Approved Programs in France
The French academic year begins in October and ends in June. Because of the differences between the French and the American university systems, programs in France typically are sponsored by American colleges and universities that have affiliations with various French universities and that offer an intensive language course prior to the start of the French academic year. You may also want to consider programs in Senegal and Belgium.
Wellesley-in-Aix
Location: Aix-en-Provence
Dates: August to late June for full year; late January to late June for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: four-week pre-session in Paris in French literature and contemporary culture, followed by courses in the regular curriculum at the University of Provence. In the spring the pre-session lasts only one week.
Housing: apartments, homestay
Application deadlines: September 15 for spring; February 15 for year
Other information: evaluation on file
Boston University, Advanced University Studies Program
Location: Grenoble
Dates: mid-September to mid-December for fall; mid-January to mid-May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: advanced French, humanities, and social sciences
Housing: homestay
Application deadlines: October 15 for spring; March 15 for fall/year
Other information: Program offers cultural activities and field trips to other significant French cities.
Middle Eastern and Mediterranean Undergraduate College of Menton (Sciences Po)
Location: Menton
Dates: late August to late January for fall; early January to mid-May
Language of instruction: English, French, Arabic
Courses: social Sciences and courses specialized in the College’s interest (Political Economy of the Middle East, Geopolitics of the Middle East, History of the Arab-Islamic Civilization, etc.)
Housing: singles, doubles, and triples. Housing in private homes may also be available.
Application deadlines: October 15 for spring; April 15 for fall/year (Princeton deadlines). The application will be released to you online after Sciences Po is notified by Princeton that you have permission to apply. E-mail Dean Kanach to start the application process.
IES Abroad, University of Nantes
Location: Nantes
Dates: early September to mid-December for fall; early January to mid-May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: Courses offered by the program and regular courses at the University of Nantes in the humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences
Housing: homestay
Application deadlines: November 1 for spring; May 1 for fall/year (Princeton deadline)
Academic Programs Abroad
Location: Paris
Dates: mid-September to late December for fall; mid-January to late May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: anthropology, art history, economics, film studies, history, linguistics, literature, philosophy, psychology, sciences, and sociology, at Parisian universities and institutes. The program offers an intensive language and culture course and a French theater course.
Housing: homestay or independent living
Application deadlines: October 31 for spring; March 15 for fall/year
Other information: evaluation on file. University courses may be supplemented by a tutorial provided by the program.
Center for University Programs Abroad (CUPA)
Location: Paris
Dates: mid-September to mid-January for fall; mid-January to late May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: full curriculum available at Parisian universities and institutes, program courses in French language and art history
Housing: homestay or independent living
Application deadlines: October 15 for spring; March 31 for fall/year
Other information: evaluations on file. Students may apply for CUPA merit award to support special projects while in France.
CIEE Study Center, Critical Studies Program in affiliation with Paris III (La Sorbonne-Nouvelle)
Location: Paris
Dates: late August to mid-December for fall; mid-January to mid-May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: Students take two required program courses (a writing workshop and a course on critical theory), plus other courses offered by the program or at the University of Paris III.
Housing: apartments, homestay
Application deadlines: November 1 for spring; April 1 for fall/year
Other information: evaluation on file. Excellent choice for students interested in film studies.
Columbia-Penn Program in Paris at Reid Hall
Location: Paris
Dates: late August to late December for fall; early January to late May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: program courses in art, French language and area studies, history, literature, philosophy, political science, women's studies, and some offerings in the natural sciences; university courses in the humanities and social sciences; supervised independent research in addition to courses at Parisian universities.
Housing: residence halls, apartments, homestay, or hotels
Application deadlines: October 1 for spring; March 1 for fall/year
Other information: evaluation on file
École Centrale (exchange in engineering)
Location: Paris
Dates: early September to late January for fall; early February to mid-June for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: chemical engineering, computer science, mathematics, mechanical and civil engineering, physics
Housing: dormitories
Application deadlines: No later than October 14 for spring and April 13 for fall. Submit application to the Office of International Programs. The application package, including the course catalog and course list and budget and practical information, is available on the ECP website: www.ecp.fr/studyprograms
Course Catalog: http://www.ecp.fr/files/content/sites/ecp_internet/files/Academics/PDF/engineering_program/course_catalog_ecole_centrale_paris.pdf
Information Sheet: École Centrale Exchange with Princeton (.pdf)
Other information: This option may be of particular interest to students in the Energy Program since offerings in Nuclear Engineering are available and a summer internship at an energy-related company can be arranged.
Institut d'Études Politiques de Paris ("Sciences Po") (exchange with Princeton)
Location: Paris
Dates: late August to late January for fall; late January to mid-June for spring. Full year is highly recommended.
Language of instruction: French
Courses: economics, French language, geography, history, political science, and sociology
Housing: Staff at Sciences PO provides advice in finding housing.
Application deadlines: October 15 for spring; April 15 for fall/year (Princeton deadlines). The application will be released to you online after Sciences Po is notified by Princeton that you have permission to apply. E-mail Dean Kanach to start the application process.
Information sheet: Sciences Po Exchange with Princeton (.pdf)
Other information: evaluation on file. Sciences Po is one of Europe's most distinguished universities. Woodrow Wilson School policy seminar offered in the fall.
Junior Year in France, Sweet Briar College
Location: Paris
Dates: late August to mid-December for fall; early January to late May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: full curriculum, art history, economics, European studies, French studies, history, international relations, philosophy, politics, psychology, sciences
Housing: Homestay, pensions
Application deadline: October 15 for spring; March 15 for fall/year
Other information: evaluation on file. Founded in 1948, this is probably the oldest study abroad program in Paris and is very familiar to the Department of French and Italian.
C.V. Starr-Middlebury School in France
Location: Paris
Dates: early September to mid-January for fall; early January to mid-May for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: anthropology, art and architecture, art history, cinema studies, comparative literature, economics, French language and culture, French literature, geography, history, linguistics, philosophy, political science, sociology
Housing: homestay, residence hall
Application deadlines: October 1 for spring; March 15 for fall/year
Location: Paris
BCA in Strasbourg
Location: Strasbourg
Dates: early September to late December or mid-January for fall; early January to late May or mid-June for spring
Language of instruction: French
Courses: French language, full curriculum
Housing: host families, university housing, or student boarding houses
Application deadlines: October 15 for spring; April 15 for fall/year
Other information: evaluation on file; Because of its location, Strasbourg is popular with students interested in both French and German. Political science, history, and economics are offered at the distinguished Institut d'Etudes Politiques de Strasbourg. There are also extensive offerings in religion in the Faculty of Protestant and Catholic Theology.
