Do you have any questions about coming to France, settling in atUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc or what you need to do?
Here's some practical information to help you find the answer.
Your contacts
Thanks to its Welcome Center,université Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB) supports its international visitors on arrival and throughout their stay.
Location: Jacob-Bellecombette Campus, Building 14.
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Séverine Quilliet
Reception and incoming mobility coordinator, particularly for exchanges
Contact: incoming.students@univ-smb.fr
Telephone: 04 79 75 85 70
Amandine Bouchet
In charge of welcoming international visitors, especially freemovers and PhD students
Contact: international@univ-smb.fr
Telephone: 04 79 75 91 15
Julie Alvarez
Julie AlvarezIn charge of welcoming and integrating international visitors
Contact: integration.events@univ-smb.fr
Telephone: 04 79 75 84 16
Coronavirus
Survival kit
Université Savoie Mont Blanc : discovery
Virtual tour of the 3 USMB campuses
- Annecy
- Jacob-Bellecombette
- Le Bourget-du-Lac
Learning French
You want to learn French or improve your French.
Join ACCENTS, language and certification center.
The ACCENTS center offers French language courses (free for exchange students and PhD students).
Université Savoie Mont Blanc integrating
Every year, the International Relations Department organizes integration events for incoming students.
Find out more about the 2022-2023 program of events!
Program of integration events for 2023-2024
Integration seminar - Courchevel from 08/27 to 09/2/2023
Welcome toUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc !
This year's seminar took place in Courchevel, and between rafting, accrobranche, hiking and spa, the international students were able to discover the region, challenge themselves and get to know each other! 
Goodbye dinner 04/27/2023
A farewell dinner at La Frite Dorée restaurant. Welcome back international students!
Discover Walibi Park - 22/04/2023
The last outing of the academic year. The students enjoyed the attractions at Parc Walibi!
Hike and cruise in Bourdeau - 03/18/2023
A great way to discover Savoie's cultural and natural heritage, with a cruise on Lac du Bourget followed by a visit to Hautecombe Abbey and a hike to Bourdeau.
Round the World at the Manège - 3, 4/03/2023
This year's featured country was the Netherlands.
For a weekend, Chambéry took on the colors of the world. More than 80 students took part in this event, rich in sharing and a sign of interculturality.
International students showcased their traditions through tastings, entertainment, dancing and much more!
Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi - 02/11/2023
The international students discovered Chamonix and the Aiguille du Midi, which stretches skywards at 3,842 m altitude.
The program includes extraordinary views of the French and Italian Alps and snow-covered landscapes under the sun!
Integration weekend - 21, 22/02/2023
The integration weekend took place in Courchevel. Students discovered downhill skiing and snowshoeing.
An ideal way to explore the region, meet new people and get the semester off to a great start!
Goodbye dinner - 12/16/2022
A dinner to say goodbye to first-semester international students!
All-you-can-eat raclette and fondue at Le Savoyard restaurant. Students exchanged gifts at a Secret Santa.
Shared Christmas 2022
Share a convivial moment with a French family and discover their traditions at Christmas dinner!
Visit to the Château d'Avully and Yvoire - 26/11/2022
A guided tour in French and English of the Château d'Avully in Brenthonne and a visit to the village of Yvoire with its beautiful view of Lake Geneva!
Welcome Party - 10/14/2022
An evening dedicated to new arrivals!
A Savoyard cocktail reception, dances from Burkina Faso, dancing and fun games: the perfect way to celebrate the arrival of international students at the USMB.
Integration seminar for international exchange students - 08/24 to 08/31/2022
The integration seminar took place at La Féclaz. Between French lessons, unusual activities (Via Ferrata, paragliding...), visits and hikes, the students discovered the region and shared some unforgettable moments!
Young Ambassadors Gala Evening - 07/04/2022
On Thursday April 7, 2022, the Young Ambassadors (JA) Gala evening was held at Le Manège in Chambéry, during which the awards for the Trophées Competition were presented.
For the occasion, Young Ambassadors, sponsors and partners came from all the association's branches in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (Chambéry, Lyon, Saint-Etienne, Grenoble and Valence), to attend the prize-giving ceremony and celebrate this wonderful adventure together.
