Courses open to students in exile

Students in exile, learn about the different options open to you: French as a foreign language courses, refresher courses, access to courses at the University of Lille.

A signatory of the charter of the migrants dans l'enseignement supérieur (migrants in higher education) network(MEnS), the University of Lille is committed to a proactive policy of welcoming students in exile (i.e. students whose presence in France is based on an application for international protection: refugees, those under subsidiary or temporary protection, or asylum seekers), based on academic criteria.

Learn or perfect your French

With bridging courses, so that you can resume your studies.

DU Passerelle (Gateway University Diploma)

The DU Passerelle (Gateway University Diploma) offers 150 students in exile the chance to take French as a Foreign Language (FLE) classes every semester.

Target group

  • Individual in possession of a receipt for an asylum application in France;
  • Beneficiary of international protection (refugee status, subsidiary protection) or temporary protection (refugee status, subsidiary protection, temporary protection) in France.

Course content

  • Intensive French courses supplemented by sessions at media libraries and the Language Resource Centre;
  • Expression and Communication Techniques courses
  • English courses from level B1 in French
  • Preparing students to return to university: workshops and meetings with the academic guidance department (formerly SUAIO) and the internships and jobs department (formerly BAIP); immersion in a member school, faculty or institute, preparing applications
  • Support with university life, outings and cultural, sporting, association and civic activities

Calendar

  • Application period: from 14 April to 5 June 2026for the first half of 2026-2027

From now on, the Students in Exile Committee will meet once a year in July to assess applications for the whole academic year, with entries in semester 1 and entries in semester 2 (a single application period: from 14 April to 5 June 2026).

  • Courses for the first semester will be held from the end of  September 2025  to the end  of January 2026

Grants and accommodation

This DU entitles students benefiting from international or temporary protection to a grant based on social criteria or a specific annual allowance if the criteria set by the CROUS are met. Those in receipt of a grant can apply to CROUS for student accommodation. The CROUS welfare officers are your first point of contact in this matter. The university cannot guarantee accommodation or financial aid. Housing and asylum applications will not be handled by the university. To check whether you are eligible for a CROUS grant and accommodation, please visit the following website: https://www.messervices.etudiant.gouv.fr/envole

How to apply

Applications are accepted once a year, and an application form must be completed and returned to the Student Life Department.

Priority will be given to applicants living in the Nord department.
Places are limited to 150 students in exile per semester, based on academic criteria:

  • Minimum baccalauréat level or equivalent
  • Desire to pursue university studies
  • No minimum level of French required
Supporting documents:
  • CV, cover letter and/or answers to the questions in the application
  • Proof of language proficiency level (optional)
  • Proof of qualifications: copies of diplomas, sworn translation or ENIC NARIC certificate. In the absence of copies of diplomas: affidavit. Transcripts if available.
  • Document attesting to an explicit application for international protection in France (récépissé, residence permit).

CU Passerelle (Gateway University Certificate)

One semester in duration, the Gateway University Certificate (CU Passarelle) prepares students for starting a university course (the following September) by helping them to: improve their French, perfect their English, brush up on certain subjects, think carefully about their choice of course and prepare their university application. Courses run in partnership with the Department of Applied Foreign Languages (LEA) and some DAEU modules.

Enrolment fees are waived for these courses for students under international protection or in exile.

Target group

  • Those with refugee status or under temporary or subsidiary protection;
  • Asylum seekers.

Calendar

  • Applications are open from 10 November to 11 December 2025
  • Candidates will be notified of the decision made by the Students in Exile Committeebefore  20 December 2025. 

Course content

  • French for university purposes;
  • French for specific purposes;
  • English;
  • PIX (digital tools);
  • Choice of modules: management, law, mathematics, physics, etc;
  • Choosing a course.

How to apply

Places are limited to 30 students, so an application is required. Study directors select candidates on the basis of academic criteria:

  • Minimum baccalauréat level or equivalent;
  • Desire to pursue university studies;
  • Minimum B1 level of French.

To apply, fill in the application and send it to:

  • Université de Lille - Direction Vie Etudiante − Domaine Universitaire du Pont de Bois – 11étage Bâtiment du CROUS - Bureau R3-330 - 59653 Villeneuve d’Ascq
  • Or e-mail it to:etudiants-en-exil[at]univ-lille[point]fr

Priority will be given to applicants living in the Nord department.

Resuming your studies at the University of Lille

Special application

Since 2018, the University of Lille has set up a special application form to enable students in exile to apply for its courses.

