The caesura
Timeline for Gap Year Applications
What is a caesura?
“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 […]
"It is stated that the gap year program is not a parallel track to the degree program; it cannot replace the requirements for earning a degree, such as the final project, professional internships, or instruction in a foreign language."
Dispositif Césure – University of Montpellier – CFVU, November 18, 2019 – DFE.
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When and for how long?
A break is possible between the different levels of the university program, from L1 to M2.
It must last for at least one semester and no more than one academic year.
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Under what circumstances can I request a leave of absence?
- 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.
If a student requests a break for one or more internships, each internship must not exceed 6 months and/or 924 hours per internship and per host organization.
The gap year cannot begin before September 1 (the first day of the academic year) and cannot extend beyond August 31 (the last day of the academic year).
Putting Together Your Gap Year Application
=> The enrollment certificate or Scol’Pass for the academic year during which you wish to take a gap year
=> A copy of both sides of your ID
=> A resume
=> A cover letter (reasons for applying, goals, etc.)
=> One letter of commitment for each host organization (volunteer work, civic service, etc.)
=> A letter of support from the advisor for your academic program
=> A detailed month-by-month plan for your gap year
AND
=> The gap year agreement (signed only by the student and the academic advisor) and the gap year application form
These two documents will be sent to you starting in June
Internship During the CÉSURE
If you wish to complete one or more internships during your gap year, you must sign a specific internship agreement, which you can obtain upon request by contacting:
fds.cesure@umontpellier.fr
Important: Any agreement generated through Esup-Stage will not be considered valid.
Before any trip outside mainland France
If, as part of one of your projects, you wish to leave mainland France or travel abroad, you will need to submit a travel request through the Emvhol app.
You should also consult the Ariane portal to learn about the risks associated with your destination.
If the country or region is classified as red (Strongly discouraged) or orange (Discouraged unless there is a compelling reason), the request for a study break will be denied unless there is a compelling reason.