We would like to congratulate all the young ambassadors for their fine projects, and especially the winners of the competition:
- Citizen Project category: Paula ROSCHEL and Matheus Vinicius PIACENTINI, Brazilian students, for their project to promote the cultural development of underprivileged young Brazilians through art.
- Promising Project category: Anja DINIC, a student from Serbia, for her Case Study Community project.
- Attractiveness Project category: Ismène KPEDJO, a student from Benin, for her project Sharing red gold between the AURA region and the Atlantic Ocean in Benin.
Special congratulations to our Burkinabe student from Polytech Chambéry, Ragnagnéwedé David KOLOGO, who wins the innovation project trophy for his Solar Electrifying Vehicule (SEV) project.
Cruise on Lac du Bourget - 02/04/2022
Crafts, culture and heritage outing
Last Saturday, April 2, 2022, some 60 students accompanied by the USMB's international relations department took a cruise to visit Chanaz and Hautecombe Abbey.
After boarding at the major port of Aix-les-Bains, the students had the opportunity to sail on the largest natural lake of glacial origin entirely located in France, Lac du Bourget. The weather conditions weren't ideal, but that's how the snow-capped mountains enhanced the landscape.
The cruise continued along the Savières canal to Chanaz. In the village of Chanaz, the students discovered the process of making walnut oil as it was in the 19th century in the small mill. They then took advantage of their free time to stroll around the village, meet local shopkeepers and visit the barge housing a beehive.
After lunch, the boat resumed its journey to Hautecombe Abbey, where the students visited the abbey church.
This excursion, which delighted the international students, enabled them to discover a facet of French culture, crafts and heritage.
Tour du monde au Manège 2022: a successful return to the classroom
International students on the Aiguille du Midi - 02/19/2022
On Saturday February 19, 2022, USMB's international relations department organized a day trip to the Aiguille du Midi (Chamonix Mont-Blanc) for the university's international students.
The 60 students, accompanied by the Pôle Accueil team (Nina Soufi, Séverine Quilliet and Amandine Bouchet) took the cable car up to the Aiguille du Midi to admire the beauty of the snow-covered Alpine landscapes, including Mont-Blanc, at an altitude of 3,842 meters and a temperature of -14°C (felt -20°C). Students were free to come back down whenever they wished to visit the town of Chamonix.
Chamonix and Mont-Blanc are iconic places around the world. Through the Pôle accueil, students have the opportunity to see these places easily and inexpensively.
Second semester: international students welcome to La Féclaz
Shared Christmas: international students share the festive season with local families
Welcome Party: USMB and the city of Chambéry organize a welcome party for international students
USMB welcomes its new international students
Mail: integration.events@univ-smb.fr
Telephone: 04 79 75 84 16
Join the Facebook group "Etudiants internationaux - Université Savoie Mont Blanc" to keep up to date with local activities.
Join the Alter-Culturality program and be sponsored by a French-speaking student atUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc.
It's a welcome program for international students set up by the International Relations Department and run by students from the University, with the aim of facilitating the process and integration atUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc. Especially in these difficult times, this program is there to help you. Your "USMB Angel" will be able to provide you with useful addresses, tips and advice when you arrive.
How does it work?
AUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc student called "USMB Angel" will be able to sponsor two or three "Protégés" international students arriving atUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc.
Université Savoie Mont Blanc encourages and supports student associations. You're sure to find what you're looking for among our wide range of sports, cultural and artistic associations. Don't hesitate to get involved and meet French students!
Play sports! Throughout the year, the Sports Department offers more than 60 sporting activities: skiing, swimming, dance, athletics, water sports, excursions, climbing...
Scholarships and financial aid
MIC Erasmus+ scholarships (International Credit Mobility)
International credit mobility is part of the Erasmus+ program.
It enables incoming students (from institutions with which the USMB has an agreement under the E+MIC program) to benefit from a mobility grant.
