Here you will find some answers for your questions about gap years.
When can I take a gap year?
You can take a gap year as early as the second semester of your first year of higher education studies, unless you are repeating a year.
Do I have to take a gap year?
No, gap years are optional; you have no obligation to take a gap year.
Am I automatically entitled to taking a gap year?
No, you have to request it and your institution will grant it or not depending on the criteria it has set and published.
At the University of Orléans, students in apprenticeship, in a professional contract, registered in a University diploma (DU), or in international exchange (in or out of the UO) cannot apply for a gap year.
Can gap years consist in another training course?
Yes, you can carry out a gap year during a university semester or a university year in order to receive training in another field than the one you are mainly registered in.
When do gap years begin?
Gap years must begin at the same time than a university semester. You can carry them out as early as the second semester of your first year of higher education studies, but never after the last year of your studies.
What is the maximum duration of a gap year?
Gap years last at least one university semester and must be carried out during indivisible periods of 6 months. They can last at most one university year, or a period equivalent to one university year.
Can I take several gap years during my studies?
Yes, you can carry out several gap years throughout your studies.
Can I take a gap year after my 2nd year of master’s degree?
Yes, you can carry out a gap year after your 2nd year of a master’s degree if you are still registered in another training course afterwards (e.g. in a doctorate degree), regardless of the host institution and with its agreement.
No, you cannot take a gap year after your 2nd year of master’s degree if you do not continue your studies afterwards.
At the University, can I take a gap year between the 3rd year of my bachelor’s degree (L3) and the 1st year of my master’s degree (M1)?
Yes you can take a gap year between your L3 and your M1 provided that you are actually admitted to the first year of the master's degree and that the university where the master's degree will be taken agrees.
Can I take a 6-months gap year during the 2nd semester of a university year “y” and continue with another 6-months gap year period during the first semester of the university year “y+1”?
Yes, you can carry out a gap year year during the 2nd semester of a university year “y” and continue it with another 6-months gap year period during the first semester of the university year “y+1” as long as your institution allows it.
Can I take a 12-months gap year after my M1?
Yes, you can carry out a 12-months gap year after your first year of master’s degree if the institution allows it and if you have successfully passed the admission process for the 2nd year with a registration guarantee.
Can I carry out a 12-months gap year after my 2nd year of bachelor’s degree (L2) and request another 12-months gap year after my M1?
Yes, you can take a 12-months gap year between your L2 and your L3 and request another 12-months gap year after your M1 as long as your institution allows it.
During a gap year, do I still have my student card?
Yes, because you still need to be registered in your institution during the gap year in order to benefit from the student status and its advantages.
Can I take a gap year if I am a student in a Grande École?
Yes, you can take a gap year as a Grande École student between your first year and and your penultimate year of studies.
Can I carry out a gap year as an internship?
Yes, you can carry out a gap year as an internship as long as it lasts the same as one university semester and is part of a study course that respects the 200-hour minimum of training as defined by law n° 2014-788 of 10 July 2014.
Can I carry out a 12-months gap year as a single internship?
No, in accordance with the 2014 law on internships, you cannot carry out a 12-months gap year as a single internship within the same host organism.