Exchange program

The exchange program is open only to students from partner universities.

Free movers or direct applicants are not eligible.

If you are a student at one of our partner universities and wish to apply to the IAE Aix for an exchange period, please contact your international office at your university. Students must be selected and officially nominated by their home university to apply for the exchange program at IAE Aix. 

Partner institutions nominate students via an online form sent by email to the partner.

University Nomination deadlines:

• Fall semester or Full year: April 1st

• Spring semester: October 1st

Student Application deadlines:

• Fall semester or Full year: April 21st

• Spring semester: October 21st

Step 1 Nomination

Students must first be nominated by their home university. Exchange students are nominated through the International Office of their home university. Once their nomination has been confirmed by IAE Aix, the student will receive by email instructions to apply via the Aix-Marseille University online mobility portal. 
 

Step 2 Online Student Application

Students receive the link by email to complete the online application through Aix-Marseille University’s mobility portal.
Mandatory documents to submit: 

• CV in English or in French

• Cover Letter explaining why you wish to participate in the exchange program at IAE Aix

• Academic transcripts from the current and two previous years before your exchange program

• Language proficiency certificate, if applicable (see language requirements)

• Provisional Learning Agreement (this is a draft only and is not final at the time of application) 

• Photo (passport style)
   

Step 3 Admission to the Exchange Program

After the application has been examined and accepted, students will receive an admission (invitation) letter as well as access to the online International Student Pack (a welcome pack) with useful information and resources designed to help students prepare their stay in France.

Minimum level of study required: 3rd year Bachelor (minimum age 21) and Master students are welcome.
Courses at IAE Aix are Master’s level only and open to third-year Bachelor’s students minimum.

Exchange students may take courses taught in French and/or in English.
For courses taught in English:

• TOEFL iBT band scale (1.0–6.0), minimum required scores by skill:
  Reading 4.0 / Listening 4.5 / Writing 4.0 / Speaking 4.5
  Minimum overall score: 4.5

• TOEFL iBT scale (0–120), minimum required scores by skill:
  Reading 21 / Listening 21 / Writing 21 / Speaking 22
  Minimum overall score: 85

• IELTS 6.0 (minimum score 6.0 in each band)

For courses taught in French: B2+ (TCF, DELF, DALF)

Exchange students exempt from providing proof of language proficiency:

• Native speakers

• Students currently enrolled in a degree taught in the language of instruction of their intended courses (English or French)

List of available Master’s-level management courses (Master 1 and Master 2), as well as international seminars and electives covering cross-disciplinary management topics.

Overview of Master’s-level management programs open to exchange students:

Exchange students generally attend core courses within one Master program. In some cases, it may be possible to attend a few courses from different programs than the one you are assigned to, on condition there are no timetable conflicts and space is available.

IAE Aix proposes 7 sessions (“plages” in French) of elective courses/international seminars to choose from each academic year:

• 3 sessions in the Fall semester

• 4 sessions in the Spring semester.

Each session offers a selection of transversal management themes, many courses are delivered in English and the “International Seminar” sessions offer courses taught exclusively in English.
The courses are subject to availability, and some have prerequisites. The final course offering is available at the beginning of each semester.
Incoming exchange students may complete their study plan with these courses, but this is optional.
Electives and International Seminars are time-compressed, intensive courses.
Students may sign up for only one course within each session. Each course delivers 3 credits.
By taking one course in each session, a student may earn up to 9 credits in the Fall semester and 12 credits in the Spring semester.

Enrolment in all courses is subject to approval by the International Relations Exchange program referent.
Students admitted to the exchange program will receive instructions for providing their course selection.

24 contact hours per course deliver 3 ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)

Minimum Load: 4 courses (or 12 ECTS) per semester 
Maximum Load: 10 courses (or 30 ECTS) per semester

Courses are organized in clusters of three or six hours per day throughout the semester or in intensive format. Exams are scheduled at the end of each course so there is not one specific exam period for all of the courses.

