International Exchanges

Graduating Students, Incoming Students, International Students, Foreign Physicians

Outgoing StudentsIncoming Students Share Share Welcoming International StudentsWelcoming Foreign Doctors
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Outgoing students – outcoming

Outgoing Students – ERASMUS+

The ERASMUS+ program allows studentsto spend a semester or an academic year studying in a European country with which the Montpellier-Nîmes Faculty of Medicine has signed an inter-institutional agreement.
This program is open only to students in their 2nd through 4th years (for the first semester, Integrated Module E) of the medical program.

A trip abroad requires 10 months of preparation.

Departure is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Successful completion of the academic year (no debt is permitted);
  2. Submission of the Erasmus+ administrative and academic application package(any application that is incomplete or submitted after the deadline will be dismissed);
  3. Administrative registration at the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicinebefore departingfor a study abroad program.

The 2026–2027 Schedule of Stages

– On October 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Room 313, there will be an information session on international exchange programs for 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-year students (in person for students in Montpellier and via videoconference for students in Nîmes) → Click here for the presentation slideshow

– No later than January 13, 2027: After reviewing the List of Erasmus University Programs, interested students should submit the following to med-ri@umontpellier.fr:

Their 2027–2028 Graduating Class Profile

Resume + Cover Letter in French and in English/German/Spanish, depending on the positions applied for.

Submitting these two documents allows students to register for the selection interview.

– Mid-March 2027: Students are invited to aninterview with the Erasmus Committee. This interview, which takes place in English, Spanish, or German depending on the chosen destination, allows students to:

– Each student should explain their motivations in detail;

– It is up to the committee to verify his language skills.

– Mid-April 2027: Student placements at partner universities in Europe.

– Students fill out an online “Moveon” form using the link that will be sent to them.

Next, they register on the host university’s website; the deadlines may vary by country.

– Students must draw up their academic contract no later than June 25, 2027; this contract will specify all the courses the student must take and pass under the same conditions as a student at the host faculty. This contract will be signed by the student and will serve as a reference and guarantee for the student, just as it does for both the home and host faculties.

During their exchange program and as their academic agreement evolves, students are required to notify the Associate Dean for International Relations and Cooperation and the International Student Exchange Coordinator as often as necessary, through the Office of International Relations (contact: med-ri@umontpellier.fr).

  • Upon returning to France, the student must submit to the registrar’s office the results of his or her year of study abroad: original transcripts, certificates, etc.
  • Approval by the ERASMUS Committee: In mid-July, the student is summoned by the committee for an interview regarding the educational experience and the study abroad period.
    The committee may require an assessment of the student’s knowledge through an oral or written exam.
  • Approval by the Graduate Program Committee : This committee is the only one authorized to announce the results for the year spent abroad:
    • either a deferral or repeating the grade;
    • or validation and admission to the next academic year: 60 ECTS credits and 60 hours of elective modules are validated, except for the AFGSU;
    • AFGSU and C2i: Students admitted to DFASM1 must complete the AFGSU course during their first year of graduate studies.
      Students who have not completed C2i Level 1 in DFGSM2 and go on an ERASMUS exchange in DFGSM3 must take the exam upon their return during one of the many sessions offered by the faculty.

A trip abroad requires 10 months of preparation.

Departure is subject to the following conditions:

  1. Successful completion of the academic year (no debt is permitted);
  2. Submission of the Erasmus+ administrative and academic application package(any application that is incomplete or submitted after the deadline will be dismissed);
  3. Administrative registration at the Montpellier-Nîmes School of Medicinebefore departingfor a study abroad program.

The 2025–2026 Milestone Schedule

– On October 13, an information session on international exchange programs was held for 2nd-, 3rd-, and 4th-year students (in person for students in Montpellier and via videoconference for students in Nîmes) → Click here for the presentation slides

– No later than January 13, 2026: After reviewing the List of Erasmus University Programs, interested students must submit a 2026–2027 Outbound Program Preference Form to med-ri@umontpellier.fr

– No later than February 6, 2026: Submit a resume to med-ri@umontpellier.fr, detailing your academic background and any previous travel abroad, along with a cover letter in French and in English, German, or Spanish, depending on the destinations requested. Submission of these two documents allows students to be scheduled for the selection interview.

