FAQ Intercambio y Doble titulación

Exchange mobility allows students to spend a study period at INSA Lyon while remaining enrolled at their home university. It lasts for one semester or an academic year, and students only receive one degree from their home university. The credits earned at INSA Lyon are transferred to their home university degree.
Double degree mobility allows students to earn two degrees (one from INSA Lyon and one from their home university). This mobility can last from 2 to 3 years, depending on the double degree agreement.

You will find the calendar and all the relevant information on the application process at:
• Apply for exchange mobility at INSA Lyon
• Apply for double degree mobility at INSA Lyon

Nomination is a prerequisite for applying for international mobility. Your home university must approve your application and send a list of selected students to INSA Lyon's mobility coordinators. Only students who have been nominated by their home university will be considered for mobility at INSA Lyon.

Yes, even if you have been pre-selected or selected for a double degree program, you must still complete the application form via the MoveON platform as soon as it opens.

This information is available on the exchange student page under the "Required Documents" section.
Double degree candidates must also complete and attach the authorization to pursue the double degree, which must be signed by the academic supervisor at their home university.

Yes, even if there is no mobility agreement between your university and INSA Lyon, you can apply as a visiting student. In this case, you will need to pay tuition fees (618 euros), just like regular INSA Lyon students.

Yes, international students are assigned mobility coordinators based on their geographic region to assist them with administrative procedures. Additionally, each department provides academic advisors, who are INSA professors, to help with academic matters, such as courses, learning agreements, and projects.

• If you are from Latin America, Africa, Asia, or Spain: welcome2@insa-lyon.fr
• If you are from North America, Oceania, or Europe (except Spain): welcome3@insa-lyon.fr

A minimum of B1 in English and/or French, depending on the language of instruction of the chosen courses. If you have chosen courses taught in French and currently have an A2 level in the language, you are still eligible to apply. However, in this case, you must enroll in the Summer School (if arriving in Semester 1) or Winter School (if arriving in Semester 2) and reach at least a B1 level before classes begin. For those already at a B1 level in French, you can also enroll in the Summer or Winter School to further improve your language skills.
Students choosing only courses taught in English are not required to demonstrate proficiency in French. However, it is important to note that the range of courses taught in English at INSA Lyon is very limited.

Submitting a language certificate is not mandatory but strongly recommended. If you have one, including it will significantly strengthen your application.

We accept all language certificates in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This means the certificate must demonstrate the student's skills in listening, reading, speaking, and writing. We accept various types of French proficiency certificates (DELF, Alliance Française, certificates from a Language Center, or a certificate from your university confirming your French level, etc.). Similarly, we accept all English proficiency certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, etc.).

If a student wishes to submit an IELTS One Skill Retake certificate, he must also provide additional evidence of his skills in the other areas (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) as required by the CEFR.

The language proficiency certificate must be submitted before the end of the application period. If you cannot provide it immediately, you can contact the mobility coordinator at INSA responsible for your geographic region.

Exchange students must refer to the list of available courses on the platform exchange-student.insa-lyon.fr/ to select and create their learning agreement. Double degree students should contact the double degree coordinator at their home university to obtain the list of courses outlined in the double degree agreement.

No, the course selection simulation is a provisional learning agreement required during the application process. It allows the selection committees to have an overview of the courses the candidate intends to take during their exchange. The final learning agreement will be requested from the student once their application is accepted.

Some departments at INSA offer courses in English, but the overall offering is very limited. Therefore, we recommend that our exchange students have a good level of French to be able to supplement missing credits in their learning agreement with courses taught in French, if necessary.

You must select 60% of your scientific ECTS credits from your Major department, and only 1 or 2 courses from the Minor department. You are not allowed to choose courses outside of your Major and Minor departments.

There is no minimum number of ECTS credits required for exchange students, and you cannot exceed 30 ECTS credits per semester. However, during the creation of your course selection simulation, the platform may ask you to select at least 15 credits. Since the course selection simulation is a provisional learning agreement, you will have the option to reduce the number of credits in your final learning agreement, which you will establish after your admission.

Download and consult the grade conversion table.

To change your Major department, you must create a new course selection simulation and send it by email to the mobility coordinator responsible for your geographic region. He/she will then submit your application to the relevant department for review. However, to change your Minor department, you can directly contact the academic advisor of your Major department.

Yes, you just need to contact the academic advisor of your department at INSA to make this request.

The courses available for exchange students are listed on the website exchange-student.insa-lyon.fr/. On this platform, you will find a list of courses that each department at INSA offers to our future mobility students. Each course is accompanied by its description and syllabus.
The student logs into the platform, clicks on "Start," and selects their main department. They can then access the list of courses offered by that department. To view the course syllabus, they simply need to click on the eye icon. This will provide them with all the necessary information, which they can also download in PDF format.

