International students: How to ace your year at UNICAEN

https://france-visas.gouv.fr/web/france-visas/ai-je-besoin-d-un-visa
If so, you must submit your application via your espace Campus France if you reside in a country covered by the “Studies in France” procedure. Otherwise, you must apply via France-Visas.

There are several types of accommodation available to you, depending on the length of your stay, your budget and your expectations. It is crucial to anticipate and get well organised. If you wait until you arrive in France, there will be very little accommodation left at affordable prices.
Accommodation provided by the Crous is in high demand and demand for accommodation is greater than supply: consider having a back-up plan!
Once you have found your accommodation, do not forget to take out home insurance with third party liability.

More information on our webpage dedicated to accommodation

To avoid unwelcomed surprises, make sure you are aware of the expenses you will have to make in France, especially during the first few weeks, asyou will have more expenses when you arrive.
Means of payment: if you have a credit card, check with your bank to know what fees will be charged if you use your card in France. If you do not have a credit card, you should bring enough money in cash for your first few days in France, before you open a bank account in France.

More information on our wepage dedicated to budget.

You must apply and pay for the compulsary Student and Campus fee (Contribution de vie étudiante et de campus · CVEC – 110€) online before your arrival. Without your CVEC certificate, you will not be able to register at university: https://cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr/

Plane, train, bus…how to get to UNICAEN? More information on our wepage dedicated to transportation.

Check your phone and internet plans: if they remain active in France, some additional charges may apply.

1. Find out the date of your back-to-school meeting: https://rentree-etudiante.unicaen.fr/dates-de-rentree/. If in doubt, do not hesitate to contact your faculty office.
2. Make your administrative registration.
   First-time international cannot register online. They must make an appointment with the Registrations Office for face-to-face registration, starting on July 2nd 2026.
   On the day of registration, you will need to provide the following documents – in print: passeport, CVEC certificate, registration agreement, last diploma (no translation required), DELF/TCF certificate (for programmes taught in french), BGF certificate if relevant CVEC certificate.
   > EU students : Registration fees applied to EU students are : Bachelor – €178, Master – €254, PhD – €397, engineering degree – 628€ and CVEC – 110€, to be paid either by card, french cheque, or cash (you must bring the exact amount as the registration office will not be able to give you the change).
   > Non EU students : Find the registrations fees applied for 2026-2027.
   Get more information and book a registration appointment on our page “Get registered”.
3. Create your digital account via the registration confirmation email you received on your personal email address.
4. Make your course registration (“inscription pédagogique“) and get your timetable.
5. Apply for your student card, the léocarte.

1. Register online for the French free national health plan: CPAM
2. Depending on your needs, you can subscribe for additional health insurance.
3. Make an appointment for your medical check-up with the student health service (SSE) in Caen.
4. Disabilities: if you have a disability that requires special accommodation on the part of the university, contact the Handicap Santé office – http://vie-etudiante.unicaen.fr/sante-handicap/handicap/

More information on our webpage dedicated on heath

• Open a bank account in France in the bank of your choice, such as our partner La Banque Postale.
• Create your IZLY account via the activation email you received on your UNICAEN email account and recharge your account to pay on campus.

More information on our webpage dedicated on finances

Public transport networks (bus, tramway) will take you to the campuses: TWISTO in Caen, Cap Cotentin in Cherbourg and AltoBus in Alençon.
To save money, it is worthwhile to get a monthly or annual subscription. Discounted rates are available for under-26s and students.

Within 3 months of entering France, you must validate your visa or apply for a residence permit (Algerian students) on the online platform « Étrangers en France » .

More information on our webpage dedicated to the resident permit

In France, any intra-EU student* (EU, EEE, Switzerland) who rents accommodation is entitled to means-tested housing benefit from the Caisse d’allocations familiales (CAF).
Application must be made on the CAF website (French only)

*See eligibility requirements