Balancing studies, career and passion

The University of Montpellier has taken another step forward in its commitment to the inclusion and support of its students with the introduction of 3 new specific statuses. After the disabled and top-level athletes, it is now extending its support to artists, employees and entrepreneurs. The aim? To better correspond to their realities and aspirations, enabling them to better reconcile their studies with their professional or artistic activities.

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The various specific student statuses are part of the special study regime (RSE), defined by article 12 of the decree of January 22, 2014. The latter aims to introduce essential accommodations to enable the students concerned to pursue and succeed in their university course, while taking into account their issues, constraints and specificities. Until now, people with disabilities and top-level athletes have been able to benefit from a special status. It is now open to students who are artists, employees or entrepreneurs.

Educational contract for success

Granted for a semester or a full academic year, students wishing to benefit from this status for the entire duration of their course must apply for annual renewal. After acceptance by a dedicated commission, a pedagogical success contract formalizes the commitments and arrangements agreed between the two parties. It is important that students respect their commitments, particularly with regard to obligations linked to their status, such as participation in university competitions for high-level athletes, or risk losing this status.

Lastly, each UFR, school and institute is free to adapt this system, allowing greater flexibility in its application. "First and foremost, it's about recognizing the specificities of student profiles, and offering a more suitable and flexible framework for adapting courses without compromising academic requirements," explains Agnès Fichard-Carroll, vice-president in charge of training and university life.

Student artist 

Student artist status is a special scheme designed to enable students to combine their university studies with intensive artistic practice, while helping them to professionalize their approach. To date, applications for this status have come from students involved in disciplines such as music, dance and theater. However, this status remains open to other artistic disciplines.

Still not very widespread, it is recognized in less than 100 establishments in France. "Although the University of Montpellier does not have an arts department, it is nonetheless rich in talent, and we had to help them emerge. So, in addition to allowing students to manage their studies differently, this status offers personalized monitoring of the development of their artistic practice, with specific support aimed at professionalizing their approach and facilitating their integration into the art world.

Student entrepreneurs

The status of innovative student entrepreneur is a specific study scheme for students in their third year of study or above. To qualify, students must submit an application demonstrating their commitment to an innovative entrepreneurial project. In particular, the project must relate to the challenges posed by the I-Site label of excellence, which focuses on three major areas: nourishment, care and protection. The application must highlight the creation of a professional activity by the student, as well as his or her active involvement in initiatives responding to these major societal challenges. Support for the project will be provided by the PUI (Pôle Universitaire d'Innovation).

Student employee

The status of student employee at the University of Montpellier is open to all students enrolled in initial training for a national diploma, with the exception of sandwich courses. This status enables students to combine their studies with employment, provided they meet certain criteria relating to the duration and hourly volume of the work contract. For an employment contract of less than 12 consecutive weeks, the student must provide proof of a minimum of 10 hours' work per week, or 40 hours per month. On the other hand, for a contract of more than 12 weeks, a minimum of 120 hours of work per semester or 240 hours over the academic year is required. This scheme offers flexibility to students combining study and work.