To know the course schedules at INSA, you must consult the student intranet, which you will have access to once you are officially registered at INSA. Classes take place during the week, between 8 AM and 5 PM, but specific schedules vary based on the timetable of each program and department. For precise information about a course, please contact the secretariat or the academic advisor of your host department at INSA.

You need to contact the academic advisor of your department at INSA to present the issue and possibly consider changing courses or groups.

The summer and winter schools are intensive French language programs offered during the summer and winter. They provide international students with the opportunity to improve their French skills before the start of the semester. You can apply for these through the MoveON application form for mobility.
More information: fle.insa-lyon.fr/content/ecoles-dete-et-dhiver

If you indicated in your MoveON application form that you wish to participate in the summer or winter school, your request will be automatically taken into account. If accepted by our committee, you will receive your admission letter to the program after the selection process.

If you have finalized your administrative registration and, if applicable, paid the summer or winter school fees, no further administrative steps are required from you. You will receive a confirmation of registration by email as soon as our mobility coordinators have validated your registration.

Yes, the summer school awards 4 ECTS credits, while the winter school awards 2 ECTS credits.

You can obtain a language certificate after the summer or winter school if you request it from the service responsible for the summer and winter schools.

The summer school covers accommodation and meal costs until the end of August. Starting September 1st, you will need to take care of the monthly rent and, if you wish, subscribe to a meal plan. However, the winter school does not include accommodation or meals.

Yes, you will keep the same accommodation for the entire duration of your mobility.

Responses will be available starting May 20 for candidates arriving in the first semester (autumn-winter) and starting November 15 for students arriving in the second semester (spring-summer).

Yes, the one-year duration mentioned in the acceptance letter is normal and applies to all students admitted to the double degree program. It refers to the first year of the program. At the end of the first year, a new registration certificate will be issued to you after your registration for the new academic year.

If you are not a citizen of an EU/EEA/Swiss country, you will need to apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) at the French consulate in your country of residence.
You can perform a simulation on the France-visas.gouv.fr website to find out whether you need to obtain a visa or not.

Taking out travel insurance is not mandatory, but it is recommended. As an international student, you will need to register with the French social security system (Assurance Maladie) after your arrival and registration at the university. The processing of the social security registration requests can take between 1 to 3 months, or even longer. If you have travel insurance, it will cover you during this transition period in case of urgent medical needs.

The minimum monthly budget for living in Lyon varies according to lifestyle, but for a mobility student housed on the INSA campus, you should plan for around 700 to 800 euros per month.

Mobility students must fill out a dedicated form that they will find on MoveON during their application.

You should indicate the date you plan to arrive on campus as well as the end date of the first or second semester, depending on the duration of your mobility program. If your stay ends earlier than expected, you have the option to request an early departure by giving one month's notice to the residence managers.

You will receive an email from the Residence Management at the end of March regarding the reservation campaign to be accommodated again for the next academic year.

No, the student accommodations at INSA are not the same as those of CROUS. INSA has its own student residences on campus, which are managed directly by the institute. CROUS, on the other hand, is a national organization that manages university residences for all students in France. The two types of housing are distinct in terms of management, location, and allocation conditions.

You will find the rates in the document "Housing Application for Exchange Students," which you can download from this site insa-lyon.fr.

Yes, however, if you obtain accommodation at CROUS, you must promptly inform our residence managers at INSA Lyon so that your reserved room can be allocated to another student on the waiting list.

Yes, filling out the housing application form during your application is sufficient. No further steps are necessary. INSA Lyon guarantees accommodation for all exchange and double degree students.

No, you will not receive a residency certificate mentioning your room and building before your arrival at INSA. These details will only be communicated to you on-site.

The housing application you completed during your application serves as acceptance. Therefore, you do not need to wait for further confirmation regarding your accommodation, which is guaranteed for all exchange or double degree mobility students at INSA Lyon.

If you are participating in the summer or winter school, you may move into your accommodation starting two days before the beginning of French classes. If you are not participating in these programs, access to your accommodation will be possible starting one week before the beginning of the semester classes.

If you arrive in Lyon before the authorized date to enter your accommodation, you will need to arrange for temporary housing off-campus. There are several options available, such as hostels, hotels, or short-term rentals.

No, it is not possible to visit the rooms before applying or signing the lease. However, you can consult the descriptions of available accommodations on the INSA website or contact the residence management service for more information.

No, after signing your contract and moving into your accommodation, the Residence Management will send you an email to inform you of the total amount to be paid and the instructions for making the payment.

