Life in France

France
Burgundy
Dijon
Rhone-Alpes
Lyon

Step into our culture

With one of the most prestigious cultural heritages in the world, France's impact can be found in all areas of society including science, politics, economics, art, fashion, music and cuisine.

As a thriving hub of creative activity, you’ll experience an endless variety of festivals, concerts, museums, theatres, cinemas, street art, and more.

France is the seventh largest economy in the world

More than chic and sophisticated, the French are also known for their creativity, ideas and entrepreneurial spirit.

  • France holds the #6 position worldwide for the most international patents filed.
  • France is also the European country with the best representation in the list of the Top 100 Most Innovative Companies.
  • Over 30 French companies are in the Fortune Global 500 ranking.
  • France is home to more than 10 unicorn start-ups valued at more than USD 1 billion.

Get access to a top ranked education

The excellence of higher education in France is widely recognised throughout the world, with the “Grandes Ecoles” ranked at the top. These are highly selective business and engineering schools accredited by the French Ministry of Education.

BSB's status as an elite “Grande Ecole” confirms our close links with the business community as well as the world of cutting-edge research.
Boost your career 
in France

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.

Career Services
Post-Study Work Rights
Upon graduation, as an international, non-EU student you can apply for a "Stay Back" visa which lets you remain in France for 12 months to work.

Get to know your new home in France

Burgundy

The Burgundy region is conveniently located in the eastern half of France, giving you easy access to nearby countries. But there's so much to offer here that you'll probably never want to leave!
Explore Burgundy
Dijon Centre

Dijon

A dynamic, young city, Dijon is made for students. With parks, museums, festivals and haute cuisine, you'll settle in with ease.
Explore Dijon

Preparing for your stay in France

What should you bring to France?


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:

  • Your passport scan
  • Your student visa
  • BSB's acceptance letter
  • Insurance documents
  • A certified copy of your birth certificate translated into French

Packing Tip!
Be sure to bring along power transformers or converters if you are arriving from outside of Europe.

Dijon Weather
Local weather
Dijon is a walkable city with a warm and temperate climate. Summers can reach 35° Celsius and winters can dip to -5° Celsius, so you will truly experience all four seasons while living here. You should bring a variety of clothes for all year round: a warm coat for the winter, a raincoat, and light clothes for the summer.

Settling in

Welcome Days

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.

Learn more about visas & immigration
Welcome days at BSB

Stay connected

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.

Get a pre-arrival checklist from Campus France

Living in Dijon

Dijon is a very affordable city with lots of shops, cafes and restaurants within walking distance of BSB's campus.

Sample food expenses:

  • The famous baguette: €0.95
  • Cappuccino: €2.50
  • Beer downtown: €4.50
  • Basic fast-food menu: €7
  • Meal in a casual restaurant: €16

Sample living expenses:

  • Monthly rent for a 30 m2 (~ 322 sq ft) studio downtown: €500
  • Utilities per month (electricity, gas): €15-30
  • One month internet and phone subscription: €30
  • One month transportation pass: €30
  • Ticket to the movies: €7
Student Support

Tailor-made guidance for each student

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.

Visas & Immigration

Language Support

Health
Services

Housing
Support

France is a multicultural and open society, proud of its history and yet simultaneously looking to the future.

By studying at BSB in France, you will receive a top ranked education and experience our famous art de vivre – come see for yourself why the French lifestyle is renowned worldwide!

The Road to Burgundy

The gateway to Europe

One of the most dynamic regions in France, Burgundy is ideally located with Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium right on your doorstep. Living in Dijon, you will have easy access to major highways, the Dijon Bourgogne airport, and the SNCF railway station.

Traditional high quality craftsmanship

With nearly 2.9 million inhabitants, the Burgundy region is sought after by those in the hospitality industry for its time-honoured techniques and extensive knowledge of food and wine.
Wine and more in Burgundy

Fine wines and much more

Unique in the world, the “climates” of Burgundy’s vineyards were classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2015. Extending over 1247 plots of vines, each estate is more prestigious than the other. Imagine spending your weekends discovering vineyards that are over 2,000 years old through the prestigious “Route des Grands Crus” and walking amongst the grapes that will produce vintages reserved for the wealthiest clientele in the world such as Romanée Conti, Château de Pommard, or Clos de Vougeot.

See what's waiting for you in Burgundy

Get to know our Dijon campus in Burgundy

BSB's campus is located in the city centre of Dijon. You can easily reach your classrooms as well as various convenient facilities around the campus by public transportation or on foot: shops, restaurants, bars, museums, parks, gyms, libraries, and more.

If you choose to use Dijon's public transportation system, you'll find it to be reliable, convenient and clean. And if you are between 18 and 25 years old, you can benefit from the Pass 18-25 which gives you unlimited travel for €30 per month.
Dijon Walkable and Friendly
Walkable & Friendly
Explore the Dijon Campus
bustling & active
Discover Dijon as a City

Dynamic Dijon

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.

