If you do not come from the European Economic Zone, you need a long stay visa (visa D Student, staying permit must be requested when you arrive in France) from the French embassy in your country. This visa will enable you to receive a one-year staying permit from the Prefecture in Poitiers.

Be careful if you are given a D visa, with no obligation to get a staying permit to check that you will be able to attend the whole term. If the validity of the visa is not long enough, you will be denied registration.

If you wish to register, send the registration form and a cheque (see Courses – Registration). As soon as we receive these documents, you will be sent a registration certificate which may be required by the cultural services of the French embassy.
Please, before sending any payment, check the regulations with the embassy. Note that some embassies demand a registration certificate about the studies in a specific field (besides French as a foreign language) at the French University. As the University of Poitiers doesn’t issue such documents, refer to the CEF for further information.

To register you will need :

• the registration fee in euros (i.e. what you have not yet paid). Payment can be made in cash, international credit card or French bank check;
• your diplomas (translated into French or English) giving access to the university in your country;
• your CVEC certificate that you can obtain here (apply only after obtaining your VISA).

When you arrive at the station, you can buy a ticket from a machine located inside the train station or at the “Tabac-Journaux” just across the street. You can also buy one on the bus.

It is much cheaper to buy a book of 5 tickets. You will find them in most Tabacs-Journaux (shops where you can buy cigarettes and newspapers). After you have received your Student Card, you will be able to buy a monthly bus pass at special student rate.

If you want further information about subscription, go to the Vitalis website.

• If you come from the European Economic Zone and if you benefit from Heath Insurance in your country,you must bring the European Health Insurance card or one of the following forms : E 128, 106, 109, 111, 121, 122 .
• If you don’t have one of the documents, you’ll have to suscribe to the French Student Health Insurance.

The French Social Security refunds up to 70% of the medical expenses. Therefore, you are advided to take out a supplementary health insurance, after your registration.

How to get from Paris to Poitiers ?

If you land at Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport, you will be able to take from the Roissy-TGV railway station, a train TGV Lille-Europe which stops in Poitiers.

Otherwise, go to Montparnasse railway station in the south of Paris and take a TGV (high-speed train), to Poitiers, Bordeaux or La Rochelle (make sure they stop at Poitiers). It is necessary to take a reservation.

Before getting on the train, do not forget to have your ticket stamped in one of the many yellow-coloured machines located in the hall and at the entrance to the platform. You will be fined if you have not done so.

How to get from Poitiers train station to the town centre ?

When you leave the station, go left to the bus stop. Buses n° 1, 3, 11 and 2B go right to the town centre from Monday to Saturday.

If you want further information about buses in Poitiers, go to the Vitalis website.

Many taxis are also available just outside the station but note that taxis in France are fairly expensive : about 12 € to go from the station to the campus during the day and much more by night !

How to get to the CFLE on the campus ?

From the train station : take bus n°1, get off at Cité U and cross the campus. The CFLE is in the Department of Literature and Languages (UFR Lettres et Langues), building A (follow the signs)

From the town centre : take bus n°1 place du Marché Notre-Dame and get off at Cité U. The Department of Literature and Languages (UFR Lettres et Langues) is situated across the street. The CFLE is in building A (follow the signs).

Please note : on Sundays on Bank holidays, buses change.
From the train station or the town centre, take bus n°A, get off at Champlain. Take bus n°B, get off at Gymnase or Champlain.

There are various places where you can eat near the Center (restaurants, cafés and cafeterias) but the university restaurants remain the cheapest. They include cafeterias, brasseries (diners) and self-service restaurants.
They propose different sorts of meals and are open from Monday to Friday until noon. One of them is always open on week-ends and during university vacation time.

If have something to say, please fill in the form claim form and return it to the Secretary office (Room A.222).

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