– March 16 and 17, 2026: Students are invited to aninterview with the Erasmus committee. This interview, which takes place in English, Spanish, or German depending on the chosen destination, allows students to:

– Each student should explain their motivations in detail;

– It is up to the committee to verify his language skills.

– Mid-April 2026: Student placements at partner universities in Europe.

– Students fill out an online “Moveon” form using the link that will be sent to them.

Next, they register on the host university’s website; the deadlines may vary by country.

– Students must draw up their academic agreement no later than June 26, 2026; this agreement will specify all the courses the student must take and complete under the same conditions as a student at the host faculty. This agreement will be signed by the student and will serve as a reference and guarantee for the student, just as it does for both the home and host faculties.

During their exchange program and as their academic agreement evolves, students are required to notify the Associate Dean for International Relations and Cooperation and the International Student Exchange Coordinator as often as necessary, through the Office of International Relations (contact: med-ri@umontpellier.fr).

  • Upon returning to France, the student must submit to the registrar’s office the results of his or her year of study abroad: original transcripts, certificates, etc.
  • Approval by the ERASMUS Committee: In mid-July, the student is summoned by the committee for an interview regarding the educational experience and the study abroad period.
    The committee may require an assessment of the student’s knowledge through an oral or written exam.
  • Approval by the Graduate Program Committee : This committee is the only one authorized to announce the results for the year spent abroad:
    • either a deferral or repeating the grade;
    • or validation and admission to the next academic year: 60 ECTS credits and 60 hours of elective modules are validated, except for the AFGSU;
    • AFGSU and C2i: Students admitted to DFASM1 must complete the AFGSU course during their first year of graduate studies.
      Students who have not completed C2i Level 1 in DFGSM2 and go on an ERASMUS exchange in DFGSM3 must take the exam upon their return during one of the many sessions offered by the faculty.

Incoming students

ERASMUS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

You have the opportunity to study at the Montpellier–Nîmes School of Medicine for a semester or a year as part of the Erasmus+ exchange program and have the credits (ECTS) you earn recognized toward your home degree.
You’ll find all the information you need in the handbook for international students to help you prepare for your stay 

Book-open Book-open A Guide for International Students

Duration ranging from a minimum of two months to a maximum of six months

No Erasmus internship is paid, neither by the Faculty nor by the University Hospital.

To apply for a hospital internship, please register using the link below:

https://erasmus-facmedecine.umontpellier.fr/

This platform provides you with support throughout the entire process, right up to your enrollment in the School of Medicine.

MOVEON link: 

Interns must complete the University of Montpellier's MoveOn 2026-2027 form:

https://unimontpel.moveonfr.com/form/69c8d9cd55e6a2d4a907ff0a/eng

It is possible to complete an internship at the hospital outside of any exchange program. In this case, the university may issue a Certificate of University Studies (AEU), officially recognizing the academic nature of your internship.
The goal of this program is to structure and institutionalize the placement of international students in internships within hospital departments.

Application Process

  1. Apply for an internship at
    Your application must be submitted through the dedicated application (link available below).
  2. Obtain approval from the Department Head
    The head of the hospital department must approve your internship application.
  3. Receive approval from the Medical Affairs Department
    The Hospital Administration must then confirm its approval.
  4. University Enrollment
    Once your application is accepted, you will be enrolled at the university.
    Obtaining a student ID card will give you access to certain university services.

Cost of the application

For the 2025–2026 academic year, the fee for the Certificate of University Studies is set at €209.

To apply for a hospital internship, click the link below:

https://erasmus-facmedecine.umontpellier.fr/

This platform will give you access to the single application form, which is required for your application.

