Université Perpignan Via Domitia
📋 Key Facts
| Founded | 1350 |
| Students | ~9,500 |
| Researchers & academic staff | ~480 |
| Administrative & technical staff | ~440 |
| Doctoral schools | 2 |
| English-taught | Yes |
| Fields | Arts, Literature, Languages; Law, Economics, Management; Sport; Humanities; Science, Technology, Health |
Creating futures since 1350… For more than 675 years, the Université Perpignan Via Domitia (UPVD) has been a flagship for knowledge, research and ideas. Located at the heart of the Toulouse-Montpellier-Barcelona triangle, UPVD’s strategic position makes it a principal contributor in cross-border relations.
A university between the sea and the mountains — 15 minutes to the closest beaches, 30 minutes to Spain, 1h30 to ski resorts.
🏛️ Faculties and Institutes
- Faculty of Arts and Humanities
- Faculty of Law and Economics
- Faculty of Exact and Experimental Sciences
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Science
- University Institute of Technology
- Institute of Business Administration
- Cross-border Franco-Catalan Institute
- Sup’EnR Engineering School
- University Centre for French Studies
📍 Contact Information
| Address | SRIT, 52 avenue Paul Alduy – Bât. B, 66860 Perpignan Cedex, France |
| Incoming students | mobility@univ-perp.fr (Alka Badiane) |
| Welcome Desk | welcomedesk@univ-perp.fr (Priscilla Petit) |
| Website (EN) | univ-perp.fr (EN) |
| Website (FR) | univ-perp.fr (FR) |
| ACROSS page | ACROSS at UPVD |
| Welcome Desk website | welcome.univ-perp.fr |
🏠 Accommodation
University is 5 min by taxi from city centre, 15 min by bus.
CROUS Public Residences
Individual rooms (9 m²) with private bathroom and standard furniture; eight ground-floor rooms adapted for disabilities. Apartments (20 m²) with kitchenette in 5 residences (3 in centre, 2 on campus); ten apartments at Canigou Residence adapted for disabilities.
Hotels Near Campus
- Hôtel Holiday Inn 4* — Mas des Arcades, 840 Ave d’Espagne (+33 4 68 85 11 11)
Hotels in City Centre
- Ibis Budget 2* — 34 Ave Leclerc (+33 8 92 70 12 58)
- Appart Hôtel Mer & Golf City 3* — 2 Espace Méditerranée (+33 4 68 57 48 00)
- Hotel Mondial 3* — 40 Bd Clémenceau (+33 4 68 34 23 45)
- B&B Hotels 3* — 8 Bd Wilson (+33 8 92 23 31 19)
- Hôtel Suite Novotel 4* — 34 Ave Leclerc (+33 4 68 92 72 72)
- Hotel Mercure 4* — 5 Bis cours Palmarole (+33 4 68 35 67 66)
📅 Nomination & Academic Calendar
Nomination Deadlines
| Semester 1 & full year | Nomination: 1 April – 31 May — Application: 15 June |
| Semester 2 | Nomination: 1 September – 15 October — Application: 1 November |
Nominations to: mobility@univ-perp.fr. Required info: student surname, first name, email, level (Licence/Master), term of study, subject area.
Academic Calendar (2025/26 — Provisional)
- Semester 1: 4 September 2025 – 13 January 2026
- Semester 1 exams: 12 December 2025 – 11 January 2026
- Semester 2: 15 January 2026 – 24 April 2026
- Semester 2 exams: 9 May – 26 May 2026
- Re-takes: 12–24 June 2026
Dates to be confirmed — check the UPVD website.
🗣️ Language Requirements
Minimum B1 French (for science programmes) and B2 French (for other fields) is recommended.
French courses are available from arrival (see French Courses section below).
🎓 ECTS & Grading System
Grades are on a 0–20 scale:
| 16–20 | A — Excellent (outstanding performance) |
| 14–15.9 | B — Very Good (above average) |
| 12–13.9 | C — Good (generally sound work) |
| 11–11.9 | D — Satisfactory (fair but some shortcomings) |
| 10–10.9 | E — Pass (meets minimum criteria) |
| 8–9.9 | FX — Fail (some more work required) |
| 0–7.9 | F — Fail (considerable further work required) |
Estimated living costs: ~€500/month.
📚 Mobility Opportunities
Mobility opportunities offered by UPVD (Europe and worldwide) are shown on an interactive map on the UPVD website.
🌿 Green Travel and Sustainability
In January 2020, UPVD was awarded the national “DD&RS” quality label for four years, recognizing commitment across governance, education, research, environmental management, social policy, and local engagement. The 2026-2029 strategy is structured in a “DD&RSE Master Plan.”
♿ Support for Students with Disabilities
UPVD has a dedicated unit for “students with special educational needs” (BEBPP), within the Directorate of Training and Student Life. Faculty and administrative BEBPP representatives are appointed in each department to monitor each student’s academic progress.
- Loan of computers, electronic magnifiers, specialised equipment
- Human assistance: note-taking tutors, exam secretaries
- Library special desks with ergonomic chairs, trackball mouse, contrasting keyboard
- Most buildings adapted with ramps, lifts, accessible toilets, parking
- Free psychological counselling, educational counselling, career advice
International Welcome Desk (IWD)
The International Welcome Desk (IWD), part of the International and Cross-Border Relations Office (SRIT), provides information and support for international students and staff before, during, and after their stay at UPVD:
- Visa and residence permit assistance
- Health insurance guidance
- Accommodation support
- Practical life help: bank account, housing insurance, public transport
- Cultural events and visits during the academic year
- Buddy programme to help international students integrate
- International Student Guide
IWD website: welcome.univ-perp.fr
✈️ How to Travel to Perpignan
By Plane
Perpignan airport (Rivesaltes). Airlines: Transavia (Paris), Ryanair (London/Brussels), Air Nostrum (Madrid), Aer Lingus (Dublin). Nearby airports: Barcelona, Girona, Toulouse, Marseille, Montpellier, Carcassonne.
By Train
Direct high-speed from Paris ~5h. Frequent trains from Montpellier. From Barcelona Sants: direct in ~1h20. Tickets: thetrainline.com or renfe.com.
By Car or Bus
Ouibus, Flixbus, Eurolines, BlaBlaCar. See kelbillet.com.
🗺️ Getting around UPVD Campuses
University map and tools to get around the UPVD campuses are available on the UPVD website.
🇫🇷 French Courses
UPVD provides French courses from A1 to C2 level, offered by the University Centre for French Studies during the academic year and in July (summer schools).
For Erasmus+ students: 20 hours per semester with ECTS credits.
🏥 Medical Care
EU/EFTA students are covered by their home country’s health system. Obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before departure.