Erasmus guide Université de Bordeaux
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Université de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France.
Study abroad at Université de Bordeaux: overview
Study abroad at Université de Bordeaux makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. The Université de Bordeaux, founded in 1441 and reconstituted in 2014 through the merger of Bordeaux 1, 2, and 4, is one of France's premier comprehensive research universities. Useful proof points: Visible university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals, Astrophysics and Earth Sciences, Law and Political Science. Before choosing, confirm teaching language, faculty seats and housing near the campus.
Enrollment
Visible university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.
International Mix
Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.
Why students choose it
Best for students who want Life Sciences and Pharmaceuticals, Astrophysics and Earth Sciences, Law and Political Science and are willing to check language, seats, campus rules and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: French (primary); growing catalogue of English-taught courses and programmes
Exchange & application at Université de Bordeaux
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Université de Bordeaux, rules can sit at faculty level, so do not promise yourself courses before they are validated.
✅Requirements
Partner nomination, online application, academic transcript, learning agreement, language proof, and valid health insurance for France.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates to Bordeaux's Service des Relations Internationales. After confirmation, Bordeaux contacts you directly for the online application.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA students do not need a French visa. Non-EU students need a French student visa (long-stay Visa de Long Séjour Étudiant) — apply at French consulate 8–12 weeks before arrival. Bordeaux provides the pre-enrollment certificate needed.
👥Buddy System
ESN Bordeaux and BDE (Bureaux Des Étudiants) faculty associations run buddy matching and social events for incoming exchange students.
🧭Orientation Week
Bordeaux International Student Welcome Day runs before semester start. ESN Bordeaux Welcome Week includes city tours, vineyard visits, and social events.
🗓️Deadlines by intake
| Intake | Nomination deadline | Application deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (Sep–Jan) | May 31 | June 30 |
| Semester 2 (Feb–Jun) | November 30 | December 31 |
Arrival Checklist
- Non-EU: apply for French long-stay student visa at least 10 weeks before arrival.
- Register with CROUS Bordeaux for housing — apply well before July for autumn semester.
- Get a Navigo-equivalent Bordeaux transport card (TBM) for tram and bus.
- Open a French bank account (BNP Paribas, Société Générale, or Lydia app) — needed for French direct debits.
Academics & courses at Université de Bordeaux
Academics combine credits, exam calendars and faculty-level rules. Check prerequisites, the real teaching language of each course and whether course lists can change before enrolment.
📝Course Registration
Course selection via Bordeaux online portal after admission confirmation. Learning agreement must be pre-approved by both home and Bordeaux receiving faculty. Build backup list.
🎓Credit System
France uses ECTS. Full-time semester = 30 ECTS.
💯Grading System
French 0–20 scale: 10/20 = pass. 12–14 = Assez Bien, 14–16 = Bien, 16–18 = Très Bien, 18+ = exceptional. Grade conversion tables provided for Erasmus transcripts.
✍️Exam Culture
Combination of continuous assessment (contrôle continu) and final written exams. Sciences and law lean toward final exams; humanities use more coursework and oral presentations.
📚Library Access
BU (Bibliothèque Universitaire) de Bordeaux — several campus libraries across disciplines. Full digital access via student card (carte étudiant).
Tuition & fees at Université de Bordeaux
For exchange, separate home tuition, local admin fees, insurance and living costs. Full-degree tuition is a different category and must be checked on the official fee page.
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | €0 to Bordeaux (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Bordeaux. Living costs: €700–1,000/month — more affordable than Paris, with better quality of life by most studen… |
| Full degree – EU/EEA | €170/year (Licence); €243/year (Master) | French statutory registration fees — one of Europe's most student-friendly fee structures. EU students also qualify for CAF housing allowance. |
| Full degree – non-EU | €2,770/year (Licence); €3,770/year (Master) | Non-EU fees set by national Bienvenue en France programme. Still significantly lower than UK, US, or Australian fees. Scholarships via Eiffel Excellence and … |
€0 to Bordeaux (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Bordeaux. Living costs: €700–1,000/month — more affordable than Paris, with better quality of life by most studen…
€170/year (Licence); €243/year (Master)
French statutory registration fees — one of Europe's most student-friendly fee structures. EU students also qualify for CAF housing allowance.
€2,770/year (Licence); €3,770/year (Master)
Non-EU fees set by national Bienvenue en France programme. Still significantly lower than UK, US, or Australian fees. Scholarships via Eiffel Excellence and …
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Université de Bordeaux
Housing near Université de Bordeaux should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Bordeaux
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Université de Bordeaux
Use the international office, faculty coordinator, library, wellbeing services and student groups from week one. Asking early prevents small admin mistakes from becoming blockers.
🛡️Mandatory Insurance
Yes — EHIC + LMDE/French Sécu for EU; private insurance for non-EU.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
SIUMPPS (Service Inter-Universitaire de Médecine Préventive) — student health centre on campus with GP, psychological, and preventive health services.
🧠Mental Health
SIUMPPS psychological support — free consultations for enrolled students. LMDE student health also covers mental health referrals.
EHIC + French Sécurité Sociale
EHIC free; Sécu registration free
EU students can register with French student social security for extended healthcare coverage.
LMDE (student complementary insurance)
~€100–200/year
French student complementary insurance to top up Sécu coverage — recommended for longer stays.
Campus services
Service des Relations Internationales
Central contact for Erasmus exchange — admission, learning agreements, and arrival guidance.
CROUS Bordeaux-Aquitaine
French government student services — housing applications, student restaurants (RU), and social support.
ESN Bordeaux
Very active ESN chapter — vineyard tours, Atlantic coast trips, buddy matching, and social events.
SIUMPPS
Campus health centre — medical consultations, vaccinations, psychological support, and disability services.
Student life at Université de Bordeaux
Student life depends on repeatable routines: associations, sport, ESN or faculty groups. Do not wait for the campus to do all the work; join repeated channels early.
Student Clubs
- ESN Bordeaux
- BDE faculty associations
- SUAPS Sport
Buddy Program
ESN Bordeaux buddy programme pairs exchange students with local student volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- SUAPS Sport Centre — gym, pool, tennis, and outdoor sports
- Surfing and beach volleyball 1 hour from campus (Atlantic coast)
- Cycling along the Garonne quayside
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend Bordeaux International Welcome Day — student card, faculty registration, and social events.
- Register with French Sécurité Sociale if EU — unlocks healthcare and CAF housing allowance.
- Get TBM (Transports Bordeaux Métropole) monthly pass — tram connects campus to city in 15 minutes.
- Walk the wine districts of Médoc or Sauternes with ESN — genuinely one-of-a-kind student excursion.
Key exchange dates at Université de Bordeaux
The critical dates are nomination, application, fee or registration steps, course selection, housing, arrival and exams. Keep resit periods visible before booking return travel.
-
1
Before nomination
Confirm active Bordeaux Erasmus agreement for your faculty. French B2 strongly recommended.
-
2
Nomination deadline (Semester 1)
May 31
Home Erasmus coordinator nominates to Bordeaux Relations Internationales.
-
3
CROUS housing application
May–June
Apply immediately after nomination for CROUS residences — waiting lists fill in July.
-
4
International Welcome Day
September
Attend for student card, faculty registration, and ESN social calendar.
-
5
Exam period
January / May–June
Confirm all exam and contrôle continu dates before booking return travel.