Amiens is halfway between Paris and Lille (less than an hour by train from each) in the North East of France.  It is two hours from Brussels, three hours from Maastricht, four hours from Amsterdam and five hours from London.
Amiens is the capital of the Picardie region and has a population of about 130,000.  It was heavily scarred by the Second World War and has had to rise from the ashes to occupy its rightful place: a town in the city where it’s really nice to live, home to the Amienois who are proud of their cultural heritage, who move with the times and live in the 21st century.

Where is the Groupe Sup de Co located in Amiens?

The school is divided into two campuses located in the same area:

-The ISAM which offers a bachelor program (Espace Somme)
-The ESC which offers a master graduate program (Espace Cathedrale)

The two campuses are located right in the town centre of Amiens next to one of the world’s most beautiful cathedrals, a source of natural inspiration for an original educational project.

What is the vocation of the Groupe Sup de Co Amiens Picardie?

The vocation of the ESC Amiens is to train students to become top-level business managers. The training offered by the school prepares students to realize strong ambitions.
It is based on:

The positions held by former students show their ability to put into practice a whole combination of management techniques, to contribute to the development of businesses and to evolve rapidly towards management positions.

Are the programs offered at Groupe Sup de Co Amiens Picardie nationally recognized?

Amiens School of Management is recognized by the State and its degree is approved by the Ministry of Education. It is a member of the ‘Chapitre de la Conférence des Grandes Ecoles’ (the French national accreditation body of the Schools of Management) which brings together the best French schools. The school also belongs to the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) which federates the top European institutions of management teaching.

What kind of relations does Groupe Sup de Co hold with the international community?

As a member of several international networks, Amiens School of Management cooperates with close to 250 partner universities throughout the whole world. The international openness of the training is the result of a combination of complementary arrangements:

-The possibility for students to carry out a period of study abroad for a semester or a year.
-The presence in Amiens of many students from foreign partner universities.
-The quality of exchanges between professors and the proportion of management teaching given in foreign languages.
-The carrying out of work experience or assignments for businesses abroad.
 

What facilities does Amiens School of Management have?

There is a student cafeteria at the Espace Somme as well as coffee and vending machines.
The school has a resource centre where students have access to reference books concerning their studies and where they can browse completed student memoires and placement reports.  Students also have access to professional and academic papers. 
An online database, assessable from the resource centre, gives students access to the international daily press, British and American economic reviews as well as extensive information on companies. 

The resource centre is open Monday to Friday 9am – 7.30pm during term-time and 9am to 5.30pm during the holidays.

As well as the resource centre, there are three multimedia rooms available for students.  One of these multimedia rooms (M1) located in the Espace Cathedrale, has 35 computers and is open 24h/day 7days/week.  You will need to use your student card to gain access if the door is locked.

What are the courses like?

Each module takes typically one week to complete in which time you will have 20-25 hours of lessons.
Most lessons are delivered as lectures in groups of 20 to 40 students.  You may be assessed with case studies, group work, presentations or exams.

What is the school timetable like?

This depends which courses you follow.  Usually lessons start at 9.30am and finish at 5.30pm with an hour’s lunch break.  If you take courses from the second or third year, you may only have lessons three days a week.  If you take courses from the first year, days may be shorter but you may have lessons every day.

Are there any English language requirements for exchange students?

Although Amiens School of Management does not officially have any requirements concerning a student’s level of English, we ask our partner universities to carefully select those capable of following lessons in English. 

Can I take French lessons when I am studying at Amiens School of Management?

French as foreign language

All international students will have the opportunity to take a two week intensive French course at the beginning of the semester.  The course is intended for students that have never learnt French before or that have a basic level of French. It is aimed at helping students understand and use basic grammar concepts and to develop core vocabulary.  The objective of the course is to teach the student enough everyday French to allow them to integrate into the French culture and to make friends.

The course is adapted to the level of the group and consists of:
- basic introduction to French grammar and vocabulary
- writing, listening and speaking exercises
- practical exercises

At the end of this course the student should
- have the confidence and the ability to introduce themselves
- a good grounding to further their knowledge of the French Language during their stay in Amiens.
Students that take this course are advised to follow the other French courses offered throughout the year in order to work on their language skills regularly.

