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 a parallel path to degree-granting education.
Types of caesura
Students may apply to participate in the gap-year program in the following manner:
- Training in a field other than that of the enrollment program
- Commitment tocivic service (voluntary civic service, volunteer work, European Voluntary Service, volunteer firefighter service)
- Starting a Business as a student-entrepreneur
- ExperiencePersonal
- Experience inthe workplace: Professional experience may be evaluated based on an employment contract (fixed-term contract), a volunteer agreement, or an internship agreement.
LENGTH OF THE BREAK
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.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1 – The quality and consistency of the project
2 – The student’s motivation with regard to their project
3 – The Form of the Caesura
4 – Supervision by the host organization
GAP YEAR POLICIES
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 duration of the period, if applicable, or any other document verifying your activities for the requested gap year period (one supporting document for each period or organization)
Summary of the Application Steps
If the UM president’s decision is favorable, a gap-year agreement will be drawn up in duplicate.
Please submit the application toodonto-scolarite@umontpellier.fr