Paris Exchange Program

In addition to an advanced French language course taken by all participants at the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris, students enroll in regular courses at one or more of the universities with which Chicago has an agreement:

• Université Paris Cité
• Université Paris Nanterre
• Sorbonne Université
• Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po, Paris and Menton campuses)

The Université Paris Cité and Université Paris Nanterre are relatively comprehensive universities with rich offerings in the humanities and social sciences. The Exchange program also partners with the science and mathematics faculties of the Sorbonne Université, which overtook the former Pierre et Marie Curie branch of the federated University of Paris. The Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris, popularly known as “Sciences Po,” is one of the Grandes Ecoles of France with strengths in political science, public administration, and the social sciences. The Menton campus of Sciences Po in Southern France focuses on political, economic, and social issues in Mediterranean countries, the Middle East, and the Gulf. Courses in Menton are offered in French, Arabic, and English.

For each university course taken by Paris program students, Chicago establishes a tutorial in which the material of the course is discussed and the student’s work is monitored and assessed. The selection of a student’s courses in Paris is based partly upon the requirements of their individual degree program, and partly upon the availability of courses in Parisian institutions. Normally a Paris Exchange student takes courses in their major subject as well as electives. All instruction, including the tutorial sessions, is conducted in French.

Headquarters for the College’s study abroad programs in Paris is the University of Chicago John W. Boyer Center in Paris, the University’s teaching and research hub in Europe. Since 2003, the Center has been home to a growing array of the College’s hallmark Study Abroad programs and has supported our community of students, faculty, alumni, and partners from around the world. Designed by Studio Gang, the new Center features state-of-the-art classrooms, offices, event and reception spaces, and gathering areas for students, among other features.

Students in the Paris Exchange program are housed in a residence hall within the Cité Internationale Universitaire (Cité). The Cité, a park-like residential complex in the fourteenth arrondissement, is the international student campus in Paris, though French students also live there. Students reside in single rooms with a private bath and have access to Cité facilities, including a library, theater, laundry, and athletic facilities. Students will have access to common kitchens in the residence halls and can purchase inexpensive meals at the Cité’s restaurant universitaire.

It is important to recognize the cultural context of student housing in France and understand that the amenities of dormitory facilities may vary. Although some of these differences may take some getting used to, remember that cultural differences extend to all aspects of your experience abroad. Having realistic expectations for your term in Paris will help you approach the study abroad experience with a positive attitude.

Alternatively, students may choose to arrange their own housing in advance of the program’s start. In this case, the student would pay for housing costs independently and the program fee would be adjusted accordingly.

Study abroad students remain registered as full-time students in the College. Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on the College transcript. Since the use of these credits in a specific degree program is variable, students should consult with their academic adviser and program chair to determine exactly how credits may be distributed toward degree progress. All students are required to read and follow the Direct Enrollment Credit Guide ahead of committing to a direct enrollment program in order to fully understand the process.

Direct Enrollment Requirements

• Students are required to carry a full-time course load of minimum equivalence to three Chicago credits per term. At some institutions, the number of courses that constitute a full-time course load may be different than at Chicago due to differences in academic calendar or course weighting, in which case students should follow local regulations and consult with Study Abroad about equivalencies.
• Students are prohibited from being concurrently enrolled in courses at Chicago while abroad.
• The rules for registering, add/drop, and withdrawal from a course abroad are subject to the policies of the host university and at their sole discretion. The host institution is under no obligation to provide exceptions to their course procedure rules during a term abroad.
• Students are expected to complete all assigned work and exams before leaving the study abroad site at the end of their term abroad.
• Students are required to remain at their host university for the full length of their program dates, from the start of orientation until the end of scheduled examinations. Should they depart from their program abroad before the completion of scheduled instruction and examinations, either by way of a formal withdraw from the program or a self-arranged early departure, there is no guarantee they will receive credit for their term abroad and/or their grades may be negatively impacted.
• Some selected universities abroad require participants to attend the program for a full academic year. If students apply and are admitted to one of these programs, they may not leave the program after the first term. Credits and grades will be awarded only to students who complete the full academic year. Any student who leaves a full-year program early continues to be liable for all costs associated with the program.

Participants in the Paris Exchange program pay regular College tuition, a program fee, and a nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition and program fee are paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and a deposit toward the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Precise figures for the Paris Exchange program for the 2024-2025 year are listed below:

Autumn or Academic Year tuition: as set by the Bursar’s Office

Study abroad administrative fee: $675

Paris Exchange program fee: $3,013 per quarter if residing in the Cité; $482 per quarter if not residing in the Cité

Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.

The Paris Exchange program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

This program is designed for undergraduates in good academic and disciplinary standing who are beyond their second year in the College. Participants must have taken, with excellent grades, at least two years of French in the College or demonstrate, by examination, a comparable competence. Beyond this minimum prerequisite, students are strongly encouraged to take French language and literature courses beyond the second-year level. Though the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity.

Students wishing to apply to this program must meet with Chris Fuglestad as a requirement of the application process.

To discuss the Paris Exchange program and the possibility of participating, please contact Chris Fuglestad.