For example:

General course: the content of this course is largely dependent on the level of the group; the aim is to give students a good grounding in French grammar and vocabulary. Students work on a different topic each week learning a grammar or vocabulary point and putting it into practice by doing various exercises.

Conversational French: this course provides the student with the opportunity to speak French in a small group and with native French speakers. The friendly atmosphere of these classes helps put students that are new to the language at ease and encourages them to participate. This class is closely linked to the General class as the students are expected to use the grammar and vocabulary points learned in the aforementioned class.

Written French: As the students progress and learn more about the language they are invited to attend a short course on writing in French. They work on practical tasks such as writing e mails and letters, writing short reports and filling in forms. This course should help students become more autonomous with regards to administrative procedures and written communication.

Will I be eligible for a student card at Amiens School of Management?

Yes, once you have arrived you will receive your own student card which proves you are enrolled at our school.  This card will give you access to the printers and you can charge it with money to use in the university restaurants and coffee machines.  There are many discounts available too in town for students if you present your card.


What should I know about my school credits?

European Students – ECTS (European Credit Transfer System)

ECTS, the European Credit Transfer System was developed by the Commission of the European Union in order to provide common procedures to guarantee the academic recognition of studies carried out abroad. It thus allows academic results to be measured and compared and to be transferred from one institution to another.

The system is based on the principle of mutual trust between the institutions participating in the programme. The institutions must meet four conditions in order to participate in ECTS: the creation of an information package (describing the courses available at the institution), the creation of a learning agreement (between the home and the host institutions), the allocation of credits and the transcript of records.

ECTS credits are allocated to course units according to their relative importance. One year of study represents 60 credits, i.e. 30 credits per semester.  These credits reflect the total quantity of work which the student should carry out (lectures, seminars, personal work, exams or other assessment activities).

Work placements and optional courses which are an integral part of the programme of study are allocated credits. If they are not an integral part of the course they are not allocated credits. They can nevertheless be mentioned in the transcript of records.


What is the ECTS grading scale?

The ECTS grading scale has been developed to help institutions translate the grades achieved by ECTS students in the host institutions. The ECTS grading scale provides additional information about the grades awarded to the student by the institution in which they are studying; this grading scale in no way replaces the local grading system. Decisions on how to apply the ECTS grading scale are made by the higher education institutions themselves.


How does the crediting system work for International students at Amiens School of Management?

For each semester at Amiens School of Management, you must choose enough courses that correspond to 30 ECTS credits.  Your international coordinator will help you choose courses as well as our own academic advisor Laurence Guy.

You must sign a learning agreement 2 to 3 weeks after your arrival, this gives you enough time to judge if the modules chosen correspond to your expectations and level of study. Any changes must be made in agreement with the 2 departmental coordinators within this time limit.


Can international students get a grant/scholarship?

European Students

If you are chosen by your school to participate in the ECTS exchange programme, you may be awarded a travel grant if you fulfil the general eligibility conditions for ERASMUS grants.  Please see your exchange coordinator for details.

Please note that students are exempt from tuition fees in their host institution. They are however obliged to continue to pay their tuition fees in their home institution during their study period abroad.

Non-European Students
Please see your exchange coordinator for details on grants/scholarships available to you.

Do Europeans citizens need a special permit to enter France?

You can enter France with your ID card without any specific formalities.


How do non-European citizens go about obtaining a visa to enter France?

Step 1

In 30 countries, the process of applying and receiving a student visa is now web-based.  Students from these countries are required to use the online process on campusfrance.org.

• go to Gare du Nord in Paris from CDG terminal 2 train station and then take a train for Amiens ® take RER B3 from the airport to Gare du Nord, then take a regular train from Gare du Nord to Amiens.
• take a TGV train (the fast train) to Amiens via Gare TGV Haute Picardie. The journey from TGV Haute Picardie train station is operated by bus and is included in the train ticket, the bus will drop you off at the Amiens train station. You can take the TGV train directly from Terminal 2 of the airport (“trains grandes lignes”). You can buy your ticket upon arrival; there is no need to book it in advance.

2/ Orly Airport

You should either:

• take an Air France bus which will drop you off at Roissy Charles de Gaulle (see information given above).
• take an ORLY-VAL train, then the metro (subway) which will take you to the Gare du Nord in Paris where trains leave for Amiens frequently. This solution is faster than the former.

