Presentation of the Arras campus
CESI’s campus in Arras has a building divided into several spaces (classrooms, living spaces, Research platform, employee offices, patio, car parks, among others).
Themes related to nature, the universe and science are represented in the key areas of the school, through different works painted throughout the building.
Programs offered at CESI Arras campus
Contact
Anaïs MUCKE
International Candidate Relations Officer
amucke@cesi.fr
+33 686 208 724
Would you like to come and study in France as part of a degree program or exchange? Every year, CESI welcomes students from all over the world to its various high-quality programs.
Joining CESI guarantees fully accredited and certified training programs (CTI, Ministry of Higher Education and Research, HCERES, Bienvenue en France) and recognized teaching quality.
Prepare for your future in France with CESI by choosing the training program that suits you best.
Arras’ programs:
- Foundation Years
- Engineering Program
- Master’s Degree
- Executive Post-Graduate Program®
Other admission programs are available to international students: Bridge to Engineering (Pre-engineering degree) and Bridge to Master (Pre-Master’s) in partnership with n+i.
Do you need help building your academic project and would like to talk to our team to find out more about our programs? Contact our team dedicated to international students.
Support services for international students
The quality of the welcome given to international students is one of CESI’s key commitments. It has earned the school two out of three stars in the “Bienvenue en France” label. This certification speaks to the quality of the welcome given to foreign students at CESI.
The “Bienvenue en France” qualification evaluates the actions taken to meet the needs of international students, based on several criteria: quality and accessibility of information, quality and accessibility of reception facilities, accessibility and support for teaching, accommodation and quality of campus life, quality of post-graduation follow-up.
Learn more about the services we offer in Arras’ campus:
Campus integration
CESI campus in Arras can accommodate foreign students in its training programs.
In collaboration with the University of Artois, courses in “French as a foreign language” are available.
Partnerships have been developed with companies in the Hauts-de-France region to accommodate foreign students for internships.
Sponsorship
Welcoming international students is one of CESI’s commitments.
That’s why we offer a “Buddy” program—or peer sponsorship—to welcome new students. This system facilitates successful integration and academic achievement. Visit our campus to find out how to sign up!
Student Life
To make the most of your stay in Arras, get to know the other students at the school and take part in the activities offered by the associations throughout the year.
Club life is about sharing and discovering yourself and others. Through dozens of clubs and associations, everyone can develop their sporting, artistic, and technical talents or their humanitarian and social commitments.
The faculty and students are the driving force behind daily life on CESI’s Arras campus. Events are organized throughout the year to promote and develop cohesion and harmonious coexistence.
- Student projects are promoted throughout the year on campus through displays and highlights such as conferences.
- Participation in competitions such as the IBM robot competition, the French robotics cup, etc.
- Orientation week: new students carry out a fun project, using scientific approaches such as the design and construction of a hydraulic crane made of cardboard.
- Social gatherings and sharing breakfasts or snacks for Halloween, Christmas, Twelfth Night, etc. Every event of the year is a good opportunity to share!
- The Welcome Party: a welcome party is organized every year at the start of the academic year, with CESI ambassador T-shirts being handed out.
- The Buddy Evening: our international students are invited to find a mentor (among the students on campus) who will accompany them throughout the year in their student life in France.
- Fun selection days: while future students are undergoing their selection interviews, the others are invited to take part in various activities led by the CESI team (molky, pallet game, beach volleyball, etc.)
- Boost Your Club: a day dedicated to all the campus associations so that they can be presented to all new students.
- Immersion workshops are organized to introduce CESI’s active teaching methods, student projects, corporate assignments, and professions.
- The keys to success is a program that supports candidates in passing their selection process and entrance exams.
- Open days are organized throughout the year on campus to encourage discovery and exchange. The entire CESI team and students are on hand to answer visitors’ questions, give tours of the campus, present projects, and more.
The student union (BDE) is an association within a school that aims to offer a wide range of activities and manage the organization of all campus events (extracurricular activities, student parties, welcoming new students, cultural or sporting activities). The members of the BDE are there to support everyone’s projects and help them discover a wide variety of passions.
