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FAQ

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Conditions for participation

The ESP participants are usually around 20. However, we have also hosted mature students who wanted to learn French and discover France and Europe. Since 2001, the ages have ranged from 18 to 73!

The ESP also accepts people who have already graduated and/or are not students anymore if they wish to study in France.

Given the limited number of places, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority consideration given to students from partner universities. Should any spots become available, applicants from non-partner universities will be notified. If you are not sure whether your home university is a partner university of the Université Catholique de Lille, please contact us at lilleprograms@univ-catholille.fr.

In order to be eligible for ESP, you must be at least 18 years of age and have completed your secondary education (meaning at least a high school level). As well, students wishing to be part of the ESP should be registered in some type of higher education program or associated with a study abroad center, whether connected to the Université Catholique de Lille or not. The ESP program also welcomes graduates who are no longer affiliated with any academic institution.

ESP participants must have at least a B1 CEFR level in English in order to successfully complete the academic requirements. No minimum level of French language skills are required unless specified in the pre-requisites of a specific course taught in French. Please check the course syllabi for more information.

For additional information about the criteria, check with your school’s international office or your study abroad coordinator.

Yes, our program is designed for students interested in the French language whether they have studied French before or not.

French classes are organized so that students of all levels can learn French at their own pace and comfort level. However, please note that all French classes are taught entirely in French, which can at first be a little intimidating.

Please note that all French lessons use the immersive learning approach (only French is spoken in the class). This can be intimidating at first, but it is recognized as one of the most effective methods for learning a foreign language.

All information and support about the program (organization, schedule, meeting place, orientation…) is given in English. If students prefer information to be given in French, this can be organized as well.

All participants interested in joining the program must register through our online application platform. Registration opens on 1 February 2026, and the online link will be available on this webpage on the same day.

Once you have submitted your online application form, you will receive an email that gives you some payment instructions. Payment has to be made by credit card (Visa or Mastercard). It is also possible to pay by American Express card or international wire transfer upon request.

All ESP1 applications must be completed by 1 April 2026.

All ESP2 applications must be completed by 1 May 2026.

The International Relations Office may decide to extend the deadline. If so, the relevant update will appear on the website. For more information, please check our application procedure and our terms conditions.

Preparing your stay

Although the main university building is famous for its 19th century neo-gothic architecture, it is accessible for those with special needs. 

During the application process, all participants have an opportunity to indicate whether they have any specific needs related to their disability (academic, accommodation, etc.). Official documentation from the doctor or home university will be required, and this documentation should show exactly what type of accommodations are prescribed to you. Upon receiving these documents, the International Relations Office will do its best to accommodate your needs and ensure a comfortable stay, depending on the available resources.

Most students will not need any visa to take part in the European Summer Program, given that their stay will be shorter than 90 days. The government of France has a useful website regarding frequently asked questions about visas. Please check THIS LINK to see if you need a visa for your stay.

For more information, you are strongly advised to check with your university’s study abroad office, your study abroad coordinator, or even the French Embassy and Campus France website in your home country or your home country’s consulate website.

Soon after you complete the payment for program fees and it is processed by our team, the invitation letter will become available in your application on the platform. If during the registration process you indicated that you need a visa to attend the program, you will automatically receive an email with additional visa-related details and documents to support your application. This email will be sent soon after the invitation letter is issued.

You will need to bring your passport with you any time you leave France, which includes our various field trips into Belgium. It might be a good idea to carry your passport with you on other extended trips as well, in case you need to prove your identity. However, for most purposes you could use a photocopy of your passport; you should make copies both of the main page with your photo and of your visa if you have one, and keep these with you when you travel. Always keep your passport safe!

Please note that your passport must be valid for a minimum of six months when you enter France, and for an additional three months beyond your planned date of departure and your return home.

In France, June and July are summer months. Lille has a maritime climate and the weather is changeable. Sunny weather and rainy days can both be expected. Temperatures will usually be between 15°C and 30°C (59-86°F). We recommend that you bring clothes for different types of weather – cool, warm, dry, and wet.

Because the weather can be very changeable in June and July in Lille, we would recommend that you bring both mild weather and summer clothes. A rain coat or poncho and travel umbrella will likely be necessary. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and hats are also useful. Of course, you can buy all of this in Lille (malls, famous brand shops, budget shops)!

 

It is very important that you bring a good pair of closed-toe walking shoes. France and Europe have a lot of tourist sites that you will visit (during the fieldtrips or on the weekends) where comfortable walking shoes are essential. Please see the “Travel Tips” section as well.

PACK LIGHTLY! You can buy anything in Lille. There are malls, a large shopping area, and some budget shops. So, if there are things that you can’t put in your suitcase, you can buy them in Lille.

 

  • Check your airline’s website to see what the regulations are about how much luggage you are allowed.
 