3/ Paris-Beauvais Tillé Airport (the closest to Amiens - 60km)

You should either:

• take a shuttle from the airport to Beauvais train station for 4€ and then take a train for Amiens.
• take the bus from Beauvais airport directly to Amiens train station, but be careful because the last bus leaves the airport at 6:45 pm.
• take a taxi from the airport to Beauvais train station.  This should cost about 20€.

Here is the link to see the timetable of Paris-Beauvais Tillé airport bus: www.cabaro.info

Steps to help find the bus schedule on the website:
Les horaires de nos lignes
Toutes les lignes
Réseau interurbain cabaro
30 E Beauvais-Amiens
Téléchargez la fiche horaire de la ligne

What are the main train lines when arriving by train?

Two main train lines run from the Gare du Nord in Paris to Amiens:
Paris – Amiens /Boulogne/ Calais
Paris – Amiens/Lille

DON’T FORGET to validate your train ticket in the small yellow machines before getting on the train otherwise you could get a fine.  (« compostez vos billets »)

When arriving by car, what are the main roads leading to Amiens?

From Paris:
motorway A1 – exit Roye – trunk road 12
motorway A16 – exit Amiens Sud (Dury)

From Calais:
motorway A16 – exit Amiens Sud (Dury)

How will I communicate if I don’t speak French?

In most big cities in France you will be able to find someone who speaks English and is willing to answer your questions. Tourist Information centres are employing more English-speaking staff in France.
Here are a few key phrases to help you get your message across in French in case an English-speaking person is hard to find:

-‘’I would like a ticket for Amiens please.’’
‘’J’aimerais un billet pour Amiens s’il vous plaît.’’
-‘’Where can I find a washroom?’’
‘’Où sont les toilettes?’’
-‘’How do I call a taxi?’’
‘’Comment puis-je appeler un taxi?’’
-‘’Could I buy a calling card?’’ (to make international calls)
‘’Est-ce que je pourrais acheter une carte d’appel téléphonique pour des appels internationaux?’’
-‘’Could I buy a calling card to make calls in France?’’ (from a phone booth)
‘’Est-ce que je pourrais acheter une carte d’appel pour les cabines téléphoniques locales?’’
-‘’How do I get here?’’ (Pointing at a map for example)
‘’Comment puis-je me rendre ici?’’
-‘’How much does this cost?’’ (pointing at an object for example)
‘’Combien est-ce que ça coûte?’’
-‘’Could you please tell me what time it is?’’
‘’Pourriez-vous me dire l’heure s’il vous plaît?’’
-“Where is the station please?”
“Où est la gare s’il vous plait?”
-“Where is the RER station, please?” (In Paris)
“Où est la gare RER, s’il vous plait ? 
-“I’m looking for platform number 5, please.”
 « Je cherche le quai numéro 5, s’il vous plait. »

What should I do about accommodation?

You will have filled in the accommodation form before arrival, so the school will organize accommodation for you unless you stipulate otherwise. Most of the student flats are very close to the school in the town centre, and you will most likely be sharing with other international students.

Once we have organized the accommodation, we will contact you with information about where you will be staying and ask you to confirm your choice of accommodation.  You will be required to pay one month’s rent deposit and one month’s rent on arrival.  To confirm your place, you should agree to the conditions of the accommodation, sign and return the form to us. 

Although we try to give everyone their first choice, due to demand, this may not always be possible.  Please note that you may have to be housed in CROUS accommodation in their student halls of residence or you may be required to find your own accommodation.  To avoid this, you must send us your accommodation form well in advance of the application deadline.

How much is the rent?
The average price is between 350 and 450 euros, utilities included (electricity, water, internet). The accommodation will be reserved for a period, for example from September to December or January until the end of May, so that even if you leave earlier you will still be required to pay until the end of the period.

How will I get to my accommodation when I arrive in Amiens?

As soon as you have booked and confirmed your plane, bus or train ticket, you should let the International Office know about your date of arrival as well as an estimated time of arrival to Amiens.

On the day of your arrival in France it is important that you either call us or send us an email communicating that you have arrived and also informing us of how you intend to get to Amiens and at what time.