Welcoming International Students

To obtain the State Diploma of Doctor of Medicine issued by the French government

A medical student studying abroad may not, under any circumstances, transfer to a medical program in France while already enrolled in another program.

Regardless of their level of education, they must submit an application for an exemption from academic requirements.

All information regarding this procedure is available on the “Academic Programs and Training – Bridge Programs, Transfers, and Course Exemptions” page: https://facmedecine.umontpellier.fr/etudes-et-formations/passerelle-transfert-reclassement/#dispense-dtudes 

A student who is a citizen of the European Union and holds a postgraduate degree in medicine may takethe ECNin France.

Graduate medical students (residency)

International students may complete a hospital internship outside of any regulatory framework. This is an unpaid observational internship.

The University is not involved in this program; therefore, students do not need to enroll in the School of Medicine.

Only the hospital administration has the authority to enter into a placement agreement and provide the student with any certificates he or she may need.

Interested students should contact the Medical Affairs Department at the relevant hospitals:

Welcoming Foreign Doctors

Doctors who earned their medical degrees outside of France and wish to practice in France

To practice medicine in France, a physician must meet all three of the conditions set forth inArticle L. 4111-1of the Public Health Code:

  • hold the citizenship specified in this section of the law;
  • hold the degrees specified in Article L. 4131-1 of the Public Health Code;
  • be registered with a departmental board of the Medical Association.

As an exception, physicians who do not meet all of these cumulative requirements may be authorized to practice medicine by an individual order issued by the Minister of Health.

Citizens
  • Physicians who are nationals of a Member State of the European Union or a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area and who are providing serviceson a temporary and occasional basisare exempt from these cumulative requirements (Article L. 4112-7of the Public Health Code): Prior to providing services for the first time, a DECLARATION must be submitted to the National Council of the Order of Physicians.
  • In accordance with Directive 2005/36/EC, physicians who are nationals of a European Union member state or a party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area have the freedom of establishment to practice medicineon a permanent basis in France: the procedures for validating their degree and registering must be completed through the National Council of the Order of Physicians.

Doctors who earned their medical degrees outside of France and wish to train in France but practice in their home country

Citizens of the EU, the EEA, Switzerland, and Andorra who wish to specialize:

Submitthe ECN on a European levelto validate a DES.
Each year, approximately 20 residency positions are available in certain specialties and cities.

Nationals from countries outside the EU, the EEA, the Swiss Confederation, and Andorra

Takethe ECN as a foreign candidateto obtain a DES after a 4-year residency (medical specialties) or a 5-year residency (surgery).
This applies to medical specialties, anesthesiology and critical care, clinical laboratory science, obstetrics and gynecology, public health, psychiatry, and surgery. Each year, approximately 20 residency positions are offered under this program in the Île-de-France region, as well as in Dijon, Caen, Angers, Nice, Bordeaux, and Toulouse.
The list of positions available through the competitive exam is established by ministerial decree in February, with the application deadline set for the end of March. The qualifying exam takes place in September, and the admission exam in December.

DFMS / DFMSA

  • TheDFMS(Diploma in Specialized Medical Training) is awarded after 2 to 6 semesters of study. The program is open to physicians currently pursuing a specialty in their home country.
  • TheDFMSA(Diploma in Advanced Specialized Medical Training) is awarded after 1 to 2 semesters. The program is open to physicians who already hold a specialty certification.

The program includes theoretical instruction and practical training in hospital departments.

Selection is based on the application. Applicants must demonstrate a B2 level of proficiency in French.

Students have FFI (Faisant Fonction d’Interne) status for the duration of their training.
The number of available spots is set for each discipline and specialty by ministerial order.

Physicians wishing to pursue their specialty training in France must register BEFORE JANUARY 15 at the French Embassy in their country of origin or, for stateless persons and political refugees, at the University of Strasbourg. An application form must be downloaded and returned to the University of Strasbourg – Faculty of Medicine, 4 rue Kirschleger, 67085 Strasbourg, by January 15, for training to begin on November 1.

Information and Registration Form