Target group

  • Beneficiaries of temporary or subsidiary protection;
  • Those with refugee status;
  • Those in possession of an asylum application receipt

Calendar

  • Next application period:from 3 March to 6 May 2026

Application form available soon

University Studies Access Diploma (diplôme d’accès aux études universitaires; DAEU)

A number of places on theUniversity Studies Access Diploma (diplôme d’accès aux études universitaires; DAEU)are being offered to people in exile, whether or not they have a baccalauréat.
This scheme is run by the university’s Vocational Studies Department.
For more information, visit:https://formationpro.univ-lille.fr/formations/daeu

How to apply 

Come and meet with the staff at the Reception Office for students in exile to see if your future plans are compatible with this diploma.
Or send an e-mail toetudiants-en-exil[at]univ-lille[point]frincluding DAEU in the subject line.
For more information, visit:  https://www.daeu.fr/

 

Course content

Depending on the student’s desire to continue his or her studies and the entrance tests, refresher modules can be offered in:

  • French, mathematics and another language (compulsory subjects).

Then optional subjects:

  • mathematics, physics, chemistry;
  • economics, law, management;
  • history, geopolitics, etc.

Students in exile enrolled on a degree course may be eligible for a study adaptation contract, in agreement with the people in charge of your course.

A network of advisers to help you

Within each of the University’s member schools/faculties/institutes, an appointed member of the teaching staff will be your first point of contact for discussing your needs, the course, the specific conditions of access and the assessment procedures for your course.
This appointed member of the teaching staff will also ensure that your adjustments to conditions of study are properly implemented.

Find your contact at your member school, faculty or institute (PDF, 76 KB)

Testimonials

A student in exile, Hamza Marqua has just arrived from Syria. In this video, he talks about his arrival at the University of Lille and his studies.

Video: Hamza Marqua talks about his arrival at the University of Lille and his studies

[Music]

Question: Briefly introduce yourself.

My name is Hamza Marca. In Syria I studied for a baccalaureate plus 5 in industrial automation. So I finished my studies there before arriving in France in 2019. I spent a year learning French, then I enrolled at the University of Lille for the first year of a master’s degree, studying automation and electrical systems. Alongside this, I did a B1/B2-level course in French, then the second year of my masters in ‘autonomous machine systems and field networks’.

Question: How have you been supported in your studies?

In fact, thanks to the work of the university, the Banshee association and the office that helps exiled students, I learned all about how I could continue my studies at the University of Lille in France. They have been happy to answer all my questions right up to now and organise activities every week. These really help us to learn about French culture and life in general. They suggested going to an open day and there were a number of stands there, including one for the master’s in automation. I spoke to the professors there and discovered that this course followed on nicely from my previous studies.

Question: How did your internship search go?

It was challenging. It’s hard to find an internship here. I’d never had an interview before I came to France. I didn’t have a CV, for example. The hiring system here is different. I also did a training course with an association called Alliance, which helps young people find their first job, an internship or a work-study programme. We prepared CVs and cover letters, and did mock interviews to prepare ourselves. Then they suggested companies in my field, and thanks to everyone – the university, Alliance – I found a company in Tourcoing and got a 5-month internship. It relates to my studies, but it involves a lot of programming, a bit of artificial intelligence, I guess you could say.

It was the end of September when I finished my internship. They made me an offer them and there, so I signed a permanent contract with them. They’ve always helped me, and I really learnt a lot, even during the 5-month internship, but it really was a great step forward in my professional life.

Question: You’ve finished your studies. What are you doing now?

I can see myself living in France. I feel that I’m in a stable position now, life is becoming increasingly stable. I’ve finished my studies and now I’m working. I’m thinking about how I can improve my level and my experience so that I can advance even further in my career.

[Music] 

Question: How do you see your future now?

I can’t do it, was very much my way of thinking in my first year. You’re not going to pass. Even when I was in the first year of my master’s, I thought that maybe I wasn’t going to pass, I wasn’t going to finish, but I didn’t stop. OK, no problem, I’ll get back on track, I’ll continue anyway. We won’t stop, we’ll keep going, we’ll get there.

[Music]

 

Lina, 24 years old

Coming from Sudan, I was lucky enough to learn the language by taking FLE courses at the university and to benefit from support during my return to study. Today, I’m a student on the Health Care Business and Clinical Research Masters programme, to which I was accepted on the basis of an exceptional application.

 

Support and partners

Support

 The scheme to welcome students in exile is made possible by the support of a number of organisations and institutions:

Partners

The Alliances network supports the university in the creation of an ‘Employment Squad’. Launched in mid-October in partnership with the Lille European Metropolitan Region, what makes the squad special is that it is aimed at exiled students looking for an end-of-year internship to validate their studies. Fabio Cioni, who is responsible for Social Responsibility at the university, gave an interview atAlliances.

Useful links

Resource associations to turn to for legal matters, or social associations to turn to for French language workshops:

In Lille:

National:

Contacts

Welcome desk: Information, guidance for students in exile
Open Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
University of Lille, Pont de Bois campus
Crous building, 1st floor - Rue du Barreau - 59653 Villeneuve d’Ascq

Or make an appointment by e-mail: etudiants-en-exil[at]univ-lille[point]fr