French language courses are designed to help exchange students develop their French communication skills, both in a business environment and in everyday life. These courses will enhance your cultural and academic experience during your exchange at our university and are strongly recommended.
All French language courses are free for exchange students.

Depending on your French level and the semester of your exchange, courses are offered either at IAE Aix or through the SUL (Service Universitaire des Langues) at Aix-Marseille University.
Please note that SUL courses are subject to availability.
 

Fall Semester French Courses

IAE Aix campus only

Intensive French Language Seminar (End of August)
Duration: 2 weeks
Credits: No ECTS
This intensive seminar is an excellent opportunity for international students to:

• Integrate into French academic life
• Learn about French culture
• Develop practical language skills for living in France
• Become familiar with the IAE Aix campus and cultural differences

French Language Course During the Semester (For Credit)

• 10 classes – 24 hours total
• 3 ECTS credits
• Open to all levels
   

Spring Semester French Courses

Beginner Level only at IAE Aix campus

• 10 classes – 24 hours total
• 3 ECTS credits

Intermediate and Advanced Levels through the SUL at Aix-Marseille University

• 30 hours total
• 4 ECTS credits (100% attendance required to obtain credits) 

⚠️ Mandatory online placement test required before the start of the semester

Official Academic Grade Transcripts are sent directly to the home university and the student approximately six to eight weeks after the end of the semester.

Grading Scale

IAE Aix facilitates access to an off-campus student residence managed by CROUS located in Aix-en-Provence. Students receive instructions from the International Relations team for applying when the reservation period starts.

The Crous residence provides a secure and affordable living environment with convenient access to bus services to the IAE Aix campus (about a 40-minute bus ride to the IAE Aix campus). Many students use the bus to travel between the Aix-en-Provence city center and IAE Aix campus. There is also a carpooling app called Karos that is popular with students. If exchange students do not want to reserve a room at the Crous student residence, resources are available to find alternative accommodation on the private market, however this type of accommodation can be very expensive in Aix-en-Provence.

Student Housing Subsidy

The student housing subsidy application APL (Aide personnalisée au logement) or ALS (Allocation de Logement Social) with the CAF (Caisse des Allocations Familiales) can be started once you have signed a lease and moved in. Applying for benefits is done online and the amount of financial aid varies according to your situation. www.caf.fr

Being part of IAE Aix also means taking full advantage of a rich student life, including student associations, cultural events, and sports activities, to make your exchange experience both enjoyable and rewarding.

At the start of the academic year, the IAE Aix Student Association (BDE) organizes a buddy program to pair incoming exchange students with current students, helping you settle in and get the most out of your stay.

BDE Student Association : bde_iae_aix (Instagram)
BDS Sports Association : bds_iae_aix (Instagram)
BDA Arts and Culture Association : bda_iae_aix (Instagram)
Propulse Junior Enterprise IAE Aix : propulse_junior (Instagram)

• Culture
• Sports
• Health
• Housing
• Transportation
• Crous university cafeterias

Housing: from 260€ in a Crous student residence to 450€-800€ for a private rental in Aix-en-Provence
Gas/Electricity: 40€-60€
Internet & Phone: 20€-40€
Food & Groceries: 200€-300€
Medical: 30€
Transport: 28€/month (bus pass)
Housing Insurance & Personal Liability: 40€-60€ for the year

The amounts provided are estimates intended as a general guide and can vary.

European exchange students are required to provide a copy of their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).
Non-European exchange students are required to provide proof of private coverage.

Before coming to France :
If you are a non-European citizen and wish to study in France, you must first apply for a long-stay student visa (VLS-TS), valid for 4 months to 1 year.
Information and the application process can be found here.

After arrival in France :
Your long-stay student visa (VLS-TS) also serves as a temporary residence permit. Upon arrival in France, you must validate your visa as a residence permit within 3 months of your arrival.
https://administration-etrangers-en-france.interieur.gouv.fr/particuliers/#/