Eiffel Excellence Scholarships (for Master's and PhD students)
USMB Eiffel Scholarships calendar / 2023 session
- Call for applications: mid-October 2022
- Deadline for receipt of applications: November 21, 2022
- Campus France results announcement: week of April 3, 2023
Contact: international@univ-smb.fr
Explanatory documents :
Eiffel 2023 WINNERS REGULATIONS
Financial aid for students is managed by the CROUS :
National Emergency Aid Fund
Contact university social workers
Partial exemption from differentiated registration fees applicable to certain internationally mobile students for the 2021-2022 academic year
(Deliberation of theUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc Board of Directors N°2020.12.08-5.2.4 of December 8, 2020)
TheUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc Board of Directors has approved a partial exemption from differentiated registration fees for international students, reducing the amount of their registration fees to the same amount as that paid by French students for the duration of their degree course, subject to compliance with course attendance and exam attendance requirements, as well as completion of the compulsory internships stipulated in the curriculum.
The student's application to enroll at the USMB is equivalent to a request for partial exemption from tuition fees.
The partial exemption applies subject to France's European and international commitments and to any agreements entered into by the establishment.
Consular procedures
- Students from the European Union (EU):
An identity card is sufficient. - Non-EU students: Foreign nationals need a passport issued in their own country to enter France.
Make sure your passport and/or identity card are valid for the duration of your stay!
Before you leave
Your visa will be issued by the French embassy or consulate in your country of origin. Please note that no regularization can be carried out in France.
Obtaining a visa is a compulsory formality for all foreigners, with the exception of nationals of :
- members of the European Union (EU)
- European Free Trade Association: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland
- others: Monaco, Andorra
Several types of visa can be issued for studies, academics or internships in France.
When you arrive in France, remember to have your study visa validated.
Students from outside the European Economic Area must be in possession of a "long-stay" visa valid as a residence permit. Within 3 months of your arrival in France:
You must have it validated online.
Please note: You will not be able to regularize your situation once in France if you have a short-stay (tourist) visa. Find out more BEFORE you leave!
When you arrive in France, you must go to the prefecture to obtain a residence permit.
Tuto / Video from Campus France: Residence permit application and renewal (Version FR),(Version EN),(Version ES)
Housing
The Pôle mobilité entrante can help you find accommodation in a university residence (for exchange students only).
Due to the number of applications we receive each year and the limited number of rooms available in university residences, it is unfortunately not possible to satisfy all requests.
Applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis.
To optimize your chances of finding accommodation, please respect the application deadlines when pre-registering atUniversité Savoie Mont Blanc.
If your application is accepted, we'll put you in touch with the hall of residence. In this case, you will have to pay the deposit to confirm your accommodation, failing which the room will be allocated to another student.
For your information: At the end of June 2022, all students who asked for help with their housing search were offered accommodation for the start of the 2022/2023 academic year.
Other accommodation options:
- Guide logements Chambéry & Bourget du Lac FR / Housing solutions Chambéry & Bourget du Lac GB
- Guide logements Annecy FR / Housing solutions Annecy GB
The host family program (brochure for USMB host families) :
If you have no family/friends in France and a financial guarantee is required for your accommodation, the French government has set up an alternative solution: VISALE
New for Visale: to help you set up your Visale file, you can now contact our services directly on 0970 800 800 (price of a local call). For foreign students, an English-speaking service has been set up to help you with your Visale application. For more information, consult selectra for all the formalities involved in changing your address in France.
Tuto / Video from Campus France: VISALE(version FR), (version EN), (version ES)
The Aide Personnalisée au Logement (AP L) is a financial aid granted, under certain conditions, to tenants of housing in France.
- Students from the European Economic Area can apply for personalized housing assistance as soon as they arrive.
- Students from outside the European Economic Area must obtain a residence permit in order to apply for housing assistance.
Please note: If your visa states that you do not need a residence permit, you will not be eligible for this assistance.
How to obtain this assistance :
Log on to the Caisse d'Allocations Familiales (CAF) website to apply for APL.
You can also contact your nearest branch:
- Caisse d'Allocations Familiales in Chambéry - 20 avenue Jean Jaurès - 73000 Chambéry
- Caisse d'Allocations Familiales in Annecy - 2 rue Emile Romanet - 74987 Annecy Cedex 9
Health
Common provision for all students, whatever their country of origin.
This is an optional health insurance plan, if you wish to supplement your social security reimbursements.
You can join the complementary health insurance scheme of your choice (a student mutual insurance company, your parents' mutual insurance company, another complementary organization, etc.). The level and nature of complementary health insurance benefits vary from contract to contract.
Student jobs
Student jobs
The Etudébrouille Facebook page (USMB association) regularly publishes job ads around Chambéry!
