Special study programs & Study accommodations
►Hyphenation
Decree No. 2018-372 of May 18, 2018, relating to the temporary suspension of studies in public institutions providing initial higher education training, clarified the conditions governing the use and benefits of the so-called "gap year."
This period lasts for a maximum of one academic year. The university program is temporarily suspended so that students can gain personal experience, either independently or within a host organization in France or abroad.
The conditions for benefiting from this scheme are specified in the Charter relating to the gap year program.
The student must be previously enrolled in a course.
He then sends the gap year request and the gap year agreement to the Registrar's Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Science. The deadline for submitting the gap year request and the required documents is:
- September 1, for a gap year abroad covering the first semester or the entire academic year
- September 15, for a gap year taking place in France and covering 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 terms and objectives of the gap year, demonstrating the coherence of the student's project.
► A certificate from the host organization confirming its commitment for the period, if applicable
► A photocopy of the "scol'pass"
► The gap year project description form (only for students applying for a gap year in the form of a "personal experience")
The student's request must then be approved by the President of the University of Montpellier (the various stages of processing the gap year request).
Documents required for establishing an internship agreement carried out 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 training program leading to a national degree (excluding work-study programs and general and advanced training in medical, pharmaceutical, and dental sciences).
Students who are eligible for this status and who, as such, can benefit from the provisions implemented under this scheme must provide proof of professional activity governed by a contract:
- A minimum of 10 hours per week on average, or 40 hours per month if the contract is for less than 12 consecutive weeks. (These durations are based on current regulations in
) - A minimum of 120 hours per semester of teaching or 240 hours during the academic year for an employment contract lasting more than 12 consecutive weeks.
The conditions for benefiting from this scheme are specified in the Student Employee Statute approved by the CFVU (Academic Council) of the University of Montpellier on September 29, 2025.
Students should sendthe application form to the Registrar's Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Scienceat . The deadline for submitting the application and supporting documents is September 29, 2025.
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 arrangements that allow eligible students to take the courses necessary to pursue and successfully complete 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 establishing a list of student artists based on their applications.
The granting of this status is conditional upon the signing of an educational success contract between the student and the UFR, School, or Institute (UEI) in which they are enrolled.
The conditions for benefiting from this scheme are specified in the Student Artist Statute approved by the CFVU (University Academic Council) of the University of Montpellier on April 30, 2024.
When enrolling at the University of Montpellier, students wishing to obtain artist status must apply online on the University of Montpellier website and submit the required supporting documents in order to benefit from the provisions described below. Applications are received by the Art & Culture Department of the Campus Life Directorate (DVC), which is also responsible for assisting applicants with their status applications and throughout their artistic projects. 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 can be submitted online on the Art & Culture department's website, which is part of the Campus Life Department (DVC): https://art.edu.umontpellier.fr/etudiantes-et-etudiants-artistes/
- Artist status for the academic year
– Online applications open: Monday, July 1, 2025
– Online applications close: Monday, September 22, 2025 - Artist status for the second semester
– Online applications open: Monday, October 6, 2025
– Online applications close: Monday, December 8, 2025
►High-level sports status
High-level sports status may be granted to any student enrolled in an initial training program leading to a national degree at the University of Montpellier, following review by the high-level sports commission. This program is designed to implement and develop cooperation between the contracting parties by making university education and sports activities compatible for students benefiting from this status.
The granting of this status is conditional upon the signing of an educational success contract between the student and the faculty, school, or institute (UEI) in which they are enrolled.
The conditions for benefiting from this scheme are specified in the High-Level Student Athlete Statute approved by the CFVU (Commission for the Evaluation of University Studies) of the University of Montpellier on June 25, 2024.
Applications for high-level athlete status can be submitted online on the University of Montpellier website: https://www.umontpellier.fr/campus/sport. Supporting documents must be submitted to the University Physical Activity and Sports Department.
Any incomplete application will be rejected.
Applications are reviewed by one of the following three committees:
First committee:
- Online registration start date: Tuesday, July 1, 2025
- Online registration deadline: Monday, September 8, 2025
- Deadline for submitting supporting documents to SUAPS: Monday, September 8, 2025
Second committee: - Online registration start date: Monday, September 15, 2025
- Online registration deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
- Deadline for submitting supporting documents to SUAPS: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
3rd commission: - Online registration start date: Monday, November 3, 2025
- Online registration deadline: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Deadline for submitting supporting documents to SUAPS: Thursday, December 4, 2025
►Committed student status
The "committed student" program is governed by the " Committed Student Charter," adopted by the University of Montpellier, which all interested students are invited to read.
The activities eligible for the scheme are exhaustively listed in Article L. 611-9 of the Education Code with regard to the validation of skills, and in Article L. 611-11 with regard to adjustments to the organization and conduct of studies and examinations.
