The beautiful, vibrant city of Montpellier, located in the south of France, was founded at the end of the 11th century and is now one of the fastest-growing cities in France. W&M’s exchange program at Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier III (UPV) allows students to fully immerse themselves in French language and culture. UPV is one of the three specialized universities formed from the original University of Montpellier, one of the oldest universities in the world with origins dating to the late 13th century. W&M students in Montpellier may take courses from the full curriculum of UPV which focuses on the arts, social sciences, and languages. In addition, they may choose from a number of support classes offered specifically for international students and focusing on French history, culture, literature, and intensive language. Program participants’ cultural and linguistic immersion is further encouraged by life with local host families.
A Note on Exchange Programs:
Exchange programs require a balance of sending and receiving students, therefore exchange programs may not consistently be available in the semester you are seeking to study abroad. Please inquire with the GEO Advisor for the most up-to-date information on your program choice, and have some alternative programs in mind should the exchange program not be available or be competitive.
Application Deadlines (Please note that there are two deadlines which must be met):
Spring semester
W&M application: September 1
UPV online application: October 1
Fall Semester/Academic Year
W&M application: March 11
UPV online application: April 15
If the application deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due on the following Monday.
Shortly after being nominated by W&M, students should meet with with the W&M faculty liaison to choose provisional courses in order of preference and will need to complete an online application. It is VERY important this is done as soon as requested. You will need your passport to complete the application.
Program Dates:
Fall: Early September to late December
Spring: January 27th - May 9th
Pre-requisites:
3.0 GPA; mandatory attendance at pre-departure orientation; strong preference for French & Francophone Studies majors.
Language Requirements:
Must have completed at least FREN 314 or 315
Courses:
There are two types of courses available to visiting students. Some classes have two parts (CM and TD) which both require mandatory attendance.
- Integrated classes: These are regular courses within UPV taken with French degree-seeking students. Wide range disciplines from French Literature to History to Economics. These courses may only have one final exam which accounts for the entire grade.
- Cours RI: These are support courses organized by the International Relations Office and are designed for American students, but taught in French. These are courses in French Grammar, Phonetics, French History and Culture, Cinema, art, Etc. These courses are taught more American style with assessments throughout the semester.
You submit courses of interest with the MoveOnline application. You will register for courses during orientation once you arrive in Montpellier.
Except for History, all courses must be pre- or post-approved. History courses will be automatically approved as HIST 299 once students submit a syllabus to the Global Education Office. Grades will not appear on transcripts or be included in GPA calculations. Credits will appear as transfer credits on W&M transcripts.
Housing:
Students stay in a French homestay and the fee below includes breakfast every day and 4 dinners per week.
Program Fee:
Tuition exchange students pay their normal W&M tuition and all fees, along with a $75 application fee and an on-site housing and support fee to W&M. The housing and support fee includes housing, some meals, orientation and support services, a study abroad fee, and study abroad insurance.
- Spring 2025 housing fee - available in October 2024.
Spring Semester
Deposit: $1,000. Due November 15
Balance: Due December 15
Fall Semester
Deposit: $1,000. Due May 1
Balance: Due June 1
Please note: exchange placements to Montpellier are limited; any qualified applicant for whom the tuition exchange is not available will automatically be enrolled in the sponsored semester program. The sponsored semester is identical in all respects except that the program fee is comprehensive and covers tuition and the above-listed on-site costs. You may not use the tuition payment plan for the sponsored semester option. However, financial aid and VA pre-paid 529 can be used to pay for either option.
Program Contacts:
The W&M faculty advisor for the Montpellier semester is Professor Michael Leruth in the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures.
The Global Education Advisor is Maria Jay.
For more information on this program and the steps to apply, please review the
Getting Started page on our website.
