International students: at international exchange

At UPHF/INSA, the vast majority of courses are taught in French. A minimum of B1 is required for most courses (B2 in Law). Choose a course from our catalogue.

Here are a few practical tips:

• Don't mix semesters and courses; you can only select courses from the same speciality in a given semester. It is possible to take a few courses from another course, but you will need to check whether this is feasible in terms of timetables. There is a risk of having to modify the teaching contract.
• If you are at Licence / Undergraduate / Bachelor level, only select courses at Licence level. In the ‘Diploma’ drop-down menu, tick Licence or Bachelor Universitaire de Technologie.
• Do not select a Licence Professionnelle course or a course that involves only work-linked training (formation alternance), as this is not suitable for you, as there are many periods in a company.
• If you are at Master's / Graduate level, you can select Master's or Specialised Engineer.
• What is a Polytechnic module and an opening module? These are courses that you can select from lists twice a year. Among these courses, you will be able to integrate EUNICE* courses if you wish.

EUNICE*: Our European University network offers online courses in a wide range of disciplines. Get started! Courses are often in English, but there are also courses in other foreign languages.

If you wish to study in English, a minimum B2 level is required.

For Science and Technology courses:
Select courses from the INSA (Mont-Houy Campus) ‘Taught in English’ engineering catalogue. Here is some practical advice on this subject:

• Do not mix semesters and specialities; you can only select courses from the same speciality in a given semester.
• If you don't have enough ECTS credits, why not ask if a mini laboratory project is possible? Or challenge yourself to take a few courses in French?

For courses in Business and Administration:
Two courses offer an entire semester in English (30 ECTS), but only in the autumn semester:

• Licence Technique de commercialisation, specialising in purchasing and sales, taught at the Institut Universitaire de Technologie (Campus Les Tertiales)
• The Bachelor's degree in Management of Global Business Organisations taught at the IAE School of Management of our Institute of Societies and Humanities (Mont-Houy Campus)

Coming from a partner university (the general case)

You are a student from a UPHF/INSA partner university and you would like to carry out a project in a research laboratory. It is perfectly possible to submit an application that includes a teaching contract for studies.
It is important to apply well in advance, at least 4 to 5 months before the desired period.

You can submit your CV, covering letter specifying the dates you would like to work, the subjects you would like to study and your university transcripts to @email. 
If the project is feasible, you will need to contact your international relations department to be nominated by our department (see ‘Applying’ section).
It is also possible, but more rare, for this project to be rewarded, in which case it is known as a ‘laboratory placement’. As the status is different, a work placement agreement will be drawn up (or an Erasmus + SMT teaching contract, where applicable). In this case, you do not need to be nominated by your home institution.

In both cases, whether an internship or a project, you will be enrolled at UPHF/INSA and considered as a student of our institution, benefiting from all student services (accommodation, university library, cafeterias, university restaurants, sports facilities, etc.).

BRIDGE programme

Would you like to do an internship or a research project in a laboratory? It's perfectly possible!

You can do an internship at UPHF in a number of ways, depending on your situation:

Under the BRIDGE programme (Boosting Relations through Internship Development, Global Experience, and Education), UPHF's internationalisation initiative in collaboration with leading English-speaking institutions, you can take up a paid internship in a research laboratory or administrative department and enjoy a range of benefits:

• High-quality assignments supervised by lecturers or professionals
• Support from the International Relations Department throughout your stay (visa, insurance, accommodation)
• Accommodation booked on campus
• Access to campus services: university library, cafeterias, university restaurants, sports facilities
• Free French as a foreign language courses

Places are limited and reserved for students from BRIDGE partner universities (University of Victoria, University of Central Lancashire, University of Hull, Northumbria University). 

• If you are a student from a partner university (see ‘Coming from a partner university (the general case)’ section) )
• If you are a student from a non-partner university (see ‘Non-partner universities’ section)

Non-partner universities

If you are a student from a non-partner university: your home university is not on our interactive UPHF or INSA maps, but you can still apply to the research laboratories. 

• Consult the relevant page and send your CV and covering letter directly to the laboratory concerned. Apply at least 4 months before the desired period, indicating which topics you would like to work on and for what period.
• You will be doing a work placement in the laboratory, which means that you must be paid either under a work placement agreement or an Erasmus + SMT teaching contract, if applicable.
• You will be registered with the UPHF/INSA and treated as a student of our institution, benefiting from all student services (accommodation, university library, cafeterias, university restaurants, sports facilities, etc.).

Being nominated

Your nomination: 
You must be selected by your home university to stay at UPHF. Contact your university's International Relations department to find out how to apply.

Apply at

You have been selected and your university has sent us your application.

To follow a course :

• If you want your stay to begin in the autumn semester: before 15 May
• If you would like your stay to start in the spring semester: before 1 November
• If you wish to carry out a laboratory project: apply eight weeks before the start of the project.

Are you disabled?

If so, please let us know on the application form, which will be sent to you by your International Office once you have been appointed.

