Caesuras
What is a gap year?
A study break is a period lasting up to one year during which a student enrolled in a higher education program temporarily suspends their studies in order to gain personal experience, either independently or through a host organization in France or abroad.
Please note that taking a gap year is not a parallel path to degree-granting education.
Request for a Gap Year
Theapplication form for a leave of absence must be submitted to the Registrar's Officeand must be accompanied by:
– a cover letter describing the type of gap year you are planning, the project’s objectives, and the implementation details (supervision by the host organization, tasks, project monitoring, etc.)
– one or more certificates from the host organization willing to commit to the period, as part of a gap year spent with a host organization (e.g., universal civic service, training, employment contract, etc.)
– the tentative schedule for your gap year project
The student's project must take place during the academic year.
If the UM president’s decision is favorable, a gap-year agreement will be drawn up in duplicate.
Deadlines for Submitting Gap Year Applications
The start date of the leave of absence must coincide with the start of one of the academic semesters:
– For a gap year abroad during the first semester or for the entire year: starting in July and no later than September 1
– For a gap year in France during the first semester or for the entire year: starting in July and no later than September 15
– For students taking a gap year in the second semester in France or abroad: no later than December 15