Université Grenoble Alpes

Studies in the Arts: Archaeology, Art History, Communications, Drama, Economics, Languages (German, Italian, Russian and Spanish taught in French), Geography, Greek and Roman Studies (Classics), History, Law & Society, Linguistics, Music, Philosophy, Psychology, Sociology, Urban Studies. 

Studies in the Sciences: Biology, Chemical Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Earth Science, Maths, Nanoscience, Physics, and Statistics. 

Other areas of study: Business, Accounting, Finance, Management, Sports Science and Management (Kinesiology). There is also a unique full-year program which grants students a law certificate upon completion; this program is open to interested undergraduate students from all faculties. 

A comprehensive list of bachelor courses, or "Licences" can be found here. Click on preferred program, then look for any sub programs or links like "Guide des études" or "Program".

For 4th year students, there a list of Masters programs (most offered in English) on their Field Search page.  

The main language of instruction is French, however some courses and subject areas are offered in English. There is also the opportunity for exchange students to take French-language-learning courses.

Note: Because course registration often takes place on arrival in Grenoble, students are recommended to arrive 1.5-2 weeks earlier than the courses start date to arrange courses. 

Course requirements:
In Europe, full-time course load is typically 30 ECTS (European credits), and exchange students are typically expected to take 24-30 credits per semester. 6 ECTS = 3 UCalgary units (1 half-course). 
The amount of credits each course is worth corresponds to the workload/contact hours, and can vary from 1-30 ECTS per course, so please be mindful of this in your selection.

The academic year is divided into two semesters, which run from early September to mid December and from early January to mid June. 

Please Note: French visa applications for Canadians may require travel to the Vancouver consulate to submit the documentation and take biometrics as needed within 3 months before departure to France, so students may not have access to their passports during that time. 

Housing in university residences is guaranteed for incoming exchange students - once students are nominated to UGA, they will receive an email with further information for the online housing application (don't contact the housing office directly as housing is arranged via the support of the host exchange advisor office). Housing app deadlines are June for Fall or full-year exchanges and November for Winter exchanges. Once your online housing request is received, you will be sent an "attestation de logement", which may be needed for your visa application. Final housing decisions are generally made the month before your arrival in Grenoble. 

Housing is organized by CROUS (which stands for 'Centre Régional des Oeuvres Universitaires et Scolaires'). All lodgings are furnished and the monthly cost usually includes heating, lighting and water. For a self-contained 'studio flat' (A 'studio', in French), electricity is charged separately. For more info on housing, please visit their accommodation page. 

The types of CROUS accommodation (approximate rates):

• Traditional furnished type of room of 9 m², with washbasin. Toilets, shower and kitchen are shared. Average cost: 150 € per month.
• A furnished room of 12 m² with its own toilet and shower. Shared kitchen facilities. Average cost: 300 € per month.
• A furnished appartment 'studio' for one person of 12-14 m² with its own toilet, shower and kitchen facilities. Average cost: 380 € per month (plus electricity).

IMPORTANT: Whether you choose a university residence (CROUS) or an accommodation in the private rental sector, you will be asked for a 'garant' if you qualify as low income (as many students do). Most of the time, lessors only accept 'garants' that pay their taxes in France, which can be problematic for foreigners. To solve this issue, several options are provided by the French State. More information is available on the National Agency For Information on Accommodation site.

Private accommodation in Grenoble is often significantly more expensive (around €450 to €600), so CROUS housing is recommended. For more information, you can visit the page on the private rental sector.

This exchange is open to regular, full-time students at UCalgary who have completed at least 1 full year (10 courses) at the post-secondary level, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 (B-). 

For English courses, while advanced French is not required, all students should have some basic knowledge of French and be able to independently navigate websites and forms written in French.

For courses in French, applicants must have a command of French at the B2 level according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (CEFR) at a minimum, or have completed at least two 300-level or above courses in French. Certification of language proficiency may be required. 

What options are available for improving my French at Grenoble Alpes?

Though applicants to UGA should have a B2 CEFR level command of French at the time of their exchange, the university does offer (and pays for!) 2 sessions of French language classes for their incoming exchange students, which are highly recommended in terms of improving your knowledge level and meeting other students. 

What supports and services are available at Grenoble Alpes? 

UGA advisors can help with visa and immigration questions, course selection, and a variety of other services. Each semester an orientation session is organized for you at the beginning of the first semester of your exchange at UGA. It is strongly recommended that you participate in the orientation, as it provides much-needed information for establishing yourself in Grenoble. Additionally, multiple orientation activities are organized to facilitate your transition to France and the UGA, so be sure to plan your arrival accordingly. 

UGA offers over 200+ clubs and a variety of resources through its student centre EVE, a dozen libraries, a radio station, international student services and an immigration office (Integre is the international student association).  The international office works closely with student-run Integre to ensure that exchange students have a rich social life - they host a variety of cultural, social, mentorship, and outdoor events pairing French and international students for dinners, pub nights, hikes (and other alpine activities), trips to Lyon and Annency, and more. UGA offers courses in over 35 various individual and team sports (most free of charge or at reduced cost), as well as a campus health centre, free art performances at the Amphidice, and convenient transit options. Sports include skiiing, climbing, hiking, snowboarding, swimming, rugby, archery, horseback-riding, volleyball and more. 

The UGA is also committed to diversity and inclusiveness and thus have special programs accommodating those with accessibility needs, academic accommodations for learning needs or chronic illness, and more. 100% of public transit in Grenoble is wheelchair accessible. For information on accessibility of campuses across Europe, ESN has created Inclusive Mobility which allows you to check the accessibility of universities and cities across Europe. For city-specific services and places in Europe, the Jaccede interactive platform (website and/or smartphone app - both Android and iOS) also provides a searchable user-built database to identify important accessibility information of public places and locations.

Grenoble also provides extensive support for student athletes, assistance towards refugees integrating into a new culture, and offers a variety of supports for students/staff with children that are bringing them to Grenoble.

What's so special about Grenoble? 

1 in 5 Grenoble residents work in research, technology, or higher education, making Grenoble one of the most well-educated and innovative cities in the world (currently top 5 for innovation). With its 2000+ years of history, Grenoble is a cultural hub - it was the cradle of the French Revolution, a key site of French resistance in WW2, and home to important figures such as Stendhal and Berlioz. Student surveys consistently place Grenoble in the top 3 cities of France as it combines the convenience of a mid-sized city with mountains only 30 minutes away, for a wealth of outdoor activities. Over 400 cultural events are held in Grenoble each year, and the city offers more than 320km of bike paths, making it a cycling hub in France.