ICES (Catholic University of the Vendée) is a small private university, proposing nine areas of study and located in the Vendée region of western France, just 20 minutes from the Atlantic coast. ICES has about 1000 students for the most part from all over France as well as international students from all around the world. International students participate in French workshops that will either introduce, or strengthen, their French language. So from the very beginning, whether you come to ICES to study Political Science, Law, History, or any other discipline, French language will be a part of your studies. You can decide how much French language classes you want, either a couple introductory hours for your general knowledge, or intensive Grammar and writing classes. Besides the classroom, French students are guides during the many visits, tours, activities and excursions organized for free for the international students on weekends. These outings facilitate student travel through the region with knowledgeable and like-minded guides, which also facilitates a learning process of French, the Vendée Region, history, culture, and geography.
For more information, please refer to the international students guide here:
https://ices.fr/media/international_students_guide__056971600_1116_10092015.pdf?
ICES offers a number of majors and courses that available for exchange students to take. Courses range from Biology to Political Science. Below is some information about the degrees and courses that are offered at ICES:
Courses available at ICES
Academic Calendar
| Fall Semester |
Mid-August to Mid-December |
| Spring Semester |
Early January to Mid-June |
Exact start and end dates will vary year to year. Please reference the dates and deadlines link above to see exact dates.
Accommodation
ICES can help you to find your best living option in La Roche-sur-Yon, but note that it is considered as a personal procedure and research. Please refer to the International Student Guide above for more information or in the following link:
https://ices.fr/media/cost_practical_information__099786100_1031_10092015.pdf?
Escale Rivoli
An independant residence for students and Young workers, located 10 min. walk from ICES. 2015 monthly rent = $350 (including gas, water, electricity & internet). All rooms are equipped with individual bathroom. Shared kitchen at the last floor (open everyday at lunchtime and on weekends).
Insurance
Every student going abroad through UCCS is required to obtain or show proof of a comprehensive international health insurance plan that includes emergency evacuation and repatriation. UCCS recommends a minimum coverage amount of $200,000.00. Please visit our
insurance page for more information and to see the UCCS recommended international health insurance provider. Rates will vary depending on the student and the duration of stay.
Students studying for a semester or academic year are required to purchase French Social Security. All students under French Social Security must pay a fixed fee of 215 Euros. Upon arrival at ICES, students must register at the administrative office in which they can finalize their insurance coverage. More information can be obtained from the International Student Guide above.
Immigration and Visas
Visas
A visa is a document (usually in form of a stamp in your passport) that gives you permission to travel into a specific country and stay there for a determined period of time. Students holding a U.S. passport will be required to obtain a French Student Visa for a semester or year of study. There are several steps to obtaining a French Student Visa. First, students need to be accepted to ICES. Second, students need to start a Campus France application. Once your Campus France application has been processed, students will need to present necessary documents
in person to the French consulate that serves their state. For students who reside in Colorado, this is the French consulate in Los Angeles. Students will need to schedule an in-person appointment via the consulate's online calendar. This appointment cannot be more than 90 days before departure to France.
Consulates General of France in the U.S.:
https://franceintheus.org/spip.php?article330
Campus France provides general step-by-step instructions via the following link:
http://www.usa.campusfrance.org/en/page/applying-a-student-visa-%E2%80%93-step-step-0
Please note that the International Affairs Office does not process or issue visas. We are here to advise and assist you with the process, but obtaining a visa is ultimately your responsibility. As a resource, you can search for visa requirements with CIBT visas online at
http://cibtvisas.com/.
Health and Safety
Health and safety are paramount to a successful experience studying abroad. We encourage students to research health and safety considerations of the destination in which they wish to go. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) provide up to date and comprehensive information about health and safety abroad. Please visit the following links to find more information:
U.S. Department of State: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en.html
Centers for Disease Control: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/
Costs and Tuition
UCCS students that have been accepted to study at ICES as an exchange student will pay tuition and fees to UCCS for the appropriate number of credits (12-15) at their normal UCCS tuition rate. Students should expect to pay the following costs in country and out-of-pocket; airfare, housing, meals, books and supplies. The following link has more information about comprehensive costs at ICES:
https://ices.fr/media/cost_practical_information__099786100_1031_10092015.pdf?
Financial Aid
Students are eligible to receive financial aid for this program as long as they maintain full-time status while abroad. Before departure students will need to receive pre-approval on all course work that they intend to take via their academic advisor or a faculty member through a study away form that can be obtained in the International Affairs Office. Financial aid will not be released early for education abroad purposes. For specific questions regarding financial aid, students should contact the UCCS financial aid office directly.
Scholarships
Students are eligible to continue to receive most scholarships and grants that they would receive normally during the semester as long as there are not stipulations that students need to be on-campus. Students should confirm this with their appropriate contact for the scholarship. Students wishing to apply for scholarships for study abroad should visit our
scholarship website.
La Roche sur Yon, France
La Roche-sur-Yon is a commune in the Vendée department in the Pays de la Loire regionin western France. It is the capital of the department. Its inhabitants are called Yonnais. As of 2010, the population was 52,664. The town expanded significantly after Napoleon I chose the site as the new préfecture of the Vendée on 25 May 1804, replacing Fontenay-le-Comte (then under its revolutionary name of Fontenay-le-Peuple). At the time, most of La Roche had been eradicated in the Vendée Revolt (1793–96); the renamed Napoléonville was laid out and a fresh population of soldiers and civil servants was brought in. La Roche sur Yon is 3 hours from Paris, 3 hours from Bordeaux, and 1 hour from Nantes.
Academics