Erasmus guide Universite Paris Cite
Courses, housing, visa, campus life and exchange basics for studying at Universite Paris Cite in Paris, France.
Snapshot
Large public university option for exchange students who want broad academic coverage, strong research credibility, and a practical Paris onboarding structure.
Why students shortlist it
One of Paris's largest universities, formed from Paris-Descartes and Paris-Diderot. Strong in health sciences, social sciences, linguistics, and mathematics — spread across multiple Paris campuses.
Teaching languages: French (primary); English available for some international master's and exchange tracks
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
Students complete the online application after nomination, submit a signed learning agreement, and follow the faculty-specific document checklist.
Nomination Process
Exchange students apply through MoveOn after nomination by the home institution. Housing requests can be made during the online process.
Visa Support
Students should prepare the appropriate French visa path early if their nationality and stay length require it.
Buddy System
Universite Paris Cite includes buddy-programme registration in the welcome kit for incoming exchange students.
Orientation Week
Welcome webinars run before arrival and a Welcome Week takes place before the start of each semester.
| Semester | Nomination | Application |
|---|---|---|
| First semester or full academic year | Before May 15 | Before May 15 |
| Second semester | Before October 30 | Before October 30 |
Arrival Checklist
- Complete the learning agreement before you submit the final application.
- Request housing during the online application if you want a CROUS option considered.
- Join the welcome webinars before arrival so you do not lose time on admin in Paris.
- Check which campus and department you are attached to before building your course timetable.
Academics
Course Registration
Course choice is tied to the department and campus in your signed learning agreement. Cross-campus mixing is limited for logistical reasons.
Credit System
Your exchange workload is organized through the learning agreement and local course availability in the host department.
Grading System
French university assessment conventions apply by faculty and department.
Exam Culture
Universite Paris Cite expects students to stay aligned with the department they signed into, so timetable planning matters more than many exchange students expect.
Library Access
A large multi-campus university with extensive libraries, labs, and study infrastructure across Paris.
Tuition & Fees
| Student Type | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EXCHANGE | EUR 0 tuition + EUR 105 CVEC (mandatory) | CVEC (Contribution Vie Étudiante) €105 for 2025–2026 academic year — mandatory at all French universities. Pay online at cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr BEFORE enrollm… |
| Full degree – EU/EEA | EUR 170–243/year | EU/EEA: €170 (Licence) or €243 (Master) + CVEC €105. Paris Cité is one of France's largest universities — strong in medicine, science, humanities. Sorbonne q… |
| Full degree – non-EU | EUR 2,770–3,770/year | Non-EU: €2,770 (Licence) or €3,770 (Master) + CVEC €105. Exemptions available — check Paris Cité admissions office. Paris living costs main expense (~€900–1,… |
EUR 0 tuition + EUR 105 CVEC (mandatory)
CVEC (Contribution Vie Étudiante) €105 for 2025–2026 academic year — mandatory at all French universities. Pay online at cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr BEFORE enrollm…
EUR 170–243/year
EU/EEA: €170 (Licence) or €243 (Master) + CVEC €105. Paris Cité is one of France's largest universities — strong in medicine, science, humanities. Sorbonne q…
EUR 2,770–3,770/year
Non-EU: €2,770 (Licence) or €3,770 (Master) + CVEC €105. Exemptions available — check Paris Cité admissions office. Paris living costs main expense (~€900–1,…
Fees change annually — verify current rates on the official exchange office page
Where to Stay
Insurance & Campus Support
Mandatory Insurance
Yes. Students should have valid coverage before arrival and follow the appropriate French registration path after arrival.
EHIC Accepted
Yes
Campus Clinic
Use the welcome materials and campus contacts to identify the right health service route for your faculty and status.
Mental Health
The welcome process is designed to help students connect quickly with practical support and local contacts.
EHIC
Varies by home-country eligibility
Appropriate for many EU students staying on exchange in France.
Private student insurance
Varies by provider
Helpful for non-EU students or anyone needing broader first-day coverage.
Campus Services
Welcome Kit and webinars
Accepted exchange students receive a welcome kit with contacts, maps, and webinar registration before arrival.
Buddy programme
Buddy-programme registration is included in the welcome flow to help incoming students build social contact quickly.
Housing partnerships
Universite Paris Cite points students to CROUS and partner housing solutions such as Twenty Campus, Logifac, Fac-Habitat, and Visale guarantor support.
Student Health (SSE)
Paris Cité health service: free medical, dental, gynaecological, psychological, and vaccination consultations. Disability accommodations, nutrition counselling, and sports medicine certificates.
Sports (SUAPS)
100+ sports disciplines at Paris Cité with a focus on wellbeing, health promotion, and competition. Free registration for CVEC-paying students.
Libraries (Paris Cité)
20 teaching and research libraries at Paris Cité, including the Grands Moulins library (one of Paris's largest) and the Interuniversity Library of Health.
Career Centre
Paris Cité career and professional integration centre: job and internship listings, one-to-one career counselling, and workshops on career planning.
Student Life
Student Clubs
- The university's scale means student life depends heavily on your faculty, campus, and the neighborhoods around it.
Buddy Program
The buddy programme is the easiest structured route into the local student community.
Sports & Recreation
- Students access wider Paris university life and faculty-based activities depending on campus.
Your First 2 Weeks
- Attend the webinars before you land so your first admin days are lighter.
- Use Welcome Week to confirm contacts, campus geography, and your real commuting time.
- Double-check that your courses match the department in your learning agreement.
- Sort housing and guarantor paperwork before classes become busy.
Key Dates
First semester or full-year application window
Before May 15
This is the key deadline for September arrivals in Humanities and Social Sciences exchange routes.
Second semester application window
Before October 30
Main cutoff for January arrivals.
Welcome Week
Before the start of each semester
Used for exchange briefings, practical information, and activities across Paris.
Nomination window (Autumn intake)
April – May
Home university must formally nominate before host opens the application portal.
Application window (Autumn intake)
May – June
Complete host university online application + learning agreement after nomination.
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