Erasmus guide Université de Lille
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Université de Lille in Lille, France.
Study abroad at Université de Lille: overview
Study abroad at Université de Lille makes sense when the academic fit is stronger than the destination brand alone and you are honest about everyday logistics. Université de Lille was created in 2018 through the merger of Lille 1 (science and technology), Lille 2 (law, health, management), and Lille 3 (humanities and social sciences) — institutions tracing their roots to 1562. Useful proof points: Visible university community; verify the current headcount on the official page.; Visible international community; confirm the current figure before making decisions.; Health Sciences and Medicine, Computer Science and Digital Technology, 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 Health Sciences and Medicine, Computer Science and Digital Technology, Law and Political Science and are willing to check language, seats, campus rules and housing before choosing.
Language of instruction: French (primary); English courses available, growing international track catalogue
Exchange & application at Université de Lille
Start with home-university nomination, then application, Learning Agreement, insurance and course approval. At Université de Lille, 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.
📨Nomination Process
Your home Erasmus coordinator nominates to Lille's Relations Internationales. Lille then contacts you directly for the online application.
🛂Visa Support
EU/EEA: no visa needed. Non-EU: French long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) — apply at French consulate at least 10 weeks before arrival. Lille provides pre-enrollment certificate for the application.
👥Buddy System
ESN Lille and Lille student associations run buddy matching and social events for exchange students.
🧭Orientation Week
Université de Lille International Welcome Day runs before semester start. ESN Lille Welcome Week includes city tours 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 VLS-TS student visa at French consulate — allow 10 weeks.
- Register with CROUS Lille for housing — apply in May–June for autumn intake.
- Get ilévia (Lille metro/tram/bus) monthly student pass — essential for cross-campus travel.
- Open French bank account (BNP, Crédit Agricole, or Lydia app) — needed for CAF housing allowance.
Academics & courses at Université de Lille
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 Lille online portal after admission. Multi-campus structure means some courses are at Villeneuve-d'Ascq, others in Lille centre — check location before finalising learning agreement.
🎓Credit System
France uses ECTS. Full-time semester = 30 ECTS.
💯Grading System
French 0–20 scale: 10/20 = minimum pass. 12–14 = Assez Bien, 14–16 = Bien, 16+ = Très Bien. Grade conversion tables provided.
✍️Exam Culture
Contrôle continu (continuous assessment) plus final exams. Sciences lean exam-heavy; humanities use essays and projects.
📚Library Access
BU Lille network — multiple libraries across campuses. Full digital access with student card.
Tuition & fees at Université de Lille
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 Lille (pay home institution fees only) | Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Université de Lille. Living costs in Lille: €700–950/month — more affordable than Paris, with excellent connectio… |
| Full degree – EU/EEA | €170/year (Licence); €243/year (Master) | French statutory registration fees — one of Europe's most affordable fee structures. EU students eligible for CAF housing allowance. |
| Full degree – non-EU | €2,770/year (Licence); €3,770/year (Master) | Non-EU fees via Bienvenue en France programme. Eiffel Excellence and Campus France scholarships available. |
€0 to Lille (pay home institution fees only)
Erasmus exchange students pay no tuition to Université de Lille. Living costs in Lille: €700–950/month — more affordable than Paris, with excellent connectio…
€170/year (Licence); €243/year (Master)
French statutory registration fees — one of Europe's most affordable fee structures. EU students eligible for CAF housing allowance.
€2,770/year (Licence); €3,770/year (Master)
Non-EU fees via Bienvenue en France programme. Eiffel Excellence and Campus France scholarships available.
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Student housing at Université de Lille
Housing near Université de Lille should move in parallel with the application. Compare residence, private room, transport route and contract terms before arrival.
Full housing guide
Find housing in Lille
Official contacts, student residences, private platforms, tips & red flags.
Insurance & campus support at Université de Lille
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 + Sécu for EU; private insurance for non-EU.
🇪🇺EHIC Accepted
Yes
🏥Campus Clinic
SSU (Service de Santé Universitaire) Lille — campus medical and psychological services.
🧠Mental Health
SSU psychological consultations — free for enrolled students. LMDE student insurance covers mental health referrals.
EHIC + French Sécurité Sociale
EHIC free; Sécu registration free
EU students can register with French student Sécu for comprehensive healthcare.
LMDE complementary insurance
~€100–200/year
French student complementary top-up — recommended for stays over 3 months.
Campus services
Direction des Relations Internationales
Central contact for exchange admission, learning agreements, and arrival support.
CROUS Lille
French government student services — housing, subsidised restaurants (RU), and CAF housing allowance guidance.
ESN Lille
ESN chapter with welcome events, buddy matching, trips to Bruges and Paris, and ESNcard discounts.
Student life at Université de Lille
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 Lille
- BDE faculty associations
- SUAPS Sport
Buddy Program
ESN Lille buddy programme pairs exchange students with local volunteers.
Sports & Recreation
- SUAPS Sport Centre across campuses
- Cycling along Canal de la Deûle
- Day-trips to Bruges (1 hour) and Brussels (35 min)
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend Lille International Welcome Day — student card, faculty registration, ilévia transport pass.
- Register with French Sécu if EU — opens healthcare and CAF housing allowance.
- Buy ilévia monthly metro/tram pass — essential for multi-campus travel.
- Try an estaminet (traditional Flemish tavern) in Vieux-Lille — carbonnades flamandes and local beer are unmissable.
Key exchange dates at Université de Lille
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 Lille Erasmus agreement for your faculty component.
-
2
Nomination deadline (Semester 1)
May 31
Home Erasmus coordinator nominates to Lille Relations Internationales.
-
3
CROUS housing
May–June
Apply immediately after nomination for best CROUS allocation.
-
4
International Welcome Day
September
Attend for student card, ilévia pass, faculty registration, and ESN welcome.
-
5
Exam period
January / May–June
Confirm all exam dates before booking return travel.