Glossary
- Examination jury :
group of four to eight experts, at least half of whom are not from the PhD student’s institution, chosen to assess the scientific quality of the thesis. The jury includes the thesis supervisor, who does not contribute to the decision, and is chaired by a professor or senior lecturer qualified to direct research. It ensures national and international recognition of the diploma awarded.
- Excess fees (Dépassement d’honoraires) :
refers to the difference between the official healthcare fee set by social security and the fee actually charged by a healthcare professional. This additional cost is not covered by the Assurance Maladie.
- Feuille de maladie or Feuille de soin :
document issued by the health professional at the end of a consultation if you do not have a Carte Vitale. You must have this document in order to be reimbursed for your health expenses.
- Fieldwork :
practical research method for collecting data.
- Fine :
penalty in the form of a sum of money to be paid to the government.
- First degree (formation initiale) :
higher education programme that includes nationally recognised degrees (bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate) as well as specific programmes approved by the host university.
- Flatshare (colocation/coloc’) :
several people living together in the same property.
- GALAXIE :
digital platform dedicated to the recruitment and careers of higher education academic staff (temporary teaching and research fellow, associate professors, full professors, etc.).
- GDPR :
Acronym: General Data Protection Regulation
European regulation governing the processing of personal data within the European Union.
- Grant :
sum of money paid to help the beneficiary carry out a project.
- Guarantor :
in the real estate sector, a person liable for paying the rent if the tenant is unable to do so.
- Hazing (bizutage) :
initiation activity designed to test a person’s limits as a condition to joining a group. In France, this practice is an offence punishable by six months’ imprisonment and a €7,500 fine.
- HDR :
Acronym: Habilitation à diriger des recherches
French post-doctoral qualification that certifies a high level of scientific expertise and the ability to supervise research. It allows holders to supervise doctoral theses and apply for university professorships. Obtained after a doctorate, the HDR is awarded to applicants who show that they are able to carry out original strategic research in a broad scientific field.
- Hosting agreement for a foreign researcher or lecturer :
an official document, also known as Cerfa No. 16079*03, that authorises a researcher or lecturer who is not an EU, EEA, or Swiss national and who holds a master’s degree or equivalent to be hosted in France at the invitation of a French institution accredited for this purpose (for example, Sorbonne University) to carry out research or lecture at a university. This agreement sets out the conditions and duration of the research stay in France and specifies the beneficiary’s scientific project, host unit, financial resources and supervision arrangements. You must have this agreement when you apply for a Talent Passport - Researcher visa and residence permit, as it provides legal proof that you are being hosted in France.
- IBAN :
Acronym: International bank account number
international bank account details. This number is part of your bank details.
- Inserm :
Acronym: Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale
French national institute of health and medical research.
- Inventory (état des lieux) :
visit to check the condition of the property you are renting. There is an entry and an exit inventory.
- Izly :
payment platform used by students and university staff to pay at university cafeterias.
- Laundromat (laverie/lavomatic) :
self-service facility with washing machines and tumble dryers.
- Lease :
property rental contract.
