Exchange programmes

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With several hundred partner universities across all continents, the University of Bordeaux welcomes students on exchange programmes every year and has asserted its choice of a global outlook. To make your mobility experience abroad successful, first you need to find the programme that's right for you, follow the application procedure and then start preparing your stay!

Photo : Erasmus students © University of Bordeaux
Erasmus students © University of Bordeaux

Programmes

Students who are part of the ERASMUS+ or bilateral cooperation programmes are eligible for study abroad at the University of Bordeaux. 

First and foremost, it is necessary to check with your university whether a bilateral agreement exists with the University of Bordeaux.

Please note: the Mobility Offices do not handle mobility applications from 'visiting students' or 'free movers'.


How to apply

Step 1: Nomination

First, you must submit your application to your home university.

Then, your home university can proceed with your nomination with one of the Mobility Offices of the University of Bordeaux International Office, by email.

  • Before 15th April for mobility programmes starting in September
  • Before 15th October for mobility programmes starting in January

Step 2: Choose your courses

Coming to the University of Bordeaux to study abroad requires having a coherent course of study so that the courses taken are acknowledged upon your return. Check the programmes available to exchange students in order to draw up your academic contract:

See below for the course catalogues available to exchange students (by subject or by faculty):

Montesquieu Campus (Pessac), IAE Bordeaux, IUT: Bordeaux Bastide, Agen, Périgueux

Peixotto Campus (Talence), Evering, ISVV, IUT: Agen and Périgueux

Carreire and Victoire Campuses (Bordeaux), INSPE

Carreire

Victoire

Step 3: Application

Once your home university has sent your nomination, you can proced with the application.

  • You will receive a link to the application process by email and will need to complete an online application. The following documents will be required:
    • ID photo 
    • copy of your ID (passport or ID card for European nationals)
    • language certificate
      • marketing techniques, transport logistics management, business and administration management, sustainable towns and territories: certificate of minimum level B1 (reading, writing, speaking) in French, if you want to take courses in French, and/or a certificate of minimum level B2 in English, if you want to take courses in English
      • science and technology: certificate of minimum level B1 (reading, writing, speaking) in French, if you want to take courses in French, and/or a certificate of minimum level B1 in English, if you want to take courses in English
      • health and human sciences, education: certificate of minimum level B2 (reading, writing, speaking) in French
      • law, political science: certificate of minimum level B1 (reading, writing, speaking) in French, if you want to take courses in French, and/or a certificate of minimum level B2 in English, if you want to take courses in English
      • economics, management: level B2 in English if you choose courses in English and/or level B2 in French if your learning agreement has at least one course in French (official certificate or university letter / language teacher of less than 2 years accepted)
    • your transcripts in French or English (unofficial translation accepted)
    • learning agreement for medical studies (update pending) approved by your coordinator at your home university
    • learning agreement for the other fields approved by your coordinator at your home university

Step 4: letter of acceptance, student visa and accommodation

After receiving your application, the mobility service will send you your letter of acceptation.

Visas and resident permits

Nationals of the following countries are exempt from visa and resident permit requirements: European Union, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Iceland and Norway. 
All you need is a valid ID card or passport.

All other foreign students must apply for a long-stay visa equivalent to a residence permit (VLS-TS) with student status (valid for 4 months to 1 year).

> To find all the procedures, visit the French governement website

Registration

A few months before your arrival, you will receive instructions on how to complete the administrative registration process at the University of Bordeaux. We recommend that you complete these formalities as soon as possible.

Accommodation

Many solutions exist for finding accommodation in Bordeaux. In order to start your exchange in the best way, it is very important to start looking for accommodation as soon as possible. We highly recommend consulting our webpage dedicated to finding accommodation and our international student guide for further details. 
Regarding CROUS student housing (in French), your International Mobility Office will send you all the required information. While applying for CROUS student housing, you will need to open an account on messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr in order to obtain an INE number. Later on, if you receive a positive response from the CROUS, you will be able to complete the booking process and create your rental file.

Application deadlines

  • Before 1st May for mobility programmes starting in September
  • Before 1st November for mobility programmes starting in January

Contact: Mobility Offices

  • Health, human sciences, education, sport

    Carreire and Victoire Campuses (Bordeaux), INSPE
    Inchirah Mousset, incoming international student officer

    +33 5 57 57 46 77

    incoming-carreire%40u-bordeaux.fr

  • Law and political science, economics, management, social and economic administration, Institute of Technology

    Montesquieu Campus (Pessac), IAE Bordeaux, IUT: Bordeaux Bastide, Agen, Périgueux
    Anna Seran, incoming international student officer

    +33 5 56 84 29 67

    incoming-pessac%40u-bordeaux.fr

  • Science and technology, biology, Institute of Vine & Wine Science, Institute of Technology

    Peixotto Campus (Talence), Evering, ISVV, IUT: Agen and Périgueux
    Julie Xuereb, incoming international student officer

    +33 5 40 00 28 53

    incoming-talence%40u-bordeaux.fr


Welcome to Bordeaux!

The Mobility Offices and the Student Life Centres will guide you when you arrive in Bordeaux.

An orientation week is organised for students participating in our exchange programmes. You will receive all the information you need to find out about the programme and register.

French language classes

French as a foreign language (FLE) classes are available free of charge to students on our exchange programmes. Your Mobility Office will provide you with the information you need for registering.  

  • Welcome to Bordeaux

    The University of Bordeaux, with all the advantages of Bordeaux and its region, makes your day-to-day life easier thanks to its local services. A wide range of food services, cultural activities and high-level sports facilities... everything you need to make university life fulfilling on and off campus!