Web payment, bank transfer to the INSA Accountant, check made out to the INSA Accountant (with your student number or invoice on the back), cash, and credit card at the INSA Accounting Agency.

Yes, mobility students may be eligible for housing assistance from CAF. To apply, visit the website www.caf.fr after signing your lease. You can fill out the application form there and submit the necessary documents.

For information on scholarships and financial aid, we invite you to consult this page Financial aid.

Yes, if you have a Long-Stay Visa Equivalent to a Residence Permit (VLS-TS) with a minimum duration of 6 months. French law allows foreign students to work part-time, up to 964 hours per year, which is equivalent to 60% of the legal working time. For specific information related to your situation, we recommend visiting the official website of the French administration.

Administrative registration starts in July for students admitted for semester 1 and in December for students admitted for semester 2. It is done online via the PEGASE platform. You will receive an email containing the registration link as soon as the platform opens.

No, exchange and double degree mobility students are exempt from registration fees at INSA Lyon.

No, exchange and double degree mobility students are exempt from the CVEC.

No, mobility students are not required to fill out the housing and catering forms included in the confirmation email. The medical form is also not mandatory. However, if you have health issues, feel free to visit the Health Center located at 8 Allée du Rhône, Camille Claudel Building, Ground Floor.

Both parts must be duly filled out and signed, one by you and the other by a doctor.

Go to 8 Allée du Rhône, Camille Claudel Building, 1st floor, to request the creation of a new card. A fee of 25 euros will be charged.

You should contact 04 72 43 88 43 or send an email to axel.guirao@insa-lyon.fr for assistance.

If you wish to extend your exchange stay, you must first contact your home university and your academic advisor in your department at INSA to obtain their agreement. Once you have received approval, you will need to send proof (confirmation email) to the mobility coordinator responsible for your geographical area. They will handle the extension of your stay and also inform the residence managers to request an extension of your housing contract.

Upon your arrival at INSA, you should first go to the Administrative Direction of Training and Student Support (DAFORAE) to collect your student card. Then, you can proceed to the Residence Management to sign your lease and receive the keys to your accommodation. Be sure to check the specific instructions sent by INSA before your arrival, as details may vary depending on your program or situation.

You need to contact the academic advisor in your host department at INSA to request permission for a late arrival. Be sure to provide the reason for your delay so they can make the necessary arrangements to assess your request.

No, INSA does not offer luggage storage services. You will need to find a solution outside of INSA.

Contact the mobility manager responsible for your geographical area to obtain an arrival certificate. If you are coming from Latin America, Asia, Africa, or Spain, please send an email to welcome2@insa-lyon.fr. If you are coming from North America, Europe (excluding Spain), or Oceania, please contact welcome3@insa-lyon.fr.

• Health Insurance: If you are a citizen of the European Union, make sure to have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Students from non-EU countries must register for free with the French social security upon arrival in France.
• Liability Insurance
• Home Insurance

Home Insurance covers damage to your accommodation and personal belongings in case of fire, water damage, theft, or vandalism. Liability Insurance covers damages you may cause to third parties, whether to individuals or their property.

You can subscribe to these insurances either through an insurance company in your home country or with a French insurer. However, it is strongly recommended to obtain these insurances from a French insurer to ensure that the coverage meets local standards and requirements. Several French insurance companies offer contracts specifically tailored to students, and you can subscribe upon your arrival in France.

INSA may have pre-negotiated insurance contracts for international students with some companies. However, the choice to subscribe to these contracts or another insurance provider is entirely personal.

To benefit from health insurance in France, you must register with the French Social Security on the official website, completing the required form and providing necessary documents. Once registered, you will receive a health card called “Carte Vitale”. It is also recommended to subscribe to complementary health insurance to cover remaining costs. The French Social Security offers a free complementary plan called Complémentaire Santé Solidaire for students, and it is advisable to apply for it upon registration.

You can subscribe to a meal plan either before your arrival or once you are at INSA. If you prefer not to subscribe to a plan, you can also use your student card to pay for meals. You simply need to recharge it at the ATM available in the campus restaurant halls, and you will be charged per meal. For more information on meal options and prices, visit the INSA Lyon restaurants website

You can leave INSA to return to your home university at the end of the period specified in your exchange or dual degree program, usually at the end of the semester or academic year. Wait for confirmation of your exam end date before booking your return ticket. Once this date is confirmed, you can plan your departure.

Only your study department at INSA can provide your transcripts. Therefore, you must contact the secretariat or academic advisor of your department to make the request.

Contact your mobility manager responsible for your geographical area at INSA to submit your request. You can also email them the mobility certificate template that your home university requires to be signed.