You are an incoming student

Before your arrival

From the moment you are admitted, Icam supports you in preparing your stay in France.
You will receive practical guidance to help you anticipate key steps such as:

• visa application procedures
• accommodation search
• administrative preparation
• academic information

Each campus provides a dedicated Student Handbook with essential information to help you organise your arrival.
For further guidance, please consult the Student Handbook at our Life at Icam page or contact our International Offices.
To make your transition smoother, you may also be connected with a local student through our Buddy Programme, even before your arrival.

Upon your arrival

All international students are welcomed through dedicated Orientation Days organised at the beginning of each semester.
These sessions are designed to help you settle in and include:

• administrative registration and onboarding
• academic guidance and course selection
• campus and city orientation
• practical information for daily life in France
• This first step ensures that you start your experience at Icam with clarity and confidence.

During your stay : integration and support

Throughout your semester, Icam provides a supportive and welcoming environment to help you succeed both academically and personally.

Buddy program

As part of its commitment to student support, Icam has developed a Buddy Program, connecting international students with local peers before and during their stay.
This initiative helps students:

• settle in more easily upon arrival
• discover campus life and local culture
• build meaningful connections with French students

Student life and integration

Students can take part in :

• integration activities and community events
• student associations and campus initiatives
• cultural experiences and local activities

Academic and personal support

You will benefit from:

• guidance from International Offices
• support from academic staff
• student-centred campus environment
• French language support is also available to help you adapt more easily to daily life.

Integration days

Icam Integration days welcomes students from all over the world each year, creating a truly international and multicultural environment across its campuses.

To ensure a smooth transition, all international students take part at the beginning of their stay. These sessions typically include:

• administrative support and onboarding
• academic guidance and course registration
• campus and city orientation
• practical information to help you settle in

Throughout the semester, students can also benefit from :

• integration activities and community events
• French language support (FLE)
• personalised guidance from International Offices
• support from academic staff and fellow students

At Icam, particular attention is given to creating a supportive and welcoming environment, helping each student integrate both academically and socially, and fully experience life in France.

French as a Foreign Language (FLE)

Learning French is a fundamental step to fully integrating and making the most out of your life in France. Icam’s French as a Foreign Language (FLE) program is more than just language classes: it immerses international students in French culture, history, geography, and daily traditions. Students are grouped by proficiency level and guided by specialized teachers in small, supportive classes. These FLE courses help students not only learn French—but also thrive academically, build confidence, and develop a rich vocabulary for everyday life. By the end of your program, you will have made enormous linguistic progress, discovered French culture from the inside, and created lasting memories and friendships.
For more details on our FLE program, visit the French as a Foreign Language page.

Living Expenses

To live in France, it is recommended to have a monthly budget of 600 to 800 Euros to cover food, transportation, and accommodation costs. Please note this amount varies depending on the location and type of student residence.

For more information, visit the official Campus France “Student’s Living Expenses in France” reference

For more guidance depending on the campuses consult the Student Handbook  at our Life at Icam page or contact our International Offices.

Fundings Opportunities

International students are encouraged to explore funding opportunities available through their home institutions or national programmes.
In particular, students participating in mobility within Europe may be eligible for financial support through the Erasmus+ Programme.
As funding schemes vary depending on the country and institution, students are advised to contact the international office of their home university for detailed information on eligibility and application procedures.
Icam can provide supporting documents required for funding applications upon request.

Administrative procedures

Registration Procedure

Your journey at Icam starts with an application process tailored to the origin of your home institution.
Application Dates:

• Fall semester / full academic year: April 1 – May 30
• Spring semester: September 1 – October 31
• Summer program: March 15

If you are from a partner Institution:

You first need to be nominated by your home university’s international office. After nomination, Icam’s internationalization coordinators will validate your application and provide you with further instructions. See our list of Partner Universities.

If You are from a Non-Partner Institution:
You must contact Icam’s international office directly to discuss your application options and modalities. For any questions, please reach out through the International Office contact form.
For more details, visit the General Information page.

Visa

All students coming from non-European countries are required to obtain a visa in order to study at Icam in France. The process generally includes:

• Applying for the appropriate student visa via Campus France or directly at the French embassy or consulate in your home country.
• Gathering required documents such as confirmation of admission, proof of housing, proof of financial means, and health insurance.

We recommend starting your visa application as early as possible to avoid potential delays.
For detailed procedures and guidance, please refer to Campus France (if applicable in your home country) or contact our International Office.

Accommodation

Icam is committed to ensuring students feel comfortable and safe throughout their stay. International students are offered help to find accommodation, whether in student residences, private apartments, or with host families. While the school does its best to guide students, early action is advised given the high demand for student housing in France’s major cities.
Please visit our General Information page for current recommendations or reach out to our International Office for personal assistance.

Health

As an incoming student, you should obtain valid health insurance coverage for your time in France. European students should bring their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Non-European students typically register with the French health care system upon arrival, but private insurance is recommended in the interim. For questions or assistance, the International Office provides guidance on navigating French healthcare, accessing student medical services, and finding English-speaking practitioners.

Generic Contact

If you have general questions at any point before or during your studies at Icam, you can always reach out to our International Office via the contact form. This is your dedicated gateway for support, whether you need information about the application, your visa, accommodation, health queries, or your first days on campus.