The caesura
Calendar for gap year applications
What is a 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 the benefit of the gap year is not a parallel path to degree-based training; it cannot replace the learning methods provided for in the training program, such as the final project, work placements, or foreign language teaching.
Césure program – University of Montpellier – CFVU of 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 between L1 and M2.
It must last for a minimum of one semester and a maximum of one academic year.
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In what circumstances can I request a gap year?
- Training in a field other than that of the registration training;
- Civic service commitment (voluntary civic service commitment, volunteering, European Voluntary Service, civic service for firefighters);
- Starting a business as a student entrepreneur;
- Personal experience;
- Work experience: professional experience may be assessed on the basis of an employment contract (fixed-term contract), a volunteer contract, or an internship agreement.
If you request a break for an internship, your application will only be accepted for ONE internship lasting a maximum of six months during a semester.
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
=> Proof of enrollment 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 (motivation, objectives, etc.)
=> One letter of commitment for each host organization (volunteering, civic service, etc.)
=> A letter of support for the project from a teacher-researcher in the teaching department (at the targeted level)
=> A detailed month-by-month program of the gap year
AND
=> The gap year agreement (signed by the student and the academic advisor only) and the gap year application
These two documents will be sent to you starting in July.
Internship during the gap year
If you wish to do an internship during your gap year, you must contact the Academic Affairs Department, as a special gap year internship agreement must be drawn up:
fds.mitra@umontpellier.fr
Gap year for travel abroad
If I wish to travel to a foreign country, I must first check the Ariane portal to find out about the risks in that country. If the country is in the red category (formally not recommended) or orange category (not recommended unless there is a compelling reason), the request for a gap year will be refused unless there is a compelling reason.