Caesura
What is a gap year?
A study break 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.
Please note that taking a gap year is not an alternative to pursuing a degree program.
Types of caesura
Students may apply to take a gap year in the following manner:
- Training in a field other than the one listed on the application
- Civiccivic service (voluntary civic service, volunteering, European Voluntary Service, civic service with the fire department)
- Starting a Business as a student-entrepreneur
- PersonalPersonal
- Professional experiencethe workplace: Professional experience may be considered based on an employment contract (fixed-term contract), a volunteer agreement, or an internship agreement.
LENGTH OF THE BREAK
The duration of a gap year can range from a minimum of one academic semester—that is, an indivisible period of 6 months—to a maximum of two academic semesters.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1 – The quality and consistency of the project
2 – The student’s motivation regarding their project
3 – The form of the caesura
4 – Supervision by the host organization
GAP YEAR POLICY
REQUEST FOR A BREAK
The gap year application form must be sent tothe Registrar’s Officeand must be accompanied by:
- A cover letter describing the plans and objectives for the gap year and demonstrating the coherence of the student’s project
- A letter from the host organization confirming its commitment for the period in question, 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)
If the UM president’s decision is favorable, a gap-year agreement will be drawn up in duplicate.
Please send the file toodonto-scolarite@umontpellier.fr