Special Academic Programs & Academic Accommodations
►Caesura
Decree No. 2018-372 of May 18, 2018, concerning the temporary suspension of studies at public institutions offering initial higher education programs, clarified the conditions governing the use of and eligibility for the so-called “gap year.”
This period lasts for a maximum of one academic year. The student’s academic program is temporarily suspended so that they can gain personal experience, either independently or through a host organization in France or abroad.
The eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in the Charter on the Gap Year Program.
The student must be enrolled in a program beforehand.
The student then submits the leave of absence application and the leave of absence agreement to the Registrar’s Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Science. The deadline for submitting the leave of absence application and the required documents is:
- September 1, for a study abroad program covering the first semester or the entire academic year
- September 15, for a gap year spent in France covering either the first semester or the entire academic year
- December 15, for a break covering the second semester
This request is accompanied by:
► A cover letter describing the plans and objectives for the gap year and demonstrating the coherence of the student’s project
► A letter from the host organization confirming its commitment to the period, if applicable
► A photocopy of the “scol’pass”
► The gap year project description form (only for students applying for a gap year as a “personal experience”)
The student’s application must then be approved by the President of the University of Montpellier (the various steps in the processing of a gap-year application).
Documents required to draw up an internship agreement for an internship taken as part of a gap year:
►Student-Employee Status
“Student Employee” status may be granted to any student enrolled at the University of Montpellier in an initial degree program leading to a national degree (excluding work-study programs and general and advanced programs in medical, pharmaceutical, and dental sciences).
Students eligible for this status and who may, as such, benefit from the provisions implemented under this program must provide proof of employment governed by a contract:
- At least 10 hours per week on average, or 40 hours per month if the contract lasts for fewer than 12 consecutive weeks. (These time frames are based on current regulations at
) - At least 120 hours per academic semester or 240 hours during the academic year for an employment contract lasting more than 12 consecutive weeks.
The eligibility requirements for this program are specified in the Student Employee Bylaws approved by the CFVU of the University of Montpellier on June 25, 2024.
Students should submit the application form (currently being updated) to the Registrar’s Office of the School of Law and Political Science. The deadline for submitting the application and the required documents is September 28, 2026.
This request must be accompanied by a photocopy of the employment contract.
►Student-Artist Status
Student-Artist Status Under the Special Study Program (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014, this program is designed to implement accommodations that allow eligible students to take the courses essential to pursuing and successfully completing a university degree while developing their artistic projects.
This status is granted for one academic year by the University of Montpellier, following the recommendation of a committee responsible for compiling a list of student artists based on their application materials.
Granting of this status is contingent upon the signing of an academic success agreement between the student and the Faculty, School, or Institute (UEI) in which they are enrolled.
The eligibility requirements for this program are set forth in the Student-Artist Statute approved by the CFVU of the University of Montpellier on April 30, 2024.
When enrolling at the University of Montpellier, students who wish to obtain artist status must, in order to benefit from the provisions described below, submit an online application on the University of Montpellier website and provide the required supporting documents. Applications are received by the Art & Culture
s office of the Campus Life Department (DVC), which is also responsible for assisting the applicant with their application for status and throughout their artistic project. Student artists may apply to renew their status at the beginning of each academic year. This renewal is subject to the same administrative procedures as an initial application.
Applications for student-artist status are submitted online via the Art & Culture department’s webpage on the Campus Life Division (DVC) website: https://art.edu.umontpellier.fr/2026/07/16/statut-etudiante-etudiant-artiste/
Submission Schedule:
- 1st Committee – for the 2026–2027 school year
Online application opening date: July 20, 2026
Online application closing date: September 16, 2026
Committee meeting date: September 23, 2026 - 2nd Committee – for the second semester (26–27) only
Online application period opens: October 7, 2026
Online application period closes: December 4, 2026
Selection committee meeting date: December 10, 2026
►High-Level Athlete Status
High-Level Sports Status may be granted to any student enrolled in an initial degree program leading to a national degree at the University of Montpellier, following a recommendation from the High-Level Sports Committee. This program is designed to foster and develop cooperation among the participating parties by ensuring that the academic studies and athletic activities of students with this status are compatible.
Granting of this status is contingent upon the signing of an academic success agreement between the student and the UFR, School, or Institute (UEI) in which the student is enrolled.
The eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in the Statute for High-Level Student-Athletes, approved by the CFVU of the University of Montpellier on June 25, 2024.
Applications for high-level athlete student status are submitted online via the University of Montpellier website: https://www.umontpellier.fr/campus/sport, and supporting documents must be submitted to the University Department of Physical Education and Sports.
Any incomplete application will be rejected.
The SHN committees for the 2026–2027 school year will meet on:
- September 23
- October 14
- December 10
►Student Activist Status
The “Engaged Student” program is governed by the “Charter for Engaged Students,” adopted by the University of Montpellier, which all interested students are encouraged to review.
The activities that qualify for the program are exhaustively listed, on the one hand, in Article L. 611-9 of the Education Code with regard to the validation of competencies, and, on the other hand, in Article L. 611-11 with regard to accommodations in the organization and conduct of studies and exams.
To have the skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired through their activities recognized, students must submit a request that is properly justified and accompanied not only by the necessary supporting documents but also by a document in which the student specifies and describes their activities (responsibilities, assigned tasks, skills acquired, etc.). The same activities may be recognized only once per academic cycle.