  • Once you’ve packed, make a list of what you packed and write a description of your luggage. Put that information in your carry-on bag in case your luggage doesn’t arrive with you.
 
  • Carry-on bag for the plane: pack extra layers, a book, your travel journal, cards, music, snacks, any medication you’ll be taking while overseas, tissues, set of underwear, a tee-shirt and a toothbrush (in case your luggage goes astray). Photocopy both sides of your credit and ATM cards, driver’s license, and passport – leave a copy at home and pack another copy in your carry-on bag. Do NOT pack liquids over 3 oz. Make sure you have the ESP’s phone numbers, address, and instructions handy so that you find them easily on arrival.
 
  • You may want to bring at least one dressy outfit for receptions in Lille.
 
  • Bring comfortable shoes. Visiting France’s and Europe’s monuments, museums, and cities means a lot of walking, especially over cobblestones. A good pair of closed-toe, comfortable shoes is recommended.
 
  • Bring rain gear or an umbrella.
 
  • Bring an extra pair of glasses or contact lenses, if you wear them.
 
  • You will also need an electric outlet converter plug suitable for France (and any countries that you may be visiting outside the program).
 
  • Prescription medication. Bring enough for your entire stay in Europe. Keep medication in the original, labelled container. Know the generic name of your prescription medication, and bring a written prescription from your doctor. (You will not be able to get it dispensed in Europe, but – if necessary – you can use your prescription to inform a doctor as to what you need.)
 
  • Pillows, bed linens and blankets will be provided by the dormitory. Towels, washcloths and other household items are available for good prices at the Sunday market in Lille. Otherwise bring 2 old towels that you can discard at the end of the trip.
 
  • Books are heavy. All course materials will be given in class. Students have access to the university library. Books in English can be found in one of these book stores in Lille: “Le Furet du Nord” (http://www.furet.com) and “Books et alia” (http://www.booksetalia.fr). Also, tourist books are available in the ESP office.

The table below aims to help you budget your costs for participating in the ESP.

Expenses


Tuition Fees*:

Includes Class teaching and assessment, a Student Card, access to the University wifi network, all course materials, an official Summer Program Certificate, an Academic Transcript in ECTS format.


Hospitality Fee*:

The program fee includes:

– Accommodation in individual rooms in university residence halls on campus or in the city center.

– Meal card with 50 euros credit for use at the university cafeteria from Monday to Friday.

– An unlimited monthly public transportation card for use in the Lille Metropolitan area.

– Fieldtrips and entrance to museums according to the program’s schedule and academic visits.

– Cultural and social program, as well as a full program of orientation.

– Arrival assistance, campus and city tour, and 24/7 emergency phone to contact the International Office’s team member in case of an emergency.


Living Costs:

Dinners and food during week-ends, school supplies, personal expenses (150 euros for meals and food on weekends can be budgeted. Personal expenses will then obviously vary from one student to another)


Mandatory Health Insurance Coverage:

International Health Insurance is mandatory for students taking part in the LILLE European Summer Program. All participants need to ensure that they obtain such a coverage for the duration of their stay

Passport (and Visa if required)

Travel to and from the country of origin

Transportation from the airport to the University

*  included in the cost of the program

That is up to you, although we do not advise that you carry large amounts of cash with you at any time (no more than 50 euros at one time is necessary). ATMs (and banks) are plentiful, and major credit cards are widely accepted (although cards without chips may not work for some automated transactions). Some students pick up their first euros from an ATM (called a distributeur in France) only after arrival at the airport.

Do not bring any bills larger than 50€ – it will be very difficult to change, and many stores will not accept bills of 100€ or larger. Nor are traveller’s cheques recommended, since cashing these generally require a visit to a bank during school hours.

We do recommend bringing a valid credit card (preferably one with a chip) and – both for day-to-day transactions and for cash withdrawals – an ATM debit card, ideally one with Visa or MasterCard logo on it. (Also, bring an extra card with you, if possible).

You may choose to look into the option of an international card, such as those offered by Revolut and Wise. They are widely accepted in France, as well as other neighbouring European countries.

Participants from a partner university will receive a 10% discount on our usual price. If you are not affiliated with a partner university, you can contact your Study Abroad Office, the French embassy or Campus France in your country to inquire about available financial aid for this type of short-term program.

Credits and courses

Participating in the ESP will allow students transferable ECTS credits to include in their university career if they wish. Information about syllabi and credits are available on this website.

Upon a successful completion of the program, official copies of transcripts will be sent directly to the partner universities. Other students not coming through the partnership will receive them individually.

Transfer of ECTS credits to the student’s home university differs from one country to another and sometimes from one university to another, regarding how many credits they will give for the different ESP courses taken, what documentation they need, etc.

Therefore, students should check with their academic advisors or Study Abroad office for more information about the credit transfer process for ECTS credits at their home university.

