The W&M Semester - Montpellier program will not be available for Fall 2020.
Please contact peeradvisors@wm.edu for information about alternative W&M programs or programs through study abroad providers.
The beautiful, vibrant city of Montpellier, located in the south of France, was founded at the end of the 11
th 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 ("cours RI") that focus on French history, culture, literature, and intensive language. Program participants’ cultural and linguistic immersion is further encouraged by life with local host families.
The W&M faculty advisor for the Montpellier semester is Professor Magali Compan in the Department of Modern Languages and Literature.
The Global Education Advisor is Sally Roberts.
Deadlines:
Please note there are two deadlines.
Academic year: March 15 UPV online application (MoveOn registration): April 15
Fall semester: March 15 UPV online application (MoveOn registration): April 15
Spring semester: September 3 UPV online application (MoveOn registration): October 1
If the application deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due on the following Monday.
Shortly after being nominated by W&M, students must meet with with the W&M faculty liaison to choose provisional courses in order of preference and complete an online application (MoveOn registration). It is VERY important this is done as soon as requested. Important: you will need your passport to complete the application.
Program dates:
Spring 2020: mid-January to mid May. Arrival date: January 18, 2020. Classes end mid-May depending on individual exam schedules.
Pre-requisites:
3.0 GPA; mandatory attendance at pre-departure orientation.
Language Requirements
Must have completed at least FREN 314 or 315.
Courses:
There are two types of courses available to visiting students:
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. Some classes have two parts (CM and TD) which both require mandatory attendance. A CM is a lecture, and a TD is a seminar. If a course is composed of 2 or 3 parts (CM+TD; TD+TD; etc.), it is then mandatory to take every part of the course. In this case, you may have 2 or 3 classes but 1 code, and 1 grade on your transcript.
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 America- style with assessments throughout the semester.
You submit courses of interest with the MoveOn registration. You will register for courses during orientation once you arrive in Montpellier. Cours RI for Fall 2019 are available online; Spring 2020 courses are not yet available.
Costs:
Sponsored semester fee: Spring 2020: $14,800
Includes tuition, housing, some meals, orientation and on-site support, study abroad insurance, excursions, and a study abroad fee. A $75 application fee is required of all students.
Students stay in homestays with French families; partial board includes breakfast every day and 4 dinners per week.
Tuition exchange students will pay their normal tuition and fees to W&M, along with a $75 application fee, and an on-site housing and support fee to W&M. This fee includes housing, some meals, orientation and support services, and study abroad insurance.
The on-site housing and support fee will be $3,524 for Spring 2020.
Students should also budget for the mandatory French health insurance (approximately €200+ for a semester).
Deposit ($1,000) due: November 15 (spring semester) and May 1 ( fall semester)
Balance due if selected for sponsored option:
December 15 (spring semester) and
June 1 (fall semester)
Please note: You may not use the tuition payment plan for the sponsored semester option. However, financial aid and VA pre-paid 529 can be used.
Reves Semester Scholarships are available for this program.
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 on-site costs listed above.