To request any adjustments to the structure and schedule of their studies, the student in question must submit an application to the Registrar’s Office, along with supporting documentation specific to their situation, before:
> September 11, 2026, for a program spanning the first semester or the entire academic year;
> December 11, 2026, for an adjustment covering the second semester.
These adjustments apply only to measures that are strictly necessary to balance academic studies and extracurricular commitments.
►Students with disabilities
The Preventive Medicine Department (SCMPPS) and the Handiversité Department work closely together to support students in successfully completing their academic programs at UM.
Their roles complement one another, and they serve as your primary points of contact to provide you with information, assess your situation, recommend appropriate accommodations to the extent they are feasible, and monitor their implementation within your unit.
Do you need accommodations for your studies and/or exams and entrance exams?
- On the registration form, fill out the section titled “Declare a Disability.”
- As soon as you complete your registration or re-registration, go to your digital learning platform (ENT) and click the “Handy” tab to submit your request: online form
- Please contactthe Occupational Health Service(SCMPPS) andthe Handiversité program.
WARNING
All requests for accommodations for exams and/or coursework must be submitted each academic year by November 30 via the Handy app.
Those who have not yet submitted an application may, however, do so for thesecond semester by March1 of the current year.
- Disability Liaison Office
Handiversité is a permanent organization dedicated to welcoming and supporting students and staff with disabilities.
This organization is present within each unit of the University of Montpellier through disability liaisons.
► Contacts within the Faculty of Law and Political Science
> Administrative: Laure Gruet
> Academic: Béatrice Pastre-Belda
►Student Aide Status
Under the Special Study Program (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014, this program is designed to implement accommodations that allow eligible students to take the courses necessary to pursue and successfully complete a university degree while providing the necessary assistance to a family member. Caregiver status may be granted to any student enrolled at the University of Montpellier in an initial degree program leading to a national degree. A student wishing to qualify for caregiver status must regularly and frequently assist, on a non-professional basis, a close family member who has lost independence due to age, a disability, or a chronic or debilitating illness, in performing all or part of the tasks or activities of daily living. The person receiving care may be a member of the student’s family (parent, child, brother, sister, spouse), their cohabiting partner, or their civil union partner.
This status is granted for one academic year by the University of Montpellier, following a decision by the academic department, school, or institute (UEI) where the student is enrolled, which is responsible for compiling a list of student aides based on the application materials.
Granting of this status is contingent upon the signing of an academic success agreement between the student and the UFR, School, or Institute (UEI) in which the student is enrolled.
The eligibility requirements for this program are set forth in the Student Assistant Policy approved by the CFVU of the University of Montpellier on June 17, 2025.
The deadline for submitting the application form (currently being updated) and the required supporting documents is September 28, 2026.
►Innovative Entrepreneurs Status
In accordance with the Special Study Program (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014, the Innovative Student Entrepreneur Program, supported by the University Innovation Hub, is designed to foster students’ commitment to entrepreneurship.
The status of “innovative student entrepreneur” allows talented UM students to engage in an “innovative” entrepreneurial project.
The status of “innovative student entrepreneur” may be granted to any student enrolled at the University of Montpellier in a traditional degree program or an apprenticeship program leading to a national degree from the UM (enrollment must be in at least the third year of higher education [L3, Master’s, etc.]).
The eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in the Innovative Student Entrepreneur Status approved by the CFVU of the University of Montpellier on September 24, 2024.
Students must submit a request to the office where they are enrolled. They must also submit a form along with an application package. Applicants are asked to provide any documents that demonstrate their connection to the entrepreneurial project.
Granting of this status is contingent upon the signing of an academic success agreement between the student and the UFR, School, or Institute (UEI) in which the student is enrolled.
Application Form for Innovative Entrepreneur Status (currently being updated)
► Other specific cases involving requests for academic accommodations
Under the Special Academic Program (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014 (Section 1-4 of the Bachelor’s Degree Academic Regulations), this program is designed to implement accommodations that enable eligible students to take the courses necessary for the pursuit and successful completion of a university degree. Those eligible for this provision are students at the University of Montpellier who are enrolled in an initial program leading to a national degree.
Students who are in one of the following situations may apply to participate in correspondence-based tutorials:
- Military
- Head of household (one or more dependent children under the age of 12 or considered the primary breadwinner)
- Dual Degree Program
Students should submit the application form—depending on their enrollment status ( Bachelor’s or Master’s )—to the Registrar’s Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Science. The deadline for submitting the application and required documents is September 28, 2026.
► Application Package for Distance Learning Courses: Bachelor's and Master's Degrees
► menstrual leave
The University of Montpellier recognizes the challenges associated with menstruation that may arise during a student’s academic career and offers menstrual leave. Effective with the 2025–2026 academic year and in accordance with the CFVU resolution of June 17, 2025:
- Any person who menstruates and is enrolled at UM in a national degree program may be excused from in-person classes (lectures, tutorials, lab sessions, etc.) due to menstrual discomfort,excludingscheduled assessmentsandany periods spent in a professional setting. Ten daysof exemption from attendance requirements per academic year for in-person classes (lectures, tutorials, lab sessions, etc.), limited to2 days per month.
The student must submit a sworn statement (currently being updated) to the Registrar’s Office of the School of Law and Political Science within48 hours of the class (or classes) in question.