Course Objective

Are you interested in spending a semester studying in France? This program can count
as part of your curriculum at your home university and allow you to obtain credit for your
courses via a credit transfer system approved by universities in Europe, America, and
Asia.

Course Description

This semester-long course is perfect for students who either wish to :
– improve their French language skills before studying at a French university
or beginning their professional career in France,
– or spend a semester or year abroad to develop their knowledge of France
and the French language.

Click here to download more information about the course.

Course Calendar 

Each semester lasts 14 weeks. The total number of class hours is
234h per semester (18 hours of class a week).
During the first week, you will take a language proficiency test to ensure you
are placed in a group suited to your level and needs. You will also be asked to
attend an orientation meeting during which you will be given practical
information about life in Besançon, the program and the different optional
classes on offer. At the end of the meeting, you will be asked to sign up for
the optional classes you are most interested in.

Language Entry Requirements

Students must have completed at least 300 hours of guided learning
and reached an A2 level (or higher) in both spoken and written
French.

Course Content

The program is made up of different modules : 

– a series of mandatory core classes which follow the learning objectives
set by the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for learning
languages) for levels ranging from B1 (entry level) to C1.
– a wide range of optional classes to allow you to practice your French while
learning about diverse subjects: literature, linguistics, business French,
French and European culture, French history, etc.

These modules are available for the follow levels :

– B1.1 and B1.2 : the focus of B1 level courses is to improve language skills while learning more about French culture.

– B2.1 and B2.2 :  the objective of B2 level courses is expanding language proficiency while focusing on specific subjects such as French civilization, business French, literature, history, etc.

– C1.1 and C1.2 : these courses combine practical learning with a more theoretical approach to allow you to specialize in literature, linguistics or economics and to acquire the academic skills relevant to these fields of study.

Between or after your classes, you can spend time working independently in our Media Centre, building on the work done in the classroom.

The DUEF Diploma

Your progress will be evaluated through continuous assessment.

A diploma, the DUEF (Diplôme Universitaire d’Études Françaises), is awarded for successful completion of each level (DUEF B1.1, B1.2, B2.1, B2.2, C1.1 and C1.2), provided you are registered as a student at the Université de Franche-Comté.

Registrations fees for the DUEF diploma are 170€ for the 2023/2024 academic year. These fees cover administrative registration and will ensure you are granted student status.

You will need to pay an additional 103€ fee, the CVEC contribution (Contribution Vie Étudiante et de Campus). This tax gives you access to many services, from healthcare to sports and leisure activities, and is required for university registration in France. Without a receipt proving you have paid your CVEC contribution, you will not be able to register. Once you have the results of your placement tests, you can pay the contribution or obtain an exemption certificate on the CVEC website : cvec.etudiant.gouv.fr

All university registration fees are determined by the French government and likely to be modified for the 2023/2024 academic year.

 The documents required to register and obtain your student identity card are the following :

  • – a copy of your valid passport
    – a copy of their secondary school leaving certificate translated by a sworn translator
    – an official document attesting to their validated A2 level of French (DELF or TCF)
    – a recent passport photograph in PDF format

Please note than if you are a non-EU national, you must also provide an apostilled/authenticated copy of your birth certificate translated into French.

Certificates

The following certificates will be given to you at the end of each semester :

  • an academic transcript of your courses
  • a DUEF diploma (after successful completion of a course level)