More than chic and sophisticated, the French are also known for their creativity, ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.
Burgundy is home to some of the world’s largest multinational companies operating in a variety of industries.
Due to a supportive business environment, you’ll also find plenty of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as start-ups backed by the French Tech movement, a unique ecosystem that brings together investors, decision-makers and community builders.
Remember to scan all your important documents and save them to the Cloud, bring them with you on a USB stick, or email them to yourself before leaving. This includes:
Packing Tip!
Be sure to bring along power transformers or converters if you are arriving from outside of Europe.
All incoming international students are invited to attend BSB's student orientation programme, which takes place before your classes begin.
Through interactive workshops, we will give you all the necessary information to settle in to your new lifestyle. Topics will include getting to know France and Dijon, discovering our culture and cuisine, and finding a balance between academic studies and free time. We also cover two important administrative responsibilities, which we have spotlighted below.
French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFIL)
Within the first three months of your stay in France, you must submit your application for student visa approval to the OIFL. This is an important legal requirement that you cannot skip, and our team will help you to fulfil this obligation.
Student and Campus Life Contribution / Contribution Vie Etudiante et de Campus (CVEC)
Students admitted to a French institution of higher education for a degree programme are subject to a fee known as the CVEC. The amount of the CVEC is currently €92 per academic year and may be paid online. See the Campus France website for more information.
Your current mobile contract might work upon arrival in France, but ultimately, it's best to get a local SIM card. You can choose from prepaid accounts, top-ups or contracts. Many foreign students find it's easiest to get a temporary prepaid SIM card upon arrival in the airport or train station and then switch to a contract later. You'll need a French bank account and proof of address in France in order to get a phone contract; we can also help you with this process during student orientation.
Dijon is a very affordable city with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance of BSB's campus.
Sample food expenses:
Sample living expenses:
At BSB, we offer the coaching and support you need to help you excel during your time with us
and find your purpose to fulfil your role in society, in your community and in a company or organisation.
Get to know the city you will soon call home!
Kick back for a few minutes and get a glimpse of Dijon's charms in the video from the official government tourism office.
Dijon has its own TGV train station. Timetables, tickets and information are available on the OUISNCF website.
Come see why Dijon has been voted the second most popular city in France!
France is famous for its culture and as a student here, you will soon find out why! There's something to explore on every corner, from art to theatre to cinemas and heritage sites. There's always an exhibition happening somewhere, and music and dance festivals pop up across towns throughout spring and summer. Many national and state museums are free - as are libraries for BSB students - and you'll benefit from discounts when you show your student card at many venues across the whole of France and even in wider Europe.
With an excellent rail network and the high speed TGV train line, you’ll be zipping around the country in no time! The Carte Jeune grants you discounts if you are under 28 years old, and there’s plenty of options for cheaper or last minute tickets too. Travelling by bus or rental car can often be cheap and convenient , and there’s a variety of low-cost airlines giving you easy access to the rest of Europe. Within many cities such as Dijon, you'll find reliable trams or metro lines and free 30-minute bike rentals.
All BSB students have access to the national CROUS system (Centres Régionaux des Ouvres Universitaires et Scolaires), allowing you to have low priced, balanced meals at almost any university in France. Naturally, you'll find a wide variety of cuisines at cafes and restaurants or pop-up food stalls. And for the real French experience, you can't miss our weekly local markets offering fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread and pastries, prepared dishes, regional specialties, and more.
Lyon has reinvented itself from its strong industrial heritage to a modern day metropolis with a dual focus on education and technology.
Home to more than 21,000 international students, the city has a youthful vibe and takes an innovative approach to urban planning which strikes a balance between preserving its history and creating sustainable solutions for tomorrow.
Check out this fast paced video from the official government tourism office and picture yourself along the way as you run, climb, dance, eat, and explore your way through the city!
Voted the #2 best big city in the world for food, wine, architecture and art
by Condé Nast Traveler, 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards.
Five minutes from Central Station, our brand new Lyon campus is located at the heart of the city. With co-working spaces inspired by Google and smaller classrooms for personalised learning, this educational environment is designed to boost your academic and personal development:
The majority of BSB's programmes are based out of our main Dijon campus, and our newly renovated Lyon campus is home to four exciting degrees.
France is famous for its culture and as a student here, you will soon find out why! There's something to explore on every corner, from art to theatre to cinemas and heritage sites. There's always an exhibition happening somewhere, and music and dance festivals pop up across towns throughout spring and summer. Many national and state museums are free - as are libraries for BSB students - and you'll benefit from discounts when you show your student card at many venues across the whole of France and even in wider Europe.
With an excellent rail network and the high speed TGV train line, you’ll be zipping around the country in no time! The Carte Jeune grants you discounts if you are under 28 years old, and there’s plenty of options for cheaper or last minute tickets too. Travelling by bus or rental car can often be cheap and convenient , and there’s a variety of low-cost airlines giving you easy access to the rest of Europe. Within many cities such as Lyon, you'll find reliable trams or metro lines and free 30-minute bike rentals.
All BSB students have access to the national CROUS system (Centres Régionaux des Ouvres Universitaires et Scolaires), allowing you to have low priced, balanced meals at almost any university in France. Naturally, you'll find a wide variety of cuisines at cafes and restaurants or pop-up food stalls. And for the real French experience, you can't miss our weekly local markets offering fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, bread and pastries, prepared dishes, regional specialties, and more.