You will then be picked up from Amiens train station by the International Student Association (BDI) and they will take you to the International Office where you will meet Christophe CRABOT, Brigitte ACUNA, or Laurence GUY. They will give you your key and a welcome kit and then the BDI will take you to your accommodation.

What facilities are there in the flats?

The flats are furnished, with basic kitchen equipment and utensils. Most of them have two hobs and some have a grill-oven, a microwave and a fridge but do not have toasters or dishwashers. You may want to invest in some equipment, maybe with the person/people you will be sharing the flat with. The rooms are not supplied with bed linen, so you are advised to bring your own or to buy them when you get here. All the rooms are provided with blankets and pillows. The flats do not have washing machines; there are laundrettes within walking distance from the flats. They are reasonably priced and equipped with both washing machines and tumble dryers.

Is there an Internet connection in the international student flats?
All the flats are equipped with the internet. You will simply need to configure your laptop to access it.

Can I get help paying my rent?

There is an organisation called the CAF ('Caisse d'allocation familiale') which offers financial support to students. 
All students are eligible for this financial help but if you are only staying for one semester it can be more difficult to benefit as the process is long and you must provide many supporting documents.  You must complete the necessary documents as soon as you arrive in Amiens if you wish to benefit.
 Non-European students who are staying only for one semester must also be registered at the Social Security in order to qualify.

In order to apply for this financial help, you will need:

• A copy of your visa
• Your acceptance letter to Amiens School of Management
• Your French bank account details (a “RIB”)
• A copy of your European Health Insurance Card or a copy of your French Social Security Card

Once you have all these documents you should apply online at www.caf.fr.  Click on “étudiants” then “aide au logement” then ”faire une demande”.  You can also go to the CAF office in Amiens to get the paperwork.  The CAF will study your situation and will inform you of the amount of money you are entitled to.  This can be 80€-120€ / month.

Should I open a bank account in Amiens?

You should open a French bank account when you arrive in Amiens.  It will simplify your life a lot in France and it is will be required if you receive housing aid from the CAF.  You will also require a French bank account to return your housing deposit when you leave your apartment.  We have a special arrangement with a bank in Amiens that gives you free transfers between your French account and your account at home which will be very useful!
When you arrive in Amiens, we will arrange an appointment for you at the bank to open an account.

What do I need to know about telephones?

You can call abroad either from a mobile phone (very expensive), from a home line or with a phone card you can buy at the “Tabac” shops.

Getting a mobile phone is fairly easy. If your phone is contracted in your home country it may be blocked against some foreign operators, so you may have to get a new phone. If your phone accepts SIM-cards from other operators, you can just walk into a telephone shop and buy one for about 30 euros. There are 3 different suppliers in France, Orange, SFR and Bouygues, they all offer pay-as-you -go phone cards.

To get a fixed phone line, you'll have to go to France Telecom to get one set up. This will be cheaper if you share the cost with you flat mate. You will get the line for half price if you show them your student card (26€ instead of 52€). In addition to this there will be a monthly cost to use the line, plus the cost of the time you use the line. They also have special offers for calling abroad, which will be worth asking about.

Phone cards are a good way to get minutes to call foreign numbers. You can call with them from public phones by calling the number at the back of the card and keying in its secret code. You can get a card for 7,50€ or 15€. You get more minutes for some cards than others, so it is worth comparing the prices when you buy.
Of course, you will be able to Skype or msn with the internet connection in your flat!

What kind of transport operates in Amiens?

The school is located in the town centre and everything is within walking distance but if you wish to do and see some things slightly out of town, you may need some transport to get about.

Bicycle
Amiens has a self-service bicycle scheme where you can take a bike and put it back in any other station all around the city.  A day ticket will cost you 1€, a week will cost you 5€.  In this period you make take a bike to traverse the town and if you put it back at any station within 30 minutes you will not pay any further.  You will need to pay by card and the machine will take you through the necessary steps.
If you prefer, you may hire a bike from véloservice for 10€/month.  The boutique is on the ground floor of the Perret Tower opposite the train station.

