OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT

WHY?

• To sign-up for an internet or mobile phone subscription
• To receive CAF payments or  health insurance
• To be able to get refunded by the French Social Security System, if you have applied for French Student Health Medical Cover
• To avoid paying fees every time you withdraw money or make a transfer
• To renew your visa

HOW?

We are partnered with the banks BNPParibas and HSBC. EDHEC students benefit from exclusive offers and free services at these banks. Click on the images below to see more details of the offers available for EDHEC students. 

You have freedom of choice when it comes to chosing your prefered bank (other banks include: Banque de France, Crédit Agricole, HSBC France, La Poste and LCL).  You can compare and also negotiate the different services offered by banks to find what best suits your needs, such as a credit card or international transfers.
If you cannot open you bank account during the Welcome Session, you will have to call your prefered bank directly to arrange an appointment to open one. Do not forget to mention that you are a student at EDHEC.

The appointment to open a bank account should last 30 minutes maximum. You can ask a French speaking classmate to go along with you as bank advisors don’t necessarily a speak English well!

To open a bank account, you need:

• A copy of your passport,
• A proof of address in France
• A school certificate in French
• Some money

WHERE?

3 options:

• Directly at the agency
• During the welcome session
• Online (depending on the bank you choose)

COMMUNICATION

INTERNET AND PHONE PROVIDERS

There are different types of providers so you will have to find which one best suits your needs. 

In France, there are 4 main mobile phone and internet service operators:

FREE, ORANGE, SFR, BOUYGUES TELECOM

If you don't want to spend time comparing different offers, you can also go to a MVNO (Mobile Virtuel Network Operator) agency such as NRJ Mobile. They provide offers from the different main operators. Some banks also offer mobile phone services.

Most operators offer packages: internet + mobile phone services (+TV).

IMPORTANT:

• Most of these operators don't have an English speaking service
• Don't forget to specify that you are a student, as that you might benefit from special rates and discounts
• EDHEC campus has computer rooms and WIFI

POST OFFICE

At "La Poste" you can send a parcel or specific mail, such as registered letters. For regular mail, you can use the yellow boxes located all around the city, as long as they are already stamped. Stamps can be bought online here or in a tobacco shop, or directly at the post office.

BRING YOUR FAMILY

IMMIGRATION FOR SPOUSES AND CHILDREN

A student’s family (spouse and children) can live in France.

All members of the family have to apply for a visa.

The visa usually issued to a spouse is a Visitor visa, which does not cover the spouse to work in France. 

As a student has their own French Student Health Insurance, adiditonal family members must take out their own. 

THE FRENCH EDUCATION SYSTEM

Crèche – Baby nursery

Nursery where babies and young children below the age of three are cared for during the working day.

Maternelle - Infant school

For the children aged between three and six.

Ecole élémentaire and Collège - Elementary and Secondary school

School education is compulsory for children aged between six and sixteen; this obligation covers both elementary education (école élémentaire) and the first four years (collège) of secondary education.

Private schools are fee paying and state schools are free of charge (excluding lunch)

ENROLL CHILDREN IN SCHOOL

STATE SCHOOLS

Enrolment takes place during the first half of the calendar year at the City Hall near your place of residence.

A special rule applies in day nurseries: children who reach the age of three between September and 31 December of that year may attend nursery school from September on. Children who turn three between 1 January and 1 March may go to nursery school, subject to availability of places, from 1 January until the end of the February holidays at the latest. Children who turn three after 1 March may go to day nursery until the start of the new school year.

To get a certificate of enrollment from the local city hall,you have to submit the following documents:

• Birth certificate
• Proof of vaccinations : certificate to show that the child is immunized against diphtheria, tetanus, and polio
• Proof of residence – usually a copy of a utility bill or rental agreement showing your home address

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS

Most children attend local and state schools, which are free. Several bilingual English/French schools exist in Lille and Nice, whihc may suit foreign families, as international schools may ease their child's transition into a new cultural environment.

VISITING FAMILY

If you have relatives coming to visit you in France, they can ask for a Tourist visa.

Emergency guide

The caller must:

1. State the location where assistance is needed
2. State their name and telephone number
3. State what happened, and if it is still happening
4. State how many people need help
5. State if there are weapons involved

All emergency numbers can be reached from pay phones, without the use of a phone card or money. It is also possible to call emergency numbers from a locked mobile phone (112 might work even when the message "no network available" is displayed).

European SOS 112

The number 112 can be dialed to reach emergency services - medical, fire and police - from anywhere in Europe. This emergency number 112 can be called from any telephone (landline, pay phone or mobile cellular phone). Calls are free. It can be used for any life-threatening situation.

Pharmacies/Chemist/Drug Store

Pharmacies are usually open from Monday to Saturday from 08:30 to 19:30. Many pharmacies are closed between 12:00 and 14:00.

At least one local pharmacy will be open on Sundays. Details of and schedule for this "duty pharmacy" (pharmacie de garde) can be found in every pharmacy window or through this Website.

Medical emergencies and accidents (SAMU)

SAMU: The Emergency Medical Assistance Service (Service d'Aide Médicale d'Urgence) reached by dialing 15 or 112.

A qualified doctor will answer the call and determine the most suitable way to deal with the situation. He will give information or advice to the caller, or send the appropriate emergency vehicle.

USEFUL GLOSSARY

SCHOLARSHIPS

Information about scholarships:

http://campus.edhec.com/international/scholarship/scholarship-225061.kjsp

More information in French about the Prame grant:

http://www.regionpaca.fr/se-former/vie-etudiante/aides-a-la-mobilite-internationale-des-jeunes.html

FINDING ACCOMMODATION

EDHEC offers several solutions to help you find accommodation. Please visit the dedicated page by clicking here >>