A new platform, Mon Job en Savoiealso centralizes numerous job offers for young people in the Savoie department.
Volunteering
Arrival and discovery
Arrival by plane
The nearest airports are Geneva and Lyon.
Shuttle buses run between these airports and the towns of Annecy and Chambéry: www.altibus.com
- Geneva airport
Geneva airport is linked to the "Genève-Cornavin" train station and bus station by a regular train and coach service. There are several daily connections with Annecy and Chambéry. - Lyon airport
Few trains stop at the airport station; however, the Tram-Express links the airport directly to Lyon Part-Dieu station, from where you can catch a bus or train (frequent departures) to Annecy and Chambéry.
Arrival by train - from Paris
Annecy and Chambéry are well connected to Paris by TGV.
You can :
- or take a train from Roissy / Charles de Gaulle airport (change at Gare de Lyon Part-Dieu)
- or go to Gare de Lyon (located in downtown Paris) to take a direct train to Annecy or Chambéry.
To find your way around the different Université de Savoie sites:
Download the map of each campus
To get around by bus in Chambéry / Le Bourget-du-Lac and Annecy :
Synchro-bus (Chambéry/ Le Bourget-du-Lac)
Sibra (Annecy)
Welcome to Chambéry and Annecy
Campus France brochure in French, English and Spanish
Chambéry
The historic capital of Savoie, Chambéry has a population of 56,000. At the gateway to the Alps, Chambéry enjoys an excellent geographic location, between lakes and mountains.
Thanks to its numerous infrastructures (theater, cinemas, concert hall, media library, Eurâka gallery, Château des Ducs de Savoie, etc.), it boasts a rich cultural and artistic heritage.
Chambéry Town Hall
Office de tourisme de Chambéry
Annecy
Located in the northern Pre-Alps, Annecy has a population of 50,000. Nicknamed the " Venice of the Alps " because of the small bridges spanning the three rivers that run through its old town, this tourist and industrial center is distinguished by its large lake. Its castle, its Palais de l'Ile and its Conservatoire d'art et d'histoire are just some of the sights to be discovered.
Annecy Town Hall
Annecy and Lake Annecy Tourist Office
What's on offer in the area?
Aix-les-Bains / Lac du Bourget
The cities of Grenoble, Lyon, Geneva and Turin
Chartreuse Nature Park
Bauges Massif Nature Park
Vanoise Natural Park
Testimonials
Anke, Thomas More Mechelen-Antwerpen, Antwerp, Belgium
"I'm very happy to have made the choice to study in Chambéry for a semester.
This adventure has given me the opportunity to progress in French and English. I had a lot of experiences, I learned to go beyond my limits, I made international acquaintances.....
The teachers and classmates were very kind and helpful.
I also liked the location of the university, because there's an incredible view of the city of Chambéry, which lies between the mountains. The university is only a twenty-minute walk from the tourist center.
There's plenty to do in and around Chambéry, whatever the weather or time of day!
What's more, I was lucky enough to live this experience in Savoie, a very impressive region!
I'm very grateful for this incredible and unforgettable experience. CHAMBÉRY, JE T'AIME!"
Marc, Ecole de Technologie Supérieure (ETS), Montreal, Quebec, Canada
As soon as I arrived at Polytech Annecy-Chambéry, I was made to feel very welcome, and I have no regrets about my choice of university. The school is located on two sites, one of which is close to Annecy with its wonderful lake and train station, making it easy to travel on weekends and vacations. At Polytech, there are student residences close to the course building. The students at this university are very friendly. If you have the chance to study abroad, don't hesitate!
Fabian, Hochschule Magdeburg-Stendal (FH), Magdeburg, Germany
The best thing about Chambéry is, of course, the scenery. It's beautiful to look at, and even better for activities. There are beautiful trails and paths for hikers. There are even places for
parachuting. The university is located on the side of a mountain, surrounded by nature. In this environment, it's a pleasure to study and also to enjoy it during breaks. And don't forget to have fun during the semester, even if you love forests and mountains like I do. If you prefer, you can also enjoy the nightlife.
There is a wide variety of courses at the university. The LEA courses I took were for the most part interesting and the teachers friendly. The administration is very helpful in solving any problems (because if you're a foreigner, paperwork can be a pain).