Our school has a service dedicated to supporting students with disabilities: the Relais Handicap. It works closely with our Health Centre.
The UPHF is constantly improving its signage and facilities, and has adapted by creating easier access to its campus buildings (ramps, special parking facilities, lifts, etc.). Please consult the campus map and building accessibility (Pictoaccess). 

Our accommodation partner CROUS is also able to accommodate students with disabilities in its standard PRM accommodation.

The International Relations Unit can help you with the following formalities:

• Before : We organise your departure with you and send you your results.
  We will work with you to organise your arrival step by step and provide you with information on accommodation, transport, Valenciennes, our integration seminar, administrative and academic registration and our dedicated student services.
• Throughout your stay : We remain available to help and advise you. 
• At the end of your stay: We organise your departure with you and send you your results.

Accommodation

The International Relations Office helps all exchange students to find accommodation. You can apply to reserve accommodation in a CROUS residence in Valenciennes using our application forms (subject to availability).
A partnership with the private residence Nexity Studéa enables you to obtain a room of a higher standard at a 75% discount.

For more information, see the ‘Accommodation’ page.

Entry and residence formalities in France

Citizens of European Union member countries do not need to apply for a visa to stay in France. A valid national identity card or passport is sufficient (the validity of the identity card or passport must cover at least the entire duration of the study visit).

Entry formalities - visa
Depending on their nationality and the length of their stay in France, foreign students will need a visa before they leave. For more information, visit the website of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Residence formalities
Non-European students (with the exception of Algerian students) who hold a long-stay visa (for more than 3 months) are exempt from the formalities for obtaining a residence permit when they arrive in France. Validation of the Visa Long Séjour Valant Titre de Séjour (VLS-TS) is done online within 3 months of your arrival on the page.
Click here to validate a residence permit
Students must pay the appropriate fee online (Student: €50).

Financial aid

Provided you meet certain eligibility criteria, you can apply for financial assistance from French organisations or institutions for your study period in France. As a first step, you should contact the international relations department or the relevant department at your home university, which will inform you of its funding possibilities.

• Scholarships from French embassies
  Some French embassies offer grants for students to study in France. Contact the French embassy in your home country for more information.
• Directory of scholarship programmes
  CampusBourse is the directory of scholarship programmes to help you find funding for your studies in France.

 
Administrative registration

Before your arrival, the International Relations Department will send you an e-mail with the link to the registration platform. You will need to complete the online form. 

Please note: Only students enrolled on a double degree or diploma course are required to pay the CVEC (‘Contribution à la Vie Etudiante et de Campus’). You will need your certificate number when you enrol at the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France.
Payment of the CVEC must be made online. The funds collected are used to finance projects aimed at improving students' study conditions. The cost of the CVEC is €103 (2024-2025).

At the integration seminar, the International Relations Centre will issue you with a certificate of arrival and your multiservice card, which will allow you to:

• Access to university buildings
• Access to and payment at university restaurants (you can credit this card)
• Access to the resources available in the university libraries

If you are unable to attend the integration seminar, please make an appointment with the International Relations Department (e-mail: @email) to obtain your arrival certificate and to receive help with putting together your enrolment file.

Course registration

Course registration (for students with a study contract) :
The choice of courses or a project is essential for the validation of your credits. 
It is set out in your study contract. When you arrive at the Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France and during the first month of your stay, you have the opportunity to change it. Any changes must be approved by your home university and the UPHF institute that is hosting you. The final document must be returned to the International Relations Department. 

Integration seminar

Every semester, the International Relations Department organises an integration seminar to welcome students arriving under an exchange agreement.

The programme includes

• Presentation of the University and the various services offered to students
• Campus visits
• The ESN (Erasmus Student Network) association will welcome and support you throughout the year.
• Meetings with representatives of the various courses and student associations
• Visit to the city of Valenciennes and sports and leisure activities

This free integration seminar takes place at the end of August for those arriving in the odd-numbered semester and at the beginning of January for those arriving in the even-numbered semester on the Mont Houy Campus.
More information will be sent to you by the International Relations Department when you are accepted.

Cultural outings

Throughout the year, the International Relations Office offers students the opportunity to take part in outings to help them integrate. These outings are also designed to help students discover our region and its treasures. The activities are free and paid for by the University.

Examples of activities :

• Cultural visits: Musée du Louvre-Lens, Musée de la Piscine in Roubaix, Domaine de Chantilly and many more.
• Sports activities: Accrobranche, ice rink, paintball, etc.
• But also a visit to Valenciennes or a trip to Parc Astérix!

What should I do when I leave?

Before you leave, please contact the International Relations Department, which will issue you with an end-of-stay certificate. At the end of the semester and after your exam or project defence period, the coordinator of the component will communicate your marks to the International Relations Department, which will draw up your official ECTS transcript of marks (see explanations on the marking system and transcript of marks). You will receive a copy by e-mail. The original will be sent to your university by email and by post only on request.

Mobility Unit International Relations Center
Mont Houy Campus (Aulnoy-lez-Valenciennes)
Matisse Building
1st floor
Tel.: 03 27 51 77 32 /10 27
@email