Buses

If you wish to go to the out of town shopping centre or supermarket you may prefer to take the bus. 
You can take a bus by buying a ticket from the driver for each journey for 1,20€, or you can invest in a monthly bus pass.
  Go to AMETIS, 10, place Alphonse Fiquet, (next to the train station) with your student card and two passport photos where you can get a monthly bus pass for 22€.  This card allows you to use any of the buses in town.
As with the single use ticket, you must validate your ticket (or card) each time you get on a bus.  A single use ticket is valid for 1hour from the first time you use it.

Train
You will have probably arrived in Amiens at the train station.  France and Europe have an extensive railway network which will allow you to get around almost anywhere at a very reasonable price and often faster than flying.
If you plan to travel by train in France during your semester with us, we recommend that you buy the “carte 12-25” young persons rail card which costs € 50 and gives you between 25 and 50% off any train for a year.  You just need your ID and passport photo to get the card at any SNCF train ticket counter.  Come prepared and buy the rail card at the airport when you arrive and benefit from the discount on your first trip to Amiens!

What if I become sick in Amiens?

You can buy some over the counter medicines like paracetamol, aspirin and cough syrups over the counter in pharmacies but most medicines need a doctor’s prescription.

You will find many pharmacies in Amiens, all are open during the day but at night and at the weekends you should go to the Police Station, rue du Marché Lanselles to get the name and address of the pharmacy on duty (pharmacie de garde).

In France you are free to choose your own doctor.  The cost of a visit is 22€ for a general practitioner and 28€ or more for a specialist.  Some surgeries require that you make an appointment so it is best to check before you go.

If you are more seriously ill, all hospitals have an emergency room that is open 24 hours a day.  In an emergency you can call the SAMU (mobile emergency medical service) by dialling ‘15’ or the fire brigade, who are trained medically, by dialling ‘18’.  Alternatively, call 112 from a mobile phone to access all the emergency services.

How do I pay and get reimbursed for medical costs?

The French healthcare system is one of the best in the world.  The level of care in French hospitals is of very high quality, and universal insurance makes care available to everyone.

European Students

You should apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before travelling which allows you to get medical care during your stay in France .Once you have arrived in Amiens we will need a photocopy of your card.

Non-European Students – Under 28 years old

You are required to take out health insurance before you arrive in Amiens that covers hospitalization in France and repatriation to your home country.  Once you arrive in Amiens, we will need a photocopy of your insurance (of preference in English or French)

Non-European students over 28 years old

You are required to take out health insurance before you arrive in Amiens that covers hospitalization in France and repatriation to your home country.  Once you arrive in Amiens, we will need a photocopy of your insurance (of preference in English or French).

In France, if you are over 28 years old, you are not eligible for student health insurance.  You will have to purchase health care from your own country, or after 3 months in France you can apply to get the CMU (Universal Medical Cover).

Note: Students from Quebec are exempt from taking out the French Health Insurance (Sécurité Sociale)

Full details on student social security in France, available in different languages, can be found at www.lmde.com

Another student social security is the SMENO.  Please see www.smeno.com for more details.

What is the cost of living in Amiens?

Although Amiens is smaller than Paris or Lille, you should have about 800€/month at your disposal (including rent).  This will be higher if you wish to travel. 

How much money should I budget for food?

You can budget as much or as little as you wish.  In the town centre you will find Carrefour Market and Match, which are reasonably priced supermarkets for pretty much all of your everyday needs. You also have Dia, Lidl and Aldi which are chains of little grocery stores that can be less expensive than the supermarkets.  If you have a car, Carrefour and Auchan are bigger hypermarkets about a 10 minutes drive away, for bulk buying or going shopping for basic household equipment, like mirrors, home electronics or even plants. You can also get to these stores by bus.

Eating out is not overly expensive, again depending on where you go. There are plenty of restaurants, pizzerias, fast food restaurants, and kebab shops in town.  Cafés and bakeries are also popular especially at lunch time. And the baguettes are freshly made every day!

There is a university restaurant (Le Resto U) 5 minutes on foot from the school.  A complete meal, comprising of an appetizer, a main meal and dessert costs 2€90.  The first time you go, you should present your student card and you will receive a restaurant card in return.  By charging the card with money at the restaurant, you will be able to buy your meals.

The restaurant is open Monday to Friday 11.30am - 1.30pm and 6.30pm - 8pm.

What leisure activities are there in Amiens? Gym, sports, etc…?

