As you begin your student journey, we have gathered essential tips to help you settle in smoothly. This section heps you about finding accommodation, living expenses, healthcare in France, finding a student job, and more. Our goal is to make your transition to student life in France as seamless and enjoyable as possible.
CMI (Rennes International Mobility Centre), our partner for housing, visa, healthcare.
The CMI Rennes provides services for international students, PhD students, and researchers who are participating in international mobility programmes on the Rennes site. Its objective is to enhance the welcome of incoming mobility students and to contribute to the development of the mobility of Rennes students.
Finding somewhere to live in Rennes
Securing your housing should be at the top of your list of things to get started with. It is important to start looking for somewhere to live as soon as you are admitted.
Visa formalities
If you are a citizen of a country in the European Economic Area, you do not require a residence permit (titre de séjour) or a visa. A valid identity card or passport is adequate. It must be valid for at least the next 6 months.
If you are a student of another nationality, you are required to have a Student long stay visa and a current passport.
You must obtain your visa before arriving in France! All students from outside of the European Economic Area and Switzerland must obtain a student long stay visa”D” (for stays in France longer than 3 months).
Essential documents
As international students preparing to study in France, please ensure you bring the necessary documents. It’s advisable to have copies of all these documents.
Preparing these documents in advance will help ensure a smooth transition to your studies in France.
Living expenses in Rennes
As moving to France can be quite expensive, estimating your budget is essential.
The month at the start of the new academic year is a financially difficult month as you have to pay the tenancy deposit (dépôt de garantie) to move in your accommodation.
Healthcare
Registration to social security is free and mandatory for all students in France, whether French or international. Here’s everything you need to know to go through the process.
Find out how to access the health system, how to get treatment and what to think about if you need to bring medicines to France.
Open a French bank account
During your stay in France you will very likely need to open a bank account into which payments can be made from abroad, money can be paid, medical insurance reimbursements made, etc…
Getting around Rennes
In Rennes, it is easy to get from one place to another. Public transport is well developed and safe, with the Metro, commuting trains and buses. Bicycles are also common as there are many bike paths in and around the city.
Finding a job in Rennes
As an international student you are allowed to work next to your studies. Finding a part-time job without speaking French can be difficult, but is not impossible. However, we don’t recommend you to rely on a part-time job to cover your living costs.
Improving your French
If you don’t speak French, don’t worry about it! You will take French courses at EHESP so you will certainly improve your language skills. However, if you fancy going one step further and learning on your own, here are some tips for learning French. If you are planning on staying in France after your studies, then learning French will be an advantage for your career.
Useful information
What’s the weather like? What if there is an emergency? Good-to-know information about day-to-day life in Rennes.
Studying with disabilities
If you are a disabled student, even only temporarily (injury, debilitating disease etc.), please contact Sandrine VILLALON: referent-handicap@ehesp.fr
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