Special study programs & Study accommodations
►Hyphen
Decree No. 2018-372 of May 18, 2018, concerning the temporary suspension of studies at public institutions offering undergraduate 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 previously enrolled in a course.
The student must then submit 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 break taking place in France and 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 details and objectives of the gap year, demonstrating the coherence of the student’s plan
► A letter from the host organization confirming its commitment for the duration of the program, 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 the gap year application).
Documents required to establish an internship agreement for a gap year:
►Student-worker status
The “Working Student” status may be granted to any student enrolled at the University of Montpellier in an undergraduate 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 entitled to 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 durations are based on current regulations in force at
) - 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 eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in the Student Employee Regulations approved by the CFVU of the University of Montpellier on September 29, 2025.
Students should submitthe application form to the Registrar’s Office of the Faculty of Law and Political Scienceat . The deadline for submitting the application and required 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 accommodations that allow eligible students to take the courses necessary for the pursuit and successful completion of 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 application files.
The granting of this status is contingent upon the signing of an academic success contract between the student and the Faculty, School, or Institute (UEI) in which they are enrolled.
The eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in the Student-Artist Charter approved by the University of Montpellier’s CFVU on April 30, 2024.
When enrolling at the University of Montpellier, students wishing to obtain artist status must, in order to benefit from the provisions described below, submit an online application via the University of Montpellier website and provide the required supporting documents. Applications are received by the Art & Culture Department of the Campus Life Division (DVC), which is also responsible for assisting the applicant with their status application and throughout their artistic project. At the beginning of each academic year, student artists may apply to renew their status. 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 Office (DVC) website: https://art.edu.umontpellier.fr/etudiantes-et-etudiants-artistes/
- Artist Status for the 20
academic year – Online application period opens: Monday, July 1, 2025
– Online application period closes: Monday, September 22, 2025 - Artist Status for the second half of 20
– Online application period opens: Monday, October 6, 2025
– Online application period closes: Monday, December 8, 2025
►Elite Athlete Status
High-Level Athlete Status may be granted to any student enrolled in an undergraduate 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 parties involved by ensuring that the academic studies and athletic activities of students holding this status are compatible.
Granting of this status is contingent upon the signing of an academic success agreement between the student and the academic unit (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 University of Montpellier’s CFVU on June 25, 2024.
Applications for high-level athlete student status must be submitted online via the University of Montpellier website: https://www.umontpellier.fr/campus/sport, and supporting documents must be submitted to the University Office of Physical Education and Sports.
Any incomplete application will be rejected.
Applications are reviewed by one of the following three committees:
First Committee:
- Online registration begins on Tuesday, July 1, 2025
- Online registration deadline: Monday, September 8, 2025
- Deadline for submitting supporting documents to SUAPS: Monday, September 8, 2025
2nd committee: - Online registration opens: Monday, September 15, 2025
- Online registration deadline: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
- Deadline for submitting supporting documents to SUAPS: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
3rd Committee: - Online registration begins: Monday, November 3, 2025
- Online registration deadline: Thursday, December 4, 2025
- Deadline for submitting supporting documents to SUAPS: Thursday, December 4, 2025
►Active student 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 eligible for this program are exhaustively listed, on the one hand, in Article L. 611-9 of the Education Code with regard to the validation of skills, and, on the other hand, in Article L. 611-11 with regard to accommodations in the organization and conduct of studies and examinations.
To have their 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, by:
> September 12, 2025, for a program spanning the first semester or the entire academic year;
>December 12, 2025, for adjustments covering the second semester.
These adjustments are limited to measures strictly necessary to balance academic studies and extracurricular 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.
Working in tandem to fulfill their respective roles, they serve as your primary points of contact to provide you with information, assess your situation, recommend appropriate accommodations as feasible, and monitor their implementation within your department.
Do you need accommodations for your studies and/or exams and entrance exams?
- On the registration form, fill in the section entitled "declare a disability."
- As soon as you complete your registration or re-registration, go to your digital workspace and click on 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 by November 30 of each academic year via the Handy app.
Those who have not yet submitted an application may still do so for thesecond semester by March1 of the current year.
- Disability Liaison Office
Handiversité is a permanent office dedicated to welcoming and supporting students and staff with disabilities.
This office is represented within each department 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 Assistant 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 care to a family member. Caregiver status may be granted to any student enrolled at the University of Montpellier in an initial program leading to a national degree. A student wishing to qualify for caregiver status must provide regular and frequent non-professional assistance to a close family member who has lost their independence due to age, a disability, or a chronic or disabling illness, to help them perform all or part of their daily living activities. The person receiving care may be a member of the student’s family (parent, child, sibling, 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 academic unit (UFR), school, or institute (UEI) in which the student is enrolled.
The eligibility requirements for this program are outlined in the Student Assistant Regulations approved by the University of Montpellier’s CFVU on June 17, 2025.
The deadline for submitting the application form and required 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 encourage students’ engagement in entrepreneurship.
The status of "innovative student entrepreneur" allows talented students at UM 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 University of Montpellier (enrollment must be at least in the third year of higher education, such as the third year of a bachelor’s degree or a master’s program).
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 academic unit (UFR), school, or institute (UEI) in which the student is enrolled.
► Other specific cases involving requests for academic accommodations
Under the Special Academic Program (RSE) defined in Article 12 of the Order 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 completion and successful completion of their university program. The beneficiaries of 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 take the tutorials via correspondence:
- Military
- Head of household (with 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 degree program ( 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 29, 2025.
► Application Package for Distance Learning: 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 student enrolled at UM in a national degree program may be excused from in-person classes (lectures, tutorials, labs, etc.) due to menstrual discomfort,excludingscheduled assessmentsandany periods spent in a professional setting. Ten daysof exemption from attendance per academic year for in-person classes (lectures, tutorials, labs, etc.), limited to2 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 (or classes) in question.