There are gyms and fitness clubs in town, or you can get a reasonably priced pass to the swimming pool. The park is near the town centre with basketball and soccer fields, and large grass fields for those who enjoy the outdoors. You can also go running in the park or along the banks of the river Somme.

Amiens has an ice hockey team, the Gothiques, as well as an American Football team, The Spartiales.  For a full list of all associations in Amiens, please see the AGORA booklet at www.ovacam.asso.fr

The school has 16 different associations; you will discover them during orientation week on the occasion of the Association Fair. The biggest one is BDE (Bureau Des Elèves), who organise parties and make sure the student life remains lively at the school. There is the BDI (Bureau de l'International) who organise trips and events for the international students; you will most probably meet the students from this association especially in the beginning of your stay. Then there are also BDS, for sports, BDA, for arts, even an association for wines etc.

What is going out like? Clubs, bars, cinema…?

The night life in Amiens is less dance-based and more designed for socialising and sitting down for a drink. There are plenty of pubs and bars that show football matches etc. Some of them have a small dance floor, and there are some clubs in town too. Clubs prefer to play French music, and may be a very different experience from what you are used to at home.

Most of the bars are in St Leu, located right next to the school.  When the weather is nice, the tables are placed on the terrace, giving the area a really lively atmosphere.

The school's associations arrange parties almost every week, sometimes more than once a week. They are a good way to get to know your school friends and other students outside of the classroom. The nights are popular within the student community, and at times you get very good deals on club entry prices.

There are two cinemas in Amiens.  Gaumont Cinema is a multiplex next to the train station and shows the blockbusters but the films are usually dubbed into French (VF – version française).  Ciné St Leu show films in their original language (VO - version originale) and is less expensive than Gaumont.

If you like live music, you should go to ‘La Lune des pirates’ (www.lalune.net/lune.html) situated in St Leu on the quayside.  They often have international upcoming acts playing.

There is also a Zenith stadium situated in Amiens.  This is a big music venue and if you go to the Fnac shop in the town centre, you can see upcoming events and buy your tickets.

Any student recommendations?

Previous international students have recommended the following bars and clubs:

Bars:                        
Don Quichotte – 1, rue des bondes
My Goodness – Irish Bar - 15, rue Edmond Fontaine
Le New Port – 5, Quai Bélu

Clubs :                     
Le passport – 14, rue des archers
Le Lipstick – 9, rue des Francs Muriers
Le Club – 13, rue des Francs Muriers

Should I bring my car?

Travelling from the UK or mainland Europe to Amiens is very easy with all the ferries across the channel and the motorways which are easy to follow. Do prepare yourself for the ‘péage’ though on the motorways, as you have to pay tolls in euros in cash or by card when you drive on them. You will get a ticket when you enter the motorways, and upon exit, you will have to pay according to the kilometres you have covered.

In Amiens you don't necessarily need a car. Everything in town is in walking distance, and parking can cause a problem sometimes. You have to pay for parking in Amiens town centre, either in multi-storey car parks or on the roadside.  If you do not pay you will get a parking fine.  It is possible to find free parking but you must remember that it might not be in the town centre. 

If you wish to do little trips in northern France for example it is always easier to take your own car, as you can follow your own schedule. This is a good option especially if you go with a full car of other students since you all could split the cost of gas and the tolls.

Will I get a chance to travel in Europe?

It depends on which courses you will follow. The courses are organized over 3 days, which may allow you to have long weekend sometimes. Since everything is close in Europe, you will have plenty of chances to visit at least the neighbouring countries (the UK, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, even Italy and Spain).The school organizes trips to England, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is possible to do weekend trips on your own and day trips to places in France too.

If you plan to travel by train in France during your semester with us, we recommend that you buy the “carte 12-25” young person’s rail card which costs € 50 and gives you between 25 and 50% off any train for a year.  You just need your ID and passport photo to get the card at any SNCF train ticket counter.  Come prepared and buy the rail card at the airport when you arrive and benefit from the discount on your first trip to Amiens!

There are many low-cost airlines in Europe, and you can fly from Beauvais airport (60 km south of Amiens), as well as Roissy Charles de Gaulle in Paris. Check on their web sites for details (www.ryanair.com, www.easyjet.com).

You will find out more about travelling once you get to Amiens, the French students always have good tips, as well as other international students, from their own travels.

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