Université Paul Valéry-Montpellier, France

Montpellier, a vibrant city in southern France, serves as the capital of the Hérault department in the Occitanie region. Founded in the early medieval period by the counts of Toulouse, it boasts a rich history evident in its well-preserved medieval architecture. The bustling Place de la Comédie and the impressive Montpellier Cathedral are central landmarks that reflect the city's heritage.

Paul Valéry University, also known as Université Paul-Valéry Montpellier 3, is a public institution in Montpellier, France, specializing in arts, humanities, social sciences, and languages. Named after the poet Paul Valéry, it became independent from the University of Montpellier in 1970. The university offers a wide range of undergraduate programs across faculties of arts, letters, languages, humanities, social sciences, and education. It hosts numerous research centers and engages in extensive national and international collaborations. With a diverse student body, including many international students, the university provides complete student services, with libraries, cultural activities, and sports facilities.

• The fall term runs from early September until late December. Fall semester students are back home for Christmas break.
• Spring semester students depart early-January and return in late May.

This program is best suited for French majors or minors. Students who choose to study in Montpillier must have completed 

• All courses are conducted in French.
• Students must select 4-5 courses based on French language or French culture.
• Students may also find Loyola core English or History classes.
• Other courses may be available outside of these subject areas.

*All grades from abroad are transferred and calculated into your Loyola GPA; no courses can be taken as pass/fail.

• Tuition 
• Round-trip airfare to Montpellier (based on program dates)
• Housing (students typically stay with a host family, although dorms are also a housing option)

Students may contact the local study abroad office for assistance.

All courses are conducted in French.

Students are not billed for Loyola housing. Instead, students must select from either UPV housing options or stay with a host family in Montpellier. Students are responsible for direct payments based on the options that they choose.

• Students may opt to live with a family or in a dorm on campus
• Students in host families will have two meals provided each day.
• No meal plan is provided for dorms

Loyola financial aid applies and students are eligible for consideration for all forms of federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid except the Federal Work Study Program. Students studying abroad for either a semester or full academic year will forfeit the value of a Federal Work-Study assignment for the semester/s that they go abroad. If the student qualifies for federal work study, they can use the award for the semester they are on campus during their abroad year.

If you receive GI/Veterans benefits, please contact our Registrar’s office as soon as possible before you apply!!

Students/parents pay to Loyola the following charges:

• Loyola Tuition
• Loyola Housing
• Study Abroad Program fee
• International Insurance Premium

Students’ expenses in France will vary depending on how much they travel, shop, and go out at night. Most students will take advantage of the proximity to other European countries and cheap airline tickets and travel, and that usually accounts for much of their spending.

Medical insurance is provided for all students during the program term by Loyola University Maryland through Chubb Insurance. This insurance coverage includes medical evacuation and repatriation, as well as 24-hour support services for medical issues. This insurance functions as a primary insurance while abroad.

Students are required to submit a copy of their U.S. health insurance card/policy. Please be sure not to cancel your US insurance policy while abroad since the provided insurances only function while on program and outside of the US.

We have advised students to contact their banks and credit card companies to inform them that they will be out of the country so that their accounts are not frozen once international activity occurs. While doing so, they should also check to see what international fees are incurred when using each of their cards i.e. ATM withdrawal fees, currency conversion fees, etc. We also advise that students are aware of the current exchange rate. If using a credit card, check to see if they have foreign transaction fees as this has the potential to save you money in the long run if you’re a frequent card user.

Students will be required to obtain a student visa before going to Montpellier for their semester abroad. Visas cost around $400 (prices vary year to year) and will allow students to stay in France during the entirety of their program term. 

Loyola will arrange group travel to and from Montpellier. While we encourage students to stay for the duration of the program, if necessary, students can change their return date upon completion of final exams, but it would be at their own cost. Loyola does not pay for any flight deviations or tickets changes.

Application Requirements 

Students must submit an online application AND a Course Planning form by 11:59 pm on the first Wednesday after Thanksgiving break of their sophomore year to study abroad in the fall or spring term of junior year. 

• Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session.
• Declare a major before applying to the study abroad program.
• Discuss with your major advisor the possible courses you could take abroad and see if there are any potential problems, he/she sees with your plans to study abroad; Students cannot be on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.

Criteria for Acceptance

• Minimum cumulative CQPA average of 3.00, but students with a 2.750 are also encouraged to apply.
• Students who can find courses which fit their Loyola program and allow full-time participation and who are neither on disciplinary probation nor have a history of serious disciplinary problems.
• ROTC candidates can apply as freshman to study abroad in the spring of their sophomore year. 
• An academic interview with the program coordinator at Loyola University Maryland is required.