Erasmus guide Université de Bordeaux
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Université de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France.
Snapshot
One of France's great multidisciplinary research universities (QS ~401–450, founded 1441), with 52,000 students in the heart of the world's wine capital — excellent in sciences, health, law, and humanities with active Erasmus networks.
Why students shortlist it
Multidisciplinary public university in Bordeaux, with main campuses connected by tram and strengths in life sciences, law, political science, neuroscience, economics and management. Good fit for students who can study mainly in French and want a regional French city.
Teaching languages: French (primary); growing catalogue of English-taught courses and programmes
Before You Land
A few practical setup details students usually sort before arrival
Connectivity, insurance, and secure public WiFi are the boring things you only notice when you need them. Keep them on your checklist, but keep the guide itself front and centre.
Arrival Connectivity
Sort an eSIM before you land
Maps, ride apps, 2FA codes, and WhatsApp are usually the first things students need from the airport.
Coverage Check
Confirm your travel insurance
Even when the university gives guidance, students usually need to double-check what is covered before departure.
Public WiFi
Have a backup for shared networks
Campus halls, airports, and cafés are convenient, but many students prefer an extra privacy layer when they first arrive.
Exchange Basics
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.
| Semester | Nomination | Application |
|---|---|---|
| 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
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
| 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
Where to Stay
Insurance & Campus Support
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
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 Dates
Before nomination
Confirm active Bordeaux Erasmus agreement for your faculty. French B2 strongly recommended.
Nomination deadline (Semester 1)
May 31
Home Erasmus coordinator nominates to Bordeaux Relations Internationales.
CROUS housing application
May–June
Apply immediately after nomination for CROUS residences — waiting lists fill in July.
International Welcome Day
September
Attend for student card, faculty registration, and ESN social calendar.
Exam period
January / May–June
Confirm all exam and contrôle continu dates before booking return travel.