Prepare your arrival in France and at Université Paris-Saclay as an international student or staff

Before arrival: What are the administrative procedures to be completed?

Online Welcome Desk: a personalised roadmap

"Online Welcome Desk" is an online tool provided by Université Paris-Saclay, which gives international students and staff the possibility to create a roadmap based on the situation or country of origin. This platform, created by Université Paris-Saclay, then developed and merged with the the UNIF platform (Université Numérique Ile-de-France), can be used to give specific information to a student, PhD student or researcher depending on their personal situation: visa application, health insurance, bank account, accommodation, integration... The roadmap covers all the steps a incoming student or staff members needs to carry out before arriving in France. The Online Welcome Desk is available in three languages: French, English and Chinese.

Create my roadmap

For students and PhD students: registration to the Buddy Programme, a peer-to-peer integration and support programme

The Buddy Programme connects international students and PhD students with local students, in order to help the incoming students better understand the French culture and education system. Along with student associations, it is a great opportunity to meet new people and not become isolated during the stay.

Register for the Buddy Programme

When you arrive at Université Paris-Saclay

Pre-arrival webinars and Arrival Days

Organised for all students at the beginning of the year, the pre-arrival webinars provide all the useful information you need, such as how to organise your first few days, starts dates and the main locations on campus.

To find out more, contact your programme manager.

In 2023, the International and European Affairs Department will be organising for the first time the Arrival Days, to welcome international students on the day they arrive and answer to all of their questions. You can find the dates and locations of the Arrival Days on the website.

Meet new people and get to know your environment

If you are not available at the beginning of September for the Arrival Days, don't worry. You can come to the Welcome Day, a welcome event organised for new international students at the end of September, where you will have the opportunity to meet with other international students, ask all of your questions and meet with the staff members and student associations you are interested in.

Your institution also organises specific events throughout the year. Don't hesitate to contact the International Relations Department of your institution.

Université Paris-Saclay supports you all year long

Support to carry out administrative procedures

The GATE Paris-Saclay is open from the end of August to mid-December and provides information and assistance with administrative formalities (residence permits, accommodation, catering, health, financial aid). Outside this period, students are always welcome at the International and European Affairs Department (Bât. 300) or for an online appointment. A welcome guide is also available for international PhD students and researchers.

Learning French

To practise their French, students and PhD students can take part in conversation and integration workshops or attend other language courses offered by their department (see the website of your Faculty / IUT / school).

For PhD students and teacher-researchers or researchers, the Academic Writing Centre offers a proofreading and academic writing coaching service (in English) to help them submit their projects. For more information, click here.

Get up-to-date information all year long

The International and European Affairs Department sends useful information on the opportunities for international students and staff through a newsletter and an Instagram page.