To help you complete your administrative formalities, please contact us to make an appointment: accueil.international@univ-poitiers.fr

For PHD students, please contact: amelie.masselin@univ-poitiers.fr

Welcome event for international students

Please join us for a welcome event in the presence of the President of the University of Poitiers and our partners. There will be information and free snacks!
Thursday, 24 September, 3:00–5:00 p.m., MDE Auditorium (A6, 1 Rue Neuma Fechine Borges).

One-Stop Service

Meet our partners at our one-stop service, where we can assist you with administrative procedures such as CROUS, CPAM, CAF, Prefecture and tax registration.

Poitiers:
Thursday, 17 September 2026, 2:00–5:00 pm – Faculty of Arts and Languages (A3) Salle des Actes.
Thursday, 15 October 2026 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. – location to be confirmed.

Châtellerault:
Thursday, 8 October 2026, 2:30–4:30 pm – location to be confirmed

Get in touch with the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) Poitiers to meet other international and local students.

Welcome webinars

Find the presentations here:

For exchange students : Webinar July 26- ERASMUS

For international degree students (Studying in France)

For students living in CROUS halls of residence

Replays of the webinar to prepare for the start of the first semester of 2025/2026 for international students at the University of Poitiers: WATCH HERE. For the second semester of 25/26: WATCH HERE.

Replay of the webinar for international students staying in a CROUS residence : WATCH HERE

 

• For students staying in a university residence:

Before you arrive, book an appointment at the Residence  to complete your arrival formalities.

Sheets, blankets and pillows are not provided by the residence. If needed, students can rent bedding and pillow for €9 per month.

• For students staying in a private room or apartment:

Contact your landlord before arrival to determine how and when you will be able to move in.

In case of EMERGENCY ONLY (strike, exceptional transport problem, assault) during your trip or arrival in Poitiers, you can contact us via Whatsapp by following this link

Emergency numbers to know :

• Fire department: 18 (illness, serious injury, fire, road accident)
• SAMU: 15 (medical emergency)
• Police: 17 (security)
• European emergency number: 112
• Emergency number for the deaf and hard-of-hearing: 114
• National suicide prevention number: 3114

Each faculty, school or institute has its own international relations contact.

This person will assist you with:

• Payment of your student life and campus contribution (CVEC)
• Administrative enrolment
• Academic enrolment
• Your student card / Izly card
• Your course timetable
• Student social security affiliation for non-Europeans
• And all other questions related to your enrolment

Consult the list of international relations contacts in your faculty.

The multipurpose IZLY card

IZLY is a student card service that allows you to:

• identify yourself as an University of Poitiers student
• borrow books from the university libraries
• sign up to participate in sport activities
• access to restricted areas (parking lots, rooms, classrooms).

In France, health insurance is compulsory, and is made up of:

• a compulsory basic health insurance (Social Security), ensuring reimbursements of medical expenses up to 70% of costs
• an additional health insurance, called mutual insurance (« mutuelle »), which covers the remaining 25% of costs, sometimes 30% in case of illness or hospitalisation.

It is therefore strongly advised to obtain additional insurance.

European Union students
Erasmus + students and international students enrolled in academic courses in French need to check with the coordinator or program manager at their home university. It is, however, advised to purchase additional health insurance to avoid any potential difficulties.

Campus France tutorials : registration for Social Security

 

Non-European students
Foreign students are under the legal obligation to enroll at the social security scheme or the basic health insurance scheme.
Site web d’Ameli

Medical Recommendations

We recommend to carry out a free medical check-up (medical consultation and blood test) within three months after your arrival in France. For this check-up a specific form is to fill out whether at the International Relations Office or at the Students Health Service. An appointment will be planned at the CPAM (the Public Health Centre of Poitiers). You will have to make an appointment by phone or by email with the CPAM (the Public Health Centre of Poitiers)

A membership liability insurance is compulsory as well.

Menstrual leave for students:

Since the start of the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of Poitiers has been offering a new menstrual health initiative: student menstrual leave. The aim of this initiative is to better accommodate students who suffer from pain or symptoms related to menstruation, which can impact their attendance and academic performance. To apply, please visit our page dedicated to it.

 

If you wish to open a bank account, you must produce photocopies of the following documents:

• Passport (a photocopy of the pages showing your identity, expiry date, date of arrival in France and visa)
• Proof of residency in France (an electricity or phone bill, rent receipt, certificate of residence)
• Proof of financial ressources
• Student ID card

Campus France tutorials : opening a bank account

• Landline: All operators offer a landline with an internet subscription, nevertheless a landline can also be purchased by itself
• Cellphones: Contracts start from 2 € / month depending on the provider; there are prepaid packages and/or cards available at the tobacco stores
• The university campus provides internet access; Wifi is available in common areas. Each accommodation requires a wired connection.

Preferably, choose a non-binding offer.

As an international student, you have to follow some rules if you want to get a student job.

Please have a look to our presentation (advices, law for international students etc.)