Preparing for your arrival

Preparing well for your arrival is one of the key factors in the success of your studies in France. There are many steps to take on arrival, and the language barrier can be an obstacle to following courses and integrating in France. So, to settle into life in France smoothly, we encourage students to complete the following formalities as soon as possible. 

Learning French before you arrive

Beyond the level tests required for the visa, a good command of the French language is fundamental to the academic success of international students and their successful integration into Centrale Lille. The difficulties that some international students may encounter during their studies are, in the vast majority of cases, due to an inadequate command of French. It is therefore essential for international students to start or continue preparing linguistically for their studies in France as soon as their selection is announced. We advise students to take a placement test to find out their real level and to plan a solid and regular learning programme between now and their arrival in France. 

For learning French, it is advisable to prioritise good-quality textbooks and language centres, especially the network of Alliances Françaises, which provides the opportunity to attend classes in person as well as virtually, taught by native and well-trained teachers. 

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An effective way to strengthen your language preparation for the start of the university year is to participate in intensive courses in France during the summer. 

Courses offered in Lille.

Students have the opportunity to take French courses, either in person or online, in July and August.

Further information: www.international-academy.fr 

Students can enrol for the French course at a preferential rate.

CAVILAM offers preparation for scientific studies in July and August each year.

More information: www.cavilam.com/project/etudes-superieures-scientifiques. 

Other French-language learning centres offer high-quality intensive summer courses throughout France.

Further information: https://qualitefle.fr/en ; www.fle.fr/The-French-language-schools-Directory 

Applying for a visa

A student visa is not required for students from countries within the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Non-EU students will need to obtain a “VLS-TS étudiant” visa to study in France. We advise them to start the process as soon as possible as it can take several weeks. To do this, they will need to contact the nearest Campus France office (https://www.campusfrance.org/en/espaces) to their place of residence, and then register on the “Études en France” platform to follow the simplified pre-consular visa application procedure.

For countries that do not have access to the “Études en France” platform, students should contact the French consulate responsible for their place of residence. 
Non-EU students from a European partner university may, if they meet the criteria, use a specific simplified procedure. For more information on this subject, please contact us at .

More information on student visas: https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en-US/web/france-visas/student
On arrival, students have three months to validate their visa. Centrale Lille’s International and Academic Relations Office supports them in this process

Health insurance and civil liability 

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Health insurance 

To benefit from medical care coverage by the French Social Security, here are the instructions you need to follow based on your nationality: 

You can apply to the social security organisation in your home country for a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which will enable you to have your basic medical care covered in France. 

You must register compulsorily and free of charge on the Assurance Maladie website: etudiant-etranger.ameli.fr upon your arrival in France. 70% of your healthcare costs will be reimbursed (medical consultations, medicines, hospitalisation, laboratory tests, etc.). However, students coming for just one semester are advised to take out private insurance before they arrive, as the duration of their mobility is often too short to receive their health insurance card before they leave. 

To cover expenses not covered by French Social Security, Centrale Lille encourages its international students to take out comprehensive health insurance or supplementary health insurance. Many service providers offer solutions at competitive rates. Feel free to inquire before your arrival. 

Civil liability

Civil liability insurance is compulsory for all university students in France. In the event of unintentional bodily injury or damage to property on the school premises, during sports activities or in the laboratories, this insurance will cover the cost of compensation. The student associations that welcome you on your arrival can help you choose a civil liability policy. 

Financing your mobility

Campus France has set up a Campus Bourses platform that lists all the scholarship programmes available to international students wishing to study at a French higher education institution. Feel free to search for the scholarship programme that may correspond to your mobility at Centrale Lille: https://campusbourses.campusfrance.org 

 

Centrale Lille supports international students selected for a double degree in the application process for the France Excellence Eiffel scholarship from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs. 

This highly selective scholarship programme is aimed at candidates with a high level of academic excellence at Masters and PhD level. Thanks to the work carried out jointly with the student, Centrale Lille succeeds in obtaining several Eiffel Excellence Scholarships each year. 

More information about the EIFFEL programme at https://www.campusfrance.org/en/france-excellence-eiffel-scholarship-program 

Centrale Lille participates in several FITEC programmes, enabling international students from partner universities in these three countries to obtain funding for their mobility in France. The selection process and award decision depend on the partner and are based on academic criteria. 

Feel free to contact your home university to find out whether it is participating in a FITEC project and to find out about the application process. 

Students from partner universities taking part in the Erasmus+ programme can apply for an Erasmus grant from their university to finance all or part of their mobility. These Erasmus+ grants are entirely the responsibility of the home university. 

In addition, each country has a multitude of programmes to support travel and student mobility at local, regional or national level. Find out more from the student mobility officers at your partner university. 

In addition to the Eiffel programme, and as part of the policy to make French higher education more attractive to local students, embassies, French consulates and French institutes abroad also offer their own programmes to fund student mobility to France (sometimes in conjunction with Campus France). You are therefore strongly advised to contact the Campus France office or the French Institute nearest to your place of residence for further information. They’ll be able to tell you which funding programmes you may be eligible for. 

Finally, some companies are developing funding programmes to enable local students to study abroad. It’s up to you to explore all the options available to you in your home country.