The ESP team is available to provide information that the home university needs in this respect.

Please refer to the ESP Draft Schedule for more detailed information. Note that the calendar is subject to change prior to the start of the program.

On the ESP webpage, you can find detailed syllabi for every course, which outline learning objectives, how the evaluation is organized, etc. More details will be communicated by your professor at the start of the course.

The duration of one course session is usually three hours, with short breaks included. Students may expect to attend up to six hours of class per day if both morning and afternoon electives are scheduled. Some courses may also include academic off-site visits to museums, companies, and other guided tours. The detailed day-by-day planning for each course will be communicated on the Orientation Day. Changes may apply, so all participants are strongly advised to verify their email inbox regularly during the program.

Please refer to the ESP Draft Schedule for more detailed information. Note that the calendar is subject to change prior to the start of the program.

The program is designed to combine academic and cultural learning, so in addition to classes various cultural activities (group meals, field trips, and other activities) will often be organized during the week.

IMPORTANT: This information is provided as an example to help students get an idea of the overall schedule, and is not guaranteed. A more complete schedule will be provided 2 weeks before the start of the program, and the final schedule with room numbers will be given to students during orientation. Students are strongly advised to wait until they get the final schedule before making weekend travel arrangements.

All events outlined in the calendar, with the exception of optional field trips (if not paid for), are mandatory. The International Relations Office will keep an attendance record on a daily basis. If a student cannot attend a certain event due to a serious reason, they are required to inform the International Relations Office via email in advance.

Yes, attendance is compulsory. As outlined in the courses’ syllabi, the attendance and participation are important components of the overall grade.

Some absences can be excused, under specific conditions. The rules are laid out in the ESP Regulations document, which all participants must agree to during the registration process.

  • Absences due to intoxication or excessive consumption of alcohol will not be excused as illness. All participants are expected to maintain responsible conduct and prioritize their academic commitments.

  • The consumption of alcohol (and illegal drugs) is strictly prohibited within all program residences. The abuse of alcohol will not be tolerated at any time during the program.

  • Detailed rules concerning these matters are outlined in the ESP Standards of Conduct document, which all participants agree to uphold during the registration process.

Yes, France is known for its wine, and this particular region, like Belgium, is known for its beer. However, the beer can be far stronger than is usual in other places; it requires caution. Please remember that, while we want everyone to enjoy the program, and to discover local culture, you are here primarily to learn.

Read the ESP Regulations and Standards of Conduct carefully. All participants must read and adhere to these during the registration process.

Daily Life

You will be allocated to either a university dorm or privately owned student accommodation. More information about each specific residence will be communicated during the Information Session on Arrival Day, including facilities and emergency contacts.

If you are in university accommodation: You will have a single room (exceptions to this may be arranged; notification will be given in advance) with a single bed, a wash basin, a cupboard, a desk, and a chair. The accommodation service provides one pillow, one set of bedsheets, and one blanket per room. There are showers on each floor. Each residence hall has a fully-equipped kitchen (microwave, stove, fridge), a laundry room with a washing machine and dryer, and some rooms for socializing with other participants.

If you are in privately owned student accommodation: You will have a single room (exceptions to this may be arranged; notification will be given in advance) with a single bed, a cupboard, a desk, and a chair. Most accommodation also has an en-suite bathroom and a kitchenette area. The accommodation service provides one pillow, one set of bedsheets, and one blanket per room. Each residence hall is equipped with a TV room and a laundry room with a washing machine and dryer.

Our dorms are not air-conditioned. Air-conditioning is not that common in France. If the weather is too hot, then you can consider buying a small fan.

In Europe, to make international calls: 00 + country code + your number.

To check about international calling codes, you may refer to this website.

We recommend purchasing a French SIM Card or an eSIM with an international plan upon arrival. Navigating a new city can be difficult at first, so we consider an Internet connection essential to ensure you receive all program-related information on time and have access to calls and the internet while in France and outside of campus. For between 10 and 20 euros, you can purchase a no-contract, one-month SIM card from the company Free, a popular telephone company in France. Click HERE to find out more information and to see locations in Lille where you can buy a SIM.

Some courses may require the use of a computer to do some research on the internet or prepare reports or oral presentations. We strongly recommend that you bring your laptop.

A printer is available in the ESP office. If you need to print anything, please consult the ESP team for advice. Be aware that in France, computers have “AZERTY” keyboards (not “QWERTY”) and they are mostly PC and not Mac computers.

The university buildings have wireless connection; access credentials are renewed every seven days, so you will receive new login details regularly via email.

The main university building has wireless connections and you will be given access. All of the residences have wireless internet access.

Arrival / Departure info

The first day of the program is dedicated entirely to arrivals, please check the calendars for ESP1 and for ESP2. Once the application is verified and program fees are paid, students receive a detailed email outlining the organization of arrival day, how to get to the Lille Europe Train station and where to meet the ESP team.

