1. Apply to Centrale Lyon
Academic exchange
International students have the opportunity to come to study at Centrale Lyon as part of an academic exchange. They should contact their home university's schooling services to find out how to gain access.
Self-candidates
International students can also apply freely for certain courses in the Centrale Lyon training offer. They must read the conditions of access and application relating to each course.
Centrale Lyon awarded the Bienvenue en France label!
Centrale de Lyon has been awarded the "Bienvenue en France" label, attesting to the quality of its welcome for international students. This label is awarded by Campus France for a period of four years. It distinguishes an establishment for the quality and accessibility of its information, welcome arrangements, training offer, support from its teaching staff, accommodation, quality of life on campus and post-graduate follow-up for international students.
2. Preparing administrative procedures
For European nationals:
As a national of a European Economic Area country (European Union (EU) countries and Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) or Switzerland, you don't need to obtain a student visa to study in France.
For nationals from outside the European Economic Area:
A visa is required to study in France. You must complete the administrative procedures via the France-Visas platform.
On arrival in France:
Validation must be completed within 3 months of your arrival. The procedure is entirely paperless via the ANEF platform by clicking on "Je valide mon VLS-TS".
Information required:
- A valid e-mail address
- The information on your visa
- The date of arrival in France
- The address of residence in France
- A payment card to pay the tourist tax online. (If you don't have a payment card when you arrive, you can either wait to open a bank account in France or buy an electronic stamp at a tobacconist's, on a dedicated terminal, and pay it in cash).
Special case for Algerian students:
Algerian students are not under the authority of the Direction générale des étrangers en France (DGEF) and will therefore not have the same procedure to follow. Within two months of arrival, they will need to submit a file via this page of the Rhône Prefecture.
On your arrival, it is necessary to register on the Assurance Maladie website in order to benefit from thecoverage of your healthcare costs for the duration of your studies.
This registration, which is free and compulsory, enables you toreceive reimbursement for part of your healthcare costs(on average 60% ). For optimum coverage of your healthcare expenses, it is possible to subscribe to a complementary health insurance or a mutuelle.
Students who are nationals of the European Economic Area are exempt from this requirement as long as they hold a European Health Insurance Card(or its provisional attestation) for the entire academic year, or a private insurance certificate covering all medical risks without rate restrictions.
- Liability insurance: compulsory for all students, this covers bodily injury and property damage caused to third parties during your studies, internship or private life. It compensates the victim for any damage you cause. This insurance may already be included in another insurance policy (housing insurance, for example).
- Housing insurance: this is compulsory, regardless of the type of accommodation you choose (university residence or private home).
Living in France can be expensive, so it's important to take this into account when planning a move to France.
Many financial aids are available for everyday living:
- Housing aid :
Students can apply for housing aid. The amount depends on individual resources. A simulation is available on the CAF ("Caisse des Allocations Familiales") website.
https://www.caf.fr/sites/default/files/medias/cnaf/Aides_et_demarches/Mes-demarches/Fiches-pratiques/Demande-aide-personnelle-logement-allocataire.pdf - Bourse du Crous:
A financial aid from Crous is available to international students under certain conditions and eligibility criteria.
The 10 hectares of the École campus devoted to residential life include two residences, the Résidence Paul Comparat and the Résidence Adoma. A place in a residence is not guaranteed, but double degree and exchange year students who would like to be housed on campus are favored.
Other international students can find accommodation on their own in Écully or the surrounding communes. As the Centrale campus is well served by transport, it is possible to consider accommodation in Lyon.
Due to the shortage of accommodation in student residences in Lyon, the International Relations Development Department at École Centrale de Lyon has put together a practical fact sheet to help you in your search for accommodation.
This fact sheet is available in French and English.
3. Preparing for your arrival at Centrale Lyon
International relations team
The international relations team is made up of 9 administrative staff to help and support international students throughout their stay.
Bureau International students
The International Office is made up of 12 Centrale students who promote the integration of international students who come to study at Centrale Lyon. They organize events throughout the year during which all nationalities shine: the SIBI (BI Integration Week) during which all international students arrive, the International Week or even trips to European cities.
The International Office is made up of 12 Centrale students who promote the integration of international students who come to study at Centrale Lyon.
Integration week
A welcome week is organized at the end of August for international students. Numerous activities are proposed to help them discover their new environment and encourage meetings between students. This integration week is also designed to help them settle in and assist them with administrative formalities.
Discover student associations