Travelling to Dijon

Nestled in the Burgundy valley, Dijon is both a hidden gem and an accessible city.
Plane Icon

PLANE

Choose from 4 nearby airports: Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport (CDG), Paris Orly Airport (ORY), Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS), or Geneva International Airport (GVA).

TRAIN

Dijon has its own TGV train station. Timetables, tickets and information are available on the OUISNCF website.

BUS

Affordable and convenient, you can also arrive by bus at Dijon's international station.
Map of Burgundy region

Living in Dijon

Come see why Dijon has been voted the second most popular city in France!

Eco friendly City Dijon

Environmentally friendly


As one of the most environmentally conscious cities in Europe, Dijon is committed to becoming a leader in urban sustainability and environmental awareness. Throughout Dijon, you’ll find many green places to study, play or relax.
Cultural Touch in Dijon

A rich cultural life


Capital of one of France’s 13 regions, Dijon is a dynamic, young metropolis where you can easily walk to many attractions such as concerts, shows, festivals, exhibitions, museums, and nightlife. You’ll be thrilled by the amount and diversity of activities you can enjoy in between your classes - there’s always something new to discover!
Be a foodie in Dijon

Are you a foodie?


True to the French gastronomic tradition, alongside elegant restaurants and wine bars, Dijon also offers laid back places to enjoy coffees, sweet treats, classic burgers, and pizza. And you can't miss our signature specialities including mustard, fine wines, truffles, gingerbread, chocolates and more!
Get active

Get active!


From soccer to roller derby, ice skating, rock climbing, dance or basketball, there are more than 400 sport clubs in Dijon, including five operating at a professional level. Plus, Dijon is a cycle-friendly city, with free short-term bike rentals and over 420 kilometres of cycle lanes.

Dijon: A city made for students

Over 34,000 students and 1,500 researchers call Dijon home, which gives the city a youthful and vibrant vibe.

There's plenty to choose from both on and off campus. Within BSB, we offer more than 25 student organisations spanning many interests such as culture, sport, media, or business - you’ll surely find the club that best suits you! By actively taking part in our on-campus associations, you’ll make new friends, have fun, and practice your people skills.
Discover BSB's clubs & sports
Dijon transport

Everything is within easy reach

Located in the heart of the city centre of Dijon and very close to the train station, the BSB campus is accessible on foot, bicycle or by public transport.

Renovated in 2017, our campus is designed to suit your needs for learning, studying, socialising and relaxing.
Explore our campus facilities

Student discounts across France

CULTURE

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.

TRAVEL

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.

FOOD

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.

With a population of 8 million, Rhône-Alpes is the third largest region in France.
A prosperous area, it has the second highest GDP in France and eighth highest in Europe.

THE ALPINE ROUTE

Rhone Alps

Sky-high mountain ranges

With three Alpine mountain ranges - the Alps, Jura, Massif Central – this region is understandably famous for its ski resorts and forest hikes. Thanks to its shared borders with Switzerland and Italy, people from all over the world come here for sports, mountaineering and tourism.
business and innovation

The home of business and innovation

There’s a distinctive entrepreneurial buzz here, with 65,000 new companies created every year. This is also France’s second leading region for patents filed, and it is home to an impressive €6.5 billion in Research & Development (R&D) investments.
Industries of the future

Industries of the future

Known as a major centre for the high tech and engineering industries, the Rhône-Alpes is also home to companies operating in a variety of sectors such as smart energy, industrial manufacturing, construction and public works, transportation and healthcare.

Lyon: Capital city of the Rhône-Alpes

Whichever BSB campus you choose, you will be ideally located with Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Luxembourg, and Belgium right on your doorstep.

When living in Lyon, you will have easy access to major highways, airports, and SNCF railway stations.

Lyon: A vibrant & connected city

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.

Wondering what Lyon is like?

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!

Living in Lyon

Lyon Architecture

History to explore


From ancient Roman remains to the architectural style inherited from the Italian Renaissance, Lyon has a colourful history to explore.
digital and creative industries in Lyon

Rich job market


Lyon has nearly 51,000 jobs in the digital and creative industries alone, and actively promotes collaboration between its higher education institutions and the many global companies that are based here.
Conde Nast Traveler, 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards

Voted the #2 best big city in the world for food, wine, architecture and art
by Condé Nast Traveler, 2020 Readers’ Choice Awards.

BSB’s new campus in Lyon

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:

  • Classrooms adapted to all kind of needs
  • Digital Learning Center
  • 3D printing room
  • Sport hall
  • Lounge area
  • Kitchen space
  • Student Clubs area

Programmes offered in Lyon

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.

Student discounts across France

CULTURE

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.

TRAVEL

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.

FOOD

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.

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