 

PLEASE DO NOT COME DIRECTLY TO THE UNIVERSITY!

 

Members of the European Summer Program team will meet you at Lille Europe station from 9am to 5.30pm. The designated Meeting Point is on the main station concourse (one level above platform level) near The Pub, in the middle of the station. (There is an online map of the station, which you might find useful.)

Please note that there are 2 stations in Lille: Lille Europe and Lille Flandres. They are quite close to each other, so if you should arrive at Lille Flandres, please make your way to Lille Europe (just a 6-minute walk).

The ESP team members will take you to your dorm where you will be able to settle in.

If you are planning to arrive before 9am or after 5.30pm, the team will not be at the station; please contact us at least 2 weeks before your arrival so that arrangements can be made.

We will send you an email shortly before your arrival detailing all of this information, which you may want to print and bring with you.

To get to Lille, you can either choose to come through Paris-Roissy Charles de Gaulle, Brussels, or London. From these airports, it is very easy to come to Lille as we are very well-served by trains, and these 3 airports have train stations on the spot: (Other points of entry such as Amsterdam are also possible, but perhaps less convenient – check with us if you are not certain of your options.)

 

At Paris-Charles de Gaulle,

To get to Lille-Europe station, you will have to take a TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse = high speed train) operated by SNCF (the name of the national railway company). The train station is inside the airport. Just follow the signs for “gare TGV” or “gare SNCF”. Depending on which terminal you will get to, you may have to take the free shuttle to get to the station; the signs for “gare TGV” will guide you to the shuttle and then to the station.

The service from Paris-Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport to Lille is every hour during the day and the journey takes about an hour.

 

Buying a ticket in advance is usually cheaper, it is best to allow for 2-3 hours after your arrival time in order to allow for delays in passing passport control, baggage claim, or customs.  Tickets will range from 25€ to 65€ depending on time and class of service.

 

If you take a flight through Sky Team, you can include your train ticket in the price of the flight. In this case you won’t have to worry at Paris Roissy about your luggage, which will follow you to Lille.

 

Useful websites:

– the website of Paris-Roissy Charles de Gaulle airport is very well done. For instance, you can find maps of the terminals if you want to know where you land and where the station is. So please don’t hesitate to consult it.   

– the national railway company (SNCF) has a website on which you can consult train hours and prices.

– You also can use the OUIGO trains.

 

At Brussels

Take a regional train (City-Airport-Express) to get to Brussels-Midi station (or you can take a taxi). From there a Eurostar train or a TGV will take you directly to Lille-Europe station in 38 minutes.

All details can be found on this page: HTTP://WWW.BRUSSELSAIRPORT.BE/EN/

 

At London

Take the Eurostar to get to Lille Europe Station. Advanced booking on the Eurostar is strongly advised. 

More information will be available in May

Arrivals are planned on the day before the first day of the program: check draft schedule for ESP1 and for ESP2. PLEASE DO NOT COME DIRECT TO THE UNIVERSITY! Members of the European Summer Program team will meet you at Lille Europe station from 9am to 5.30pm as explained in the section “When should I arrive in Lille?”.

However, in case of unforeseen problems, it might be useful to know about transportation options within Lille.

By metro: From Lille Flandres or Lille Europe station, take metro line 2, direction Saint-Philibert. Stop at Cormontaigne and walk for ten minutes east along Boulevard Vauban.

From Lille Flandres or Lille Europe; take the L5 bus in the direction of Haubourdin le Parc to the bus stop Université Catholique.

By taxi: Taxis are available at Lille Flandres Station; the ride to the campus takes around 15min and the cost is between 12€ and 15€. You can also order an Uber.

If you plan to arrive earlier than the official arrival day, just before the first day of classes, you will need to book your own accommodation privately. However, you should still plan to meet the ESP team at the Lille Europe train station.

Youth Hostels:

Auberge de Jeunesse
12 Rue Malpart
59000 Lille
France
Tel. +33 3 20570894
Fax. +33 3 20639893
Email : LILLE@FUAJ.ORG
HTTPS://WWW.HIFRANCE.ORG/AUBERGES-DE-JEUNESSE/LILLE-STEPHANE-HESSEL/

The People Hostel (formerly Gastama) 
109, rue de Saint André, 59000 Lille
59000 Lille
Email : CONTACT@GASTAMA.COM
Tel : 00 33 (0)3 20 06 06 80
HTTPS://WWW.THEPEOPLEHOSTEL.COM/FR/LILLE

In order to allow yourself time to pack, get ready, and get to the airport in a reasonable time, we strongly recommend that your return flight is scheduled no sooner than the afternoon of the day following the end of the program. Accommodation will be available for one night after the official end of the program: check Draft Schedule (ESP1 and/or ESP2) for departure day.