Exchange students at Inalco

Exchange students can choose courses from three different categories, depending on their individual needs and level of French. Please note that the vast majority of Inalco courses are taught in French. You will find all the necessary information in the document "Inalco - Course Offerings 2024/2025" at the bottom of the page.

• Courses in Languages and Civilizations - Minimum French level: B1 acquired

  These courses refer to teaching in languages area studies. Please note that:

  • Korean studies department – all courses are closed to exchange students due to the limited number of spots
  • Japanese studies department
    • Courses from the 1st year of bachelor degree are closed this year
    • Students wishing to take courses from the 2nd year of Bachelor degree must have a JLPT N3 with a minimum grade of 120/180
    • Students wishing to take courses from the 3rd year of Bachelor degree must have a JLPT N2

    • Russian, Arabic and Chinese studies departments – Full beginner classes are closed to exchange students. Students wishing to take courses from these departments must attest that they previously studied the language for about 200 hours.

       

• Courses in French as a Foreign Language (FLE) - No minimum French level

  Inalco offers courses in French as a foreign language. All proficiency levels are available, from A1 (complete beginner) to C1 (advanced).

  Please note that a French language test will be sent prior to arrival at Inalco. the results will determine the level of the group in which the student will be enrolled at Inalco, regardless of other DELF/DALF exam results obtained. 
   

• Professional Track courses - Minimum French level: C1 acquired 

  Students also need a level of B1 or B2 in English depending on the Professional Track selected (see the document "How to choose my courses at the bottom of the page for more information).

  • International Trade
  • International Relations
  • Intercultural Communication
  • Language Didactics
  • Texts, Informatics and Multilingualism

• Please note that access to Inalco's Professional Track courses is competitive and subject to final approval by an admissions committee. 
   

  Please note:

• Students will need to ensure that they have the language prerequisites to follow the chosen courses: if this is not the case, they will not be able to be enrolled on the chosen courses.
• Students must respect a limit of 30 ECTS per semester.

Step 1: The partner university informs Inalco of the students it has pre-selected: this is the nomination period.

Please note that nomination by the partner university does not automatically lead to admission to the exchange program. Admission is only guaranteed on receipt of the Acceptance letter.

Step 2: Inalco contacts these pre-selected students, sending them an application form to complete online. Students will need to provide a passport photo, a photocopy of their ID and a French language certificate (DELF/DALF or certificate from their home university).

If they wish to follow courses in professional streams, students will also need to provide the following documents:

• CV (in French or English)
• Letter of motivation (in French)
• Attestation of English (B1 or B2 level minimum) 

Step 3: Inalco studies the applications submitted and sends admitted students a Acceptance letter.

Step 4: Accepted students can then begin the process of preparing for their study stay in France (visa, finding accommodation, enrolling in courses, etc.). Inalco's International Relations Office will assist them at this stage.

The 2024/2025 academic year calendar will be uploaded on this page at a later date.

Academic year 2023/2024

First semester

• Orientation session*: September 14, 2023
• First day of classes: September 18, 2023
• Last day of classes: December 23, 2023
• Examination period: December 18, 2023 - January 23, 2024
• Catch-up session: June 24 - July 9, 2024

Second semester

• Orientation session*: January 26, 2024*
• First day of classes: January 29, 2024
• Last day of classes: May 18, 2024
• Exam period: May 21 - June 5, 2024
• Catch-up session: June 24 - July 9, 2024

*The orientation session is compulsory and marks the start of the exchange program.

Inalco works with external residences (CIUP/CROUS/ALJT), located within the Paris city limits, to provide exchange students with student housing. However, please note that housing cannot be guaranteed, especially during the Fall semester.

Prices range from €400 to €620, or about half of the average prices on the private market.

Students wishing to apply for one of these residences will need to include this information in their online application form.