Université Paul Cézanne d'Aix-Marseille

Our program with the Faculté de Droit et de Science Politique, Université Paul Cézanne d'Aix-Marseille in France is designed to give students fluent in French a chance to study EU and the civil law tradition in a French law school.

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Eligibility
Application Process
Course of Study
Cost
The Town and University of Aix-Marseille
Accommodations
Cancellation Policy
Further Information
Aix Contacts
Law School Contacts
Student Contacts

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Eligibility

The program is designed for students matriculating at the University of Connecticut School of Law. First and second year day division students are eligible to apply to study abroad in their second or third year. Evening division students and four-year day students are eligible to apply in their second or third year to study abroad in their third or fourth year. Students may participate during the fall or spring semester or for a full year.

Application Process

The application process for all programs takes place once a year in February and decisions are made in March for the following academic year. Application forms are available at the Study Abroad Fair and online. Selection criteria include grades, faculty recommendations, essay and interview.

Course of Study

Those students who wish to attend school in Aix for one semester may go either during the Fall or Spring semester. Prior to the start of the Fall semester, Aix offers a two-week terminology course. Fall classes begin in early October and end in January. Spring semester classes generally start in the third week of January and continue through the end of May. Students take four courses chosen from a list of semester-long courses. For these courses students who study at Aix for one semester receive 9 credits. Students are required to take a three-credit SRP with a Connecticut faculty member to receive 12 credits for the semester. The ABA approves transfer credit for a full year of study abroad. Thus a student may also attend Aix for the entire year (mid-October through the end of May) and receive 24 credits.

Students are examined and graded on the same basis as any other French student enrolled at Aix. The exams are usually oral and are given in French. Fall semester exams begin in January, but arrangements can be made to take the exam before Christmas if the foreign exchange bureau (Madame Karsenti) is informed before classes begin. Grades are awarded on a 20 point scale with 10 being the lowest passing grade. Grades of 10 or better are treated on your transcript as transfer credits. No credit is given for a grade less than 10. These credits are not averaged as part of the student's GPA.

Foreign students studying at Aix participate in one of two programs. Students enrolled for one semester participate in the “Programme d’Études Juridiques pour Étrangers”. In this program, students choose from among the different levels of courses offered to French students. Many students enroll in courses in the Master program and international courses rather than in courses on the French legal system. Students may also participate in one travaux diriges (tutorial) seminar. The second option is to apply for the Master of Law and Economics program. This program is very competitive and students must apply in advance. Unlike the other program, there is a set schedule of courses that must be taken, and the courses are offered in English. In addition to the courses, students must participate in two travaux diriges seminars and write a paper in a language other than English. Two exams must be written exams. While this is a heavy course load, if student are successful in passing all the courses, they will finish the year with a Master in Law and Economics which is recognized worldwide.

Cost

Connecticut students pay their regular tuition and fees directly to Connecticut. All forms of financial aid continue for students at Aix. Twelve credits in our semester abroad programs is considered full time study for financial aid purposes and ABA residency requirements.

Rooms vary in cost from $100 to nearly $500 per month plus $75 per month if electricity is not included. You should also take into account the cost of transportation (about $600 round trip), as well as the cost of travel around town. A Law School Study Abroad fee of $475 is charged to help defray the administrative expense of the program.

The Town and University of Aix-Marseille

Aix-en-Provence is a small, beautiful town in the south of France which is reputed to be the cultural core of Provence. Aix is conveniently located near the Mediterranean and popular tourist spots such as St. Tropez, Nice and Cannes. Marseille, France's third biggest city is only twenty minutes by bus. The most popular forms of transportation when getting out of Aix are buses and trains. Walking and riding a bicycle are the most convenient and cheapest ways of getting around Aix.

The famous French artist Cézanne was not only born and raised in Aix, but he also spent his entire life there. The citizens are very proud of this fact and there are monuments and streets bearing his name and a museum that has his art work on display.

Aix is a student town with an abundance of things to do. The Office of Tourisme and the student clubs make finding activities very easy, be they athletic, social or cultural.

The law school is very small and is conveniently located on the bus route. It is also easily accessible by foot. Most of the classes are held in the same building and the law library is next door. Other than the Sorbonne, Aix has attracted the most prestigious law faculty in France.

Accommodations

Student accommodations may be arranged by the director of the Foreign Students Program. If a student wishes to live in a dormitory, he or she should notify the Director at least two months before the beginning of the semester so that a reservation can be made. All dorm rooms are singles and are equipped with a bed, desk, closet and a wash basin. The showers, toilets and a kitchenette are all in the hallway of each floor. There are several student dorm sites, but the student should choose one that is close to the Law School. "Cuques" and “L’Estelan” are reputed to be the quietest, cleanest, and close to the Law School. Students must be aware that living in the dorms means that they have consented to the strict rules concerning visitors, overnight guests and limitations as to what kinds of electronic equipment are allowed in the room. As most students are undergraduates, dormitory living is often very noisy.

If a student wishes to live in a less restricted environment, there are many apartments ranging from studios to four bedrooms available for rent. There are signs posted on the walls almost everywhere in town, and French or foreign roommates are very easy to find. The Foreign Students Office can also be of help in searching for an apartment. Consult the “Guide to Aix-en-Provence" in the Aix notebook on reserve in the library for other possibilities. Be aware that the price of living in an apartment is about one and one-half to two times the price of living in a dorm.

Cancellation Policy

Foreign study at Aix/Marseille will not be cancelled due to lack of enrollment. Should the Faculté de Droit et de Science Politique, Université Paul Cézanne d'Aix-Marseille decide to cancel the program, Connecticut students will then register for regular classes at the School of Law. In the event that cancellation occurs after the pre-registration period for the semester in question, every effort will be made to accommodate student preferences in registering for classes. No promise can be made that all desired classes will be available.

Further Information

Check the Reserve Section in the Law Library for the Aix notebook that contains catalogs, course listings and other useful materials about Aix/Marseille. Additional information:

Blanche Capilos can answer many questions or direct you to helpful resources. Students concerned about handicapped access at Aix/Marseille and in France in general are encouraged to consult with Dr. Jane Thierfeld Brown, Dean's Office, 570-5130.

Several Connecticut professors have visited at Aix/Marseille to teach: Professors Lindseth, Dailey, McLean, Utz and Weisbrod would be happy to answer questions about the town and university.