check with the services or organisations Student work permits are only valid for six months and must be offering jobs that are more suited to student life. renewed without fail before the expiration date printed on the card. CROUS (Centre Régional des Œuvres Universitaires) 145 bis, bd. de la Reine, 758005 Versailles cedex – www.cnous.fr > SPECIAL CASES In conjunction with the French national employment agency (ANPE) this or- Exempt from student work permit: ganisation has a temporary job service open to all students. The first time you apply, you must sign up with the office and produce your student I.D. • Students from the European Economic Area (European Union + Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) card, proof of health insurance coverage, your last degree obtained and your
• Students from Andorra, Gabon, and Monaco residence permit.
• Students on paid internships need not apply for a student work permit since these periods are not go- • CIDJ (Centre d’Information et de Documentation Jeunesse) verned by a work contract but instead by an internship agreement signed by the three parties involved: 101 quai Branly institution, student and company. 75740 Paris cedex 15 Tel. 01 44 49 29 30 work hours www.cidj.com
In Paris, the maximum number of hours a student may work in the • La Cité des métiers year is 830.5 (on the basis of the legal 35-hour work week for a full- Cité des sciences time job). 30, avenue Corentin Cariou, 75019 Paris The contract can be either a fixed-term or open-ended contract as M° Porte de la Villette, Tel. 01 40 05 72 23 long as the annual ceiling is not exceeded, but students may not work www.citedesmetiers.com full-time for more than 3 months in the course of a year. Also check the Internet, for instance the “L’étudiant” magazine web- In the suburbs, depending on the DDTEFP office, the annual number site which posts many job offers compatible with a student schedule: of hours allowed may differ slightly from Paris. www.letudiant.fr
International students holding a residence permit may not work more than 20 hours per week during the academic year and 35 hours per week during school holidays. 62 63
the word of the end note
enjoy your time at paris x
We hope this handbook, designed by the International Relations Of- fice, has been useful to you. We would be grateful for any sugges- tions for improvement.
The International Relations Office in conjunction with the Foreign Student Services Office (SGAEE) and “Réso-U” 64 65