In order to validate the skills, knowledge, and abilities acquired through their activities, students must submit a request that must be justified and accompanied, in addition to the necessary supporting documents, by a document in which the student specifies and describes their activity (responsibilities, tasks assigned, skills acquired, etc.). The same activities can only be validated once per academic cycle.
For any adjustments to the organization and conduct of studies, the student concerned must submit a request to the registrar's office, accompanied by supporting documents specific to their situation, before:
> September 12, 2025, for an arrangement covering the first semester or the entire academic year;
>December 12, 2025, for an adjustment covering the second semester.
Adjustments only concern measures that are strictly necessary to reconcile studies and commitments.
►Students with disabilities
The Preventive Medicine Service (SCMPPS) and the Handiversité service work closely together to support students in successfully completing their studies at UM.
Complementary in their missions, they are your primary contacts for providing information, assessing your situation, recommending appropriate adjustments within the limits of feasibility, and monitoring their implementation within your component.
Need accommodations for studies and/or exams and competitive examinations?
- On the registration form, fill in the section entitled "declare a disability."
- Once you have registered/re-registered administratively, go to your digital workspace, under the "Handy" tab, to submit your request: online form
- Contactthe preventive medicine service(SCMPPS) andthe Handiversité service.
WARNING
All requests for exam and/or study accommodations must be made each academic year before November 30 via the Handy app.
Those who have not yet submitted an application may still do so for thesecond semester before March1 of the current year.
- Disability liaison officers
Handiversité is a permanent structure dedicated to welcoming and supporting students and staff with disabilities.
This structure is present within each component of the University of Montpellier through disability liaison officers.
► Contacts within the Faculty of Law and Political Science
> Administrative: Laure Gruet
> Educational: Béatrice Pastre-Belda
►Student Assistant Status
Under the special study arrangements (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014, this scheme is designed to implement adjustments enabling the students concerned to follow the courses essential for the continuation and success of a university course while providing the necessary assistance to a relative. Caregiver status may be granted to any student enrolled at the University of Montpellier in an initial training program leading to a national diploma. Students wishing to claim caregiver status must provide regular and frequent non-professional assistance to a close relative who has lost their independence due to age, disability, or a chronic or disabling illness, in order to help them perform all or part of the tasks or activities of daily living. The person receiving care may be a member of the student's family (ascendant, descendant, 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 faculty, school, or institute (UEI) responsible for enrollment, which is tasked with compiling a list of student assistants based on the applications received.
The granting of this status is conditional upon the signing of an educational success contract between the student and the faculty, school, or institute (UEI) in which they are enrolled.
The conditions for benefiting from this scheme are specified in the Student Assistant Statute approved by the CFVU (University Council) of the University of Montpellier on June 17, 2025.
The deadline for submitting the application form and supporting documents is September 29, 2025.
►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 support 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 undergraduate program or apprenticeship program leading to a UM national degree (enrollment in at least the third year of higher education (Bachelor's, Master's, etc.).
The conditions for benefiting from this scheme are specified 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 their registrar's office. A form accompanied by an application file must also be submitted. Applicants are asked to provide any documents that demonstrate their connection to the entrepreneurial project.
The granting of this status is conditional upon the signing of an educational success contract between the student and the faculty, school, or institute (UEI) in which they are enrolled.
► Other special cases of study adjustment requests
Under the special study arrangements (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014 (point 1-4 of the Bachelor's degree study regulations), this system is intended to implement adjustments enabling the students concerned to follow the courses essential for the continuation and success of a university program. The beneficiaries of this provision are students at the University of Montpellier who are enrolled in initial training for a national degree.
Students who are in one of the following situations may request to benefit from correspondence tutorials:
- Military
- Responsible for a family (one or more dependent children under the age of 12 or considered to be the breadwinner)
- Dual degree program
Students should submit the application form according to their enrollment status: Bachelor's or Master's degree to the Registrar's Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Science. The deadline for submitting the application and supporting documents is September 29, 2025.
► Application form for distance learning tutorials: Bachelor's and Master's degrees
► menstrual leave
The University of Montpellier takes into account the impacts of menstrual periods that may occur during studies, in the form of menstrual leave. Starting in the 2025-2026 academic year and in accordance with the CFVU deliberation of June 17, 2025:
- Any menstruating person enrolled at UM in a national degree program may justify an absence due to menstrual disorders from in-person classes (lectures, tutorials, practicals, etc.),excludingscheduled assessmentsandany periods spent in a professional environment. Ten daysof exemption from attendance per academic year for in-person classes (lectures, tutorials, practicals, etc.), limited totwo days per month.
The student must submit a completed sworn statementto the registrar's office of the Faculty of Law and Political Science within48 hours of the class(es) in question.