Classes Internationales: your gateway to Higher Education in France!
One year on the Université Catholique de Lille’s campus to learn French and successfully start your academic journey in France.
General program overview
“Classes Internationales” is a unique bridge program designed for international students who wish to pursue higher education in France but do not yet have the required level of French (Level B2).
This year combines:
- Intensive French language instruction (FLE).
- Academic and methodological preparation.
- A progressive academic immersion into your future faculty with tailored preparation for your upcoming degree program.
- Cultural immersion and an introduction to French campus life.
A unique learning environment
Located in the center of Lille, the Vauban campus offers a green, dynamic, and safe living environment. Surrounded by historic buildings and modern facilities, you’ll study as part of a vibrant university community of more than 40,000 students, and within easy reach of major European capitals (Paris, Brussels, London).
Academic offer
COURSE PROGRAM
- The program is organized to ensure rapid language progress and preparation for the requirements of a French university:
- French Language Courses (FLE): 184 hours per semester,
- Conversational French: 24 hours per semester,
- Methodology & Academic Skills: 22 hours in the second semester (writing, presenting arguments, and attending university courses in French),
- Cultural Immersion & Academic Life: ~150 hours over the course of the year (integration into future disciplinary degree, intercultural communication, French culture, key contemporary issues).
PROPOSED FURTHER STUDY PROGRAMS
By enrolling in the International Class, students are committing to pursue their studies in one of the Catholic University programs listed below:
BACHELOR'S DEGREE – Political Sciences (Philosophy, Politics & Economics)
In ESPOL Political Sciences school: a national degree that can be completed by a master’s degree. This degree offers opportunities to work in NGO, diplomacy, public administration, risk analysis etc.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE – Law, Economics & Management (Law & Legal Culture or Law & Company Management)
At the Faculty of Law (FD): National diplomas that can be completed by Master’s Degrees in Law (Business Law, Tax Law…), Management, Political Science… These degrees offer opportunities to work in regulated professions (lawyer, notary…), private sector (magistrate, regional civil servant…)
BACHELOR'S DEGREE – Sociology
At ESSLIL school: National degree focusing on different specialties of sociology (international political crisis, criminality & deviance, education, organizations) that can be completed by a master’s degree. Students can work in teaching positions, HR and career advising, social and humanitarian project management, etc.
BACHELOR'S DEGREE – Sciences of Human Societies (multidisciplinary)
At ESSLIL school: a national degree teaching students how to comprehend contemporary challenges linked to the different types of human societies. This degree can be completed by a master’s degree in social sciences. Students may take the national exams to become primary school teachers or work in public sectors. Students can work as project managers in administration, in consulting positions, etc.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE - Performance Arts, film studies and contemporary music
At FLSH Humanities & Languages faculty: National degree usually completed by a master’s degree in Cultural management, music or film studies. This degree offers opportunities to work in the cultural sector, event industry and management etc.
- This is a more theory-based program; it does not include practical training in performing arts or music.
- One internship is mandatory during the program.
BACHELOR’S DEGREE - Media, Culture and Communication
At FLSH Humanities & Languages faculty: National degree that can lead to a master’s degree in communication, cultural management, etc. This degree offers opportunities to work in media, culture, event organization, advertisement, public relations, company communication etc.
- One internship is mandatory each year.
- Students must study a second language (Spanish or German). If a student has no prior knowledge of either language, they can attend free evening language classes at our Clarife language center.
- Students are required to choose one elective (specialization option) each year of the Bachelor’s degree.
MASTER OF SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING DEGREE (National diploma – CTI accredited) – in industrial engineering, digital science and electronics OR life science
JUNIA School of Science and Technology delivers a National Master of Science and Engineering degree in 5 years that starts by a 2-year undergraduate programme followed by 3 years of specialization. Students enrolled in the Adimaker undergraduate track will have access to the specializations in industrial engineering or digital science and electronics, and students enrolled in the life science undergraduate track will have access to the life sciences and bioengineering specializations.
Application process
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- A2 level in French (No knowledge of French is required to apply. However, before officially joining Classes Internationales, students must achieve at least an A2 level in French.)
- High school diploma or equivalent, minimum
APPLICATION PROCESS
- Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Etudes en France platform.
Tuition and fees
For the Classes Internationales program
- Tuition for the propaedeutic year: 5,500 €
- An intensive pre-semester French language course is offered during the last two weeks of August 2027, at an additional cost of 600 €.
- CVEC fee: ~105 € / year (mandatory regulatory fees).
For the rest of the program (Bachelor's or Engineering Degree)
At the end of the International Class, the annual fees vary depending on the degree pursued.
You can use the following tool to estimate the total fees:
University life
Provisional 2027–2028 academic calendar
Classes will be held from September 2027 to June 2028.
FALL SEMESTER
September 2027 to January 2028:
- Exam session before All Saints break and at the end of the semester
- All Saints break: last week of October (to be confirmed)
- Christmas break: 17th December 2027 – 2nd January 2028
SPRING SEMESTER
January 2028 to June 2028:
- Exam session before Winter break and at the end of the semester
- Winter break: last week of February (to be confirmed)
- Spring break: last week of April (to be confirmed)
Student support and services
The Université Catholique de Lille provides general support to all international students about their arrival, including accommodation in Lille (student residences available on campus or in private sector), transportation, visa & administrative procedures, social and health services etc. Upon request, UCLille will pre-book a room in one of our student residences for students before their arrival in France.
The students also have the chance to join “buddy systems” where they will be paired with a local student for support.
Welcome and information sessions are organized for the students to introduce them to the university and its services as well as a tour of the campuses and the city.
Students will be supported by the International Relations Team, along with our language center and teaching team. The program manager is available for each student to discuss their progress and meet with them regularly, depending on students’ needs.
Contact information
For any additional question please contact the program team:
classesinternationales@univ-catholille.fr