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Take a DU Passerelle course

Proposed by Comité de la Démarche Accessible , RÉSEAU MEnSUpdated on il y a 2 jours

A Passerelle course allows people in exile (refugees, beneficiaries of subsidiary and temporary protection, stateless persons, asylum seekers, etc.) to reach the level of French required to study at university in France.

There are a total of 45 Passerelle courses in France. Each one is specific: the name of the course, the level of French, the duration and the program are different depending on the university.

In general, each training program offers:

  • French lessons
  • Help for building your professional and academic project (what studies or jobs are possible after the training, how to register or send an application…)
  • Support for administrative procedures at the university
  • Intercultural and sporting activities
  • Social, psychological and medical support provided by the institution's services…

Some courses also offer the opportunity to attend other university courses, visit monuments or companies, tutoring sessions with students or professors...

You can take a French exam, such as the DELF, at the end of most courses.

42 Passerelle courses are accredited for the Passerelle University Diploma. This accreditation allows students under 35 years of age who are beneficiaries of international or temporary protection to access CROUS scholarships ( social criteria scholarships for students under 28 years of age and the specific annual allowance for students aged 28 to 35).

Students enrolled in a University Diploma (DU) bridging program have student status and access to all the institution's services, just like all other students. You can also apply for CROUS student housing.

See also: the Refugees.info fact sheet "Having CROUS student accommodation"

The University Diploma (DU) bridging program is free for students: they are exempt from registration fees and the student and campus life contribution (CVEC). As soon as you receive a positive response from the university to enroll, all the necessary steps will be explained.

You can continue to receive CAF benefits, such as APL or allowances, during the DU Passerelle.

Depending on your situation, you also have the option of remaining registered with France Travail (formerly Pôle Emploi) and working while undertaking training. However, it is no longer possible to receive RSA benefits while a student (except in exceptional circumstances, through France Travail).

How to do it?

To complete a University Diploma (DU) for a bridging program, you must:

  • have the level of French required by the DU Passerelle program you wish to enroll in
  • explain your motivation for pursuing university studies in France.
  • have a secondary school diploma (equivalent to a high school diploma) or have completed high school (12 years of school) in your country of origin.

If you do not have a high school diploma or if you have not finished high school

You can take the university studies access diploma (DAEU).

Read: the Refugees.info fact sheet "Obtaining the University Studies Access Diploma (DAEU)"

If you do not have proof of your diplomas

Because you were unable to take them before leaving your country or because they were lost during the journey, you can apply for a European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR) or explain your situation to the university you are interested in.

Read: the Refugees.info fact sheet "Applying for a European Qualifications Passport for Refugees (EQPR)"

To find a training course near you, you can:

1. Search directly on Refugees.info

On the website:

  • Go to the search page
  • Write the name of your city or the name of your department on "Department" then write "DU Passerelle" in the keywords.
  • Click on the "Search" button.

If you are on the app:

  • Type "DU Passerelle" in the keyword search
  • OR go to the "Studying" section, then "Going to university".
  • If you have specified in the application where you live, you will directly find the DU Passerelle available in your area.

2. Look at the map of institutions that offer this training.

It is advisable to do a DU Passerelle in the university that interests you (if it offers one), because it will be easier to enroll in a bachelor's, master's or other degree after the DU Passerelle.

Application in Ile-de-France

In Ile-de-France, the MEnS Network and 13 universities offer a single procedure and application form for the DU Passerelle.

Find all the information in this Refugees.information sheet.

Applications from elsewhere in France (outside the Ile-de-France region)

You need to go to the website of the chosen university and complete the application form.

Please note: application periods vary between universities.

You need these documents in digital format, either by scanning them or taking a photo of them with your phone:

  • a valid or unvalid form of identification (passport, receipt, residence permit, etc.)
  • Cover letter in French or English, depending on the program.
  • CV (Curriculum Vitae)
  • Copy of high school diploma (baccalaureate) or highest university degree obtained and translation into French OR ENIC-NARIC comparability statement

    Read: the Refugees.info fact sheet "Getting a foreign diploma recognized in France"
If you do not have your diplomas, you can explain your situation to the university and request a specific procedure.

Other supporting documents may be required depending on the university, such as proof of French language proficiency.

After submitting your application, if your application is selected, you will be invited for an interview and a French language test. The university will confirm your enrollment in the University Diploma Gateway program after this stage.

If you have difficulties preparing your application and sending it, you can write a message to the email address provided by the university.

You can also ask for help from an association near you or contact UniR - Refugee Universities.

What happens next?

Each university may accept or reject your application depending on the criteria of the course.

Unfortunately, the Passerelle University Diploma programs receive far more applications than available places. If you are not selected, this does not reflect negatively on your academic background or skills.

If the refusal is related to the level of French, you have the option of submitting an application the following year.

After the training, you will first receive a certificate of completion and then an official diploma: scan the documents and keep them safe.

Read: the Refugees.information sheet "Scanning a document"

After the training, you can enroll at university for a bachelor's degree, master's degree, BUT, BTS, etc. (depending on your previous course of study).

You will be supported during the training to choose which study program you can enroll in.

You will be supported in applying for the chosen course.

Read: the Refugees.information sheet "Registering at university"

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