Caesura
“A gap year is defined as a period during which a student enrolled in an initial higher education program temporarily suspends their studies in order to gain personal or professional experience, either independently or under the supervision of a host organization in France or abroad […] It is stated that taking a gap year is not an alternative track to the degree program; it cannot replace the requirements for earning the degree as outlined in the program, such as the final thesis, professional internships, or instruction in a foreign language. The eligibility requirements are specified in the “Gap Year Policy” dated January 17, 2021.”
Students may apply to participate in the gap-year program in the following manner:
- Education in a field other than the one listed on the application
- Civic Service Engagement (voluntary civic service, volunteering, European Voluntary Service, civic service with the fire department)
- Starting a Business as a Student-Entrepreneur
- Personal Experience
- Work Experience: Professional experience may be evaluated based on an employment contract (fixed-term contract), a volunteer agreement, or an internship agreement.
The duration of a leave of absence can range from a minimum of one academic semester—that is, an indivisible period of 6 months—to a maximum of two academic semesters.
Only students in their initial degree program are eligible for a gap year.
This may include a student enrolled in a higher education program who wishes to temporarily suspend their studies.
The student must be enrolled in a program beforehand.
During the gap year, the student remains administratively enrolled at his or her home institution as a gap-year student, but is not enrolled in his or her degree program.
Special provision for students enrolled in the first year of a bachelor's degree program with a health or physical therapy track (LAS1 or LAK1)
For students enrolled in LAS1 or LAK1, the gap year program applies only to one academic year. Consequently, no requests for a gap year lasting one semester will be accepted.
Since repeating a year is not permitted and a gap year counts as a year of enrollment, any student who decides to take a gap year in either of these two tracks will be reinstated at the end of the gap year—not into LAS1 or LAK1, but into L1.
DATES
- Annual or first-semester break in France: no later than September 15*
- Annual break or first-semester study abroad: no later than September 1*
- Mid-semester break in the second semester in France or abroad: no later than December 15
*It is strongly recommended that you submit your gap year application by September 1 of the preceding spring to allow time for the application to be processed and a decision to be made before you begin your gap year.
Please submit your application to staps-cesure@umontpellier.fr or by mail to:
UFR STAPS
Student Affairs – Gap Year Office
700 av du Pic Saint-Loup
34090 MONTPELLIER
ATTACHMENTS
- The completed and signed gap year application form.
- The gap-year agreement, which will be sent to you by the Gap-Year Office if your request is approved, must be completed with the program director (Article 5) and signed
- A cover letter describing the plans and objectives for the gap year and demonstrating the coherence of the student’s project
- A statement from the host organization confirming its commitment for the period, if applicable, or any other document verifying your activities for the duration of the requested gap year (One supporting document for each period or organization)
- The quality and consistency of the project
- The student's motivation regarding their project
- The Form of the Caesura
- Supervision by the Host Organization
The application for a gap year is submitted to the University President for approval.
If the decision is favorable, an agreement will be drawn up in duplicate, specifying, in particular, the procedures for monitoring the student during the gap year.