Université de La Réunion
Please find useful information below about the Université de La Réunion as an exchange destination. Learn more about the location, the campus, courses and student life!
About
The Université de La Réunion is a multidisciplinary training and research development institution, welcoming over 19,000 students per year. Founded in 1982, it is also the only French and European University located in the Indian Ocean, famed for its international reach and reputation.
Location
The Université de La Réunion is on the island of Réunion, located just east of Madagascar. It is a tropical and volcanic island, teeming with life and lush foliage. The university is located in the capital city Saint-Denis, located in the northern region of the island.
Apart from the urban feel in Saint-Denis, the surrounding area is lush with nature and tropical elements. There are many hikes, beaches, and natural scenery to take in. Some popular sights are the Cascade de Grand Galet waterfall, Anse waterfalls and the Kélonia museum of zoology.
The Université de La Réunion has 3 campuses and 4 sites located throughout different regions of the island:
North: Bellepierre, Victoire, Moufia, Technopole
West: Maïdo
South: Holy Land, Le Tampon
Level of competitiveness
This exchange is only open to students studying a Modern Language in the School of the Arts.
For competitiveness level, please enquire with the STA Year Abroad team.
Language of Instruction
French is the language of instruction and examination, as that is the target language of Modern Language students who study here, although there are a few courses taught in Creole and English.
It is recommended that students have at least a B2 level in French, both for written and oral skills.
Academic Calendar
The academic year is divided into two semesters:
- First semester: August- December
- Second semester: January- June
Please refer to this website for more detailed information and the full academic calendar.
Courses
The Université de La Réunion offers a wide range of courses, mainly taught in French. The entire course catalogue can be found here.
The university offers three types of degrees:
- Bachelor's degree ('Licence'), awarded after completing 3 years of higher education (180 ECTS credits)
- Master's degree, awarded after 2 years of postgraduate study (300 ECTS credits)
- PhD degree, which is obtained following 3 years of study and research after completing a master's degree
Credits
Students must enrol on a full courseload equivalent to 60 Queen Mary credits per semester / 120 for a full academic year. The Université de La Réunion uses the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS), where 1 Queen Mary credit = 0.5 ECTS. Therefore, a full courseload at AMU is 30 ECTS per semester / 60 ECTS for the full academic year.
Université de La Réunion's landing page for incoming exchange students
Instagram takeovers:
Accommodation
Students who wish to live in university accommodations can apply accordingly. Students can receive government help through La CAF (National Family Allowances Fund) if eligible based on their personal circumstances.
University residence halls are all located within the campus premises, a short walk from the library, school buildings, and other amenities. Basic services such as mail, pharmacies, laundromats, restaurants, supermarkets and emergency medical services are all situated within a close distance.
Accommodation in public French student residence halls (all subsidised and managed by each region's student welfare office known as the Centre régional des œuvres universitaires, abbreviated as CROUS) is price-controlled yet varies depending on if any facilities are shared or private/en-suite. Typically, accommodation in these halls reserved exclusively for students studying in France includes a single bed, kitchenette, shower, toilet, desk and all utilities (water, electricity and internet). For more information, please visit this link.
Campus France also has pages dedicated to accommodation: Where to live during your stay and a list of accommodation options. Students should also consult the advice from the Centre d'Information et de Documentation Jeunesse (CIDJ).
Students in France who meet certain conditions are entitled to modest, monthly financial housing assistance payments from the French government to help with the cost of rent, whether they rent student accommodation or privately, alone or in a flat/houseshare (referred to as colocation); procedures to apply will slightly differ depending on the situation. These housing benefits are commonly referred to as "la CAF" or "the CAF" in both French and English (Caisse des Allocations Familiales), as this is the service of the government delivering the financial support. The type and amount of the funding you may be eligible for will depend on your living and renting situation, yet most students are eligible to receive Custom Housing Assistance (aide personnalisée au logement, abbreviated as "APL") in the amount of €180-€200 per month. You must open a French bank account in order to be eligible to receive payments. You must also eventually have a French social security number (enrolment and registration at Panthéon-Sorbonne facilitates this), yet you may be able to begin the application process without this. Learn more here about eligibility and further conditions for applying; guidance for international students applying for the first time can also be found here.
Private accommodation: Students who rent privately either through an estate agent, homestay or private student halls should be aware that the cost will be higher, and students will likely be asked to provide details of a caution (or guarantor) required for signing any rental contract.
Queen Mary students who intend to look for private accommodation are advised to follow the partner’s guidance as soon as possible to begin their accommodation search safely.
Cost of living
Estimations for living in Réunion can be found here. Please also consult the estimated minimum and maximum cost of living figures available in our “Estimated Costs of Living” document available on our Finance page.
Support services
The Université de La Réunion offers support for students which include social support, wellness workshops, health centres, and medical services. Students can schedule appointments to receive support and help. More information can be found on here.
Student Life
Studying at the Université de La Réunion offers many different amenities for students to take advantage of, shaped by a supportive campus community, vibrant culture, and the beautiful island life.
The university contains many amenities and supportive services to ensure that students have access to modern facilities and help whenever they need. These include:
- Facilities with extensive computer labs and campus-wide WiFi.
- Large libraries and over 25,000 electronic journals
- A student guidance centre to help students navigate their studies and career goals
- Health care services, providing free consultations
The Université de La Réunion has many options for students to stay active. Through SUAPS (Sports and Physical Activity Services), students can partake in:
- Fitness classes, hiking, water sports, and more
- Opportunities for personal coaching and university team sports
- Football, volleyball, or individual sports
Students can also explore their passions through 17+ student associations and numerous cultural activities.
Affordable dining options for students in university housing include:
- Cafeterias
- Shared kitchens
- Studio apartments with kitchens
- Nearby bakeries and cafés
Full information on student life can be found here.
Logistical Tips & Adjustment to Island Life
Living on a tropical island such as Réunion feels much different than living on a larger continent. Below are some tips and guidance on studying in Réunion:
Réunion is part of France, so all visa and entry documentations, as well as insurance and healthcare should be consulted through the French consulate.
Public transportation may not run as frequently as mainland cities.
Island life feels more relaxed and runs at a slower pace. As Réunion is overseas, parcel delivery and mail can take longer to arrive.
International visitors and students can feel “island fever,” or “rock fever,” which is a feeling of being isolated and limited within an island. For more information about this and tips to cope with island fever, please consult this site.