CESI Arras campus student union (BDE) is a student association whose goal is to bring together the institution’s student projects. Its main missions are:
- to support the various associations and clubs in their projects
- to organize sporting events and student parties
- to bring together student cohorts and encourage them to exchange ideas and share experiences
- to coordinate its representatives, students, and campus life advisors.
It is also involved in major campus events such as the orientation weekend, the end-of-year gala, etc.
Every Thursday is dedicated to associations and clubs. In addition to the BDE, there are many student associations and clubs on the Arras campus that help to build ties between the school’s different classes.
LE BUREAU DES SPORTS (BDS)
The aim of this club is to introduce members to different sports and sporting activities, while allowing them to share their passion in a friendly atmosphere.
Laser tag, paddle tennis, soccer, volleyball, basketball, and many other sports: the BDS offers a wide range of sporting activities for you to enjoy outside of class!
CESI LAN
This association organizes afternoon and evening gaming sessions for students on campus. The goal is to have a good time with other enthusiasts.
CESI QUEST
This club offers a fun activity in which students play the role of a real or imaginary character in a fictional setting.
CESI MIAM
A club that offers great food at any time of day: chocolate croissants and croissants in the morning at the cafeteria, barbecues in the summer, crêpes in the afternoon… The club also organizes meals for BDE events (sandwiches, croques, etc.).
HUMANITARIAN OFFICE
This association organizes various sales and events with the aim of raising funds for charitable causes, through initiatives such as selling socks to support the fight against breast cancer.
ROBOTICS CLUB
The robotics club aims to introduce students to all aspects of the field and to develop projects.
Arras is a student city that welcomes more than 10,000 young people every year.
From the Main Square Festival in summer to the Christmas market in winter, cultural events bring the city to life throughout the year.
The capital of the Pas-de-Calais department, Arras is rich in history and culture.
Arras has the highest density of historical monuments in France. Formerly known for its drapery manufacturing, it stands out for its Baroque architecture and historical sites.
Come and enjoy the belfry on the Place des Héros and visit the Carrière Wellington, an underground base used during the First World War.
Just 50 minutes from Paris and 40 minutes from Lille by train, Arras is a dynamic, medium-sized city located between two major metropolitan areas.
Completely renovated, the CESI campus welcomes you with modern facilities and a team of tutors and support staff dedicated to your success.
Housing assistance
Support is a priority at CESI, and our teams are here to help you with the process. You can also find information about certain types of assistance and tips that you may be eligible for.
General Informations
Please Note
Real estate agencies or landlords often require a one-month deposit in addition to one month’s rent in advance.
For any rental in France, you will need:
- Home insurance – around €60/year – to be taken out with mutual insurance companies, insurance companies, or banks
- A European guarantor to act as a surety
IMPORTANT: The French government has set up a guarantee system, open to foreign students under the age of 30, for rents of up to €1,300.
Discover the housing assistance available:
Why choose Studapart? Find accommodation anywhere in France in just a few clicks and with complete confidence with Studapart, CESI’s accommodation partner!
- Centralization: all offers close to your campus.
- Security: verified listings.
- Coverage: protection against fraud, last-minute cancellations, non-compliant accommodation, etc.
- Flexibility: cancellation insurance in case of unforeseen circumstances.
- Support: advisors available 6 days a week to answer your questions.
- Guarantee: Studapart can act as guarantor upon request.
Access numerous offers for periods of 1 to 24 months near your campus, but also throughout France when searching for an internship.
Whether you are looking for a studio, a shared apartment, or a room in a private home, you will find a wide range of exclusive offers tailored to your needs.
Benefit from personalized support and additional services such as the Guaranteed Profile and home insurance. Reservations are secure and landlords commit to responding within 72 hours to ensure your peace of mind.
Whether you are a French or international student, the Student Social File (DSE) must be created for each academic year, whether you are already a student or not yet.
- To obtain your INE (National Student ID) number, register on this page.
- To apply for CROUS housing, follow the instructions on this page.
- To find accommodation, go to the following page.
- Find all the information you need about student life here.
Please note that you do not need to know your future course and assignment (with Parcoursup® in particular) to complete your Student Social File. This grant is valid regardless of the preferences indicated in the DSE, as long as your course is eligible. Your administrative registration for a course will confirm your grant allocation via the final notification. So don’t wait until the last minute!
