Glossary
- Student health service :
office dedicated to providing medical and psychological assistance to students.
- Talent passport :
residence permit for a maximum of four years issued under certain conditions.
- Teaching unit :
module that brings together several courses on the same subject.
- Temporary employee :
civil servant recruited for a short period of time to carry out a specific task.
- Thesis :
original research work that must be defended before obtaining a doctorate.
- Timetable (emploi du temps) :
schedule of activities planned over the course of a week, semester or any defined period.
- Tutorial :
Acronym: travaux dirigés - TD
small-group teaching session focusing on illustrating the concepts covered in lectures.
- Tutoring :
programme for new students who wish to receive guidance from a peer.
- UFR :
Acronym: Training and research unit
Subdivision within faculties, composed of different training departments and research teams in the same discipline. The UFRs organise courses and scientific activities in their fields.
- University cafeteria :
communal restaurant where students and university staff enjoy preferential rates. There is a university cafeteria on every campus or near every campus.
- University diploma :
diplôme universitaire
specific course offered directly by a French university, in addition to national diplomas such as the bachelor’s or master’s degree, which are awarded by the state. University diplomas are adapted to different student profiles, can be short or long and aimed at providing specialist training in a particular field or meeting local needs. Entry requirements, content and recognition vary from one establishment to another. For foreign students on mobility programmes, university diplomas represent an opportunity to acquire targeted skills and university experience in France. Although these diplomas may not be automatically recognised at national or international level, their value depends above all on the area of specialty and the reputation of the host university.
- University halls of residence :
collective accommodation with single or shared rooms reserved for university students. It is designed to be functional and adapted to student life.
- University library :
Acronym: Bibliothèque universitaire - BU
a place of study that holds the university’s documentation. Access is free upon presentation of a Sorbonne University student or professional card.
- University president :
appointed to govern the institution for a four-year term, they represent the university in its external relations, guide its strategy and oversee its research, education and innovation policies.
- University professor :
faculty member combining teaching and research, recruited following a competitive examination. They have senior academic status and must be qualified to direct research (HDR).
- University research :
rigorous intellectual activity carried out using scientific methods with the aim of advancing existing knowledge.
- Visa :
stamp or sticker affixed to the passport proving that the holder is authorised to enter the country for a specific period.
- Viva/defence :
oral presentation of the PhD student’s research work before a jury.
- VLS :
Acronym: visa long séjour
visa issued to non-European nationals who intend to stay in France between three months and a year. Once you have arrived in France, you must apply for a residence permit on the ANEF website.
- VLS-TS (visa long séjour valant titre de séjour) :
visa issued to non-European nationals wishing to reside in France for periods between three months and one year. The VLS-TS must be validated on the ANEF website within two months of arrival.
