Villa Albertine 
University of Montpellier
#1 French University outside Paris; #4 university in France; #45 university in Europe (CWTS Leiden Ranking)
#200 worldwide; #20 in Ecology; #100 in a range of disciplines, including Water Resources, Robotics Science & Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, Oceanography, Remote Sensing and Statistics (Shanghai Ranking)
#201-300 in Sustainability Impact rankings (THE Times Higher Education)Located in the dynamic Mediterranean city of Montpellier in the south of France, the University of Montpellier (UM) is a leading international higher education institution.
UM is widely recognized in international university rankings, including ARWU and THE, for its expertise across a wide range of scientific fields, including health and biology, agro-environmental sciences, chemistry, information and communication technologies, and many others.
As a French university of excellence and a research-intensive institution, the UM is internationally recognized for its strong impact on societal challenges in the fields of food safety, environmental protection and human health. These areas are embedded across its 17 faculties, schools and institutes and are reflected in international university rankings.
At the UM, international students can choose from a range of postgraduate programmes taught in English, including the IDIL Graduate Programme. IDIL offers an innovative, research-intensive learning environment that introduces students to the world of research while promoting interdisciplinarity around the University’s three main pillars: To Feed, To Care and To Protect. Upon completing the IDIL Graduate Programme, students develop unique profiles that prepare them for careers in research as well as a wide range of other professional settings.
Eligible Programs for Lafayette Fellows
IDIL Graduate Program Master’s list (taught in English):
- Sustainable Chemistry for Advanced Materials: Environment and health
- Quantitative Biology: Molecular Mechanisms of Living Systems (Qbio)
- Fundamental and Translational Cancer Research
- Epigenetics, Genetics and Biohealth
- PhysioPathology and Regenerative Medicine
- Infection Biology: One Health
- Integrative Neuroscience and Omics
- Environmental Microbiology
- Plant System Interaction with Environment for Sustainable Agro-ecology
- Sustainable Food Systems
- Quantitative Ecology and Evolution
- Global Change Ecology
- Integrative Animal Biology
- Eco-epidemiology of Emerging Diseases
- Photonic & Electronic Sensors for Environment and Health
- Modeling Biological and Environmental Systems
- Adaptive Water Management under Global Change
- Earth and Water under Global Change
- Sustainable Economies and Societies
- Management and Sustainable Transition
- Comparative Politics and Public Policy
- Digital and Movement Sciences for Health
- Biomedical Engineering
- Chemistry for Healthcare, Protection and Nutrition
- Research and Innovation Engineer Diploma
- Sciences for Human Health
Biology, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Ecology, Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Genetics, Health, Neuroscience, Politics, Public Policy
Admissions Information
Students should use the standard Etudes en France procedure to apply for an IDIL Master’s degree. Applications will open on October 1, 2026. As a Lafayette Fellow applicant, you must apply through EEF by December 15, 2026.
If you have any questions regarding this calendar or the process, please contact the IDIL Team (idil-team@umontpellier.fr) at the University of Montpellier directly.
Entry requirements for each IDIL Master’s degree are available directly on the IDIL website. If you have any questions, please contact the professor in charge of the relevant Master’s course (contact details available on the IDIL website).
Once the University has received your application via the Etudes en France platform, the professor in charge of your Master’s degree will assess your application.
Reminder: The awarding of the Lafayette Fellowship is conditional upon admission to one of the eligible partner institutions. Applicants must complete both the Lafayette Fellowship application and apply to one program at one of the partner institutions.
Campus Life
The UM works closely with Campus France and has been awarded the “Welcome to France” label for the quality of its support for international students.
Support is also provided to international students throughout their academic journey through integration events and close collaboration with numerous student associations. The University welcomes more than 50,000 students, including 9,000 international students from 156 different nationalities, creating a particularly rich and diverse learning environment. Throughout the year, students can take part in a wide range of sports and cultural activities on campus.
Within the IDIL Graduate Program, students begin their academic journey with the IDIL Summer School: a dedicated integration week featuring conferences, fun activities and a student gala. This is also a great opportunity to connect with other IDIL students, professors and mentors.
Throughout the year, IDIL students can also take part in the IDIL House Cup. Students are assigned to a house and participate in fun activities to earn points. At the end of the year, the winning house receives a prize. For more information, check out our Instagram.
The UM welcomes students across various campuses within 17 different faculties schools and institute located across the city from the Saint-Eloi neighborhood in the north of the city to various locations in the heart of the historical center. All locations are easily accessible by public transport, which is free for students who reside in Montpellier.
Beyond the University, the cosmopolitan city of Montpellier, located in the Occitanie region, offers an exceptional Mediterranean lifestyle. Voted one of the best student cities in France, Montpellier is an innovative and dynamic city that hosts many international cultural and festive activities all year round. With over 1000 years of history, the city is surrounded by parcs, nature and the sea.
