Student life in Bordeaux is very popular. Accommodation is provided automatically, as well as mentoring, an induction evening and weekend, numerous societies, and an international relations department to help you settle in. At BSA (Bordeaux Sciences Agro) we do everything to ensure that your student life runs smoothly.
93% of students recommend Bordeaux
Accommodation provided for BSA international students
BSA will help you with any administrative procedures
According to the latest survey by L’étudiant magazine, Bordeaux is a popular city among students. The proof is that the number of students in Bordeaux increased by 32% between 2010 and 2020. Among them, the proportion of of international students has reached 11%.
93% of students recommend Bordeaux
The city of Bordeaux has plenty to offer: its sunny climate, its architecture, its relaxed lifestyle, its rich culture, its economic drive, its many restaurants, its location at the heart of the most prestigious wine region in the world, its proximity to the ocean and the largest planted forest in Europe (the Landes), and so on. When asked “Would you recommend Bordeaux to another student?” more than 93% replied that they would.
On the other hand, students deplore the high cost of living: high rent prices (on average €500 per month for a studio apartment in town), public transport (a monthly season ticket of €34.40 for students), etc. On average, you need to budget €700 per month to live in Bordeaux as a student. But for the first month, you will need to triple this amount because you will have additional expenses to face: installation fees in your new accommodation, electricity, telephone, water, etc.
Accommodation provided for BSA international students
This is one of the great advantages of coming to study at BSA (Bordeaux Sciences Agro): the automatic provision of an on-campus studio apartment, which costs less than in the city (between €335 for a room and €420 for a 22m2 studio) and is eligible for housing aid (CAF). The hassle of finding accommodation is over!
In addition, all international students at BSA agree that it is much easier to fit in with the other students if you stay on campus, not to mention the travel time you’ll save!
Located 30 minutes from Bordeaux city centre by tram or by bike (with bike-sharing stations nearby), BSA has very modern buildings and hyper-connected classrooms. There are many cultural and sporting societies to help you build new relationships.
To welcome you, an induction weekend takes place every year in September. International students are mentored by French students from their class. Welcome drinks are held on the second Thursday of September. A French language level test is carried out on arrival to help us set up linguistic support. Free French classes are given on campus, specific to your level. All these initiatives are put in place to help you to feel at home at BSA right from the beginning of the year.
BSA will help you with any administrative procedures
The BSA International Relations team is there to welcome you and help you with any administrative procedures: social security, family allowance fund (for housing assistance), etc. They will give you a complete guide, which contains all the practical information you need to know when arriving in Bordeaux and joining the school.
A visa is compulsory for students who are not from a European Union country. BSA will provide you with the necessary documents (letter of registration, proof of accommodation, scholarship certificate, etc.) to obtain a visa in your country of origin.
If your country appears in the following official list, you will be required to go through the compulsory online procedure. You will have to be patient because the French administration asks for a lot of supporting documents. The advantage of the digital procedure is that you can follow the progress of your application from a distance.
You will have access to university restaurants and cafeterias, libraries, campus sports facilities: gymnasium, football pitches, rugby pitch, weight room, dojo, etc. In addition, the Bois de Thouars is only 2 minutes away for walking, cycling, or running among the nature. A nearby health centre in Pessac, is also open to all students.
BSA is a people-oriented school, with small classes, which allows the teaching staff to be very present for their students. Moreover, classes have been able to continue in person throughout the health crisis, always in compliance with the health regulations in force.
BSA is a people-oriented school, with small classes, which allows the teaching staff to be very present for their students. Moreover, classes have been able to continue in person throughout the health crisis, always in compliance with the health regulations in force.