If you need to use Parcoursup® and don’t yet have a MesServices.etudiant.gouv account, we recommend that you create an account on Parcoursup® before completing your DSE. Your information will then be automatically transferred.
- MOBILI-JEUNE® assistance
MOBILI-JEUNE® assistance is a subsidy that covers part of your rent (between €10 and €100 maximum) each month for one year. It is intended for young people under the age of 30 who are in work-study programs (under an apprenticeship or professional training contract).
The calculation is based on the rent after deduction of housing assistance (APL). The assistance is granted for the entire period of training, for a maximum duration of 12 months. At the end of your year of training, you can receive further assistance, provided you are still eligible.
- VISALE guarantee
Students and work-study students under the age of 30 can benefit from the VISALE guarantee (Visa for housing and employment). This assistance ensures reliable monthly rent payments and prevents any unforeseen events during the academic year after you move to Rouen. It is free of charge and aims to facilitate your search for accommodation by reassuring your landlord.
- LOCA-PASS® advance
Action Logement offers to finance, in the form of a 0% interest loan, the payment of your security deposit, which is generally required when signing a lease. This advance is offered to young people under the age of 30 who are in work-study programs (under an apprenticeship or professional training contract).
- Action Logement support
Work-study students can benefit from free support in their search for housing (permanent or temporary) on the Action Logement work-study platform
To enable international students to access university housing, CROUS is organizing a session at the end of June for applications to CROUS residences for international students.
To do so, go directly to your CROUS or visit the website crous-lille for all the information you need about Lille’s CROUS.
To help them with their arrival in France and their move, selectra.info provides guides and assistance for all the procedures involved in setting up energy meters, internet connections, insurance, etc.
Websites for finding a room or apartment:
Students can receive Social Housing Allowance (ALS) or Personalized Housing Assistance (APL) from the CAF (Family Allowance Fund). Run a simulation to find out if you are eligible and apply directly online.
For temporary or emergency accommodation, you can book a hotel room near the campus:
- B&B Hotel in Arras
Public (Crous): You can create a profile and check if there are any rooms available on the mes services étudiant platform to make a direct reservation (from July 9).
Apartment rentals
You can rent an apartment via:
- Studapart (CESI)
- Lokaviz (CROUS)
- Se Loger
- Le Bon Coin
- Young workers’ residences such as the Résidence Nobel (across from the campus)
Shared accommodation
If you prefer shared accommodation, check out:
- La Carte des Colocs
- Facebook groups for shared accommodation offers.
Discover the assistance available for administrative procedures :
If you are a citizen of a European Union country, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland, you do not need a visa to study in France.
For more practical information on how to organize your arrival step by step, visit the Campus France website:
If you are a non-European student, you will need to apply for a visa to study in France on the Campus France website. Check out this section to prepare for your arrival:
REMINDER: Three months before your student visa expires, don’t forget to apply for a residence permit at the Préfecture (prefecture) of your place of residence so that you can continue your studies on our campus.
If you are enrolling for the first time in a higher education institution in France and do not have a social security number, you must register on Ameli in order to have your healthcare costs covered for the duration of your studies. This registration is free and mandatory, and will allow you to be reimbursed for your healthcare expenses.
To ensure you receive the best possible reimbursement for your healthcare costs, you can also take out supplementary health insurance or insurance.
Our teams also provide support with opening a bank account and all the other steps necessary to settle in France.
Checklist to prepare for your arrival in France
Essential links
- Ameli (Health insurance)
- My student services (CROUS, CVEC, etc.)
- French Interior Ministry (Visa)
- Heyme (Insurance)
- Smerra (Insurance)
Have you received confirmation of your admission to CESI? Congratulations!
You can now begin the necessary steps to settle in and prepare for your year of study in France.
Before arriving at CESI, check the Welcome Guide and attend online sessions to discover your campus.
Once in France, join the Welcome Day and meet your International Relations Officer, who will help you with key steps:
- register for health insurance,
- validate your visa if you are not a European student
- provide proof of health and civil liability insurance
- apply for housing aid through CAF if eligible.
CESI also helps you open a bank account and settle in smoothly. During your stay, take part in student associations and international events hosted by your campus.