France: University of Franche-Comté

‌Besançon is located Eastern France. Its beauty is undeniably unique, which is why in 2008 it was officially named a world heritage site by UNESCO. By choosing the University of Franche-Comté as your study abroad, location, you will study in the heart of Europe in a preserved environment where nature, heritage, culture and strong relations are yours for the taking.

Dates & Deadlines

Term: Spring
App Deadline: September 15th, 2025
Program Dates: December - May

Spring 2026 applications are now open. Students can click the link below to schedule a meeting to go over important details about this program and begin the application process.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the Summer of 2026 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. You can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

Location

Besançon is a cute city in Eastern France. Birthplace of Victor Hugo and the Lumière Brothers. It boasts the masterpiece of the famous French military engineer Vauban: The Citadel. Its beauty is undeniably unique, which is why in 2008 it was officially named a world heritage site by UNESCO. If you have a free afternoon, walk up to the Citadel of Besançon where you can visit a zoo and different museums all inside its magnificent walls.

The heart of the city is surrounded and protected by the Doubs River, which is why the locals talk about La Boucle when referring to the city center, which means “the loop.” Each bridge that crosses the Doubs connects downtown to the rest of the city and each one is unique in its own way and full of history, such as the Battant Bridge, or Pont Battant.

As you may already know, Besançon is a lively city thanks to the many students that fill the streets every day. There are around 23,000 students every year, so it’s no wonder that Besançon lives as much at night as it does during the day! Not to mention the huge number of international students that spend a year or more in the city and are always eager to meet new people.

Academics

Details on the 2+2 program can be found on the Department of Languages and Literatures Website.

Founded in 1423, the Université de Franche-Comté of today is a multidisciplinary establishment of higher education. Its international purpose is old since even in 1562 it had 223 international students compared to the only 45 local students from Franche-Comté making a total of 268 students! Today it contains over 23,000 students from 5 different university cities.

The Université de Franche-Comté is a pioneer in quality disciplines and there you can prepare any type of European degrees. It also has a lot to offer in terms of culture, sports and student life thanks to its numerous services such as Campus Sport and Campus Santé (Health).

Study in the heart of Europe in a preserved environment where nature, heritage, culture and strong relations are yours for the taking.

Visit their website to learn more about the university itself.

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Stephanie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process to France, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From the application process to financial assistance to preparing for your journey abroad, Stephanie will be with you every step of the way providing guidance and reassurance.

Important information to review:

Study abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be challenged by new experiences in new environments and cultures. UNI study abroad programs are designed to prioritize educational opportunities for students. Students are encouraged to embrace the adventure of exploring how housing, meals, and daily routines differ abroad.

Entry and Exit Requirements:

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the U.S. State Department for travel to France.

Immigration Information:

Students going to France for more than 90 days will need to apply for a student visa.

Your Study Abroad Advisor will help you through this process but it is the student's responsibility to stay on top of the visa application process and to review the latest updates related to their destination country.

Housing & Meals

Accommodations information to come

Summer School

The Centre de Linguistique Appliquée is a great option if you are looking to improve your French-language skills over the summer. Also located at the University of Franche-Comté, our students typically take a month of their intensive French courses.

UFC Centre de Linguistique Appliquée Cost Estimate June 2025 (PDF)

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost: $14,293*

*estimated total cost of participation, actual amount depends on type of housing accommodation selected, actual airfare purchase price, personal spending habits, and other factors

Estimated Total Program Cost	$14,293
Estimated U-bill Charges	$5,414
Estimated Out-of-Pocket Costs	$8,878

UFC Cost Estimate Fall 2024 (Pending Update of UNI Tuition)

UFC Cost Estimate Spring 2025 (Pending Update of UNI Tuition)

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,968
Room & Board	$4,993
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$902
Transportation	$385
Total	$11.648

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

Pending Updates for UNI Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible